Checklist and steps for setting up a WordPress site:

1. Purchase domain name from namecheap.com
2. Set up domain on hosting (create an add-on domain on Hostmonster)
3. Install WordPress (Download from wordpress.org and install)
4. Upload robots.txt file
5. Configure WordPress (refer to “To do list below”)
6. Do a 301 redirect from non www to www (.htaccess example is in the Files tab)
7. Set up mailing list (via Aweber) – create a new mailing list for this new domain name

TO DO LIST FOR WordPress:

Simply log into the admin area and setup the following:

Plugins

• Activate Akismet
• Activate Contact Form http://chip.cuccio.us/projects/contact-form-ii/
• Activate Exex-PHP http://bluesome.net/post/2005/08/18/50/
• Activate Feed Control
• Activate Full Text Feed http://cavemonkey50.com/code/full-feed/
• Activate Google Analytics
• Activate Google Sitemaps
• Activate Permalink Redirect http://fucoder.com/code/permalink-redirect/
• Activate Singular
• Activate WordPress Database Backup
• Activate WordPress Hashcash
• Activate dd sitemap plugin – http://www.dagondesign.com/articles/sitemap-generator- plugin-for-wordpress/ create a page called “Sitemap” and put into it and then link to that page in your footer nav
• Deactivate all the rest of the plugins
• Install Custom Query String plugin http://www.transycan.net/blogtest/download-themes/

Presentation

• Turn off ALL widgets
• Change Font to Verdana, Small
• Footer – Uncheck “Kudos to WordPress, Semiologic and the skin author”
• Pick a layout you like. I do Wide with “Main, Ext Sidebar”
• Menus – Only Home in the header
• Menus – No Sidebar Menus
• Menus – Add these footer menu’s: Contact – /contact RSS – /feed Sitemap – /sitemap.xml Privacy – /privacy-policy
• SEO – Add title, keywords, description

Options

• General – Let Anyone Comment
• Writing – Set up your ping list (mine is available in the Files tab)
• Discussion – Check: Attempt to notify, Allow Link notifications, Allow people to post, Comment Author must fill out name and email
• Permalinks – Custom Structure /%postname%.php This is where the .htaccess file in the Files tab comes in handy. If wordpress has problems, just upload that file to your base website directory
• Feed Control – Include Posts, Pages, and sort by modified date
• Google Analytics – Paste in your google analytics code (this is a good time to sign up for google analytics if you haven’t already).
• Categories – create one category for your default posts (always put stuff into this category)
• Options – CQS – Add an “is_category” and set it to -1 (this will show links to all posts in all categories on the category pages)

Micromango Studios did a fabulous job not only with the design of my web site but also with its functionality. For the first time, I have easy access to content allowing me to personally ensure that web site information is up-to-date. Victor also had many useful suggestions on how to improve functionality, extending my web site’s reach and the number of services it provides. - Carl Nelson – President and Founder of Recursos del Caribe, SA

www.cbmap.net

www.odancestudio.com

www.girlfriendpedia.com