A fresh WordPress install needs a few settings changed before you add content. The video tours every settings screen; this list gives the recommended choices for a business website.
General
- Site title and tagline: your business name and a short description.
- WordPress and site address: make sure both start with https.
- Timezone: choose Kolkata (or your city) so scheduled posts go out on time.
- Date format and language.
Writing
Default post category and format. Leave the rest as is unless you post by email.
Reading
- Your homepage displays: a static page for business sites, latest posts for blogs.
- Search engine visibility: make sure "Discourage search engines" is unticked once the site is live. Forgetting this is a common reason new sites do not appear on Google.
Discussion
Turn comments off if you do not need them, or require approval to block spam.
Media
Image sizes WordPress creates. The defaults are fine for most sites.
Permalinks
Choose Post name so URLs look like yoursite.com/service-name. Set this before publishing; changing it later breaks links unless you add redirects.
Privacy
Choose or create a privacy policy page. Our privacy policy generator drafts one for you.
Want the full picture? This article is part of Business websites: the complete guide, our in-depth guide with everything in one place.
