This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by ellie miguel
When you first install WordPress, everything feels simple: a fresh site, a dashboard that looks clean, and endless possibilities.
But it doesn’t take long before small mistakes pile up and make the site harder to maintain, slower to load, or even insecure.
After more than a decade working as a freelance WordPress developer, these are the basic mistakes I see over and over again — and how to avoid them.
1. Using too many plugins
The WordPress ecosystem is full of plugins. Many of them are useful, but too many create problems.
Every plugin adds extra code, extra database queries, and a higher chance of conflicts.
A better habit is to keep a core stack of trusted plugins and learn them deeply instead of installing new ones for every task. For example, I work mainly with Elementor Pro, JetEngine, WP Rocket and Fluent Forms. With those, I can cover most client needs without adding dozens of extras.
2. Forgetting to set permalinks
The default permalink structure looks like yourdomain.com/?p=123. It’s not user-friendly and it doesn’t help SEO.
Go to Settings > Permalinks and set them to “Post name” before you start creating content.
Changing permalinks later, once the site already has content, can break links and confuse both users and Google. Do it early.
3. Ignoring mobile
More than half of traffic today comes from mobile devices. A site that looks fine on desktop but breaks on mobile is already outdated.
Don’t just rely on responsive previews. Test menus, forms and layouts on an actual phone or tablet.
Something as small as a button being too close to another can frustrate visitors.
4. Skipping backups
A lot of new site owners assume their host will handle backups. Sometimes that’s true, but often it isn’t. And even when it is, restoring a backup can be tricky.
Install a plugin like UpdraftPlus or use your hosting provider’s backup system. The key is not just creating backups, but also knowing how to restore them quickly if something goes wrong.
5. Leaving the default login URL exposed
Bots constantly scan WordPress sites looking for /wp-admin or /wp-login.php.
While security by obscurity is not enough, changing the login URL can drastically reduce brute force attempts.
Many security plugins offer this option with one click. Combine it with strong passwords and 2FA.
Final thoughts
These mistakes may look small, but avoiding them early can save you hours (and stress) later.
A clean WordPress setup is easier to maintain, more secure, and faster to grow on top of.
I’m Ellie Miguel, WordPress freelancer since 2010 – elliemiguel.es
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by ellie miguel