When first creating a WordPress site it’s important to remember these tips. They’ll save you future headaches—especially if your business is located on Long Island, where competition for online visibility is extremely high. WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems roaming the internet. Why? It’s easy functionality, flexibility, and nearly unlimited custom development options. Basically, it allows you to fully customize the design and function in order to have a website that can do whatever you need. Furthermore, WordPress supports growth, SEO, and the unique needs of your business.
At Logic Web Media, we have been building custom WordPress sites for over 20 years. We create custom WordPress themes from scratch. Generally, we avoid plugins altogether unless we have made them ourselves. This ensures your website remains fast, secure, and easy to scale.
Common WordPress FAQs
- What is WordPress and why is it so popular?
- Is WordPress good for Long Island businesses?
- Do I need coding knowledge to use WordPress?
- How much does a WordPress website cost on Long Island?
- Is WordPress secure?
- How often should I update WordPress?
- Can WordPress handle e-commerce?
- Will a WordPress website help my Google rankings?
- Can you migrate my existing site to WordPress?
- How long does it take to build a WordPress website?
- Are free WordPress themes good?
- Can WordPress integrate with third-party tools?
- Will my WordPress site be mobile-friendly?
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Creating a Custom WordPress Website.
1. WordPress.com or WordPress.org
One of the first and most common mistakes Long Island business owners make is choosing the wrong version of WordPress. The names are similar, but the platforms are completely different—and the wrong choice can limit your website for years.
WordPress.com is a hosted, closed system. It is best for hobby bloggers or artists who simply need a basic place to post content. You cannot fully customize your website, install advanced plugins, or access deeper SEO controls. In addition, you will not receive a fully custom domain name unless you pay for upgrades.
WordPress.org, on the other hand, offers full control, complete customization, and the ability to choose your own hosting provider. This option is essential for businesses that want strong SEO performance, custom functionality, higher security standards, and the ability to scale.
If your Long Island business plans to invest in digital marketing—such as SEO, paid ads, content marketing, or conversion optimization—WordPress.org is the only realistic solution. It ensures you have the freedom, flexibility, and technical capabilities needed to achieve a strong ROI.
“logicwebmedia.com”
“logicwebmedia.wordpress.com”
2. Using WordPress’s default permalink structure
Out of the box, WordPress provides a default permalink structure that looks like this:
www.yoursite.com/?p=123
While this is functional, it is not user-friendly, brand-friendly, or SEO-friendly. Search engines and visitors should be able to understand what a page is about from the URL alone. Fortunately, WordPress allows you to change your permalink settings immediately after installation.
Switching to a cleaner, keyword-rich structure—such as the “Post Name” setting—not only helps with SEO but also looks significantly more professional. For Long Island businesses competing in crowded industries, every detail matters, including how your URLs appear on Google search results.
Failing to update your permalink structure early on can result in broken URLs and SEO problems later, so this step should always be done before you begin adding content.
https://longislandwebdesign.com/wordpress/5-wordpress-mistakes-to-avoid/
https://longislandwebdesign.com/?p=123
3. Forgetting to Update Your Website
WordPress core updates, theme updates, and plugin updates happen frequently—and they are critical. Because WordPress is the most widely used CMS in the world, it is also a common target for hackers. Outdated software creates vulnerabilities that attackers can easily exploit.
Keeping your site updated provides:
- Enhanced security against malware and hacking attempts
- Better website speed and performance
- Compatibility with new plugins and features
- Improved stability across all devices
Long Island businesses often rely heavily on their websites for leads, customer service, and credibility. A hacked or broken site can hurt your reputation instantly—especially in tight-knit local communities. Regular updates are one of the easiest and most essential forms of protection.
4. Unchecking The SEO Index Setting
This mistake is more common than most business owners realize. When building a new website, developers sometimes check the option to “Discourage search engines from indexing this site.” This prevents Google from indexing an unfinished site—ideal during development.
However, if this box is not unchecked before launch, Google will continue ignoring the site entirely. That means your business will not appear on search engines—even if every other part of your SEO is perfect.
We’ve seen Long Island businesses go months without ranking simply because this single setting was overlooked. Before launching your website, always confirm that your visibility settings are correct.
You want to make sure the homepage design you worked so hard for can finally be seen by real customers.
5. Failing to Optimize WordPress Images
Images play a major role in your website’s appearance, load speed, and SEO performance. However, many users upload full-resolution photos directly from their camera or phone—creating huge files that slow down the website dramatically.
To avoid slow load times (which can hurt SEO and user experience), images should always be:
- Compressed using “Save for Web and Devices” or a professional compression tool
- Resized to appropriate dimensions
- Named descriptively with SEO-friendly file names
- Assigned proper alt tags for accessibility and keyword relevance
Alt tags are especially important. They provide a textual description for visually impaired users who rely on screen readers. For SEO, alt tags help Google understand what your images represent. Properly optimized images make your website more inclusive, more visible, and significantly faster.
Conclusion
These are the most common WordPress mistakes we see business owners make—especially those who attempt to build their own websites. Even minor errors can impact your SEO, performance, and security. By working with a professional web development company like Logic Web Media, you ensure your website is built correctly from the ground up.
Our Long Island-based team builds custom WordPress sites that load fast, rank well, and support long-term business growth. If you’re planning a redesign or launching a new website, we’re here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions About WordPress Websites
What is WordPress and why is it so popular?
WordPress is the most widely used content management system in the world. It’s popular because it offers complete flexibility, thousands of plugins, custom coding options, and strong SEO capabilities.
Is WordPress good for Long Island businesses?
Yes. WordPress is ideal for local businesses because it supports advanced SEO strategies—critical for ranking in competitive Long Island markets.
Do I need coding knowledge to use WordPress?
No. Basic tasks can be done without coding, but for custom design, security, and performance, hiring a professional is strongly recommended.
How much does a WordPress website cost on Long Island?
The cost of a website varies based on design, functionality, and custom development. Most professional Long Island websites range from a few thousand to tens of thousands depending on features.
Is WordPress secure?
Yes—as long as plugins, themes, and WordPress core files are updated regularly.
How often should I update WordPress?
We recommend checking for updates weekly. Logic Web Media provides maintenance plans for ongoing support.
Can WordPress handle e-commerce?
Yes. WooCommerce is a powerful e-commerce plugin built for WordPress and is widely used by Long Island businesses.
Will a WordPress website help my Google rankings?
Absolutely. WordPress is one of the most SEO-friendly platforms available.
Can you migrate my existing site to WordPress?
Yes. We handle full site migrations, including content, design, and SEO preservation.
How long does it take to build a WordPress website?
The time it takes to build a website varies. Basic sites take a few weeks. Custom designs and advanced features can take several months depending on complexity.
Are free WordPress themes good?
Not for business use. Free themes are often slow, insecure, and limited in customization. A custom theme is always best.
Can WordPress integrate with third-party tools?
Yes—CRMs, booking systems, email marketing platforms, and more.
Will my WordPress site be mobile-friendly?
Yes! And, all websites need to be mobile responsive. Logic Web Media builds every site using responsive, mobile-first design.