Simplifying Website Launch: How to Keep Your Launch Light and Efficient
Hey there! Matt Levenhagen here, ready to chat about a topic that’s often overcomplicated but doesn’t have to be: launching your website. Let’s keep it simple, shall we?
The Case for Simplicity
When you’re gearing up to launch your new website, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the myriad of tools and plugins out there. SEO plugins like Yoast, security plugins like WordFence, and contact form plugins like Contact Form 7 are all fantastic tools for a high-traffic, fully mature website. But do you really need all of that on day one? The short answer is: probably not.
Most of us start with a modest goal in mind—a functional, user-friendly website that showcases our services or products. Something we can ‘get started’ with.
If you’re not actively working on an SEO strategy, you don’t have paid ads running, no one knows about your site yet.. even after you have 10 random visitors a day from social media.. why bog your site down with heavy plugins? It’s like outfitting a brand-new bike with all the bells and whistles before you’ve even taken it for a spin.
Focus on the Essentials
In the beginning, your focus should be on the essentials: clean design, easy navigation, and reliable performance. Something you can build on and scale in the future. Think of your website as a fresh start—a blank canvas where you only add what’s absolutely necessary. Here are a few tips to keep things streamlined:
- Minimal Plugins: Only install plugins that are crucial for your website’s basic functionality. For example, a simple contact form, a caching plugin for speed, and a basic security plugin should suffice initially.
- SEO Basics: Instead of diving deep into SEO with a complex, premium plugin, start with the basics. Ensure your site’s metadata is correctly set, your URLs are clean, and your site is mobile-friendly. You can scale up your SEO efforts as your strategy becomes more defined.
- Security Measures: Basic security is a must, but it doesn’t need to be over the top. Do the basics and regularly backup your site and you’re all set. You don’t have any issues yet!
- Performance Monitoring: Use lightweight tools to monitor your site’s performance. Ensure it loads quickly and performs well on both desktop and mobile devices.
Avoid Overloading
One of the biggest pitfalls for new website owners is the temptation to overload the site with features right from the start. Every plugin and feature you add not only increases the complexity but also the potential for issues. Bugs, security vulnerabilities, and performance hits are more common when you’re dealing with a bloated site.
But let’s talk about another critical aspect: maintenance overhead. Each plugin you install requires regular updates, compatibility checks, and potential troubleshooting. Over time, this can turn into a significant maintenance burden. Instead of focusing on growing your business or improving your content, you might find yourself spending hours managing plugins, resolving conflicts, and dealing with unexpected issues.
Keeping your plugin list lean minimizes this overhead, allowing you to focus on what really matters—building and expanding your website’s content and reach.
Gentle Plug: Our Starter Kit
If you’re feeling a bit lost in the sea of plugins and features, we’ve got you covered. At Unified Plugins, we offer a starter kit that’s tailored for new websites. It’s designed to give you everything you need to launch successfully without the unnecessary bloat. Our starter kit focuses on simplicity and efficiency, ensuring your site is fast, secure, and user-friendly from day one.
Check out our Unified Toolkit to see how we can help you get started on the right foot.
Conclusion
Launching your website doesn’t have to be a Herculean task. By focusing on the essentials and avoiding unnecessary complications, you can ensure a smooth start and a solid foundation to build upon. Keep it simple, keep it nimble, and grow from there. Your future self—and your website—will thank you!
Until next time, keep it light and simple, and enjoy the journey of building your digital presence!