Yesterday we showed you how to setup WordPress in Ubuntu, specifically in 12.04. Well, that’s not all. Now you must configure WordPress.
This brief tutorial is going to show you some of the first things to configure when you install WordPress, whether locally or online. This is very critical. If you miss these settings, going back can be very difficult, and if you try resetting after you have published many posts, you may lose many of them to 404s (invalid links).
So, when you first install WordPress head over to the admin section and go to Settings –> Permalinks. While there, choose a permalink scheme that works for you. For user-friendly links, choose the last option.
Objectives:
- Configure user-friendly WordPress Permalinks
- Enjoy!
To get started, logon to the admin section of your site. For WordPress, the link is usually like the one below.
http://localhost/myblog.com/wp-admin/ or www.myblog.com/wp-admin/
While you’re logged-in, go to Settings –> Permalinks
Then choose the permalink scheme for your blog or webpage. Choosing a more friendlier link may help your website rank better in search results. This is critical. A bad or difficult permalink may harm your site’s traffic.
Assuming that you have an .htaccess file at the root of your website folder and that apache has write access to it. If not, go to /var/www/myblog.com/ and create a file called .htaccess
To create a file in Ubuntu, run the commands below:
sudo touch .htaccess
After creating the file, temporarily change the permission of the file to:
sudo chmod 777 .htaccess
Go back to WordPress admin page and save your permalinks settings again. This time it will work if it didn’t work the first time.
Since keeping the file permission to 777 isn’t recommended, go back and change it to:
sudo chmod 644 .htaccess
That’s it! This is probably the first thing you must do when ever you installed WordPress. Next time, I will show you how to install Plugins and Themes.
Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I configure Wordpress permalinks for better SEO?
To configure Wordpress permalinks for better SEO, log in to your admin section, go to Settings -> Permalinks, and choose a user-friendly permalink scheme that works for you.
What is the importance of configuring permalinks in Wordpress?
Configuring permalinks in Wordpress is crucial as it helps in creating user-friendly URLs that can improve your website's search engine rankings and overall traffic.
What should I do if my Wordpress permalinks are not working?
If your Wordpress permalinks are not working, check if you have an .htaccess file in the root folder of your website. If not, create one and ensure that Apache has write access to it.
How can I change the permission of the .htaccess file in Ubuntu?
To change the permission of the .htaccess file in Ubuntu, you can use the command 'sudo chmod 777 .htaccess'. However, it is recommended to revert the permission to a more secure setting after saving your permalinks settings.
Why is it important to choose a user-friendly permalink structure in Wordpress?
Choosing a user-friendly permalink structure in Wordpress is important to enhance the readability of your URLs for both users and search engines, which can positively impact your website's SEO performance.
What can happen if I don't configure Wordpress permalinks properly?
If you don't configure Wordpress permalinks properly, you may encounter issues such as broken links (404 errors), which can negatively affect your website's user experience and search engine visibility.
How do I access the Wordpress admin section to configure permalinks?
You can access the Wordpress admin section by logging in to your site and going to the admin link, which is typically 'http://localhost/myblog.com/wp-admin/' or 'www.myblog.com/wp-admin/'. From there, navigate to Settings -> Permalinks to configure your permalink structure.
What are some tips for choosing an effective permalink scheme in Wordpress?
When choosing a permalink scheme in Wordpress, opt for a structure that includes relevant keywords, is concise, and reflects the content of the page. Avoid using special characters or numbers that can make the URL less user-friendly.