1. Yoast SEO 

Every single day Google handles over 9 billion searches alone, and if you want a piece of this organic traffic pie, developing a SEO strategy is a must. Of course there are wide selection of SEO plugins on the market but it’s easy to see why Yoast SEO is one of the most popular tools in the space. For newer sites and those with smaller budgets, the free version will provide you with all the capabilities you will need to get started. There is also a premium version that comes with additional features that you can use right away or add on later as you scale. You will need to perform basic keyword research the Yoast plugin will guide you step by step through the process of optimizing your new content for the search engines.

Key Features: 

• Title, keyword and meta description templating to better optimize WordPress post and pages.  
• Simplifying advanced XML Sitemaps functionality with the push of a button.
• Improvements made easy by see just how well content is optimized. 

2. WP-Rocket 

WP Rocket is by far my favorite caching tool on the market. Nobody likes visiting website with slow loading times and having a caching plugin is going to help you speed up loading times on your website. WP Rocket will create cached copies of each dynamically-generated page on your site, leaving less work for your servers. What really makes this plugin stand out from the rest is just how simple the setup is compared to other cache tools in space.  

Key Features 

• Caching creates an ultra-fast load time, essential for improving SEO and increasing conversions.
• Improves user experience 
• Enables lazy loading 
• Integrate with (CDN) Content Delivery Network’s like Cloudflare 

3. Contact Form 7

If you want to convert site users from visitors to customers providing a contact form is something you see on almost all websites today. Contact Form 7 will allow you to seamlessly create and manage multiple forms. This simple and easy-to-use plugin will not only allow you to quickly create forms but also allow for easy integrations with other tools like newsletter opt-ins. 

Key Features

• use reCAPTCHA verification to filter out spam (Integrate with Aksimet) 
• integrate with mailing list like Constant Contact & Mailchimp 
• Lots of third-party extensions to add additional functionality

These 3 essential plugins were selected because they will work wonders for all websites no matter the size or niche. Additionally, there is a clear funnel created by installing these plugins. Yoast SEO to create organic traffic, WP-Rocket to create a better user experience with faster loading times, and then finally converting those organic users with a contact form.

The post 3 Essential Plugins for WordPress Websites appeared first on Grafix .

1. Proofread Your Copy 

Whether you decide to write all the content yourself or work with a copywriter, be sure to double and triple check the text for any typos or grammatical errors before launching your site. If you’re working with a website template, make sure you have replaced all the dummy text with your own content. Be sure to have an extra pair of eyes handy to review. I would suggest either using someone on your team or get a close friend if you’re solopreneur.  

2. Use High Quality Images 

Make sure your website uses high quality images, do not use any blurry or pixelated graphics. Try to use original photos taken by a professional if your budget allows for it. 

3. Follow Copyright Regulations 

Do not use any images or music unless you have secured the appropriate rights. Securing rights for  stock photos typically requires purchasing the license for the photos. Do not just copy photos from a random google search or social media without the appropriate permissions.  

4. Test Your Links 

Ensure that all your links on every single page are working properly and there are no broken links. This includes all site navigation and social media links. 

5. Test Your Contact Form.

Test all of your contact forms, newsletter signups, or opt-ins. Make sure those are properly setup and your contact forms are replies are not hitting your spam folders. 

6. Update Your Footer 

Add your copyright info to the footer and remove the “Powered by WordPress” line. Considering adding your contact information, and your location if your business is location-based, as well as any social media icons. 

7. Test Your Website Responsiveness 

WordPress themes are responsive but be sure to review your site on a mobile device and multiple desktop monitor sizes to make sure it’s loading properly and all the text is easy to read on all browsers and devices. 

The post 7 Things to Check Before Launching your Website appeared first on Grafix .