Before I start the post, I want to mention that this tutorial is only for WordPress self hosted blogs. If your WordPress blog is hosted on wordpress.com then you may skip this tutorial.

Tip one: Check WordPress Version

You might not have installed the latest version of WordPress. Most people install WordPress using fantastico, and fantastico don’t always have latest WordPress version. Login in WordPress admin panel and check the version WordPress version you have installed.

WordPress admin panel login url is:
www.yourdomain.com/wp-admin

Replace yourdomain.com by your WordPress installed url. Like WordPress admin panel for www.wpyag.com is www.wpyag.com/wp-admin

If you are not using latest version of WordPress, upgrade your WordPress to latest stable version.

You can download latest stable WordPress version from:

http://wordpress.org/download/

A detailed step by step WordPress upgrade guide is available here: Upgrading WordPress

Tip Two: Delete default admin account

If you have installed WordPress manually (by uploading files using FTP or any other up-loader) then by default WordPress assign admin as main account username. For security purpose, you should change this username.

1. Create a new account (WordPress Admin panel >> User >> Add New)
2. Set Role of new user as administrator.



3. Log out from admin panel, and login again using new account.
4. Delete the old admin account. (WordPress Admin panel >> User >> Authors and Users)

Tip Three: General WordPress Settings

Navigate to: wp-admin panel -> Settings -> General
Complete the form according to your blog details.

Tip Four: Permalink Settings

Using Permalink Settings you can make search engine friendly urls. like domains.com/category/post-title
Best Permalink Structure for WordPress

Tip Five: Change default theme

WordPress lets you change the look of your blog by changing theme. There are lots free themes available.
You can find many free themes on WordPress.org You can also use WPYag Free WordPress Themes.

1. Download theme zip file.
2. Unzip and upload the folder in wp-content >> themes
3. Activate the theme in WordPress Admin panel >> Appearance >> Themes

Tip Six: Install and activate important plugins

Install and activate few important plugins like Akismet, Google XML Sitemaps.

Tip Seven: Install a Analytics

Install and activate Google Analytics or StatCounter plugin to track your blog visitors.

There are few more tips, I will post soon.