5 WordPress pet peeves

WordPress 2.7 came out last week. With any software update, I wait until most of the public offers itself as a guinea pig before I upgrade. Sometimes so-called patches or upgrades just cause more misery. I haven’t installed it yet — although the list of new features and interface improvements seem to make 2.7 worth the  upgrade.

Researching other WordPress-powered blogs for major problems with 2.7 reminded me of some of my WordPress pet peeves, here addressed to news Web site and regular site operators.

1. A “Meta” section — Every install of WordPress comes with two default themes, both with a sidebar section called meta. This area contains links for users to login or register. Although probably useful as a WP newbie creates his or her first blog, these links need to go. Why would you provide access to the “secret” backend of your site? Yes, any seasoned user knows how to find the WP login without those links, but leaving them in your design makes it look tacky, almost like an untucked shirt or a piece of toilet paper dangling from your shoe. Seriously, delete this.
2. Disjointed WP installs — Your organization’s content management system will make or break you online. Eight years ago if you bought a crappy, proprietary CMS, you did so because you had no other options, and all that annoying hand coding of html you once did could be replaced by automation. But with that time-saver, came a great time-drainer: You now spend even more trying to work around the restraints of the proprietary CMS. Want to rearrange the front page? Ha! Add a blog? Double ha-ha! Out of this problem grew the disjointed WP install, a theme that looks nothing like the Web site it came from. This can be a jarring and disorientating experience for the user. A look that isn’t cohesive mars your brand and its impact. The public doesn’t go through your Web site with a checklist, but a client might, even if it’s just a mental one.
3. “Admin” — Change your default user name! Many WP security exploits are based on the widespread use of “admin” as the default login name. Besides security, using “admin” as your name makes your blog less personal.
4. “I have a blog … ?” — Remember that blog or new feature your company started a few months ago? When’s the last time you updated it? You cannot grow a community or audience if you don’t nurture it. Just as your body sometimes gets needs eight hours of sleep, a good diet and amphetamines exercise, so does your Web presence. Help it flourish by giving it regular updates. (Looking for help? See these seven good blogging tips.)
5. Coming soon — Promotion means building excitement, and no anticipation is built with a “coming soon” or “under construction” sign. Promote that new feature or section properly, or just drop the notice. If it’s any consolation, this gives you an out when things don’t roll out on time. The Web 2.0 version is “beta” — aka most services on Google.