Must-Have Customization for New Website in 2025

When I first installed WordPress, I was thrilled to finally have my own website.

I didn’t know where to start or which settings really mattered. Over time, I’ve learned that getting the basics right from the beginning can save you a lot of headaches later.

If you’ve just installed WordPress, let me walk you through the must-have customization I’ve picked up from my own experience.

Table of Contents

1. Change the Site Title and Tagline

One of the first things I ignored when starting out was the default “Just Another WordPress Site” tagline. I didn’t think it mattered much, but oh boy, it does! Your site title and tagline are the first things visitors and search engines notice.

Here’s what I do now:

Go to Settings > General.
Update the “Site Title” to reflect your blog or brand name.
Write a catchy, clear “Tagline” that tells visitors what your site is about.

It’s such a small step, but it gives your site a professional touch right from the start.

2. Set the Permalink Structure

When I first started using WordPress, I didn’t give much thought to the URL structure of my blog posts. The default setting looked something like this:

www.example.com/?p=123

At first glance, it didn’t seem like a big deal, but as I dug deeper into blogging and SEO, I realized this kind of URL is not only unattractive to readers but also terrible for search engines. Let me explain why and how to fix it.

Why Permalink Structure Matters

Professional Appearance:
Imagine you’re sharing a link to your post. Which one looks better:
- www.example.com/?p=123
- www.example.com/best-wordpress-tips
The second one looks more professional and gives readers an idea of what the post is about, even before they click it.
SEO Benefits:
Search engines like Google use URLs to understand the content of a page. A clean, descriptive permalink with keywords (like /best-wordpress-tips) improves your chances of ranking higher in search results.
User Experience:
If someone bookmarks your post or shares it, a meaningful URL is easier to remember and trust compared to a cryptic one with random numbers.

How to Change the Permalink Structure

Changing the permalink structure is one of the first things I do after installing WordPress. Here’s how you can do it:

Navigate to Settings:
- Go to your WordPress dashboard.
- Click on Settings > Permalinks.
Choose a Structure:
- You’ll see several options for your permalink structure:
  - Plain: www.example.com/?p=123 (default, not recommended).
  - Day and Name: www.example.com/2025/01/02/sample-post/.
  - Month and Name: www.example.com/2025/01/sample-post/.
  - Numeric: www.example.com/archives/123.
  - Post Name: www.example.com/sample-post/ (my favorite).
- I always select Post Name because it’s clean, simple, and great for SEO.
Save Changes:
Once you’ve selected the “Post Name” option, click Save Changes.

Advanced Tips for Permalinks

If you want to go a step further, here are some additional tips:

Use Custom Permalinks:
If your site has specific needs (like e-commerce or news), you can create custom permalink structures. For example:
- /category/post-name/ for blogs focused on different categories.
- /year/month/post-name/ for time-sensitive content.
To do this, select “Custom Structure” and use tags like:
- %postname% for the post name.
- %category% for the category.
- %year% or %monthnum% for the year or month.
Redirect Old Permalinks:
If you’re switching from an older permalink structure, make sure to set up 301 redirects so you don’t lose traffic or SEO value from existing links. Plugins like Redirection make this process easy.
Avoid Keyword Stuffing:
It’s tempting to cram keywords into your URLs, but keep them short and natural. For example, instead of:
- www.example.com/how-to-make-money-online-without-any-investment-fast/,
  go for something concise like:
- www.example.com/make-money-online/.

Mistakes to Avoid with Permalinks

Leaving the Default Structure:
The default ?p=123 structure is not ideal for SEO or readability. Always update it right after installing WordPress.
Changing Permalinks Midway Without Redirects:
I learned this the hard way! Changing permalinks after publishing content can break your links, leading to 404 errors. Always use a redirection plugin to ensure your visitors (and search engines) can find the updated URLs.
Using Dates Unless Necessary:
If your content isn’t time-sensitive, avoid date-based URLs. It makes posts look outdated, even if they’re still relevant.

By setting the right permalink structure from the start, you’ll create a strong foundation for your WordPress site.

Trust me, it’s a small tweak that makes a big difference in how your site performs and how it’s perceived by your audience.

3. Install a Lightweight Theme

I used to get carried away with flashy themes that slowed down my site. Over time, I’ve realized that a clean, lightweight theme is the way to go.

Here’s how I choose one:

Head to Appearance > Themes.
Look for themes optimized for speed and SEO. My personal favorites are Astra and GeneratePress because they’re easy to customize and super fast.

Once you activate a theme, spend some time tweaking the colors and fonts to match your brand’s vibe.

4. Delete Unnecessary Plugins and Themes

This is a mistake I made in my early days—I had so many unused themes and plugins installed. They not only slowed down my site but also created potential security risks.

Now, my rule is simple:

Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins and deactivate/delete anything you don’t need.
Similarly, in Appearance > Themes, keep only the active theme and one default WordPress theme as a backup.

5. Install Essential Plugins

Speaking of plugins, some are absolute must-haves for every WordPress site. Here are my go-to choices:

Yoast SEO: Helps with optimizing your posts for search engines.
WP Super Cache: Speeds up your site by caching pages.
Akismet Anti-Spam: Protects your site from spam comments.
UpdraftPlus: A lifesaver for backups. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later!

Read out my another blog post for essential plugins to be installed on newly made wordpress site.

To install them, just go to Plugins > Add New, search for each one, and click “Install Now.”

6. Customize Your Homepage

When I first started with WordPress, I didn’t bother much with customizing the homepage.

I assumed the default setup was fine, but as I gained experience, I realized how important the homepage is.

It’s like the front door to your website. It’s the first thing visitors see, and it sets the tone for your brand. A well-designed homepage can grab attention, guide visitors to key areas, and keep them engaged.

Let me walk you through the process of customizing your homepage to make it stand out and reflect your goals.

Why Customize Your Homepage?

First Impressions Matter:
Visitors judge your site within seconds. A generic homepage can make them leave, while a polished one encourages them to explore.
Showcase Important Content:
Whether you’re running a blog, portfolio, or online store, the homepage is the best place to highlight your most important content or services.
Improve Navigation:
A customized homepage can guide visitors to the pages or posts they’re most likely to be interested in, improving their overall experience.

Step-by-Step Guide to Customizing Your Homepage

1. Decide Between a Static Page or Blog Feed

WordPress offers two options for your homepage:

A Static Page: Displays fixed content, great for business websites, portfolios, or blogs with specific goals.
A Blog Feed: Shows your latest posts, perfect for traditional blogs.

How to Set It Up:

Go to Settings > Reading in your WordPress dashboard.
Under “Your homepage displays,” choose:
- “Your latest posts” for a blog feed.
- “A static page” for a custom homepage.

If you choose a static page, you’ll need to create two pages:

A Homepage: The main page visitors see.
A Posts Page: Where your blog posts will be displayed (optional).

2. Use the WordPress Customizer

The WordPress Customizer is a beginner-friendly tool for making changes to your homepage in real-time.

How to Access It:

Go to Appearance > Customize.
Click on Homepage Settings to adjust what your homepage displays.

From here, you can:

Add a site logo.
Change colors, fonts, and layouts based on your theme’s options.
Customize sections like headers, footers, and widgets.

3. Add Content Using Blocks or Page Builders

If you’re using the default WordPress editor (Gutenberg), you can add various blocks to your homepage, such as:

Headings for titles or call-to-actions.
Images to make your page visually appealing.
Buttons to direct users to specific pages (like “Shop Now” or “Contact Us”).
Columns for organizing content in grids.

For more advanced customization, I recommend using a page builder like Elementor or Beaver Builder. These tools offer drag-and-drop functionality, making it easy to create unique designs without coding.

Example Layout for a Homepage:

Hero Section: A full-width image or video with a headline and call-to-action button (e.g., “Get Started” or “Learn More”).
About Section: A brief introduction to your blog, business, or brand.
Featured Content: Highlight popular posts, products, or services.
Testimonials/Reviews: Build trust by showcasing social proof.
Newsletter Signup: Encourage visitors to subscribe to your email list.

4. Add Navigation Menus and Widgets

A good homepage should make it easy for visitors to navigate your site.

How to Customize Menus:

Go to Appearance > Menus.
Create a menu with links to important pages like About, Contact, and Blog.
Assign the menu to the “Primary Menu” location, so it appears at the top of your homepage.

Adding Widgets:
Widgets let you add extra functionality to your homepage, like:

A search bar.
Recent posts or categories.
Social media icons.

You can add widgets by going to Appearance > Widgets and placing them in areas like the sidebar or footer.

5. Optimize for Mobile Devices

How to Do This:

Use the WordPress Customizer’s preview tool to check how your site looks on desktop, tablet, and mobile.
Ensure buttons and links are easy to tap.
Avoid large images or elements that don’t resize well on smaller screens.

Tips for a Stunning Homepage

Keep It Simple:
Don’t overload your homepage with too much information. Focus on the essentials and guide visitors to other pages for more details.
Use High-Quality Images:
Visuals are a key part of any homepage. Use high-quality, relevant images to grab attention. Tools like Canva can help you create custom graphics.
Prioritize Speed:
A slow-loading homepage can drive visitors away. Use plugins like Smush for image optimization and a caching plugin like WP Super Cache to improve load times.
Include Clear Call-to-Actions (CTAs):
Guide visitors with buttons or links like “Start Here,” “Read More,” or “Contact Us.” CTAs should stand out visually.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Too Much Clutter:
Don’t try to cram everything onto your homepage. Keep it clean and focused.
No Clear Purpose:
Decide what you want visitors to do when they land on your homepage (e.g., read your blog, sign up for a service) and design around that goal.
Ignoring Branding:
Use consistent colors, fonts, and imagery that align with your brand identity.
Forgetting About SEO:
Use an SEO plugin like Yoast to optimize your homepage title, meta description, and content.

7. Set Up Categories and Tags

In my early blogging days, I used to dump all my posts into the “Uncategorized” category. Big mistake! Organizing your content into categories and tags not only helps readers navigate your site but also improves SEO.

Here’s what I do now:

Go to Posts > Categories and create relevant categories for your blog topics.
Use tags sparingly to group related posts together.

8. Secure Your Site with Basic Measures

I can’t stress this enough—don’t skip security! I learned this the hard way after my site got hacked once. Here’s what I do now:

Install Wordfence or iThemes Security for basic protection.
Change the default “admin” username to something unique.
Use a strong password and enable two-factor authentication if possible.

9. Add a Favicon and Site Logo

Adding a favicon (the small icon that appears in browser tabs) and a logo makes your site look more professional. To do this:

Go to Appearance > Customize > Site Identity.
Upload your logo and favicon here.

I usually create my favicon using free tools like Canva—it’s quick and easy!

10. Test and Optimize Your Site’s Speed

In my early days, I didn’t realize how important speed was. A slow site can drive visitors away. Here’s my current process:

Test your site speed using tools like GTmetrix or PageSpeed Insights.
Optimize images using plugins like Smush or ShortPixel.
Use a lightweight theme and minimize the number of plugins.

11. Set Up Google Analytics

Tracking your site’s performance is crucial. I didn’t do this early on and missed out on understanding my audience better. Now, I set up Google Analytics right away using the Site Kit by Google plugin. It’s easy and gives you all the insights you need about your traffic.

12. Create Essential Pages

Finally, every website needs a few must-have pages. Here are the ones I always create:

About Me/Us: Share your story and what your site is about.
Contact: Make it easy for readers to reach out.
Privacy Policy and Terms of Service: These are important for legal compliance, especially if you’re targeting US readers.

You can create these pages under Pages > Add New and customize them as needed.

13. Conclusion

Starting a WordPress site is exciting, but it’s easy to overlook these basic customizations.

Trust me, I’ve been there! Taking the time to set these up right now will save you so much time and frustration later.

Whether you’re starting a blog, an online store, or a portfolio, these steps will give your site a solid foundation.

Have you customized your WordPress site yet? If you have any questions or tips to share, let me know in the comments.