Is your WordPress site getting crawled properly by Google? Is it secure? Is it loading fast enough?
Several things typically distinguish professional websites from amateur jobs. At first glance, the difference is usually in the graphics and layout. Does it look like someone put careful thought into the user experience, or is it something slapped together with a bunch of clip art? If you’re ready to take your site from amateur to professional, focusing on these key elements is essential for improving both functionality and appearance
Just because your audience and user base is small doesn’t mean that you should have a small-time attitude. Behind the scenes, professional websites run smoothly and are managed properly, so that they load quickly and securely. If you want to take your site from Amateur to Professional, these 5 things will help level up your site’s performance.
A SSL Certificate
Secure websites are marked with an SSL Certificate (Secure Sockets Layer), which authenticates the identity of a website. You’ve seen this on any website whose URL begins with ‘https’. Just click the lock icon at the top of your browser window, and you’ll see further information about the verification of this address. The idea is to assure users that you are who you say you are, and that any data sent through the website will be encrypted. Implementing SSL is a step you can take to take your site from Amateur to Professional, enhancing both security and credibility.
A Content Delivery Network (CDN)
A CDN helps speed up your site by taking most of the load off of your host and distributing it across a network of servers around the globe. This way, regardless of your host server’s physical location, it can reduce the time to first byte (TTFB) and get your site to load faster. Kinsta offers a thorough breakdown of the benefits of using a CDN.
An XML SiteMap
Sitemaps allow search engines to find all of your web pages. An XML sitemap contains all of the important pages of your website and the date that it was last updated. This ensures that search engines have not only crawled the page, but also the latest version of it. Yoast has a terrific tutorial about XML Sitemaps and how to generate one (hint, it uses their plugin). By incorporating an XML sitemap, you can take your site from amateur to professional, enhancing both search engine visibility and user experience.
Google Search Console Connection
Google Search Console is a free service offered by Google that helps you monitor and maintain your site’s presence in Google Search results. This includes things like search terms used to find content on your site, 404 errors, and how your content displays on Google’s search engine results pages. Read more at the Google Search Console website.
Images
Most people can spot stock image art from a mile away. When you place images of people you’ve never met on your company’s homepage what are you saying to your potential customer? What are you hiding behind? Consider hiring a professional photographer for images of real employees and your real office. Failing that, try to find some more authentic images. We wrote about some of our favorite resources for free stock images here. You must have permission to use any images that you find online. Our short guide to photo licenses and how to sort Google Image search results by license can help.
Regular Updates
You must, must, MUST, keep your WordPress website updated. This means the WordPress core files, your theme, and your plugins. A well-maintained website is up to date with all of the latest security patches. This goes, by the way, for the computer you use to access your website as well. Using a professional maintenance service will take away the hassle of keeping on top of updates and the headache of dealing with what happens when an update causes things to break.
Without a whole maintenance team, you need to keep things simple. These 5 things will put your website on solid ground for security, usability, and searchability. If you’d like to hear about how we can help you take your site from Amateur to Professional and keep it maintained for you, contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I take my site from Amateur to Professional?
To take your site from Amateur to Professional, you should focus on key elements such as implementing an SSL certificate, using a Content Delivery Network (CDN), setting up an XML sitemap, connecting to Google Search Console, and ensuring regular updates for WordPress, themes, and plugins. These steps will help improve your site’s security, speed, searchability, and overall user experience.
What is an SSL certificate, and why is it important to take your site from Amateur to Professional?
An SSL certificate secures your website by encrypting data and authenticating your site’s identity. By implementing an SSL certificate, you not only enhance security but also build trust with your visitors. This is a vital step to take your site from Amateur to Professional, ensuring your site appears credible and safe to use.
How does a CDN help when trying to take your site from Amateur to Professional?
A Content Delivery Network (CDN) speeds up your website by distributing the load across multiple servers globally. This reduces the time it takes for your site to load and improves overall performance. If you’re looking to take your site from Amateur to Professional, using a CDN is an effective way to optimize your site’s speed and reliability.
What is an XML sitemap, and how does it contribute to taking your site from Amateur to Professional?
An XML sitemap helps search engines crawl and index your website’s pages more efficiently. It ensures that all important pages are indexed and up-to-date, which is essential for better search engine visibility. Implementing an XML sitemap is one of the most effective ways to take your site from Amateur to Professional in terms of SEO.
How does Google Search Console help in taking your site from Amateur to Professional?
Google Search Console provides valuable insights into how your site performs in Google search results. It helps you monitor search queries, identify potential errors, and improve the visibility of your content. By connecting your site to Google Search Console, you can take your site from Amateur to Professional by optimizing for better search rankings and user experience.
