Done DigitalIf you have been wondering how to properly publish blog posts on your WordPress website, you have come to the right place. Publishing content in WordPress is pretty straight forward, however, there are some crucial steps that are often overlooked. We created this simple guide to help you ensure that no important steps are missed, so you can make the most of your content.
The Exact Steps to Publish Blog Posts in WordPress
Whether you are using the classic or Gutenberg editor in WordPress, the steps in this guide will be the same.
Step 1: Log in to your WordPress account
Log in to your WordPress account and navigate to the dashboard.
Step 2: Create a new post
Click on “Posts” on the left sidebar and then select “Add New”. This will open the classic editor.
Step 3: Enter your blog title
At the top of the screen, you’ll see a field marked “Enter title here”. Write your blog post’s title in this field.
Step 4: Write your content
The larger box beneath the title is where you write your blog post.
Tip: If you are pasting content from a different editor, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs, be sure to remove all formatting before pasting it into the editor, as it can interfere with your website layout.
Formatting of Headings (h1-h3)
The WordPress editor uses what’s called ‘Paragraph’ format for normal text. But you can use Headings to structure your content. It’s essential to use headings correctly to publish blog posts for readability and SEO, but also to make it easier for readers to navigate your content.
The title of your post will automatically be assigned a H1 heading. In the body of your post, you should use H2 for all other main headings, and H3 for subheadings under each H2. You can select these in the editor by highlighting the text and selecting the appropriate heading from the dropdown menu at the top of the editor.
Step 5: Use numbered or unordered lists
Lists are a great way to organise information in your blog posts. Use numbered lists when the order of items is important, like steps in a process. Use unordered lists (bullets) when the order isn’t significant. You can create lists by clicking on the appropriate icons in the editor toolbar.
Step 6: Add a category
Publish blog posts using categories to group your content into different sections or topics. They’re useful for visitors who want to read more of your posts on the same topic. On the right side of the screen, find the “Categories” box and select or create a category that fits your post.
Tip: Only use 1-2 categories per posts.
Step 7: Add tags
Tags are similar to categories but more specific. They help to describe the details of your post and can contain subtopics you are covering. You can add them in the “Tags” box on the right side of the screen.
Tip: Add 10-20 highly relevant keywords that are related to your content as tags to improve SEO.
Step 8: Set a featured image
A featured image represents the contents, mood, or theme of a post or page. Scroll down to the “Featured Image” box on the right side of the screen and click “Set featured image”. Choose an image that suits your post from your library, or upload a new one.
Tip: Remember, when it comes to SEO, image loading speeds matter. That’s why it’s important to keep your images as small in file size as possible (200kb or less). A good image size is 1400px by 800px with a resolution of 72dpi.
Step 9: Preview and publish your post
Before you publish, always preview your post by clicking “Preview” on the right side of the screen. This will show you what your post will look like once it’s live. If everything looks good, hit the “Publish” button.
Other important things to look out for:
- Make your content helpful: Always aim to create high-quality content that provides value to your readers. Don’t just write for search engines as this could actually hurt your search rankings.
- Use links wisely: Linking to your old posts or other valuable resources on the internet can provide additional value to your readers and can also be good for SEO. Be sure to use a strong anchor text. When linking to an external website, make it open in a new tab, so you don’t lose your readers before they finished reading your post.
- Use Blockquotes: If you’re quoting text from another source, use the Blockquote formatting to distinguish it from the rest of your text.
- Image Alt Text: Whenever you add images, add ‘alt text’ explaining what the image is about. This helps search engines understand your content better. It’s also used by screen readers for visually impaired users, so make sure it’s relevant.
- Call to Action (CTA): If your blog post is trying to achieve something (like sell a product, get subscribers, etc.), don’t forget to add a clear CTA at the end of your post.
- Proofread: Make sure to proofread your blog post for grammatical errors, typos, and ensure that it reads smoothly.
If you follow all of the above steps, you will have published your post successfully and for the best possible results.
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