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Before You Build Your WordPress Website, Read This.

Tips before you build your WordPress Website

We live in uncertain times, times that impact pretty much everyone’s income streams in one way or another. Because of this, folks who never owned or thought about running a business are putting up side-hustle websites to supplement their decreased income.

Where do you start?

Having a website you hope to generate any level of income is called having a business. You need to have that mindset and take specific steps to plan and implement your idea to ensure the best opportunity to generate that revenue.

I’m a fan of WordPress and an enthusiastic supporter of all the potential that technology and the online environment offer—but only when approached from a realistic perspective with a healthy work ethic.

In this post, I hope to give you some things to think about before you spend a single dime based on what folks like you ask me about. I’ll also include links to other articles on my site so you can make informed choices.

Horse before the cart?

Some believe that you “put up a WordPress site” and start making money. In short, that is nothing further from the truth. Online is not a situation where you can dictate what you are willing to do. Instead, you must follow and implement best practices, especially when working from home.

Number one is you need to have a plan. You’ve seen the commercials touting how to create a website in an hour, right? And I’ll admit the examples shown are contemporary, lovely-looking presentations. But a great website is nothing without a solid plan to back it up.

These commercials do not include the that before (and after) you slap up your new sparkling website; there are very long hours of hard work. So how do you know what to do, what things cost, and what to prioritize if you don’t have a plan?

Nothing happens online by osmosis. So you need to make it happen. And your chances improve exponentially by detailing every aspect of your new online enterprise in advance.

Planning + Time = Success

Business Planning before WordPress Website Planning

Another question is if I have any ideas for an online business. I respond, “so many I don’t have enough time to implement them all!”

Notice what I said? “I don’t have time.” Successful sites require a particular mindset, detailed planning, and time—tons of it, bushels full, in mass quantities.

More than most folks have or are willing to commit. Unfortunately, more time is necessary than most believe that they have.

How do you know how much time you need to dedicate if you don’t know what you need to do? Not mapping out what tasks and time will be necessary to run your website business will cripple you for the inevitable challenge ahead.

Nine out of ten people I talk to do not have a plan. Does having a WordPress website negate what I mention here and all that is required to start raking in the coin? No, it does not.

This also applies to all-in-one website builders, which make you think setting up your website requires just a few clicks. READ: WordPress vs. Website Builders.

Basic New Business Website Considerations

Online business is still business, basically the same as offline, with similar considerations and issues. Reviewing these basics before spending a dime will give you a good idea of what you need to consider and whether your concept is viable.

  • How will you do your accounting? Software or a web-based service?
  • What is the best structure for your business LLC, S-Corp, or Sole Proprietor, and what are the tax implications of each?
  • Do you know what bank accounts are recommended for tax purposes?
  • What possible legal issues do you need to cover? Trademarks, copyrights, or patents? Not only your own but to be sure you are not infringing on others.
  • What is your marketing plan? Pay Per Clicks, Social Media, forums, and what offline advertising can you benefit from? How can you gain exposure for your site, and what are the costs involved? (Free search engine rankings should not be at the core of your customer acquisition plan.)
  • What is your USP, your unique selling proposition? What sets you apart from anyone else doing something similar? Have you searched for your type of business idea to see exactly how many websites are already online doing what you want to do? Can you compete? What will make you special/unique/better? How exactly will you accomplish that?
  • If you want to blog your way to riches, what will you blog about that is interesting, engaging, and has been written about a thousand times over? What topic can you type about with passion, knowledge, and personality at least once a week?

Are you selling tangibles?

You also need to determine:

  • eCommerce platform, setup, and costs.
  • Shipping and handling fees.
  • Will you track inventory, and if so, how?
  • Policies: Ordering, Customer Service, Returns, Data Collection, Privacy
  • Packaging and branding materials.
  • Payments and Security: PayPal, Checks, Money Orders, Credit Cards through a Merchant account? How will you process these payments securely online?

You need to resolve these issues before you begin developing your website. These variables will determine your new website’s structure, layout, and functionality.

Each of the above topics needs to be put under the microscope for you to examine and plan for. By going through this process, you can help avoid any surprises or unknowns that can impact your new enterprise’s chance for prosperity.

Did you notice that something is missing from the above two lists? I didn’t mention the planning and costs of building your new website. So what the heck will all this cost? READ: Realistic new WordPress website expense planning.

WordPress is Still My #1 Recommendation

I’ve been working with WordPress since its creation in May 2003. It has grown, evolved, and improved to become one of the most popular CMS platforms over the years, and for a good reason. I recommend WordPress to anyone just starting out.

WordPress is easy to learn (compared to having to know how to code) and offers room to grow as your business increases. Don’t kid yourself, though — there is a learning curve, and you’ll experience some frustration as you go through the process.

Also, keep in mind that WordPress is just a tool, and while a mighty fine one at that, it cannot replace basic business principles and standards that have proven the test of time. If you have a sucky idea for which you have no plan, even WordPress can’t save you.

No matter how great WordPress is, and I think it is, in fact, one of the best equalizers online for small businesses, online is not for the faint of heart. You will need to learn and apply more new concepts than you can imagine. Are you up to that challenge?

Cover All the Things

Don’t forget to investigate your market and competitors to ensure you have a product, service, or topic that folks desire and need. If millions of other websites are already offering your “idea,” this is even more reason to ensure you have a USP and viable business plan covering all these issues in as much detail as possible. You’ll have to set yourself apart.

How do you get your new business idea off to the best possible start in this rabidly competitive environment? First, do your due diligence and cover all the bases.

Then and only then should you start working on your WordPress website.

If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!
Benjamin Franklin

Ole Ben was a wise man indeed.

At your service,

WordPress Consultant Judith
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