7 Common WordPress Mistakes to Avoid as a New User

WordPress powers over 43% of websites worldwide, making it the go-to platform for bloggers, businesses, and eCommerce stores. Its flexibility, user-friendly interface, and robust ecosystem make it ideal for users of all skill levels. However, new WordPress users often make mistakes that can compromise their site's performance, security, or user experience.

In this guide, we'll explore seven common WordPress mistakes to avoid. Steering clear of these pitfalls will help ensure your website is fast, secure, and optimized for success.

1. Choosing the Wrong Hosting Provider

Your hosting provider serves as the foundation of your WordPress website. A poor choice can lead to slow loading times, frequent downtimes, and even security vulnerabilities. Many new users are tempted by cheap hosting plans that fail to meet their website’s needs.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

• Research Hosting Providers: Look for hosting specifically optimized for WordPress, such as SiteGround, Bluehost, or Kinsta.
• Consider Scalability: If you anticipate traffic growth, ensure the hosting plan can accommodate it.
• Check Reviews: Use forums and customer reviews to assess reliability and support quality.
• Prioritize Speed and Security: Choose hosting that offers SSD storage, built-in caching, and robust security features.

Investing in quality hosting prevents downtime and keeps your website performing at its best. The 2 top WordPress hosting companies are WPEngine and SiteGround

2. Not Changing the Default Admin Username

WordPress assigns the default username "admin" during installation, and many new users fail to change it. Hackers often target websites using this username because it's predictable and makes brute-force attacks easier.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

• Set a Unique Username During Installation: During WordPress setup, use a username that isn’t easily guessable.
• Use a Plugin to Change It: If your site is already set up, use a plugin like Username Changer to update it.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of security with 2FA to protect your login page.

Changing the default admin username significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access to your site.

3. Ignoring Regular Backups

Imagine losing all your website content due to a hack or server crash. For new WordPress users, failing to implement a proper backup strategy can be catastrophic. Without backups, recovering from data loss becomes time-consuming and expensive.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

• Install a Backup Plugin: Use tools like UpdraftPlus, Jetpack Backup, or BackupBuddy to automate regular backups.
• Store Backups Off-Site: Save backups to cloud storage platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, or an external hard drive.
• Test Your Backups: Regularly check that your backups can be restored successfully.

Regular backups act as your safety net, allowing you to recover quickly from unexpected issues.

4. Using Too Many Plugins

WordPress plugins are essential for adding functionality, but overloading your site with plugins can cause conflicts, slow down your website, and introduce security vulnerabilities. New users often install numerous plugins without considering their quality or necessity.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

• Be Selective: Only install plugins that are essential for your site’s functionality.
• Vet Plugins: Check reviews, update frequency, and compatibility with your WordPress version before installation.
• Delete Unused Plugins: Remove plugins you no longer use to minimize clutter and reduce potential vulnerabilities.
• Opt for Multi-Functional Plugins: Choose plugins like Jetpack or Rank Math, which offer multiple features in one package.

A streamlined plugin setup enhances site performance and reduces risks.

5. Neglecting Website Security

Cybersecurity is a critical aspect of running a WordPress site, yet many new users overlook basic precautions. Weak passwords, lack of updates, and failing to implement SSL certificates can leave your site vulnerable to attacks.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

• Use Strong Passwords: Avoid predictable passwords and use a password manager for complex combinations.
• Keep Software Updated: Regularly update WordPress core, themes, and plugins to patch vulnerabilities.
• Install a Security Plugin: Tools like Wordfence, Sucuri Security, or iThemes Security help monitor and protect your website.
• Enable SSL: Use an SSL certificate to encrypt user data and secure your site. Many hosting providers offer free SSL certificates via Let’s Encrypt.

Proactively addressing security helps build user trust and safeguards your website.

6. Failing to Optimize for SEO

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is vital for driving traffic, but many new WordPress users overlook key optimization techniques. Poor SEO practices can limit your website's visibility in search engine results.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

• Install an SEO Plugin: Use tools like Yoast SEO or Rank Math to guide you in optimizing on-page elements.
• Conduct Keyword Research: Identify relevant keywords using tools like Ahrefs, SEMRush, or Google Keyword Planner.
• Optimize Images: Compress images using plugins like Smush or ShortPixel to improve loading times.
• Set Permalinks Properly: Navigate to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard and choose the "Post name" structure for cleaner URLs.

Consistent SEO efforts improve your site’s visibility and attract organic traffic.

7. Skipping Mobile Optimization

With over 50% of global web traffic originating from mobile devices, neglecting mobile optimization is a costly mistake. Many new WordPress users fail to test their site’s appearance and functionality on smaller screens.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

• Use a Responsive Theme: Select themes that adapt seamlessly to different screen sizes.
• Test Your Site: Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test Tool to identify and fix issues.
• Enable Lazy Loading: Lazy loading defers image and video loading until they are needed, improving mobile performance.
• Optimize for Speed: Compress images, enable caching, and use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to enhance mobile load times.

A mobile-friendly website ensures a positive user experience and improves your search rankings.

Final Thoughts

Avoiding these seven common WordPress mistakes will help you create a website that is secure, fast, and optimized for growth. By investing time in learning the platform and implementing best practices, you can unlock WordPress's full potential and achieve your online goals.

Take proactive steps today—research your hosting provider, secure your site, and streamline your plugin setup. With a solid foundation, your WordPress site will thrive and stand out in the competitive digital landscape.