WordPress Settings: A Beginner’s Guide to Getting It Right
If you’ve just set up a WordPress site, you’ll want to get the basics right before tweaking themes or adding plugins. WordPress settings are the foundation — get them wrong and your site might behave strangely, invite spam, or even lose SEO value. Below I’ll walk you through the important settings step by step, in plain English, so you can set up your site with confidence.
Why WordPress settings matter (and where to start)
Think of settings like the control panel of your site. From the WordPress dashboard you’ll reach the Settings menu, and here you control everything from your site name to comment moderation. Spend a little time now and you’ll save hours later.
I remember my first site — I left the default permalink structure and paid for it with poor SEO until I fixed it. Small choices matter.
WordPress general settings: the basics you must set
WordPress general settings include:
- Site Title & Tagline — Keep them clear and relevant; search engines and visitors see these.
- WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) — Must match your domain. A typo here can break your site.
- Membership — Check this only if you want users to register.
- Timezone & Date Format — Important for scheduled posts and events.
Pro tip: If you want a private WordPress site until launch, enable “Discourage search engines” and use a “Coming Soon” or maintenance plugin.
WordPress writing settings: publish smarter, not harder
The WordPress writing settings help streamline posting:
- Set a default post category so you don’t pick it every time.
- Choose a default post format (standard, gallery, video).
- Enable post by email only if you need that workflow.
For active bloggers, these small defaults speed up publishing and reduce mistakes.
WordPress reading settings: control what visitors see first
WordPress reading settings decide your front page and how many posts are shown.
| Option | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Your latest posts | Blogs and news sites | Shows latest posts on home page |
| A static page | Business or portfolio sites | Use a dedicated homepage + blog page |
Also, use the “Discourage search engines” checkbox while developing. Don’t forget to uncheck it after launch.
Managing comments & discussion: keep spam under control
Comments build community but can invite spam. In Discussion settings you can:
- Require manual approval for comments.
- Block specific words or IPs.
- Nest comments limit and enable captcha through plugins.
Recommended Practice: Activate manual approval in the first weeks or until you trust your audience.
Permalinks: Small change, great impact of SEO
Standard URLs like? P = 123 are confused. Change Permalink settings to post the name (/post/)-is clean and friendly for SEO. This unique change improves clicks and indexing.
User Functions and Permissions: Who can do what
If more people manage the site, understand WordPress user functions:
- Administrator – Total access.
- Editor – Manage and publish content.
- Author — publish own posts.
- Contributor — write, but not publish.
- Subscriber — basic login/profile.
Rule of thumb: give the least privilege required. Don’t make someone an Admin unless necessary.
Admin Essentials: Backups, Email and Safety
Do not ignore the administrator’s settings:
- Backup Settings – Regular Backups.
- Email Settings (SMTP) – Ensure that forms and notifications arrive.
- Security settings — install and configure a security plugin.
- Dashboard customization — Remove the disorder so that you focus on what matters.
Quick Verification List before you air
- ✅ Permalinks defined to post the name
- ✅ “Discourse research mechanisms” unmarked (after release)
- ✅ Comments Moderation Configured
- ✅ Backup and SMTP configured
- ✅ Revised user functions
Common errors beginners
- Leaving Permalinks in the standard (Hurts SEO).
- Forgetting to turn off “discourage research mechanisms” after development.
- Allowing open registration without need (spam risk).
- Not testing email/SMS notifications from forms.
FAQs — quick answers
Q: How do I make my WordPress site private until launch?
A: Turn on “Discourage search engines” and activate a Coming Soon/maintenance plugin. Optionally restrict access by IP or password-protect pages.
Q: Which permalink setting is best for SEO?
A: The structure of the posting name is the cleaner and most friendly SEO.
Q: Should I allow user registration?
A: Only if you need user accounts (association, e -commerce). Otherwise, keep the record to avoid spam.
Q: What is the difference between editor and administrator?
A: Administrators can change site settings and plugins. The editors manage only the content.
The Lower line
WordPress settings shape your site’s experience, safety and search performance. Adopt a methodical approach: Explore each settings guide, change testing on a preparation site, if possible, and keep the backups. A little caution in advance keeps your site stable and confidence with visitors is growing.
👉 You can also watch our videos on our Youtube channel or comment on our Facebook page for more help.