9 Essential Tips for Working in WordPress
WordPress can feel overwhelming if you're starting—but it doesn't have to be. This beginner-friendly guide shares 9 essential tips for working in WordPress that will help you navigate the dashboard, create content effectively, manage plugins, and keep your website optimized and secure. Whether launching a personal blog or building a professional site with Bluehost, these tips will help you work smarter from day one.
Quick Start for Beginners
- Log in to your WordPress Dashboard
- Learn the difference between Posts & Pages
- Use compressed images to boost speed
- Limit plugins to what’s essential
- Always keep a recent backup
Tips for Working in WordPress
- Explore the WordPress Dashboard
- Use Posts for Blogs, Pages for Static Content
- Write Clear, SEO-Friendly Titles
- Follow Copyright Best Practices
- Optimize and Resize Your Images
- Declutter and Simplify Your Sidebar
- Limit Plugins to Improve Site Speed
- Keep WordPress, Plugins, and Themes Updated
- Back-Up Your Website Automatically
Explore the WordPress Dashboard
The WordPress dashboard is your site’s control center. When you log in, it’s the first screen you see—and understanding its layout helps you manage your site efficiently.
The left-hand menu lets you:
- Create blog posts and static pages
- Manage themes, plugins, and settings
- Moderate comments and users
The top bar includes shortcuts to view your site and manage your profile. Click Coming Soon Active to walk through initial setup options. Spend a few minutes here to familiarize yourself—especially if you’re new to working with WordPress on Bluehost.
Related: How to Log in to the WordPress Admin Dashboard
Use Posts for Blogs, Pages for Static Content
Understanding Posts vs. Pages helps you organize your content correctly:
- Posts are for time-based content like blogs, announcements, or news updates. They're listed in reverse chronological order and can be categorized and tagged.
- Pages are best for permanent content like your About, Contact, or Home page. They don’t use categories or tags and typically appear in menus.
Reference:
- WordPress: Creating, Editing, Removing Posts
- WordPress: Adding a Page
Write Clear, SEO-Friendly Titles
Titles help users decide whether to click on your post—and they also appear in search engine results. Good titles should be:
- Engaging – Grab attention with strong, action-driven language
- Insightful – Preview the value your content offers
- Clear – Use relevant keywords like “WordPress beginner tips” to help with SEO
Avoid clickbait or keyword stuffing. Focus on clarity and relevance.
Follow Copyright Best Practices
Avoid using images, videos, or written content you don’t own or have permission to use. Only upload media that:
- You created
- You have licensed or received permission for
- Is part of the public domain or labeled for reuse
Violating copyright can result in takedowns or legal issues—so play it safe.
Optimize and Resize Your Images
Large image files can slow down your site. Follow these two key tips:
- Compress before uploading using free tools like Kraken.io, Optimizilla, or ImageResize.
- Resize after uploading using WordPress's built-in image editor. You can crop, rotate, and scale images to fit your layout.
Read More:
- Image Optimization
- WordPress: Adding Images
Declutter and Simplify Your Sidebar
Sidebars are great for widgets like recent posts, search bars, or calls to action—but too many widgets create clutter. To streamline:
- Go to Appearance > Widgets > Sidebar
- Remove unnecessary widgets
- Highlight key actions like subscribing or contacting you
To keep readers engaged until the end, try placing your most important call-to-action (CTA) at the end of your content.
Limit Plugins to Improve Site Speed
Plugins add functionality, but too many can slow down your site or cause conflicts.
Start with the essentials:
- Yoast SEO – Optimize search visibility
- WordFence or Sucuri – Add security protection
- Akismet – Block comment spam
Check plugin reviews, update frequency, and compatibility before installing. If you're not using a plugin, deactivate and uninstall it.
Related: WordPress: Update Plugins Safely
Keep WordPress, Plugins, and Themes Updated
Outdated themes or plugins are among the biggest causes of site crashes or hacks. To stay protected:
- Enable auto-updates in Settings > Automatic Updates
- Or manually update via Dashboard > Updates
Regular updates ensure compatibility, security patches, and performance improvements.
How-To Guides:
- How to Disable/Delete Themes and Plugins in WordPress
- How to Fix Issues with WordPress Themes and Plugins
- How to Manage WordPress Themes and Plugins
- How to Switch WordPress Themes Without Losing Content
Back-Up Your Website Automatically
Don’t risk losing your content. Use plugins to automate daily backups:
- Jetpack
- UpDraftPlus
- BackWPup
- WordPress Backup to Dropbox
Jetpack offers backup, site security, image optimization, and contact forms—all in one.
Consider using Codeguard's backup and monitoring services. You can relax knowing your site is in good hands.
Guide:
Learn by Watching
Do you prefer visual learning? Watch our full video walkthrough: Learning WordPress with Bluehost.
Summary
By following these tips for working in WordPress, you'll build a secure, efficient, and professional-looking site. From navigating the dashboard and creating engaging content to optimizing media and installing only necessary plugins, each step helps you work smarter. These WordPress beginner tips are designed to set you up for long-term success—especially when hosting your website with Bluehost, a platform built for seamless WordPress experiences.
If you need further assistance, feel free to contact us via Chat or Phone: You may also refer to our Knowledge Base articles to help answer common questions and guide you through various setup, configuration, and troubleshooting steps.