It’s the time of year when everybody is putting together a list of goals and resolutions for the year ahead, so why not make a few that are dedicated to improving your WordPress site? We’ve created a list of five practical resolutions that will really help your site go from good to great.
- Give your site a facelift
Throughout the last year your to do list for your website has probably grown and grown. Update the header, create more catchy copy, add some new product photos – whatever is on your list, it’s time to start putting those little jobs off and tackle them one by one. Why not set a weekend aside to work through your to do list and refresh your site with a new theme or some eye-catching graphics? Of course, if the thought of tackling your website’s code is a little too much to bear, there’s always the option of hiring a customisation agency to do it for you!
2. Responsive design is here to stay
Responsive design isn’t just a cool feature now, it’s a necessity. More and more browsing is done on mobile devices and you simply can’t afford for your site not to look its best on tablets or mobile phones. A few simple tweaks can make a huge different, so set some time aside and test out your site on various mobile devices to see how it really performs. We wrote about how to optimise your site for mobile browsing, so check it out if you need any tips.
3. Plugins: out with the old, in with the new
This resolution has two parts. First up, look through your list of installed plugins and remove anything that you don’t use on a regular basis. Too many plugins can slow down your site and make your dashboard clunky and cluttered; keep only what you really use and what will actually enhance your WordPress experience.
Secondly, make sure all of your existing plugins are up to date and install any new ones you’ve had on your to do list for a while now. Maybe you’ve been wanting to install something to help with SEO, or maybe one of your resolutions is to pay more attention to your analytics – whatever it is, there’ll be a plugin for it and this is the perfect time to do some research and download a few new favourites.
4. Create a social media strategy
Social media is a marketing juggernaut that isn’t going to slow down any time soon – to really market your business online you need to be connected to your customers and social media is the perfect way to create an engaged online community. Play to your strengths and spend time getting to know your customers – if you run a video editing company then make the most of YouTube, whereas your flourishing craft business might find a natural social media home on Pinterest.
5. Discover the community
One of the best things about being a WordPress user is the diverse, friendly community that comes with it. If you haven’t ever attended a meet up, WordCamp or other WordPress event then make 2015 the year that you bite the bullet and meet some like-minded people. You never know, you might make some new friends in the process!
What do you think? Are any of these resolutions taking your fancy? Comment below and let us know what your resolutions for 2015 are!