SOP (Standard operating procedure)

Step-By-Step simple guide on which plugins to install, what do to, explained in a simple manner. Often this is a confusing process. I use this myself as an SOP, for installation on my own (and clients) websites.

I use Gutenberg, which I chose after extensive research.

Sometimes I go a while between installing sites, so I use this as a reference.

It seems like a lot, but I strive for a MVP (minimum viable product) type of setup. Though I am sort of ADD so this might be more complicated that it needs to be!

• How To Make Any Page Layout Using The WordPress Block Builder Gutenberg (August 2022)
  • Amazing Tutorial that explains rows / containers / etc
  • More info here (video)
• PLUGINS
  • 1. Uninstall
       1. Jetpack and all other plugins that aren’t included below in “Install”
          1. (bottom) > (select all) > “deactivate” and then “delete”
    2. Install
       1. Install Gutenberg (Plugin)
       2. Install Kadence Blocks (Plugin)
       3. Install “Kadence Theme” (Theme) – (Appearance > Themes > Add New > Search “Kadence”) 
          • You can also Import “Agency” Free Theme (Kadence Starter Templates) or any other theme you see in there that you like. It’s a real good starting point.
       4. Install Block Navigation (Plugin by melonpan(?))
       5. UpDraftPlus- WP automated backups to Dropbox / FTP
          1. Settings > Files Backup Schedule and Database schedule – set to “Monthly” and retain 12 backups
          2. Settings > Remote Storage > FTP
             1. FTP Host: (your info here)
             2. FTP Username: (your info here)
             3. FTP Password: (your info here)
             4. Remote Path: backups    (make sure to create “backups” folder first in the domain directory, in Hostgator cPanel)
                1. Error (can’t create file): We reached out to our hosting provider and they were able to whitelist the IP address of our FTP server at which point Updraft Plus was able to successfully transmit our backups using FTPS.
          3. Test FTP Settings > Save Changes
       6. WordFence
          1. Email alerts to (your email here)
          2. Premium? No thanks
          3. Optimize following recommended settings
       7. Really Simple SSL
          1. Settings > Activate SSL
          2. Enable recommended and “save”
       8. Akismet
          1. Activate
          2. Choose free option (use slider to slide to $0 a month)
          3. Set email as (your email here)
       • Smaller Tasks:
       • Add Statcounter Google Analytics code
       • Reddit recommended plugins for each site
  •                         4.Elementor (Layers) to make a nice design
    • Download zip and install manually, better?
    • 5. The SEO Framework 
      • TSF supposedly very light and fast and works well
  • Statcounter – How to Install
  • Choose “insert code on your website”
  • In wordpress, 
• Start by adding “Row Layout“
• Importing “Agency” Free Theme (Kadence Starter Templates) (just easier I think to start with a theme…)Troubleshooting:
• How to Duplicate a Page in WordPress (3 dots + copy all blocks)
• The SEO Framework Error: Title: The Branding is Repeated
• How to remove “WordPress Theme by Kadence WP” (Appearance > Customize > Footer > Footer Bar) 

Editing Header

• Importing “Agency” Free Theme (Kadence Starter Templates)
• Just pretty much using that… keep is simple

SEO

• “The SEO Framework plugin” (1) 
  • The SEO Framwork Extensions (these look really useful)
• Settings > Permalinks: /%postname%/

Commenting System

• How to add Disqus to my Gutenberg site

Too complicated? Reach out and I’ll setup your WordPress site. Email me at savwire [at] gmail.com