Key takeaways
- A few settings chosen on day one — permalinks, site identity, discussion — save real pain later.
- Set your URL structure before you publish, because changing it later breaks existing links.
- Add only the plugins you actually need, and keep backups from the start.
1–3. Site identity and basics
Start with the boring settings that shape everything else. Set your site title and tagline (Settings → General), confirm your timezone and admin email, and choose your site language. These take two minutes and make later steps — themes, SEO, email — behave predictably.
4. Set permalinks before you publish
Under Settings → Permalinks, choose a clean structure such as 'Post name' before you publish anything. This matters more than it looks: if you change the URL structure after you have published and been indexed, every existing link and shared URL breaks, and you inherit a redirect cleanup job. Decide once, early.
5–7. Structure and navigation
Plan a small, clear set of categories rather than inventing them post by post, and get into the habit of choosing a primary category for each post. Add breadcrumbs so readers and search engines can see where a page sits. A little structure now keeps the site navigable as it grows.
8–10. Safety and essentials
Finish with the safety net. Set up backups before you make big changes, review your discussion/comment settings to avoid spam, and install only the plugins you actually need — a lean set beats a pile of overlapping ones. If you will run affiliate content, add a disclosure from the start.
PressHangar Setup Guide turns this into a guided checklist tailored to your site's goal, suggesting the settings and plugins to sort out first while you make the changes yourself.
Frequently asked questions
- Why set permalinks first?
- Changing the URL structure after you have published breaks existing links and the SEO value attached to them. Choosing it before you publish avoids that entirely.
- How many plugins should I start with?
- As few as possible. Add plugins as concrete needs arise; a lean site is faster and easier to keep secure.
- Do I need a backup plugin on day one?
- Yes. Set up backups before you start making significant changes, so you always have a safe point to return to.