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 considered running a business are setting up side-hustle websites to supplement their reduced income.
Where do you start?
Having a website and hoping 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 maximize your chances of generating that revenue.
I’m a fan of WordPress and an enthusiastic supporter of the potential technology and the online environment offers—but only when approached with a realistic perspective and 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. 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, you cannot dictate what you are willing to do. Instead, you must implement best practices, especially when working from home.
Number one: you need 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 mention 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 when you detail every aspect of your new online enterprise in advance.
Planning + Time = Success
Another question is whether 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 to dedicate if you don’t know what you need to do? Not mapping out which tasks need to be done and how much time they will take to run your website business will cripple you when the inevitable challenges arise.
Nine out of ten people I talk to do not have a plan. Does having a WordPress website negate what I mentioned here and still let you rake in the coin? No, it does not.
This also applies to all-in-one website builders, which make you think that setting up your website requires just a few clicks. READ: WordPress vs. Website Builders.
Basic New Business Website Considerations
Online business is the same as offline business, 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 the structure, layout, and functionality of your new website.
Each of the above topics needs to be examined under the microscope so you can plan accordingly. Going through this process can help avoid surprises or unknowns that could undermine your new enterprise’s prospects for prosperity.
Did you notice something missing from the two lists above? I didn’t mention the planning and costs of building your new website. So what the heck will all this cost? READ realistic WordPress website expense planning.
WordPress is Still My #1 Recommendation
You will have to learn a lot, including which platform you will use—choosing to learn 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.
WordPress is easy to learn (compared to coding) and offers room to grow as your business grows. 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 with 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 all the more reason to ensure you have a USP and a viable business plan that addresses 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,
