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Written by Webolicious on4 March 2025 | 4 mins Read Common WordPress Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
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Common WordPress Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

WordPress is an amazing platform that powers millions of websites worldwide, but let’s be real—it’s easy to make mistakes! 🤦‍♂️ Whether you're a first-time website owner or a seasoned pro, dodging these common pitfalls can save you time, money, and stress.

From security slip-ups to speed-sapping blunders, we’re diving into the biggest WordPress mistakes and how to fix them like a pro! 🛠️

1. Choosing the Wrong WordPress Version 🤷‍♂️

Did you know there are two versions of WordPress? Many beginners accidentally choose WordPress.com instead of WordPress.org, only to realise they have limited control over their site.

🚀 Fix it Fast:

  • ✅ Always choose WordPress.org for full control over your site.
  • ✅ Get reliable hosting that supports self-hosted WordPress.

2. Not Selecting the Correct Language 🌍

Picking the wrong language during installation can cause translation issues, plugin conflicts, and formatting problems.

🚀 Fix it Fast:

  • ✅ Go to Settings > General and select English (UK) if targeting a UK audience.

3. Leaving Default Permalinks 🔗

By default, WordPress generates ugly URLs like yourwebsite.com/?p=123, which are bad for SEO.

🚀 Fix it Fast:

  • ✅ Go to Settings > Permalinks and select Post Name for clean URLs.

4. Ignoring Comment Settings 🗣️

Leaving comments enabled without moderation invites spam and can make your site look unprofessional.

🚀 Fix it Fast:

  • ✅ Disable comments under Settings > Discussion if you don’t need them.
  • ✅ Install Akismet to filter spam comments.

5. Installing Too Many Plugins 🏗️

Plugins add functionality, but too many can slow down your site and create security risks.

🚀 Fix it Fast:

  • ✅ Only install essential, well-coded plugins.
  • ✅ Regularly audit and remove unnecessary plugins.

6. Using Weak Passwords & Default Usernames 🔑

A weak password and the default “admin” username make your site an easy target for hackers.

🚀 Fix it Fast:

  • ✅ Use a strong password with a mix of characters.
  • ✅ Change the default admin username to something unique.
  • ✅ Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security.

7. Forgetting to Back Up Your Website 🔄

Without backups, a hack or crash could mean losing everything.

🚀 Fix it Fast:

  • ✅ Use UpdraftPlus or VaultPress to schedule backups.
  • ✅ Store backups in Google Drive, Dropbox, or the cloud.

8. Skipping Regular Maintenance 🏗️

WordPress needs regular updates and security checks to stay secure and fast.

🚀 Fix it Fast:

Final Thoughts

WordPress is an incredible platform, but avoiding these mistakes will ensure your website is secure, fast, and SEO-friendly.

🚀 Need expert WordPress maintenance? Let Webolicious take care of it for you!

Your Questions, Answered!

Got queries? We’ve got answers! Check out our FAQs to find the information you need quickly and easily.

One of the most common mistakes is choosing WordPress.com instead of WordPress.org. WordPress.com has limited control and doesn’t allow custom plugins or full website customisation. For the best flexibility and control, always use WordPress.org with a reliable hosting provider.

There’s no magic number, but it’s best to keep plugins to a minimum. Too many plugins can slow down your site, cause conflicts, and create security risks. Only install essential, well-coded plugins that serve a real purpose.

A slow WordPress website is usually caused by unoptimised images, too many plugins, a bad hosting provider, or lack of caching. To speed it up, compress images, use a caching plugin like WP Rocket, and choose a fast hosting provider.

Spam comments are a huge problem if you leave comments enabled. You can stop spam by disabling comments in Settings > Discussion or installing an anti-spam plugin like Akismet..

You should always update WordPress, themes, and plugins as soon as new versions are available. Updates fix security vulnerabilities and improve performance, reducing the risk of hacks or site crashes.

To secure your WordPress site, use strong passwords, change the default login URL, install a security plugin like Wordfence, enable two-factor authentication (2FA), and regularly update all software.

Broken links hurt SEO and user experience. Use a plugin like Broken Link Checker or manually check and update links using Google Search Console.

Large images slow down your website. Use an image compression plugin like Smush or TinyPNG to reduce file size without losing quality.

Regular maintenance is key to keeping your site fast, secure, and functional. Perform updates, backups, security checks, and performance optimisations monthly. If you don’t have time, consider a professional WordPress maintenance service.

To secure your WordPress site, use strong passwords, change the default login URL, install a security plugin like Wordfence, enable two-factor authentication (2FA), and regularly update all software.