{"slug":"wordpress-new-site-launch-checklist","title":"WordPress New Site Launch Checklist","tags":["launch","setup","checklist","mainwp","rank-math"],"agent_summary":"Ten-step technical setup checklist for launching a new WordPress site including MainWP, Rank Math, Wordfence, Optimole, WPvivid, WP Rocket, GSC, GA4, and Bing Webmaster Tools.","trigger_phrases":["new wordpress site","wordpress launch checklist","wordpress setup steps","add site mainwp","wordpress technical setup"],"runnable":false,"markdown":"\nRun these steps in order when launching a new WordPress site. Do not skip steps — each builds on the previous.\n\n## Launch Sequence\n\n```\n[ ] 1. Add site to MainWP (network management hub)\n[ ] 2. Install and configure Rank Math (SEO plugin)\n[ ] 3. Install and configure Wordfence (security)\n[ ] 4. Install and configure Optimole (image optimization)\n[ ] 5. Schedule WPvivid backups\n[ ] 6. Install and configure WP Rocket (speed)\n[ ] 7. Add site to Google Search Console (HTML or DNS method)\n[ ] 8. Set up Site Kit + GA4 (analytics)\n[ ] 9. Verify site with Bing Webmaster Tools\n[ ] 10. Import any content via Bulk Markdown Import (optional)\n```\n\n## Step 1 — Add to MainWP\n\n1. Install MainWP Child plugin on the site\n2. In MainWP Dashboard: Sites > Add New\n3. Enter site URL and admin credentials\n4. Verify connection status shows green\n\n## Step 2 — Rank Math\n\n1. Install Rank Math plugin\n2. Run setup wizard: choose \"Advanced\" mode\n3. Connect Google Search Console account\n4. Configure sitemap: include posts, pages, custom post types\n5. Enable breadcrumbs (use in theme templates)\n6. Set default meta patterns for posts and pages\n\n## Step 3 — Wordfence\n\n1. Install Wordfence Security plugin\n2. Enter license key (or use free version)\n3. Run initial scan\n4. Enable firewall — set to \"Extended Protection\" mode\n5. Configure login security: limit attempts, enable 2FA for admins\n\n## Step 4 — Optimole\n\n1. Install Optimole plugin\n2. Connect with API key\n3. Enable lazy loading, WebP conversion, smart cropping\n4. Set compression quality: 80 (balanced)\n\n## Step 5 — WPvivid Backups\n\n1. Install WPvivid Backup Plugin\n2. Connect remote storage (Google Drive or S3)\n3. Schedule: daily incremental, weekly full\n4. Retention: keep 14 days\n5. Test restore on staging before going live\n\n## Step 6 — WP Rocket\n\n1. Install WP Rocket (paid, per-license)\n2. Enable page caching, mobile cache, user cache\n3. Minify CSS and JS, defer JS\n4. Enable LazyLoad for images and iframes\n5. Configure Cloudflare integration if applicable\n\n## Step 7-9 — Search Consoles\n\n**GSC HTML method:** Upload verification file to root, add property, submit sitemap.\n**GSC DNS method:** Add TXT record in DNS zone editor, verify in GSC.\n**GA4:** Install Site Kit plugin, connect GA4 property.\n**Bing:** Add site at https://www.bing.com/webmasters, verify via XML or DNS.\n","html":"

Run these steps in order when launching a new WordPress site. Do not skip steps — each builds on the previous.

\n

Launch Sequence

\n
[ ] 1. Add site to MainWP (network management hub)\n[ ] 2. Install and configure Rank Math (SEO plugin)\n[ ] 3. Install and configure Wordfence (security)\n[ ] 4. Install and configure Optimole (image optimization)\n[ ] 5. Schedule WPvivid backups\n[ ] 6. Install and configure WP Rocket (speed)\n[ ] 7. Add site to Google Search Console (HTML or DNS method)\n[ ] 8. Set up Site Kit + GA4 (analytics)\n[ ] 9. Verify site with Bing Webmaster Tools\n[ ] 10. Import any content via Bulk Markdown Import (optional)\n
\n

Step 1 — Add to MainWP

\n
    \n
  1. Install MainWP Child plugin on the site
    2. \n
  2. In MainWP Dashboard: Sites > Add New
    3. \n
  3. Enter site URL and admin credentials
    4. \n
  4. Verify connection status shows green
    5. \n
\n

Step 2 — Rank Math

\n
    \n
  1. Install Rank Math plugin
    2. \n
  2. Run setup wizard: choose \"Advanced\" mode
    3. \n
  3. Connect Google Search Console account
    4. \n
  4. Configure sitemap: include posts, pages, custom post types
    5. \n
  5. Enable breadcrumbs (use in theme templates)
    6. \n
  6. Set default meta patterns for posts and pages
    7. \n
\n

Step 3 — Wordfence

\n
    \n
  1. Install Wordfence Security plugin
    2. \n
  2. Enter license key (or use free version)
    3. \n
  3. Run initial scan
    4. \n
  4. Enable firewall — set to \"Extended Protection\" mode
    5. \n
  5. Configure login security: limit attempts, enable 2FA for admins
    6. \n
\n

Step 4 — Optimole

\n
    \n
  1. Install Optimole plugin
    2. \n
  2. Connect with API key
    3. \n
  3. Enable lazy loading, WebP conversion, smart cropping
    4. \n
  4. Set compression quality: 80 (balanced)
    5. \n
\n

Step 5 — WPvivid Backups

\n
    \n
  1. Install WPvivid Backup Plugin
    2. \n
  2. Connect remote storage (Google Drive or S3)
    3. \n
  3. Schedule: daily incremental, weekly full
    4. \n
  4. Retention: keep 14 days
    5. \n
  5. Test restore on staging before going live
    6. \n
\n

Step 6 — WP Rocket

\n
    \n
  1. Install WP Rocket (paid, per-license)
    2. \n
  2. Enable page caching, mobile cache, user cache
    3. \n
  3. Minify CSS and JS, defer JS
    4. \n
  4. Enable LazyLoad for images and iframes
    5. \n
  5. Configure Cloudflare integration if applicable
    6. \n
\n

Step 7-9 — Search Consoles

\n

GSC HTML method: Upload verification file to root, add property, submit sitemap.\nGSC DNS method: Add TXT record in DNS zone editor, verify in GSC.\nGA4: Install Site Kit plugin, connect GA4 property.\nBing: Add site at https://www.bing.com/webmasters, verify via XML or DNS.

\n"}