Before You Build Your WordPress Website, Read This.
Reading Time: 6 minutes 
We live in uncertain times that impact pretty much everyone’s income streams in one way or another. Because of this, folks who have 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 income level is called having a business. You need 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 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 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 fact that before (and after) you slap up your new sparkling website, there are very long hours of hard work involved. 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
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.
It’s more than most folks have or are willing to commit. Unfortunately, more time is necessary than most believe 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 mentioned 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 the same as offline, with similar considerations and issues. Reviewing these basics before spending a dime will give you a good idea of what to consider and whether your concept is viable.
Are you selling tangibles?
You also need to determine:
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. Going through this process can help avoid surprises or unknowns impacting 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
You will have to learn a lot, including which platform you will use—deciding to learn how to use WordPress is a wise choice.
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, and for good reason. I recommend WordPress to anyone just starting out.
WordPress is easy to learn (compared to knowing 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 one of the best equalizers online for small businesses, it 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 already offer 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.
Only then should you start working on your WordPress website.
Ole Ben was a wise man indeed.
At your service,
