Your first 15 minutes after installing WordPress

Your first 15 minutes after installing WordPress

WordPress is the free software that runs your website. The moment it's installed, do these in order so you're not fixing messes later.

1. Go to Settings, then General. Set your Site Title and Tagline (the short phrase under your name).
2. In Settings, General, check the timezone matches yours, so scheduled posts publish on time.
3. Settings, Reading: decide if the homepage shows your latest posts or a fixed page.
4. Settings, Permalinks: pick "Post name" (more on why another day).
5. Users, Profile: change the display name from your login name.
6. Delete the sample "Hello World" post and the "Sample Page."

In plain words: spend 15 quiet minutes on settings now, and your site behaves itself for months.