Last month, I noticed crawlers from companies like OpenAI and Google in my website analytics. My first reaction was concern: Was my content being scraped without my permission? I also worried that too many requests from AI or search crawlers might slow down my site for visitors.

But then I started thinking: What if I could actually turn this into an opportunity? What if I could guide AI tools—like ChatGPT—to the content I want them to see?

That’s when I discovered something called llms.txt. It’s a new file format designed to help large language models (LLMs) understand which pages on your site are most useful. This can improve how your content shows up in AI-generated answers and even help your site get mentioned as a source.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to create an llms.txt file using a plugin or a manual method. Whether you want more AI visibility or simply more control, this is a great way to start shaping how AI interacts with your content.

What Is an llms.txt File and Why Do You Need One?

An llms.txt file is a new proposed standard that gives AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude a structured list of the website content you want them to use when generating answers.

This file lets you point to your most helpful posts, tutorials, or landing pages—content that’s clear, trustworthy, and AI-friendly.

Think of it like a welcome mat for AI. You’re saying: “If you’re going to use my site in your answers, here’s what I recommend you look at first.”

The file itself lives at the root of your site (like example.com/llms.txt) and is written in plain Markdown. It can include links to your sitemap, cornerstone content, or anything else you’d want cited.

Including your sitemap ensures AI tools can find a complete index of your site—even if they don’t follow every link listed individually.

This is part of a broader approach called Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). You might also hear it called AI content optimization or AI search visibility. The idea is to help AI models give better answers—and increase the chances of your site being linked as a source.

Just keep in mind that llms.txt is still an emerging format. Not all AI companies support it yet, but it’s a smart step if you’re looking to shape your content’s role in AI search results.

llms.txt vs. robots.txt: What’s the Difference?

You might be wondering how llms.txt compares to robots.txt, since both files deal with bots and visibility.

The key difference is this:

• robots.txt tells crawlers what they’re allowed to index and cache.
• llms.txt gives AI models a curated list of the content you want them to reference when generating AI-powered answers.

Here’s a side-by-side look:

For a complete AI strategy, you can use both files at the same time. You can use llms.txt to welcome the AI bots you want, while using robots.txt to block the ones you don’t.

My guide will show you how to use both files to manage your AI content strategy. You can use the quick links below to jump to the method that best fits your strategy:

Method 1: Create an llms.txt File Using AIOSEO (Recommended)

The easiest way to create an llms.txt file in WordPress is by using the All in One SEO plugin (AIOSEO). I recommend this method because it does all of the work for you.

It automatically creates a helpful llms.txt file that guides AI crawlers to your content, and it keeps the file updated as you add new posts and pages.

Step 1: Install and Activate AIOSEO

First, you’ll need to install and activate the AIOSEO plugin.

For a full walkthrough, you can see our step-by-step guide on how to properly set up All in One SEO.

The great news is that the llms.txt feature is enabled by default in all versions of AIOSEO, including the free version.

However, since we’re talking about taking full control of your content and SEO, it’s worth mentioning a few powerful features you get if you upgrade to the AIOSEO Pro license.

While you don’t need these for llms.txt, they are incredibly helpful for growing your website traffic:

• Advanced Rich Snippets (Schema): The Pro version gives you more schema types, which helps you get those eye-catching rich results in Google (like reviews, recipes, or FAQs). Adding schema markup can also help your content appear in AI search.
• Redirection Manager: This tool makes it easy to redirect bots or users from certain pages, fix broken links, and track 404 errors. It gives you more control over how both visitors and crawlers navigate your site.

So, while the llms.txt feature is free, upgrading gives you a much more powerful toolkit for managing and growing your website’s presence.

Step 2: Verify Your llms.txt File

Because this feature is turned on by default, there’s nothing you need to do to set it up. AIOSEO is already helping guide AI bots for you.

You can see the settings by navigating to All in One SEO » General Settings and clicking the ‘Advanced’ tab.

Here, the ‘Generate an LLMs.txt file’ toggle is on by default.

When you click the ‘Open LLMs.txt’ button, you’ll see that the file is a list of links to your content.

This is exactly what you want for GEO. It’s a clear signal to AI bots that you are welcoming them and have provided a helpful guide for them to follow.

Just keep in mind that llms.txt is not an enforceable rule—AI tools may or may not choose to follow it.

Method 2: Create an llms.txt File Manually

If you prefer not to use a plugin, then you can still create a helpful llms.txt file manually. This approach involves creating a text file with a list of links to your most important content.

Step 1. Create a New Text File

First, you need to open a plain text editor on your computer (like Notepad on Windows or TextEdit on Mac).

Create a new file and save it with the exact name llms.txt.

Step 2. Add Your Content Links

Next, you need to add links to the content you want AI bots to see. The goal is to create a simple, clear map of your site using markdown headings and lists.

While you can just list your most important URLs, a best practice is to organize them into sections. You should always include a link to your XML sitemap, as it’s the most efficient way to show bots all of your public content.

Then you can create separate sections to highlight your most important posts and pages.

Here is a more structured template you can copy and paste into your llms.txt file. Just be sure to replace the example URLs with your own:

# My Awesome Website

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://example.com/sitemap.xml)

## Key Pages

- [About Us](https://example.com/about-us/)
- [Contact Us](https://example.com/contact/)

## Key Posts

- [Important Guide](https://example.com/important-guide/)
- [Key Article](https://example.com/key-article/)

Step 3. Upload the File to Your Website

Once you’ve saved your file, you need to upload it to your website’s root directory. This is usually named public_html or www.

You can do this using an FTP client or the File Manager in your WordPress hosting dashboard. Simply upload the llms.txt file from your computer into this folder.

Step 4. Verify Your File Is Live

Finally, you can verify that your file is working correctly by visiting yourdomain.com/llms.txt in your browser.

You should see the list of links you just created.

Bonus: How to Block AI Bots Using Your robots.txt File

While using llms.txt to guide AI bots is great for GEO, you may decide you want to block them instead. If your goal is to prevent AI companies from using your content for training, then the official method is to add rules to your robots.txt file.

The robots.txt file is a powerful tool that gives instructions to web crawlers. For a complete overview, I recommend our full guide on how to optimize your WordPress robots.txt file.

Method 1: Edit robots.txt Using the AIOSEO Plugin (Recommended)

If you already use All in One SEO, this is the safest and easiest way to block AI bots. The plugin has a built-in robots.txt editor that prevents you from making mistakes.

First, navigate to All in One SEO » Tools in your WordPress dashboard. From there, find and click on the ‘Robots.txt Editor’ tab.

First, you need to click the toggle switch to enable custom robots.txt.

Then you will see an editor where you can add your custom rules. To block a specific AI bot, you need to add a new rule by clicking the ‘Add Rule’ button. Then you can fill in the fields for the User-agent (the bot’s name) and a Disallow rule.

For example, to block OpenAI’s bot, you would add:

User-agent: GPTBot
Disallow: /

You can add rules for as many bots as you like. I’ve included a list of common AI crawlers at the end of this section.

Once you’re done, just click the ‘Save Changes’ button.

Method 2: Edit robots.txt Manually via FTP

If you don’t use a plugin, you can edit the file manually. This requires you to connect to your site’s root directory using an FTP client or the File Manager in your hosting account.

First, find your robots.txt file in your site’s root folder and download it. Do not delete it.

Next, open the file in a plain text editor. Add the blocking rules you want at the end of the file.

For example, to block Google’s AI crawler, you would add:

User-agent: Google-Extended
Disallow: /

After you save the file, upload it back to the same root directory, overwriting the old file.

Common AI Bots to Block

Here is a list of common AI user agents you might want to block:

• GPTBot (OpenAI)
• Google-Extended (Google AI)
• anthropic-ai (Anthropic / Claude)
• CCBot (Common Crawl)

You can add a separate block of rules for each one in your robots.txt file.

FAQs About llms.txt and robots.txt in WordPress

I often get questions about managing AI crawlers. Here are some of the most common ones.

1. Will adding an llms.txt file affect my website’s SEO?

No, creating an llms.txt file won’t affect your regular SEO rankings. Search engines like Google still rely on your robots.txt file and other SEO signals to decide what gets indexed and ranked.

llms.txt is different. It’s designed for AI tools, not search engines, and is used to support Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). While it may help AI models better understand and cite your content, it doesn’t influence how your site appears in traditional search results.

2. Will using an llms.txt file help me get more traffic from AI?

No, using an llms.txt file isn’t a guaranteed way to get more traffic from AI tools. It can help by pointing language models like ChatGPT to content you want them to see—but there’s no promise they’ll use it or link back to your site.

llms.txt is still new, and not all AI platforms support it. That said, it’s a smart step if you want more control over how your content might be used in AI-generated answers.

3. What is the difference between llms.txt and robots.txt?

An llms.txt file acts like a guide for AI models, pointing them to the content you want them to see—your most helpful posts, tutorials, or pages. It’s meant to improve your GEO strategy by highlighting what’s worth citing.

In contrast, a robots.txt file is used to block search crawlers and AI tools from accessing specific parts of your site. You use llms.txt to say “look here,” and robots.txt to say “don’t go there.”

Final Thoughts on Managing Your Content’s Future

The world of AI and Generative Engine Optimization is changing fast. So, I recommend checking in on your strategy every few months.

A bot you block today could be a major source of traffic tomorrow, so being ready to adapt is key. You can always switch from blocking to guiding (or vice-versa) as your business goals evolve.

I hope this guide has helped you make an informed decision about the future of your content in the world of AI. If you found it useful, you might also like our other guides on growing and protecting your site:

• Beginner’s Guide to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) for WordPress
• How to Optimize Your WordPress robots.txt for SEO
• Ultimate WordPress SEO Guide for Beginners (Step by Step)
• The Ultimate WordPress Security Guide (Step by Step)

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post What Is llms.txt? How to Add llms.txt in WordPress first appeared on WPBeginner.

Justin Ferriman didn’t set out to build one of the most successful WordPress plugins of all time. In fact, he didn’t even consider himself a developer.

But with a deep background in eLearning and a sharp eye for market opportunities, he turned a gap in the WordPress ecosystem into a multi-million-dollar business.

LearnDash, the popular learning management system (LMS) plugin for WordPress, wasn’t born in a startup environment. Instead, it came from a hotel room, a blog with a signup form, and a simple idea: “What if WordPress could power online courses?”

“I was more scrappy and I knew the industry better … I was an eLearning expert, so I was able to speak the language, be more pointed in my marketing, and then also move a little bit quicker… that was a big part of why we did so well.”

Justin Ferriman – Founder of LearnDash

In this interview, Justin shares how he went from blogging about eLearning in his spare time to building a global product used by course creators, universities, and Fortune 500 companies.

His story is a masterclass in market research, consistent marketing, and paying close attention to your customers. Keep reading to learn all about it!

Video Interview with Justin Ferriman

If you’d like to check out our full interview with Justin Ferriman, you can watch it below:

Otherwise, you can use the links below to read more:

🙋 Meet Justin Ferriman: From eLearning Consultant to WordPress Founder

Before founding LearnDash, Justin Ferriman didn’t work in tech, and he definitely didn’t consider himself a developer.

His career began in the corporate eLearning world, where he helped Fortune 500 companies and U.S. government agencies build online training programs.

He first started using WordPress in college to blog about politics and religion.

Later, he tinkered with themes and plugins to build simple websites for family members.

But it wasn’t until years later that those skills and interests would come together in a meaningful way and help him achieve his dream of leaving the corporate world.

💡 Early Days: A Corporate Consultant Finds a Market Gap

Due to his background in eLearning consulting, Justin had deep insight into how organizations think about LMS tools – and what they find frustrating.

One day, after a client meeting, he started wondering if WordPress could be used to build a more flexible LMS. He searched the plugin directory, but nothing came up.

“I kind of googled WordPress LMS. I went to the plugin repo, there was nothing.”

Justin Ferriman

Sensing an opportunity, Justin started a blog in 2012 to explore the idea of building an LMS on WordPress.

The blog was mostly about trends in online education and instructional design.

During his free time, often in hotel rooms while traveling for work, Justin covered eLearning topics that were cutting edge at the time, like gamification.

And he added one important detail, a call-to-action at the top that said: “Enter your email to be notified when WP LMS releases.”

“I didn’t know if I was going to create it, but I just put this up there, and I started getting people signing up.”

Justin Ferriman

Visitors started subscribing to learn more about a piece of software that didn’t even exist yet.

First a few, then dozens, and eventually over a thousand.

“After getting like 1,000 or 1,500 people, I was like, this is something serious.”

Justin Ferriman

At WPBeginner, we’ve seen many successful founders start this way: testing an idea through consistent content and building an audience before there’s even a product.

It’s one of the smartest ways to validate demand, because you’re growing in public.

So, for Justin, the feedback was clear. People wanted what he was imagining. Now, he just had to build the first WordPress LMS.

🚀 Betting on the Idea: A Midnight Launch and Early Momentum

Encouraged by the response, Justin began outlining how the product should work. He wasn’t a developer, so he created detailed specs and hired an agency to bring the vision to life.

In January 2013, LearnDash launched at midnight.

“I launched my product at like, midnight… I woke up to thousands of dollars.”

Justin Ferriman

Still, the early days weren’t all smooth sailing.

Justin watched sales go down after the initial launch buzz. But then, on an ordinary weekday, things shifted.

“One day in March, I made $690 with no promotion. That’s when I knew – if I can do that without giving it full-time attention, imagine what could happen if I did.”

Justin Ferriman

Four months after launch, Justin left his corporate job to fully dedicate his time to growing LearnDash.

📈 Scaling Smart: Letting Go and Leveling Up

At first, Justin handled everything: marketing, support, and strategy. That hands-on approach helped him deeply understand his customers.

It also gave him direct insight into the pain points that needed fixing, both in the product and the messaging. “It created a connection between me and the customer”, Justin told us.

But over time, that level of involvement became a bottleneck. So Justin did what many solo founders struggle with – he started to delegate.

“I tell people now, hire quicker than I did.”

Justin Ferriman

Letting go of support tasks allowed him to focus on big-picture strategy, like the release of LearnDash 3.0 in 2019.

With more space to focus, he led one of LearnDash’s biggest product updates: version 3.0. This release was about more than features. Instead, it reflected a deeper understanding of how people learn online.

He introduced “Focus Mode,” a clean, immersive experience that put the learner front and center. LearnDash also made it easier for course creators to deliver structured content more efficiently.

“I wanted to know what was working in online education – not just what was trendy in WordPress.”

Justin Ferriman

The result? Soon after, LearnDash 3.0 launched alongside a reasonable price increase, resulting in a 22% revenue jump.

🧠 Unfiltered Advice: What Every WordPress Founder Should Know

For Justin Ferriman, the success of LearnDash wasn’t about perfect code. In fact, he freely admits the early versions were rough under the hood.

But that didn’t matter. What did matter was clear messaging, consistency, and building trust with customers from day one.

“Code doesn’t matter 100%… the marketing did what it was supposed to do.”

Justin Ferriman

He didn’t have the technical skills to build the plugin himself, but he understood the problem better than anyone. And he knew how to communicate the solution in a way that resonated with the user base.

“It’s easier to learn to market than it is to code,” Justin explained.

That may sound controversial, especially to seasoned developers.

But if you’re a non-technical entrepreneur with a strong idea and a deep understanding of your audience, this should be empowering.

That said, taking this approach doesn’t mean your journey will be faster or easier.

Justin blogged for nearly a year before he ever launched LearnDash. He wrote every line of sales copy himself. He personally answered emails from early users.

And most importantly, he spoke their language – something no amount of clean code could replace.

“The thing that will sell somebody is not an AI conversation – it’s the human part.”

Justin Ferriman

That human-first approach wasn’t just smart – it helped LearnDash stand out in a growing crowd of LMS tools.

In fact, the products that stand out aren’t always the ones with the most features—they’re the ones built with clarity, purpose, and a human touch.

💥 Related Post: Looking for more inspirational founder stories? Check out our interview with Tobias Bäthge.

🚚 Selling LearnDash: Lessons Learned and Knowing When to Leave

In 2021, Justin sold LearnDash to Liquid Web. The plugin was still growing, but behind the scenes, he felt a shift.

“My heart was not in it… I dreaded doing the LearnDash thing.”

Justin Ferriman

He realized that continuing without passion wasn’t fair to his team or his customers.

So, he made the decision many founders struggle with – he decided to leave.

Looking back, Justin credits that move to intuition and timing. He exited during the post-COVID eLearning spike, just before tech acquisitions began to slow down.

“I exited at a great time… but more importantly, I knew the company deserved fresh energy.”

Justin Ferriman

After stepping away, Justin explored other ideas – including a software tool called Gap Scout. But he shut it down after realizing something was missing: joy.

“It still gets signups every day,” he shared, “but I didn’t really care about AI or the software. I wasn’t passionate about the problem.”

We then asked what he would do if he had to do it all again, and what advice he would give to others. In response, he said you should make sure to choose something you’re passionate about or deeply interested in.

For him, that was eLearning, and he still stays connected to the space today, through LinkedIn and industry research.

Apart from that, Justin also now works as a business coach, sharing his valuable experience with others. He’s also taken time to slow down and enjoy life a bit more.

“I’ve kind of gotten into, like, just mindfulness and things like that… it’s easy to always be thinking ahead as an entrepreneur. But it’s important to stop.”

Justin Ferriman

He’s not done building. But he’s more selective now and focused on ideas that align with his values, strengths, and sense of purpose.

This is a stage many founders reach. Walking away isn’t a loss—it’s often where clarity, creativity, and long-term impact really begin.

👉 Related Post: Wondering about LearnDash competitors today? Check out our list of the best WordPress LMS plugins.

💭 Final Thoughts: The Power of Consistency and Vision

Justin Ferriman didn’t grow LearnDash by chasing trends or copying competitors.

He grew it by doing something that often gets overlooked: he listened, he showed up consistently, and he solved a real problem for a specific audience he knew well.

Besides choosing something you’re genuinely passionate about, one of Justin’s biggest takeaways was the power of an engaged audience.

“If you build an audience, you can build anything.”

Justin Ferriman

He wasn’t the most technical founder. But he understood his market better than anyone, and he built a product and brand that reflected that empathy.

And even after a successful exit, Justin hasn’t stopped learning. He remains active in the eLearning space, sharing insights and observations about where the industry needs to evolve.

Today, you can find him on LinkedIn, where he regularly posts about online learning, product strategy, and the realities of founder life.

If you’re building something in WordPress – or just figuring out your next move – he’s a leader worth following.

📚 Bonus: WordPress Resources for Aspiring Founders

Are you ready to build your first WordPress business? Here are some beginner’s guides and inspirational articles to help you get started:

• How to Learn WordPress for Free (Step by Step)
• Best WordPress Developer Job Sites (+ Example Job Template)
• WordPress Career Options – How to Make a Living With WordPress
• How Ben Rojas Rose From a Developer to the President of AIOSEO
• Blogger Turned WordPress VIP Partner: How WordPress Continues to Inspire Rahul Bansal
• From Freelancer to Founder: Ionut Neagu’s Journey to Building a Successful WordPress Business

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post The LearnDash Story: How Justin Ferriman Grew a Multi-Million Dollar LMS first appeared on WPBeginner.

When I first started building websites with WordPress, choosing hosting was nothing like it is today. There were fewer hosting providers, most of them slow, and almost all locked you into a long-term plan without much flexibility.

Now, things have changed for the better. You can choose between monthly or yearly hosting plans that actually fit your budget and goals, without sacrificing performance or support.

But that choice can still be confusing. Should you commit to a full year of hosting to save money? Or stay flexible with a monthly plan?

In this guide, I’ll break down the pros and cons of each option, share my personal experience, and help you decide which plan is right for your WordPress site.

Monthly vs Yearly WordPress Hosting: Quick Comparison Table

Don’t want to read the full article? Here is a quick comparison of monthly and yearly WordPress hosting plans:

Now, let’s dive into a more detailed comparison to help you choose between monthly vs yearly hosting plans.

Here is a list of topics I’ll cover in this article:

What Is Monthly Hosting?

Monthly hosting is a type of hosting plan where you pay every month instead of making a larger yearly payment. There’s no long-term contract—just a flexible, pay-as-you-go model.

This setup makes sense for certain situations. For example:

• Trying out a new business idea or niche site
• Building a client site with a short timeline
• Launching seasonal or event-based websites
• Testing a new hosting provider before committing
• Unsure if you’ll stick with the project long-term

With monthly hosting, you can cancel at any time, switch providers without penalty, or pause the project if your plans change. That level of flexibility can feel reassuring, especially if you’re worried about wasting money on something you might not stick with.

Monthly plans are also common for higher-tier options like VPS WordPress hosting, which is great if you need more control over costs on a monthly basis.

However, the convenience of monthly billing usually comes at a higher cost. Most providers charge more per month for this option and don’t include extras like a free domain name or priority support.

If you’re considering monthly hosting for short-term projects, you’ll also find many managed WordPress hosting providers offering monthly billing for added flexibility.

What Is Yearly Hosting?

Yearly hosting (also known as annual hosting) is a plan where you pay for 12 months (or more) in advance. Instead of getting billed monthly, you make a one-time payment that covers your entire hosting term.

Hosting companies typically reward this kind of commitment with a lower monthly price and added bonuses, such as a free domain name, SSL certificate, or automated backups.

I use yearly hosting for all of my serious websites. It’s more affordable, includes extra features, and saves me from monthly billing reminders or surprise price hikes.

Here are some situations where yearly hosting makes more sense:

• You’re building a business website or blog that you plan to grow long-term.
• You want to save money on your hosting with promotional coupons.
• You want the added security of bonus features (like backups and SSL).
• You don’t want to deal with monthly billing or service interruptions.
• You trust your hosting provider and are ready to commit.

In most cases, yearly hosting gives you more value for your money. The only downside is the larger upfront cost, but if you’re confident about your project, it often pays for itself within the first few months.

And if you’re nervous about committing, here’s some good news: most WordPress hosting companies offer generous 30-day or even 45-day money-back guarantees.

That means you can try the yearly plan risk-free—and still get a full refund if it’s not the right fit.

Pros and Cons of Monthly WordPress Hosting

Monthly hosting gives you flexibility without locking you into a long-term contract. I’ve used it when testing new projects or trying out a new hosting provider before going all-in.

But like most flexible options, it comes at a cost.

If you’re not ready to commit or just want to keep things flexible, then monthly hosting can be a smart way to start. Just keep an eye on the long-term costs, especially if your site begins to grow.

Some cloud WordPress hosting platforms also offer monthly plans, giving you scalable resources without locking you into a long-term commitment.

For a full list of recommendations, see our expert pick of the best monthly hosting for WordPress users.

Pros and Cons of Yearly WordPress Hosting

I prefer yearly hosting for any website I’m serious about. It saves me money, unlocks premium features, and gives me one less thing to worry about each month.

But like any commitment, it’s not for everyone.

For me, the peace of mind and value make yearly plans worth it. And thanks to money-back guarantees, you can still try them out without a big risk.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Payment Schedule

Whether you choose monthly or yearly hosting, it comes down to how you want to manage your budget, growth, and long-term goals.

Here are the key areas I always consider before choosing a plan:

• Cost and Savings – Monthly hosting offers a low entry point, but the costs add up quickly. If you’re paying $10 a month, then that’s $120 a year, while a yearly plan might only cost $60–$80 with a promo offer.
• Flexibility and Scalability – Monthly plans offer the ultimate flexibility to stop service at any time without a big financial loss, which is perfect for testing ideas. However, when it comes to scalability (upgrading your plan for more power), most hosts make it easy to upgrade at any time, whether you’re on a monthly or yearly plan. Just remember that upgrading an annual plan usually means paying the difference for the remainder of your term.
• Performance and Uptime – Performance doesn’t change much between monthly and yearly billing, at least not from a technical point of view. But from what I’ve seen, long-term customers often get better reliability, especially during high-traffic periods.
• Support and User Experience – Monthly plans usually come with standard support, which may involve longer wait times or basic responses. Yearly customers often get access to premium support channels, priority queues, or live chat.

Keeping these factors in mind, you can choose the payment schedule that would be the better option for your website project.

Featured Hosting Providers (With What You Need to Know)

I’ve personally used dozens of hosting companies while building websites for myself and others. These three consistently stand out for their performance, support, and beginner-friendly features.

Here’s how they compare on monthly vs. yearly pricing, features, and refund policies so you can make the right call.

Bluehost – Overall best value 🏆

I often recommend Bluehost for beginners launching their first website. Their dashboard is easy to use, and their yearly plans come packed with helpful extras like a free domain name and SSL certificate. Read my Bluehost review for more information.

• Monthly Plan: ❌ Not available — yearly only
• Yearly Plan: Starts at $1.99/month (billed annually)
• Free Domain: ✅ Free for the first year
• Money-Back Guarantee: ✅ 30-day refund window

👉 Start with Bluehost

DreamHost – Affordable monthly hosting plans

I have hosted personal sites with DreamHost for a long time and have found them to be highly dependable. Their monthly hosting plan is quite affordable and offers a balanced set of features and performance. See my Dreamhost review for more details.

• Monthly Plan: Available — Starting from $4.95/mo
• Yearly Plan: Starting from $2.59/month
• Free Domain: Yes, available with annual plans
• Money-Back Guarantee: ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee

👉 Start with DreamHost

Rocket.net – Premium managed WordPress hosting

If you need enterprise-grade performance without a yearly commitment, then Rocket.net is a great fit. Some of our partner brands use them, and they’re one of the fastest WordPress hosts on the market. For more details, see our Rocket.net review.

• Monthly Plan: ✅ Available — Starting from $30/mo
• Yearly Plan: Starts at $25/mo (billed annually)
• Free Domain: ❌ No
• Money-Back Guarantee: ✅ 30-day refund window with yearly plans

👉 Start with Rocket.net

Hostinger – High-performance WordPress hosting on a budget

If you’re looking for budget-friendly hosting without sacrificing speed, Hostinger is a strong choice. I’ve used them on personal and client sites, and their setup is surprisingly fast and smooth for the price. See my full Hostinger review for more details.

• Monthly Plan: ✅ Available — Starting from $9.99/mo
• Yearly Plan: Starts at $2.69/month (billed annually)
• Free Domain: ✅ Included with most yearly plans
• Money-Back Guarantee: ✅ 30-day refund window

👉 Start with Hostinger

For more hosting providers, take a look at our pick of the best WordPress hosting providers. Most of them offer both yearly and monthly hosting plans.

Tips to Maximize Hosting Value

• Start monthly, then switch to yearly. Many users try a monthly plan first, then upgrade once they feel confident about the host.
• Look for holiday deals. Hosting discounts are often the highest during Black Friday, the New Year, or the back-to-school season.
• Negotiate renewals. Hosts frequently give discounts if you reach out before renewing. Don’t be afraid to ask.
• Use all the included features. SSL, backups, and email—yearly plans often include these. Set them up to get the best value for your money.

Final Verdict: Which Payment Schedule Should You Choose?

If you’re serious about your website, then I recommend going with a yearly plan. The cost savings, added features, and peace of mind are worth it. It’s what I use on all my serious projects.

I recommend starting with Bluehost for yearly plans. They are offering WPBeginner users a massive discount and a free domain name (for a year).

But if you’re just testing the waters or building something short-term, then starting with a monthly plan makes sense. Just keep an eye on the costs and be ready to switch when you’re confident.

Whichever path you take, make sure your host is reliable, fast, and has great support, because that matters more than billing cycles.

FAQs About Monthly vs. Yearly Hosting

Readers often reach out to me with their questions about choosing the best WordPress hosting. Here are my answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Can I switch from monthly to yearly hosting later?

Yes. Most hosts allow you to upgrade at any time. It’s a smart move once you’re happy with the service.

Will I get a refund if I cancel my annual hosting plan early?

Yes, but almost always only within the initial trial period. Most hosts offer a 30 or 45-day money-back guarantee. If you cancel within that window, then you can get a full refund.

However, if you cancel a yearly plan after that period (for example, at 6 months), you typically will not receive a partial refund for the remaining time. That’s why you should always check the host’s refund policy before you buy.

Do yearly hosting plans come with better support?

Often, yes. Some hosts prioritize yearly users or offer bonus services like priority support or a dedicated account manager.

Is it risky to commit to a yearly hosting plan?

Only if you haven’t tested the host first. That’s why starting with a monthly plan is sometimes a good idea.

Additional WordPress Hosting Resources

Here are some additional resources that will help you learn more about WordPress hosting and choosing the best option for your websites:

• Best Cheap WordPress Hosting (Compared)
• Shared Hosting vs. Cloud Hosting vs. Managed WordPress – What’s the Difference?
• How to Choose the Best WooCommerce Hosting Company
• When Should You Change Your WordPress Web Hosting (Top 7 Key Indicators)
• How to Move WordPress to a New Host or Server With No Downtime

I hope this guide helped you choose between a monthly or yearly WordPress hosting plan. The best part about WordPress is that it lets you control the cost of building your site, and you can always adjust it to meet your needs.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post WordPress Monthly Hosting vs Yearly Hosting – Which One Do I Recommend? first appeared on WPBeginner.

When I launched my first WordPress site, privacy laws were pretty straightforward. You added a privacy policy, maybe updated your terms of service, and moved on.

But things have changed in recent years. States like Utah have introduced strict privacy laws that apply to businesses worldwide, even if you’re not based in the U.S.

Under the Utah Consumer Privacy Act (UCPA), you could face fines of up to $7,500 per violation. And most of the official guidance is written for lawyers, not for WordPress users just trying to stay compliant.

If you’ve been struggling to make sense of what’s required, you’re not alone. I created this guide to help everyday website owners understand how the UCPA works and what steps to take inside WordPress.

I’ve spent a lot of time researching the law, testing plugins, and finding the easiest tools. That way, you can stay focused on growing your business.

What is the Utah Consumer Privacy Act (UCPA)?

The Utah Consumer Privacy Act (UCPA) is a privacy law designed to protect the personal information of Utah residents. It tells businesses how they should collect, use, and store personal data.

In this context, personal data means any information that can identify someone, such as names, email addresses, IP addresses, or even device IDs.

The UCPA can affect businesses in many locations, not just those based in Utah or even the United States. If your site handles data from people who live in Utah, then the UCPA may apply to you.

However, it’s important to note that the UCPA doesn’t apply to every WordPress blog or website. Instead, it’s aimed at larger businesses that meet a few specific conditions.

First, you must conduct business in Utah or offer products or services that target Utah residents.

Next, your business must have an annual revenue of $25 million or more.

You’ll also need to meet at least one of the following data processing thresholds:

• Control or process the personal data of 100,000 or more Utah consumers.
• Get more than 50% of your gross revenue from selling personal data and control or process the data of 25,000 or more Utah consumers.

These requirements are fairly specific, especially compared to some other privacy laws.

However, if your business meets these criteria, then it’s important to make sure you’re following the UCPA.

Why Should WordPress Users Care About UCPA Compliance?

Breaking the UCPA can result in serious fines. If your business violates this law, the Utah Attorney General will start by sending you a written notice. You’ll then have 30 days to fix the issue. This is known as a ‘cure period.’

If you don’t resolve the problem within that window, the Attorney General can begin issuing fines.

You could be fined up to $7,500 for each violation. And every misuse of personal data counts as a separate violation.

These penalties can add up quickly for qualifying businesses. For example, if you mishandle the data of 100 Utah residents, you could face up to $750,000 in penalties.

How UCPA Affects Your WordPress Site

As I’ve already mentioned, the UCPA is a state-level privacy law that gives consumers specific rights over their personal data.

Here are a few key consumer rights that may affect your WordPress website:

• The Right to Know: Users can ask for information on the personal data you collect about them. That means you’ll need to clearly explain your data collection practices.
• The Right to Correction: Users can request corrections to any inaccurate information.
• The Right to Delete: Users can ask you to remove their personal data.
• The Right to Data Portability: Users can request a copy of their data in a format that’s easy to access.
• The Right to Opt Out of Data Sales: Users can ask you not to sell their personal data.
• The Right to Opt Out of Targeted Advertising: Users can opt out of having their data used for personalized ads.

Next, I’ll show you how to meet these UCPA requirements using WordPress tools and best practices.

How to Improve Your UCPA Compliance in WordPress

Navigating UCPA compliance can feel overwhelming at first. But at its core, it’s really about being clear with your audience and giving them control over how you collect and use their personal data.

Let’s get started. You can use the links below to jump to any section:

Perform a Data Audit

When it comes to UCPA compliance, the first step is understanding your own data. That means reviewing and recording every piece of personal information your website collects, uses, or stores.

To get started, you should make a list of all the WordPress plugins and external tools that interact with user data. This includes everything from analytics and email marketing tools to form builders and SEO plugins.

Once you’ve built that list, take a closer look at how each one handles user information.

For example, if you’ve created a quote request form, then your form builder might collect personal details like the visitor’s name, company, or job title.

To dig even deeper, ask yourself these questions:

• What personal data do I collect? This might include names, email addresses, IP addresses, payment info, or anything else that could identify a user.
• Where is this data stored? Is it saved on your server or sent to a third-party tool?
• Why am I collecting it? Is it essential for your website to function, or just nice to have?
• How long do I keep this data? Do you have a clear retention policy in place?
• Am I sharing this data with anyone else? Are you passing it along to service providers, advertisers, or analytics platforms?

This kind of audit can quickly highlight any areas where you may need to update your data practices to stay compliant with the UCPA.

Create a Data Compliance Document 

After you complete your data audit, the next step is documenting your findings. This means writing down every action you’ve taken to follow the UCPA, as well as any updates you’ve made to fix issues you discovered.

Creating this document gives you clear proof that you’re committed to protecting your users’ privacy. It’s especially helpful if you’re ever audited or if someone questions your compliance.

As I’ll mention throughout this guide, it’s not enough to quietly follow the UCPA behind the scenes. You also need to show that you’re complying with it.

That’s why you should record all the personal information you’ve collected in your compliance document. For each type of data, make sure to include:

• Where the data comes from (for example, forms, plugins, or third-party tools)
• Why you’re collecting it (whether it’s essential or optional)
• How the data is used, shared, or sold
• How long you keep it
• Whether it falls under a special category (like sensitive or financial data)
• What security steps you’re taking to protect it
• Any third-party vendors or contracts involved

This kind of record shows regulators and your users that you’re taking privacy seriously.

As a general rule, it’s smart to do a full data audit at least once per year. It’s also a good idea to review your compliance if you install new plugins, change how you collect data, or make other major updates to your site.

Plus, since laws can change, it’s wise to re-check your compliance whenever the UCPA is updated.

Collect Less Data 

Unlike some other privacy laws, the UCPA allows you to collect non-essential personal data, as long as you provide a clear privacy notice and give users the option to opt out.

Still, it’s smart to follow the principle of data minimization. This means only collecting the information you actually need.

Data minimization makes UCPA compliance much easier because:

• You have less to search through if someone asks for a copy of their personal data.
• You have less to delete if a user requests to be forgotten.

To get started, review the forms and tools on your site. Ask yourself: “Do I really need every detail I’m asking for?”

If the answer is no, it’s best to stop collecting it.

Create a Privacy Policy 

A privacy policy is a page that clearly explains what personal data you collect, how you use it, and who you share it with.

Creating a detailed privacy policy is an important part of UCPA compliance because it helps visitors understand how you handle their information. Plus, it directly supports their Right to Know under the law.

Thankfully, WordPress includes a built-in privacy policy generator. You can find it by going to Settings » Privacy in your WordPress dashboard.

Feel free to use our own WPBeginner privacy policy page as a template.

Just make sure to replace every mention of ‘WPBeginner’ with your own site or business name.

If you need more guidance, we also have a complete step-by-step tutorial on how to add a privacy policy in WordPress.

Even if you already have a privacy policy, it’s a good idea to update it with information specific to the UCPA. This includes clearly explaining user rights, such as the Right to Know, Right to Delete, and Right to Correction.

Plus, your policy should tell visitors how they can exercise those rights.

For example, you might include a link to a contact form where users can request a copy of their data or ask you to delete it.

Finally, make it a habit to review and update your privacy policy regularly. This helps ensure it reflects your current practices and stays aligned with any future changes to the UCPA.

Add a Cookie Popup

Under the UCPA, cookie consent follows an opt-out model. This means you can use non-essential cookies without asking first, as long as you give users a clear way to opt out.

This is different from stricter laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), where you must get consent before setting non-essential cookies.

What counts as non-essential? These include cookies used for analytics, advertising, or user behavior tracking. Anything not required for your site to function is considered non-essential under the UCPA.

The good news is that a cookie popup can help you stay compliant with both types of laws.

A clear, user-friendly banner can let visitors know what types of cookies your site uses, what data they collect, and why. It should also offer a simple way to opt out.

While many plugins offer cookie banners, WPConsent is my top pick because it’s easy to use and supports multiple privacy laws, including the UCPA and the PDPL.

We actually use WPConsent on WPBeginner to manage cookie banners and track user consent, and we’ve had a great experience.

To get started, simply install and activate the plugin.

Once it’s active, WPConsent will automatically scan your website and detect all active cookies.

From there, the setup wizard helps you design your cookie banner. You can customize the layout, position, button styles, colors, and even add your logo.

As you make changes, WPConsent shows a live preview so you can see exactly how the banner will appear on your site.

When you’re happy with the design, just save your changes. The cookie banner will start appearing on your WordPress site right away.

For full instructions, check out our complete guide on how to add a cookie popup in WordPress.

Write a Separate Cookie Policy 

Adding a cookie popup is a great first step. But it’s also a good idea to create a dedicated cookie policy that explains how your site uses cookies in more detail.

This helps visitors better understand what kind of personal information your site collects and how it’s used.

In your cookie policy, make sure to:

• List all the types of cookies your site uses (such as essential, analytics, or marketing cookies).
• Explain what each cookie does—for example, some cookies track website visitors or show personalized ads.
• Describe the data each cookie collects, like IP addresses or browsing history.

To build trust, keep your language simple and easy to understand. Try to avoid technical terms or legal jargon whenever possible.

Once your policy is ready, make sure it’s easy to find. For example, you could link to it from your main privacy policy and also inside your cookie banner.

Fortunately, WPConsent can handle this entire process for you.

It can scan your site for cookies, then use that information to generate a cookie policy automatically.

To get started, go to WPConsent » Settings.

Inside the plugin settings, you need to choose the page where you want your cookie policy to appear.

WPConsent will then add the policy to that page automatically.

If you’re already using WPConsent to display a cookie banner, then your visitors can access the policy directly through the popup.

They just need to click the ‘Preferences’ button.

From there, they can select the ‘Cookie Policy’ link to visit the full page.

Here’s an example of what that looks like.

Block Third-Party Scripts 

One tricky part of the UCPA is that it also applies to third-party tracking tools like Google Analytics or Facebook Pixel.

Even though third-party tools handle the tracking, you’re legally responsible for how they collect and use visitor data on your site. That means you also need to give users a way to opt out.

A simple way to handle this is by using automatic script blocking. This prevents tracking scripts from running until the visitor gives consent.

This also supports the UCPA’s Right to Know by ensuring users understand what data is being collected before it happens.

Even though the UCPA follows an opt-out model, script blocking goes a step beyond minimum compliance by turning third-party tracking into an opt-in process.

Fortunately, WPConsent makes this easy with a built-in automatic script blocking feature.

It detects and blocks common tools like Google Analytics, Google Ads, and Facebook Pixel, without breaking your site.

Then, as soon as a visitor gives consent, the plugin loads the script immediately without reloading the page.

Track and Log Visitor Consent

Your UCPA data practices might still be questioned. For example, regulators could request an audit, or a customer might ask how their data is being handled.

That’s why it’s important to track and log user consent. This gives you clear, time-stamped proof that you’re honoring each user’s preferences.

WPConsent handles this for you automatically. It logs key details like the user’s IP address, their consent settings, and the exact date and time when they gave consent.

You can view this data anytime by going to WPConsent » Consent Logs in your WordPress dashboard.

If you ever need to share this log with someone—like an auditor or legal advisor—you can export it directly from your site.

Just open the Export tab, choose the date range you need, and click the ‘Export’ button.

WPConsent will generate a CSV file with all the logged consent data, ready for you to share if needed.

Give Users a Way to Opt Out (Do Not Track Form)

The UCPA gives users the right to opt out of the sale or sharing of their personal data. You’re required to provide a clear and easy way for them to do that.

The simplest way to do this is by using WPConsent’s Do Not Track add-on. It lets you create a dedicated opt-out page with just a few clicks.

To get started, go to WPConsent » Do Not Track » Configuration in your WordPress dashboard.

WPConsent will walk you through the steps to install the add-on and create a Do Not Track form.

Once that’s done, visitors can fill out the form to opt out of data sales or sharing.

This gives users a clear, simple way to exercise their rights, and it also improves your site’s user experience.

Plus, WPConsent stores these requests locally in a custom database table on your own site. That means you stay in full control of this sensitive data, without needing to rely on an external platform.

It also records each request automatically, giving you clear proof of compliance if it’s ever needed.

Support the ‘Right to Delete’

The UCPA gives users the right to ask you to delete their personal data.

One of the simplest ways to support this is by adding a data erasure form to your WordPress site. That way, visitors can easily request deletion through a secure form.

This is where WPForms comes in. It’s a drag-and-drop form builder that includes a pre-built Right to Erasure form template.

The template name comes from GDPR, but don’t worry. Many compliance tools use GDPR-style naming, and this form works just as well for UCPA requests.

To use the template, go to WPForms » Add New.

Then, type “Right to Erasure” into the search box.

When the template appears, you need to click ‘Use Template’ to open it in the WPForms editor.

From here, you can customize the form to fit your needs. The left-hand panel shows the available fields, and the right-hand panel shows a live preview.

To update a field, just click on it in the preview. You can then change the label, instructions, or field type in the left-hand panel.

Once you’re happy with the form, click ‘Save’.

To add the form to a page or post, you need to open the editor, add a WPForms block, and choose your saved form from the dropdown list.

After that, go ahead and publish or update the page like you normally would.

Once your form is live, make sure it’s easy to find. I recommend linking to it from your privacy policy or embedding it directly on that page.

WPForms also includes an entry management system. You can use it to view and filter submissions, which makes it easy to track and respond to deletion requests.

To view entries, go to WPForms » Entries in your dashboard.

Simply find your data erasure form and click it. 

You’ll then see all the ‘delete data’ requests you’ve received.

Once someone requests deletion, WordPress has a built-in tool to help.

Just go to Tools » Erase Personal Data in your admin dashboard.

Enter the user’s email or username, and WordPress will handle the removal process.

You can also choose to send a confirmation email once the data has been erased.

Handle Data Access Requests Efficiently

Under the UCPA, visitors have the right to request a copy of all the personal data your website has collected about them.

The good news is that you can support this by adding a dedicated data access form to your site using WPForms.

WPForms includes a ready-made Data Request Form template. It’s designed to collect the information you need to identify users in your records and respond to their requests.

WPForms will automatically log each submission in your dashboard.

To review them, just go to WPForms » Entries.

You can now select your data request form to view all submissions.

Then, when you receive a request, you can export the user’s data using WordPress’s built-in tools.

Go to Tools » Export Personal Data in your admin dashboard.

You can then type in the person’s username or email address to find the correct record.

Then, simply share the .zip file with the person who made the request.

This helps you meet UCPA’s Right to Know requirement in a secure and user-friendly way.

Support the ‘Right to Correction’

Under the UCPA, people can ask you to correct or update their personal data if it’s wrong or incomplete.

This might happen after a user reviews a copy of their data. Or they may contact you directly if their personal details have changed, like a new phone number or address.

The simplest way to handle these requests is by adding a dedicated correction form to your site.

WPForms includes a Personal Information Form template that’s perfect for this. It even has an “Update Existing Record” checkbox to help you identify correction requests.

This template includes useful fields like legal name, nickname, email address, and phone number.

If you need more fields, then you can easily customize the form in WPForms’ drag-and-drop editor.

Once the form is published, make sure that users can find it easily.

I recommend linking to it from your privacy policy or adding it to your site footer.

As requests come in, you can process them manually depending on where the data is stored.

If the information is inside WordPress, you need to go to Users » All Users and click ‘Edit’ for the relevant profile.

Go ahead and update the necessary fields.

Then, scroll down and click ‘Update User’ to save the changes.

If you store data in a third-party tool—like a CRM or email marketing platform—then you just need to log into that tool to update the user’s profile.

UCPA Compliance in WordPress: FAQs

Understanding privacy laws can feel overwhelming at first. If you still have questions about how the UCPA affects your WordPress site, then you’re not alone.

At WPBeginner, we’re here to help you feel confident about compliance. So in this section, I’ll answer some of the most common questions we hear from our readers.

What happens if my WordPress site isn’t UCPA compliant?

If your WordPress site violates the UCPA, you could face fines of up to $7,500 per violation. You might also receive consumer complaints or trigger a regulatory investigation—both of which can damage your business and reputation.

How often should I review my site for UCPA compliance?  

Privacy laws can change over time. That’s why it’s a good idea to review your compliance at least once per year, or whenever you update how your site collects or uses data.

For the best results, you can make this part of your regular WordPress maintenance routine.

Can I use the same compliance tools for UCPA and GDPR?

Yes, a good compliance tool should address multiple privacy regulations. For example, WPConsent can help you comply with the UCPA, GDPR, the Brazilian General Data Protection Law (LGPD), Australia’s Privacy Principles (AAP), and many more international laws. 

However, it’s worth noting that every tool is unique. Having said that, it’s important to do your research to ensure you’re meeting the specific rules of each regulation.

Additional Resources for UCPA Compliance

Taking a proactive approach and continuously learning is absolutely essential for maintaining UCPA compliance over the long term. Data privacy laws can evolve over time, and staying informed is crucial for protecting both your website and your audience.

That said, I’ve collected some helpful resources you can use to continue your learning journey and keep your WordPress site compliant:

• The Ultimate Guide to WordPress and CCPA Compliance. Find out how to make your site compliant with another important privacy law: the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). 
• Beginner’s Guide to PDPL Compliance for WordPress Websites: Is there a chance some of your visitors and users might live in Saudi Arabia? Then you may also need to comply with the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL)
• How to Make Google Fonts Privacy-Friendly
• How to Know if Your WordPress Website Uses Cookies
• How to Stop Storing IP Addresses in WordPress Comments
• The Ultimate WordPress Security Guide – Step by Step

I hope this ultimate beginner’s guide to WordPress UCPA compliance has helped you understand this important privacy law. Next, you may want to see our expert picks for the best WordPress security plugins or our guide on how to keep personally identifiable info out of Google Analytics.  

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post UCPA Compliance in WordPress: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide first appeared on WPBeginner.

Is your organic traffic steadily declining?

There’s a clear reason why. AI tools like ChatGPT have transformed the way people search for information.

Instead of clicking through different sites, users are used to concisely getting answers from their favorite AI tools.

Google followed suit with AI Overviews to protect its search dominance.

The result? Zero-click searches are rising. Like most websites, you’re probably seeing high organic impressions but steadily declining click-through rates.

This isn’t just a temporary dip… it’s a fundamental shift in how search works.

SEO experts forecast that this trend is here to stay and will only get worse. The only question is: how quickly will you adapt to the new search reality?

In this article, I’m going to share 30+ AI trends and predictions in SEO to watch to help you prepare your WordPress site for what’s coming. You’ll discover which changes to expect, which ones to prioritize, and how to adapt your SEO strategy so you’re not left behind.

Here is a quick overview of the topics I’ll cover in this guide:

How Is AI Reshaping SEO?

In November 2022, OpenAI released ChatGPT, which has significantly altered how people search online and consume content. Unlike traditional Google Search, AI tools gave users instant answers to their questions without needing to visit multiple websites.

Recognizing this shift in user behavior, Google quickly adapted by introducing Google AI Overviews in search results. Here’s an example of how itlooks:

These AI-generated summaries typically appear at the top of search pages.

In fact, Google considers AI Overviews as a success, as it has actually encouraged users to search more often:

“Instead of searching less, people who use AI Overviews are actually showing an increase in their total number of searches.”

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google

However, this has a big impact on websites. When people get the answer directly on Google, they have less reason to click on search results, which is causing a significant drop in organic traffic for many sites.

Preparing your WordPress website for this new reality is essential, so let’s dive into these AI search predictions and statistics so you know what to expect.

How Often Do AI Overviews Appear in Search?

AI Overviews (AIOs) are becoming a dominant feature, appearing in up to 47% of Google searches, according to a Botify study.

To put that in perspective, nearly half of all Google searches now show an AI-generated answer at the top. 

This is a sharp rise considering the fact that it was first introduced on May 14, 2024, in the United States, and was only expanded to other countries in October 2024.

How Fast Are AI Overviews Dominating?

Since the Google March Core Update in 2025, the appearance of AI Overviews in search results has grown by a staggering 115%, according to a study by Ahrefs.

This shows how serious Google is about this feature. A 115% jump in just a few months means they are quickly changing the search experience for everyone.

To see where this change is hitting hardest, here are the industries that have spiked the most in AI Overviews since the recent rollout:

To be clear, one reason for these huge spikes is that these industries had a lower baseline to begin with. They historically triggered AI Overviews far less than topics like healthcare and education.

What Triggers a Google AI Overview?

AIOs are triggered by informational intent. Nearly all (99.2%) keywords that generate an AI Overview are informational in nature, rather than commercial or transactional.

This is the most important trigger to understand. It means AIOs are designed to appear when people are looking for answers and explanations, like asking ‘how to start a blog‘ or ‘what are the symptoms of the flu’.

To increase your chances of being featured in Google’s AI Overviews, you should focus on creating high-quality, authoritative content that directly answers user queries concisely and comprehensively

You can find relevant questions for your core niche by using a tool like the Free WPBeginner Keyword Generator. Its “Questions” tab shows you what people are really searching for, so you can create content that perfectly matches their needs.

Does the Length of a Query Matter to AI?

The longer and more complex a question is, the more likely it is to receive an AI Overview. A query with eight or more words is 7 times more likely to get an AI-generated answer.

This isn’t a coincidence. It aligns perfectly with Google’s stated purpose for the feature.

In a May 2024 tweet, Google said the goal of AI Overviews is to “answer your most complex problems and help you get things done.”

Here’s a great example. Imagine you search for “3 day easy meal plan for a group”. You’ll see an AI Overview in the search results, like the one in the image below:

To create such a helpful and specific answer, the AI analyzes several key parts of your query at once:

• Duration: 3 days
• Complexity: Easy (e.g., simple recipes, minimal prep time)
• Audience: A group (e.g., recipes that are scalable or serve multiple people
• Outcome: A structured meal plan for the entire duration

The AI Overview then generates a complete, structured meal plan. It will often lay out suggestions for each day and meal, complete with images and links to the full recipes.

What makes this feature particularly powerful is its interactivity. If you don’t like a particular suggestion, then you can simply click the ‘Replace’ button underneath it.

This action pulls up a variety of alternative dishes that still match your original request, allowing you to tailor the plan perfectly to your group’s tastes.

By understanding and combining all these elements, the AI provides a comprehensive answer that would have previously required multiple searches.

This is also a huge time-saver because, as a user, you can find everything you need in one place, FAST.

Where Do Most AI Overviews Appear?

They are primarily a mobile feature. A massive 81% of queries that trigger an AI Overview are performed on mobile devices.

This means that if your website isn’t optimized for mobile users, you’re missing out on the biggest opportunity to appear in AI search.

How Does Keyword Competition and Monetization Affect AI Overviews?

AI Overviews show more for search keywords that have low or medium competition (80% and 60%), and they are far less common for the most highly competitive terms (10%).

But this isn’t a simple opportunity to get featured. It’s a strategic decision tied directly to Google’s revenue.

The reality is that AI Overviews are most common for searches that don’t make Google money. Over 71% of queries that get an AI answer have no advertising cost associated with them.

This is because high-competition keywords are often highly commercial and packed with valuable ads. It seems that Google is protecting its primary revenue stream by testing AI Overviews in lower-risk, informational areas first.

How Are AI Overviews Affecting Local Queries?

Local search is less affected for now. AIOs appear less frequently for local search queries compared to general informational searches.

For local businesses, this means traditional SEO is still your best friend.

Your main goal should be to rank high in the standard search results and in the Google Maps results. Our ultimate WordPress local SEO guide has all the steps you need to get there.

How Are Branded Queries Affected by AI Search?

Branded searches are far less likely to trigger an AI Overview, showing up in only 4.79% of cases.

More importantly, when an AI summary does appear for your brand, it comes with a surprising advantage.

Research from Amsive shows these queries receive an 18.68% boost in click-through rate (CTR). This is likely because the user’s existing trust and familiarity with your brand make them more eager to click.

How Are People Using AI Tools for Search?

More than 15 million adults in the U.S. now use generative AI as their main tool for searching online. That number is expected to jump to over 36 million in the next four years.

This shows that a new user habit is forming quickly.

Millions of people already prefer getting direct answers from an AI tool like ChatGPT instead of clicking through a list of websites, and that number is growing fast.

What Platforms Are People Actually Using to Search?

Despite the rise of AI, people are still overwhelmingly turning to Google for search. Google manages about 14 billion searches daily, capturing over 93% of the market.

On the other hand, ChatGPT sees an estimated 37.5 million search-like prompts per day, equaling just 0.25% of the market share.

That’s less than Microsoft Bing (4.10%), Yahoo (1.35%), and DuckDuckGo (0.73%).

Do Users Actually Read AI Overviews?

The majority of users (86%) “skim quickly” through AI Overviews, looking for key points rather than reading every word.

This behavior is nothing new. It’s exactly how people scan blog posts, hunting for specific answers.

This leads to a surprising advantage. While you might get fewer clicks overall, the ones you do receive from AI Overviews can be incredibly valuable.

Because these users are skimming for specific information, a click signals that they believe your site has the exact answer they need. This results in high-intent visitors who are more likely to convert compared to an average user from traditional search results.

If you want to get recommendations on how to improve the on-page SEO of your content, you can use TruSEO inside the All in One SEO plugin.

Its built-in TruSEO analysis checks your writing for things like sentence length and clarity, giving you real-time suggestions to make your content easier to understand.

There’s even a free version of All in One SEO that you can get started with.

Does Your Position Within the AI Overview Matter?

The top of the AI Overview is now the most valuable real estate in search. Not only does the feature itself take up nearly half the screen space on both desktop and mobile devices, but data also shows most users don’t look past the first third of the result.

In other words, they’re only reading about 30% of the information.

This means getting mentioned by the AI isn’t enough. Your brand must also be featured in the very first few sentences to have any real impact.

You can see a perfect example of this below, where WPForms is featured right at the top of the answer for “best contact form for wordpress.”

Do Users Trust Generative AI Results?

The relationship users have with generative AI is complicated. On one hand, adoption is happening fast, with 70% of consumers having at least some trust in generative AI results.

This shows that a majority of people already see it as a credible source for information.

However, a Growth Memo study found that for 38% of searches, users still felt the need to double-check the AI’s answer by opening an organic link “just to be sure,” especially for important topics like health or money.

This creates a clear split in user behavior. For simple questions, the AI answer is enough.

But for important topics, the habit of seeking a “second opinion” means that a click to your website is incredibly valuable. It signals that the user is actively looking for an authority to verify the facts.

Where are Users Clicking After an AI Overview?

When users want to verify an AI answer, they don’t just look for another article; they look for community proof.

Data from post-AI clicks shows that users are turning to platforms like Reddit (18% of clicks) and YouTube (10%) to see what real people are saying.

This behavior signals a significant shift. To succeed, you need to meet your audience where they are to build trust. Instead of just writing about your expertise, you need to prove it in public forums.

Here are some effective strategies that we’ve been using at WPBeginner and our sister sites:

• Become a Resource: Actively participate in relevant Reddit threads or Facebook groups. Answer user questions thoroughly to build a reputation as a trusted authority.
• Use Video: Create video content for YouTube that addresses common user problems or provides tutorials. Embedding these videos in your blog posts also adds a powerful layer of trust. To learn how, see our guide on how to easily embed videos in WordPress blog posts.
• Showcase Reviews on Your Site: Bring community proof onto your own turf. Prominently feature customer testimonials, user reviews, and case studies on your product and landing pages. See our tutorial on how to add a customer reviews page to your WordPress site.

By being active in these channels, you not only build brand trust but also create pathways to capture those valuable clicks from users seeking to verify AI-generated information.

How Does AI Search Affect Organic Traffic & Referral Traffic?

A powerful new traffic source is emerging for website owners. While traditional search traffic has dipped by 21%, AI referral traffic, which is clicks from chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot, has skyrocketed by 10x over the last year.

The key to capturing this growing stream of visitors is to think beyond traditional rankings and focus on becoming a trusted source for AI.

To do this, you must clearly signal your credibility through E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness). AI models are programmed to look for these signals to ensure the information they provide is reliable.

An effective way to build these signals on your site is with All in One SEO. Its Author SEO features are designed to showcase expertise, allowing you to easily add author bio boxes with credentials.

Here’s an example of how it looks:

This sends clear proof to both users and AI models that a real expert is behind your content.

How Does Google’s AI Mode Affect Traffic?

Beyond the automatic AI Overviews, Google’s experimental AI Mode shows an even more dramatic impact on website traffic.

A recent iPullRank study found that while 24% of traditional Google Search sessions result in a click, that number drops to just 4.5% in AI Mode.

So, what is AI Mode? Unlike the automatic Overviews, it’s a separate, opt-in search experience that users must actively select. It functions more like a chatbot, providing comprehensive answers that reduce the need to visit external websites.

However, there’s a silver lining. When users in AI Mode click a website link, their engagement is nearly identical to traditional searchers, averaging 5.9 pageviews per session.

How Does AI Search Affect Clicks?

A recent study by Ahrefs analyzed 300,000 keywords and found that when Google showed an AI Overview, the top-ranking page saw a 34.5% drop in average click-through rate compared to similar results without AI.

This statistic highlights a major shift: the value of ranking #1 is changing.

Because the AI Overview often gives a direct answer, fewer people need to click on a link. This means the top spot is now less about getting the most traffic directly and more about being chosen as a trusted source for the AI’s answer itself.

Earning a mention inside the AI Overview has become the new prize, turning your top ranking into a signal of authority for Google’s AI.

Is AI Creating More Zero-Click Searches?

It’s undeniable: clicks are steadily declining from Google Search. In the last year alone, zero-click searches have risen from 24.4% to 27.2%.

A major reason for this is Google’s strategy with AI Overviews. Nearly 44% of all AI answers source Google’s own properties, creating a powerful loop that directs users back to its own services.

This is further proven by the fact that clicks to other Google sites like Maps and YouTube have also increased to 14.3%, compared to 12.1% a year ago.

This is where your conversion strategy becomes super important. Tools like OptinMonster are designed for this exact moment, allowing you to present targeted offers that convert these highly interested visitors into long-term subscribers and customers.

If you want more ideas, see our guide on advanced landing page tips to skyrocket WordPress conversions.

What Are the Top Ranking Factors for AI Search?

The three factors with the highest correlation to getting mentioned in an AI Overview are: Branded web mentions, branded anchor text, and branded search volume.

This is a huge change. Now, your brand’s reputation matters more than almost anything else to Google’s AI.

Think of it like this: research from Ahrefs shows that if your brand isn’t being talked about online, you’re basically invisible to AI.

New and small sites in their study averaged between zero and three mentions. At the same time, the most popular brands got a huge boost, receiving 10 times more features in AI Overviews than the next group down.

How Should You Structure Your Content for AI Search?

The “People Also Ask” feature appeared in 80.92% of all AI Overview query search results. Featured snippets, thumbnails, video previews, and discussions were also prominent in AIO search results.

This shows that future content will need to be structured as a series of “answer blocks.” Successful websites will break down their articles into clear, concise sections designed to answer one specific question at a time.

This makes it easy for Google to grab the text for a featured snippet, which in turn makes it a perfect source for an AI Overview.

You can make this strategy even more effective by adding schema markup, like FAQ schema for Q&As or How-to schema for tutorials.

We use the All in One SEO plugin on our own sites because it makes it easy to add different types of schema markup, without needing to touch any code.

This directly signals to Google what your content is about, increasing your chances of being featured.

On WPBeginner and our partner sites, using schema consistently has really helped us show up more in AI answers.

Do Organic Rankings Still Matter for AI Search?

Yes, they absolutely do. 75% of the websites cited in AI Overviews are also found ranking in the top 12, showing that the AI trusts and uses high-ranking pages for its information.

The data tells us that a high organic ranking is the first step. Without it, your chances of being featured by the AI are extremely low.

Key Takeaways: How Can Businesses Optimize for AI Search?

I’ve covered a lot of data, but it all comes down to a few key actions.

If you’re looking for a quick checklist on what to do next, here are the most important takeaways from these AI search predictions and statistics:

• ✅ Focus on Brand Mentions, Not Just Backlinks: Your brand’s presence and discussion across the web are now more influential than traditional link-building metrics.
• ✅ Create Content that Answers Informational Questions: Shift your content strategy to focus on answering specific, long-tail questions that users are asking.
• ✅ Structure Your Content as “Answer Blocks”: To get noticed, structure your articles with clear headings and concise answer blocks that can be easily pulled for both featured snippets and AI Overviews. Using FAQ or How-to schema makes this even more effective.
• ✅ Build Your Presence on Community and Video Platforms: Being active on these platforms provides the “community proof” that both users and AI systems are looking for.
• ✅ Don’t Abandon Traditional SEO, It’s Your Foundation: Ranking still matters. You need a strong organic ranking to even be considered by the AI, so don’t skip out on traditional WordPress SEO.
• ✅ Build a Brand People Search For Directly: Building a brand that users trust and search for by name is one of the most effective strategies for the future.

Sources: Ahrefs, Search Engine Land, Gartner, Growth Memo, Statista, SparkToro, Botify, DemandSphere, Semrush, SE Ranking, iPullRank

We hope this list of AI search statistics and predictions helps you adapt your website’s SEO strategy for the changes ahead.

Looking for more interesting statistics? Check out our other research articles below:

More Statistics, Trends, and Research Articles

• 60+ Surprising AI Statistics – Everything You Need to Know
• 120+ Mindblowing SEO Statistics and Trends (Ultimate List)
• 90+ Exciting Google Search Statistics and Data
• Blogging Statistics, Trends & Data – Ultimate List (UPDATED)
• Creator Economy Statistics That Will Blow You Away
• 80+ Social Media Statistics (Ultimate List for Bloggers)
• 60+ Internet Usage Statistics and Latest Trends

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post How AI is Reshaping SEO: 30+ Trends to Watch in 2025 first appeared on WPBeginner.

I can’t tell you how many creators I’ve spoken with who feel trapped on Substack. It’s incredibly easy to get started, but that simplicity comes at a cost. As soon as you want to change a font, create a custom landing page, or add more advanced features, the platform’s limitations become frustrating fast.

And those limitations go beyond design. The deeper issue is control. On Substack, you don’t own your content, can’t control how you earn, and have limited access to your own subscribers.

That’s why so many creators are making the switch to WordPress. It gives you a lot more control over your design, monetization, and subscriber list.

After helping dozens of writers migrate from Substack to WordPress, I’ve developed a straightforward process that makes it manageable. The freedom and flexibility you’ll gain are well worth the effort.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the entire process: moving your posts, importing your email list, setting up a powerful email system, and launching your new newsletter without losing momentum.

Why Should You Switch From Substack to WordPress?

Many creators switch from Substack to WordPress because it offers more control, flexibility, and monetization options. With WordPress, you can fully customize your site, own your email list, and add features like paid memberships, online courses, and digital product sales—all without platform fees.

Substack does a great job of marketing itself as the simple, all-in-one solution for newsletter creators. It lets you start publishing in minutes and handles the technical details for you.

But that initial convenience eventually becomes a major restriction. As your newsletter grows, you’ll reach the limits of what Substack can do.

The biggest issue is the lack of control, which means your newsletter ends up looking like everyone else’s. You can’t customize signup forms, build unique landing pages, or adjust the layout to match your brand.

Plus, there’s the challenge of monetization. Substack takes a 10% cut of every paid subscription, which adds up quickly.

You’re also locked into their subscription model, which means you can’t sell courses, digital products, or add other revenue streams directly to your site.

And ultimately, Substack controls your relationship with your audience. You can export your list, but the platform dictates how your content is delivered and what analytics you can access. With WordPress, you’re in the driver’s seat.

For full details, see our comparison of Substack vs. WordPress.

What to Expect When Migrating From Substack to WordPress

Migrating your newsletter might sound intimidating, but it’s easier than you think. I’ll break it down into clear, manageable steps.

Here’s a quick overview of what we’ll do together:

• Set Up Your WordPress Foundation: We’ll choose a reliable host, install WordPress, and create the new home for your newsletter.
• Export and Import Your Content: I’ll show you how to download your posts and subscriber data from Substack and move it safely into WordPress.
• Build Your New Email System: We’ll connect your site to a professional email marketing service, giving you full control over your campaigns and automations.
• Finalize the Migration: We’ll import your subscriber list, add redirects so you don’t lose traffic, and customize your site to match your brand.

By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have a professional newsletter platform that you fully own and control.

Step 1: Set Up Your WordPress Website

The first step is to set up the WordPress website that will serve as the new destination for your content.

To do this, you’ll need two things: a domain name and WordPress hosting. While the WordPress software is free, hosting is where your website’s files are stored online.

I always recommend Bluehost to new users. They are an officially recommended WordPress host, their support is excellent, and they make setup incredibly simple. Plus, they offer WPBeginner readers a special deal that includes a free domain name for the first year.

To get started, head over to the Bluehost website and click the ‘Get Started Now’ button.

On the next screen, you’ll choose a hosting plan.

For most newsletter sites, the Basic plan has everything you need. You can always upgrade later if your needs grow.

After that, you’ll set up your domain name, and this part is important.

If you’re starting with a brand new domain, you can claim your free domain now by typing it into the ‘Create a new domain’ box.

But if you already have a custom domain connected to your Substack site (like mynewsletter.com), choose ‘I’ll create my domain later.’ This avoids any downtime while you complete the migration.

After you finish signing up, Bluehost will automatically install WordPress for you.

Just log in to your Bluehost account, find your new site, and click the ‘Edit Site’ button. That will take you straight to your WordPress dashboard.

If you’re using a different host or want more guidance on this part, check out our full guide on how to install WordPress.

Step 2: Install the Necessary Importer Plugins

To import your posts from Substack, you’ll need to install two free plugins. The main one is the Substack Importer, but it relies on a core tool called the WordPress Importer to work correctly.

It might sound a little technical, but I’ll walk you through the fastest way to get it set up.

Prepare the WordPress Importer

In your WordPress dashboard, go to Tools » Import. At the bottom of the list, you’ll see ‘WordPress.’ Just click the ‘Install Now’ link.

Once it finishes installing, the link will change to ‘Run Importer.’

Here’s an important step: click ‘Run Importer’ now, even though you’re not uploading anything yet. This activates the tool so the Substack Importer works later. If you skip it, you’ll get an error.

After that, you’ll land on the importer’s upload screen—but you can ignore that for now. We’re ready to install the next plugin.

Install the Substack Importer

Next, you need to install the Substack Importer plugin, which will handle the specific format of your Substack export. For detailed instructions, you can see our guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Because you have already activated the main WordPress Importer tool, this plugin will install correctly without any issues. Your site is now fully prepared to import your Substack content, which I’ll show you how to do in Step 4.

Step 3: Export Your Content From Substack

Now, we need to go back to Substack one last time to download all of your content. This includes your posts, drafts, and your subscriber list.

You need to log in to your Substack account and go to your publication’s dashboard. Once there, you should click on ‘Settings’ in the top menu and scroll down until you find the ‘Export’ section.

You will see an option to ‘Export your data’. Go ahead and click the ‘New export’ button.

Substack will create a .zip file for you to download that contains all of your posts and images. This zip file will also contain a CSV file with your subscribers’ email addresses and other information. It may take a few minutes if you have a lot of content.

When the export file is ready, you will be notified by email, and you can click the ‘Download’ button to save it to your computer. This file is one of your most valuable assets, so save it somewhere safe.

Step 4: Import Your Posts into WordPress

Now for the exciting part! Let’s move your content onto your new WordPress website. Thanks to the plugin you installed, this process is mostly automated.

Go back to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Tools » Import. You should now see ‘Substack’ in the list of available importers.

Click the ‘Run Importer’ link below it.

The plugin will ask you to upload the file you got from Substack. Click ‘Choose File’ and select the .zip file containing your post export.

The plugin also provides an optional field to enter your Substack URL. This can help with importing comments and author details, but you can leave it blank if you want.

Then, click ‘Upload file and import’.

On the next screen, you’ll be asked to assign an author for the imported posts. You can create a new author or assign them to your existing WordPress user account.

Before you continue, make sure to check the box next to ‘Download and import file attachments.’

This is an important step that tells WordPress to save all the images from your Substack posts to your new website, so nothing gets left behind.

Click ‘Submit’ to begin. The importer will now work its magic, creating new WordPress posts for each article from your Substack file. This might take a few minutes.

Once it’s finished, go to Posts » All Posts. You should see all of your Substack articles right there in WordPress! Take a moment to click on a few and make sure the content and formatting look correct.

Step 5: Set Up Your Email Newsletter System

WordPress doesn’t send email newsletters by default, which is a major difference from Substack.

Instead, you need a dedicated email marketing service to manage your subscribers and send your newsletters. This gives you far more power and flexibility.

I recommend using Constant Contact. It’s incredibly beginner-friendly, integrates perfectly with WordPress, and offers powerful features like automation and analytics that go way beyond Substack.

With Constant Contact, you can segment your audience, A/B test your subject lines, create beautiful landing pages, and see detailed reports on who opens and clicks your emails.

First, you’ll need to sign up for a Constant Contact account. Once you’re in, you need to create a new email list for your subscribers.

Then, you can easily connect your WordPress website to Constant Contact using the WPForms plugin. It’s the best form builder for WordPress and lets you create beautiful newsletter signup forms that automatically add new subscribers to your Constant Contact list.

We have a complete, step-by-step guide on how to add email subscriptions to your WordPress blog. This tutorial will walk you through setting up Constant Contact, creating a signup form with WPForms, and placing it on your new website.

Step 6: Migrate Your Subscriber List

It’s time to move your most important asset: your subscribers. This step requires care to ensure a smooth transition for your readers.

You need to log in to your Constant Contact account. Then, go to the ‘Contacts’ section and look for the ‘Add Contacts’ button.

You’ll see an option to upload from a file, as you see in the screenshot below.

First, you’ll need to unzip the export file you downloaded from Substack. Inside, look for the CSV file containing your subscribers. The filename will usually be something like email_list.your-publication-name.csv.

Constant Contact will guide you through mapping the columns (like matching the ’email’ column to the email field). Add these subscribers to the new list you created.

Remember, you should only email people who have given you permission. That final email you sent from Substack is a great way to respect your audience and remind them they signed up.

Once they’re imported, I recommend creating a simple welcome email sequence in Constant Contact to re-engage them on the new platform.

Step 7: Point Your Domain to WordPress

With your content and subscribers moved, you’re ready to make your new WordPress site live on your official domain. The steps depend on how you set up your domain in Step 1.

If You Registered a New Domain With Bluehost

You’re all set!

Bluehost automatically pointed the domain to your WordPress site, so you don’t need to do anything else.

If You Have a Custom Domain From Substack

Now is the time to point it to your new host. You’ll do this by changing the domain’s nameservers.

You need to find the nameservers for your new host (for example, for Bluehost, they look like ns1.bluehost.com and ns2.bluehost.com).

Log in to your domain registrar (the company where you bought the domain, like Namecheap or GoDaddy) and find the DNS or nameserver settings. Now, you need to replace the old nameservers with the new ones from your web host.

Our guide on how to change domain nameservers shows you exactly how to do this with screenshots.

After you save your new nameservers, it can take a few hours for the change to update across the internet. This waiting period is called DNS propagation, and it’s perfectly normal.

Step 8: Set Up Permalinks and Redirects

This final technical step is crucial for preserving your SEO and preventing visitors from hitting ‘404 Not Found‘ errors.

Setting Up SEO-Friendly Permalinks

First, we want to make sure your new WordPress URLs are clean and SEO-friendly.

In your WordPress dashboard, go to Settings » Permalinks. Select the ‘Post name’ option and click ‘Save Changes’.

This creates simple URLs like yoursite.com/post-title, which are good for WordPress SEO.

Now, WordPress ‘Post name’ permalinks are very similar to the URLs that Substack creates for your posts. That will make it much easier to redirect the old post URLs to the new ones.

Setting Up Redirects for Your Old Substack Posts

Next, you need to make sure that anyone visiting your old Substack post links will be sent to the right page on your new WordPress site. This is called a redirect, and it’s very important for SEO and user experience.

The good news is that Substack uses a consistent URL structure for posts, like yourdomain.com/p/post-name. Because your new WordPress posts will have a similar URL (yourdomain.com/post-name), you can set up a single rule to redirect all of your old posts at once.

The easiest way to do this is with the free Redirection plugin. First, install and activate the plugin. Then, go to Tools » Redirection in your WordPress dashboard.

Now, you just need to add one new redirect rule.

In the ‘Add new redirection’ section, you need to fill out the fields like this:

• Source URL: ^/p/(.*)$
• Target URL: /$1

After you enter the URLs, check the ‘Regex’ box. This is a very important step that tells the plugin to use the special rule.

Then, just click the ‘Add Redirect’ button.

This single rule automatically finds any link that starts with /p/ and redirects it to the same URL without the /p/.

For example, a link to yourdomain.com/p/my-first-post will now automatically go to yourdomain.com/my-first-post. This saves you from having to create redirects for every single post by hand.

Finding and Fixing Any Missed Redirects

While this regex rule will redirect most of your posts, it’s a good idea to double-check for any that might have been missed. Sometimes, WordPress will change a post’s URL slug during the import process to avoid duplicates.

For example, if you had two Substack posts with similar titles, then WordPress might change one of the new URLs to something like /my-post-title-2. The regex rule wouldn’t catch this specific case.

Luckily, the Redirection plugin makes it easy to find these broken links.

From your WordPress dashboard, go to Tools » Redirection and then click on the ‘404s’ tab. This page will log any time a visitor tries to go to a page on your site that doesn’t exist.

If you see an old Substack URL in this log, it means the redirect for that specific post didn’t work. You can simply hover over the 404 error in the list and click ‘Add redirect’ to create a manual redirect for it.

For detailed instructions, see our guide on how to easily track 404 pages and redirect them in WordPress.

Step 9: Customize Your Site and Go Live

All the technical work is done. Now for the fun part: choosing a professional theme to give your new site its look and feel.

Choosing and Customizing Your Theme

Your WordPress theme controls the entire look and feel of your site. I recommend choosing a theme that is clean, readable, and fast so that it provides a great user experience for your readers.

For newsletter creators, themes like Sydney or GeneratePress are excellent choices because they are lightweight and highly customizable.

Then, just follow our guide on how to customize your WordPress theme to get the exact design you want.

You can also create a custom homepage to welcome new visitors and prominently feature your newsletter signup form.

To build trust with your readers, it’s also a good idea to add a few essential pages to your site. This makes your newsletter feel more professional and established.

I recommend creating:

• An About Page: This is where you can share your story and explain what your newsletter is about.
• A Contact Page: This gives your audience an easy way to get in touch with you, and you should include a contact form.
• A Privacy Policy: This page is legally required in many places and shows readers you respect their data. We have a full guide on how to create a privacy policy in WordPress.

Once these pages are in place and you’ve tested that your site is working correctly, it’s time for the final step: setting up your newsletter and announcing your move.

Step 10: Set Up Your Paid Newsletter in WordPress

One of the best things about moving to WordPress is that you have full control over your income. Instead of paying Substack’s 10% fee, you only pay standard payment processor fees, which means you keep more of your money.

To monetize your WordPress content, you’ll need a membership plugin. I recommend MemberPress because it’s the most powerful and easy-to-use option on the market. It lets you restrict access to your content so that only paying subscribers can view your premium newsletter posts.

Once you install MemberPress, you can create different subscription levels, just like on Substack. For instance, you could offer a monthly plan and a discounted yearly plan.

To get started, you can follow our step-by-step guide on how to create a paid newsletter in WordPress. It will walk you through everything from setting up MemberPress to creating your subscription plans.

But with WordPress and MemberPress, you can go far beyond a simple paid newsletter. You can also:

• Bundle your newsletter with other premium content like online courses, eBooks, or private community access.
• Sell digital downloads like guides or templates directly from your site.
• Create different membership tiers with unique perks for each level.
• Offer premium services like one-on-one coaching or consulting.

This flexibility allows you to build a true membership business around your content, not just a newsletter.

For more options, you can see our guide on how to make money in WordPress.

Once you are all set up, you can send an email to your subscribers welcoming them to the new website.

Be sure to highlight the benefits of the move, like a better reading experience or new features you’ve added. This is a great way to celebrate the transition and get your readers excited about the future of your newsletter.

Learning WordPress

Congratulations on moving your newsletter to WordPress! You now have a powerful platform that can grow right along with your business.

While WordPress is powerful, you don’t need to learn everything at once. We have plenty of free resources to help you master the basics and get comfortable.

Here are the best free resources our team has created for beginners:

• WPBeginner Blog: Our complete library of WordPress tutorials and how-to articles.
• WPBeginner Videos: Free WordPress video training courses that cover all the basics.
• WPBeginner YouTube Channel: Videos with practical tips for growing your website.
• WPBeginner Solution Center: Our expert recommendations for the best WordPress plugins and tools.

The more you use WordPress, the more comfortable you’ll become. Before you know it, you’ll be wondering how you ever managed with Substack’s limitations.

Alternative: Let an Expert Migrate Your Newsletter

I’ve walked you through all the steps to move from Substack to WordPress. But I know this process can feel like a lot, especially when you’d rather focus on creating content.

If you want to save time and avoid the technical details, then letting an expert handle the migration is a great option.

Our team at WPBeginner can do all the heavy lifting for you. Our Professional Services team will handle the entire migration, from transferring your content and subscribers to setting up your new design. This way, you can focus on writing while we take care of the rest.

Another excellent and reliable service for website migrations is Seahawk Media Services. Their team of WordPress experts can also help you make a smooth transition from Substack.

Using a professional service ensures everything is moved over correctly, giving you peace of mind and a new WordPress site that’s ready to go.

Frequently Asked Questions About Migrating From Substack to WordPress (FAQs)

I know that making a move like this can bring up a lot of questions. To help you out, I’ve compiled answers to some of the most common questions I hear from creators who are making the switch from Substack to WordPress.

Will I lose my subscribers when I migrate from Substack?

No, you will not lose your subscribers. Substack allows you to export your entire subscriber list as a CSV file, which you can then import into an email marketing service like Constant Contact. It’s important to email your list before you move to let them know about the change.

Can I keep my custom domain name when moving to WordPress?

Yes, absolutely. If you have a custom domain connected to Substack, you can point it to your new WordPress hosting provider. Step 7 in this guide shows you exactly how to do that without any downtime.

Is migrating to WordPress expensive?

The initial cost involves web hosting, which can start at just a few dollars per month.

While Substack is free to start, its 10% cut of your revenue becomes far more expensive than WordPress hosting as soon as you start making money. With WordPress, you control your costs and keep 100% of your revenue.

Do I need to be a technical expert to use WordPress?

Not at all. While WordPress is more powerful than Substack, it’s designed to be user-friendly. If you can write a post in Substack, you can write a post in WordPress.

For everything else, there are tons of free resources, including our free WPBeginner videos and our blog tutorials, to guide you.

I hope this tutorial helped you successfully migrate from Substack to WordPress. You now have complete control over your newsletter, from design and functionality to subscriber relationships and monetization options.

We also have an ultimate WordPress migration guide, and you can get inspired by browsing our expert list of popular sites using WordPress as a CMS.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post How to Migrate From Substack to WordPress in 10 Easy Steps first appeared on WPBeginner.

Creating a website that people trust starts with protecting their personal information.

Privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA are designed to help with that, but they can feel confusing when you’re just trying to do the right thing.

Many of these rules ask you to add a ‘Do Not Sell My Info’ page to your site, and it’s not always clear where to start. I’ve been there myself.

After trying several different approaches, I found a step-by-step method that actually works for beginners.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the exact process I use to build a professional ‘Do Not Sell My Info’ page in WordPress. I’ll also show you how to handle incoming requests, so you can protect your visitors’ privacy and stay compliant with international data laws.

Why Do You Need a ‘Do Not Sell My Info’ Page?

A ‘Do Not Sell My Info’ page gives your visitors a clear way to say they don’t want their personal data shared with outside companies. In many cases, this is required by law, but it’s also a smart way to build trust.

Some site owners assume that these kinds of privacy laws don’t apply to them because they’re not selling anything.

But under some laws, like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), “selling” personal information doesn’t just mean trading it for money. It can also include sharing user data with other companies for things like ads, tracking, or analytics—even if no money is involved.

For example, if your site uses ad networks, tracking pixels, or embedded YouTube videos, then you may still be seen as “selling” or “sharing” personal information under these laws.

Because the definitions are so broad, adding a ‘Do Not Sell My Info’ page helps you stay on the safe side of privacy rules while giving users more control over how their information is used.

As a website owner, it’s important to follow these laws and give your visitors real control over their data. While each regulation is different, most require you to let users opt out of having their personal information shared or sold to third parties.

This type of page is a specific requirement under the CCPA. Even though the GDPR doesn’t mention it by name, adding a ‘Do Not Sell My Info’ page can help meet its requirement to give users control over how their data is used.

But this isn’t just about legal compliance.

When visitors see that you take privacy seriously, they’re more likely to sign up for your email list, make a purchase, or stick around longer.

Overall, a ‘Do Not Sell My Info’ page helps meet modern privacy expectations and makes your site more trustworthy in the process.

How to Create a Do Not Sell My Info Page in WordPress

With privacy regulations getting stricter all the time, creating a ‘Do Not Sell My Info’ page is no longer just a good idea, but a legal requirement.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process of creating a ‘Do Not Sell My Info’ page on your WordPress website step-by-step. I’ll also show you how to manage user requests effectively, so you stay on the right side of the law.

Step 1. Set Up WPConsent

The easiest way to add a Do Not Sell My Info page in WordPress is by using WPConsent. This is the best privacy compliance plugin that helps you meet key privacy standards by giving users more control over their personal data.

WPConsent includes helpful features like cookie banners, privacy policy generators, and a consent log to track user permissions, which are all useful if you’re ever audited.

It also offers a Do Not Track addon, which lets you create a dedicated form page in just a few clicks. Visitors can fill out this form to tell you not to sell their personal information.

These requests are stored locally in a custom table on your site, so you can review and respond to them right away.

If you’re working with a limited budget, there’s also a free version of WPConsent available on WordPress.org.

It includes many essential features to help you comply with laws like the GDPR.

To use the Do Not Track addon, you’ll need the premium version. If you need help upgrading, take a look at our guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Once the plugin is active, you’ll see a quick onboarding wizard that walks you through setup, usually in under five minutes.

When you’re ready, click the ‘Let’s Get Started’ button to begin.

This setup wizard will guide you through several important tasks, such as scanning your site for third-party scripts and creating a cookie popup.

Completing these steps will help you comply with crucial privacy laws like the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL), so I encourage you to go through the entire onboarding process.

After you’ve finished the setup, WPConsent will take you back to the WordPress dashboard.

Step 2: Create a WordPress Page 

WPConsent lets you add a Do Not Sell My Info form to any page or post on your WordPress site. However, to keep things simple, I suggest creating a new page especially for this important form.

In your WordPress dashboard, head over to Pages » Add Page.

You can now give this page a clear title, something like ‘Do Not Sell My Info.’ You can also add any other information you think is important, such as an introduction explaining what the form is for and why someone might want to use it.

When you’re happy with how the page looks, save it as a draft for now.

Step 3: Install the Do Not Track Addon

WPConsent includes tools to help you follow major privacy laws right away. But if you want to add a Do Not Sell My Info page, then you’ll need to install an extra addon.

In your WordPress dashboard, go to WPConsent » Do Not Track. When that screen loads, just click the ‘Install Do Not Track Addon’ button.

After a moment, WPConsent will automatically install and activate the addon for you.

Step 4: Create the ‘Do Not Sell My Info’ Form

Next, you need to head over to WPConsent » Do Not Track, and open the ‘Configuration’ tab.

Here, you’ll be able to choose where the form should appear.

Simply open the ‘Do Not Track Page’ dropdown and select the page you created earlier. This will automatically add a basic form to that page.

By default, the form includes a few essential fields:

• First Name
• Last Name
• Email

These are needed to identify the visitor, so WPConsent won’t let you remove them.

That said, you can update the labels if you want to use different wording—just change the text in the ‘Field Label’ box.

If you need more details from your users, you can also enable extra fields like:

• Address
• ZIP Code
• City State
• Country
• Phone

To include one, just check the box that says ‘Enable this field.’

These extra fields are optional by default.

But if there’s something you want to make mandatory, you can check the ‘Make this field required’ box.

Just like before, you’re free to update any of the field labels to match your site’s tone.

Once everything looks the way you want, scroll to the bottom and click the ‘Save Changes’ button.

Step 5: Adding the Form to Your Page

Now, you’re ready to add this form to the page you created earlier. In your WordPress dashboard, open that page for editing. 

Find the spot where you want to add the form and click the + icon.

In the box that appears, start typing ‘Shortcode’ to find the right block.

When the shortcode block appears, click on it to add it to the page.

You can now paste the following shortcode into the block: 

[wpconsent_do_not_track_form]

With that done, simply publish the page as you normally would.

You can now visit your WordPress blog or website to see the ‘Do Not Sell My Info’ page in action.

Step 6: Add Links to Key Areas

Now that you’ve created a ‘Do Not Sell My Info’ page, it’s important to make it easy for visitors to find.

One way to do this is by inserting a link from your Privacy Policy page to your ‘Do not sell info’ page. You might also consider placing it in a prominent spot like your website footer.

These small steps can go a long way in building trust. When visitors see that you’re open about your data practices, they’re more likely to feel confident browsing your site.

Step 7: Manage Incoming Requests 

Now that everything is set up, WPConsent will automatically log each request and display it in your WordPress dashboard. This makes it easier to stay on top of privacy requests as they come in.

To check your current requests, go to WPConsent » Do Not Track and make sure the ‘Requests’ tab is selected. You’ll see a list of all submissions along with key details for each one.

How you respond depends on how you manage customer information. For example, you might add a note to your CRM tool to mark the user as opted out.

You can also export your list of requests as a CSV file. This can be helpful for recordkeeping or auditing.

To do that, just open the ‘Export’ tab under WPConsent » Do Not Track.

First, click the ‘From’ field and choose a start date.

Then, select the end date by clicking the ‘To’ field.

By default, WPConsent includes all requests, both processed and unprocessed.

If you only want to see requests that still need attention, it’s a good idea to check the box that says ‘Export only “not processed” entries.’

Planning to act on those requests right away?

You might also want to check the box that says ‘Mark exported data as processed.’ That way, WPConsent will automatically update the status in your dashboard.

If you do that, make sure to follow through and complete each request. That helps keep your dashboard accurate.

Once everything’s ready, simply click the ‘Export’ button to download your CSV file.

If you didn’t mark them as processed automatically, you’ll need to close each one manually. To do that, hover over the request in your dashboard and click the ‘Mark as processed’ link.

Processed requests will be clearly labeled, so you can quickly see which ones are still open.

What to Do When Someone Opts Out

When one of your website visitors asks you not to sell or share their personal information, logging the request is just the first step.

The next step is to delete that user’s personal data from your website.

Fortunately, WordPress includes a built-in erase tool that lets you remove a user’s data on request.

You can find it by going to Tools » Erase Personal Data in your dashboard.

Using this tool helps you stay compliant with laws like the CCPA and GDPR, especially if you’ve collected contact information through forms, comments, or email signups. It’s a simple way to make sure you’re following through on privacy requests.

Do Not Sell My Info Pages: FAQs

Data compliance is a serious topic, so it’s understandable if you still have some questions.

To help you out, I’ve collected all the most frequently asked questions about setting up a ‘Do Not Sell My Info’ page in WordPress.

What is WPConsent, and why should I use it?

WPConsent is a comprehensive plugin designed to help WordPress website owners comply with various privacy regulations, such as the Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados (LGPD), CCPA, and GDPR. 

WPConsent makes it easier to create and manage essential privacy pages and features on your site, allowing you to meet legal requirements and build trust with your audience.

How does a ‘Do Not Sell My Info’ page differ from other privacy pages?

A ‘Do Not Sell My Info’ page serves a specific purpose: it lets users opt out of the sale of their personal data. This is required by various privacy laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

Typically, your website will have other privacy-related pages, but they won’t offer this particular function.

Can I use other privacy plugins alongside WPConsent for enhanced compliance?

Yes, you can use WPConsent with other privacy and security tools. For example, you might use WPConsent to manage your ‘Do Not Sell’ requests. At the same time, you might use a plugin like Sucuri to check your site for security weaknesses that could cause a data breach.

What should I do when a user sends me a ‘do not sell’ request?

Once you receive a request, you need to make sure you honor it properly. This means updating your internal data handling practices in order to reflect the user’s wishes.

For example, you might need to:

• Update your records: Mark the user’s profile in your database or CRM system. For example, you could add a ‘Do Not Sell’ tag to their contact record in your CRM software. This makes it clear to your team that their data should not be sold.
• Notify relevant teams: Ensure everyone involved in data processing knows about the request. After that, they can avoid any actions that would violate the user’s preferences.
• Review data flows: If you share data with third parties, then confirm this user’s data is no longer included in those transfers.
• Document the action: Keep a clear record of when you received the request and how it was processed. This documentation will also help you demonstrate compliance if you’re ever audited. The good news is that some tools log all user requests automatically, such as WPConsent.

If you don’t honor these requests, then you could face legal penalties, including significant fines and serious damage to your website’s reputation.

With that in mind, it’s essential that you take immediate action every time you get a ‘Do Not Sell’ request.

Is it important to regularly update the ‘Do Not Sell My Info’ page?

Absolutely. Regular updates are vital to ensure you’re complying with the latest legal requirements. 

Privacy laws can evolve over time, and new regulations might come into effect. By keeping your page up-to-date, you can avoid potential penalties and other legal issues.

You also need to ensure your compliance reflects any changes you make in how you handle data. For example, if you start collecting new types of data or partnering with new third parties, then your ‘Do Not Sell My Info’ page should reflect those changes.

When it comes to reviewing and updating your ‘Do Not Sell My Info’ page, I recommend adding this task to your website maintenance checklist.  

Additional Resources for Privacy Compliance

Navigating data privacy can be complex, but having the right resources to hand makes things much easier.

With that said, here’s a list of extra articles and guides to help you continue your compliance journey:

• How to Know if Your WordPress Website Uses Cookies
• How to Add WordPress Analytics Without Cookies
• How to Keep Personally Identifiable Info Out of Google Analytics
• How to Stop Storing IP Addresses in WordPress Comments
• How to Make Google Fonts Privacy Friendly

I hope this guide has helped you add a Do Not Sell My Info page to your WordPress website. Next, you may want to see our expert picks for the best WordPress security plugins or our ultimate WordPress security guide.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post How to Create a Do Not Sell My Info Page in WordPress first appeared on WPBeginner.

If you’re trying to choose between WordPress and Laravel for your next website, you’re not the only one.

Both platforms are popular, but they serve very different purposes. WordPress is beginner-friendly and great for getting a site online quickly. On the other hand, Laravel offers more customization and control, but only if you’re comfortable writing code.

Having worked with both platforms, I’ve found that the right choice really depends on your project and how comfortable you are with code.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the key differences between WordPress and Laravel to help you figure out which one fits your needs best.

WordPress vs. Laravel: A Brief Overview

Choosing between WordPress and Laravel is one of the first decisions you’ll need to make when building a website. You can use both platforms to create websites, but they are designed for different tasks.

I’ve put together this simple table that compares the key features of WordPress and Laravel side by side.

Next, I’ll walk you through each of these points in more detail to help you decide which platform is the right choice for your project.

How I Compared WordPress vs. Laravel

To give you a real-world comparison of WordPress and Laravel, I drew on my experience using both platforms for actual website projects.

I focused on the key areas that matter most when building a website with either platform:

• 🛠️ Real Projects: I’ve used WordPress for everything from blogs to online stores, and I’ve explored Laravel for building fully custom websites.
• 📋 Everyday Tasks: I compared how both platforms handle things like setting up pages, managing content, and adding features.
• ⚙️ Customization & Features: I looked at what each platform is designed for, how easy it is to customize, and how they handle security and performance.
• 🎯 Best Use Cases: I considered different types of websites and which platform fits best for each.
• ⏱️ Time and Effort: I factored in the learning curve, development time, and ongoing maintenance needs, including things like keeping your site updated and running smoothly.
• 📈 Growth Potential: I looked at how well each platform supports websites as they grow and become more complex.

I’ll use this approach to walk you through the key differences and help you choose the right platform for your site.

This is a detailed comparison of WordPress vs. Laravel. You can use the links below to quickly navigate through the article:

WordPress vs. Laravel: Why Choosing the Right Platform Matters

Choosing the right platform to build your website is a big decision. Selecting the wrong one can lead to unexpected costs, technical limitations, and frustration as your site grows, which is why it’s crucial to choose correctly from the start.

Ultimately, the best choice comes down to your budget, technical comfort level, and what you want your website to do in the long run.

Now, let’s take a look at both WordPress and Laravel.

What Is WordPress?

WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS) in the world. Because it is open-source, it’s free to use and easy to customize with themes and plugins.

It’s designed to be user-friendly, allowing people of all skill levels to build and manage a website without needing to know how to code. It’s supported by a large global community that creates themes and plugins, and helps other users solve problems.

What Is Laravel?

Laravel is not a website builder like WordPress. Instead, it’s a PHP framework that gives developers a toolbox for building custom web applications from the ground up.

Like WordPress, Laravel is open-source and free, but it’s built for professional developers. You’ll need strong coding skills to use it, which gives you the power to create complex, highly customized websites and applications.

Ease of Use: Beginner-Friendly vs. Developer-Focused

When it comes to ease of use, WordPress and Laravel are built for completely different people.

WordPress is famous for its beginner-friendly approach that lets anyone build a site without code. In contrast, Laravel is a powerful tool designed for developers who are comfortable with a more technical setup.

WordPress Ease of Use: Setting Up a Basic Site

While there is a small learning curve, WordPress is designed to be easy to pick up, even for absolute beginners. You can follow our guide on how to learn WordPress for free in a week.

Getting started is quick and simple. Most web hosts offer one-click WordPress installation, so getting started is quick and simple. Hosts like Bluehost and Hostinger include this by default.

Our complete guide on how to make a WordPress website will walk you through the entire process step by step.

After WordPress is installed, you can log in to your dashboard. From here, you can create content using the built-in block editor, which lets you arrange your page using visual building blocks for text, images, and more.

To make building your site even easier, you can use a drag-and-drop page builder plugin. I recommend SeedProd because it lets you create completely custom layouts without any code. It even comes with an AI website builder that can generate a unique site for you in minutes.

Laravel Ease of Use: Setting Up a Basic Application

Setting up a Laravel project involves a more technical process. To get started, you’ll need to install Composer, which is a tool that manages the PHP packages your project depends on.

Once Composer is installed, you can use the command line to create a new Laravel project. This is a big shift from WordPress, where most hosting providers handle installation through a graphical control panel.

You’ll also need a local development environment like XAMPP or MAMP to run your Laravel project on your computer.

While you can add a CMS to Laravel using tools like October CMS, it still requires technical knowledge to manage.

🏅 Winner for User-Friendliness: WordPress

I recommend WordPress for non-programmers. It’s made for people of all skill levels, especially those who want to build and manage websites without coding.

Laravel, on the other hand, is made for developers. It’s powerful and gives you a lot of control for building complex web apps, but it is difficult to learn and requires coding knowledge.

Making It Your Own: Customization in WordPress vs. Laravel

Now, let’s look at how WordPress and Laravel handle customization.

WordPress: The Theme & Plugin Powerhouse

One of the biggest advantages of WordPress is how easy it is to customize your website’s design and features, even if you’ve never written a line of code. This is all thanks to its huge ecosystem of themes and plugins.

Plugins are like apps for your website that add new functionality. For example, with plugins you can add a contact form, launch a full online store, build a membership community, or improve your website’s SEO.

With tens of thousands of free and premium options, there is a plugin for almost anything you can imagine. To see what’s possible, you can check out our expert pick of the must-have WordPress plugins we recommend for all business websites.

Alternatively, you can always hire a developer to add custom code to your WordPress site.

The main difference is that WordPress is a complete system designed for content, which you can then extend. For projects with highly complex or unusual requirements that need to be built from scratch, Laravel can sometimes be a more direct starting point.

Laravel: The Code-Savvy Customizer

Laravel takes a more technical approach to customization. It’s a framework, which means it provides a toolbox for developers to build a custom website or web application from scratch.

This gives you full control over every aspect of your project, but you’ll need to be comfortable with coding in PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to use it effectively. Unlike WordPress, where you start with a pre-built system, Laravel starts you with a clean slate.

This makes it ideal for complex projects with unique requirements. For instance, if you were building a custom booking system, a SaaS (Software as a Service) application, or an internal business tool, Laravel provides the flexibility to build every feature exactly as you need it.

The trade-off is that you have to build many features that WordPress provides by default, like a content editor or user management system. This is why Laravel projects almost always require hiring a developer and take more time to build.

In short, here are the main points about customizing with Laravel:

• ✅ It offers unlimited flexibility because you can custom code everything.
• ✅ It’s ideal for building web applications with unique and complex features.
• ❗ You must have development expertise or hire a developer to use it.

🏅 Winner for Customization Options: WordPress (for most people)

If you want to customize your website without writing code, WordPress is the clear winner. Its library of themes and plugins lets you personalize your site easily, no technical knowledge required.

Laravel is better suited for developers who need full control and want to build highly customized applications.

For example, if you’re creating a blog or business website, WordPress will likely meet your needs. But if you’re building a web app with unique features, Laravel gives you the tools to go beyond what themes and plugins can offer.

Content Management: WordPress vs. Laravel

If your website is focused on content—like blog posts, news, or tutorials—then having a strong content management system (CMS) is essential.

A good CMS saves you time, reduces errors, and makes it easier to manage your content. Let’s look at how WordPress and Laravel compare when it comes to content management.

WordPress: Excels at Content Management

WordPress was built for content management. It started as a blogging platform, and today it’s a full CMS that makes it easy to create, organize, and manage all kinds of digital content.

It comes with powerful built-in tools to keep everything in order. You can sort your posts with categories and tags, manage all your files in the media library, and even create different content structures using custom post types.

If you work with a team, the built-in user management system is incredibly helpful.

You can assign different roles like Author, Editor, and Administrator, giving each person the right level of access to create and manage content.

And if you need more advanced management tools, you can use plugins to add features like an editorial calendar, custom approval workflows, or content restriction for membership sites.

Laravel: The Flexible Framework (But Not a CMS)

Laravel is not a content management system. Instead, it’s a framework designed for building web applications. That means it doesn’t include built-in tools for managing content like WordPress does.

If you want to manage content with Laravel, there are two common approaches:

• Build your own CMS: If you’re comfortable with PHP and Laravel, you can build a custom CMS from scratch. This gives you full control over your content structure and features, but it requires significant development time.
• Use a Laravel-based CMS: Some tools, like October CMS and Statamic, are built on Laravel. These platforms add content management features on top of Laravel but still require some technical knowledge to use effectively.

Here’s what the content editor looks like in October CMS:

As you can see, Laravel doesn’t offer the out-of-the-box content tools that come standard with WordPress.

🏅 Winner for Content Management Features: WordPress

If you need a complete, beginner-friendly CMS, then WordPress is the better option. It’s great for bloggers, businesses, and anyone who wants to manage content without writing code.

Laravel, on the other hand, gives developers full control. You can build a custom content system from the ground up, but it takes time and technical skill.

For example, if you’re building a site with very specific content workflows, you might choose Laravel to match your exact requirements. But for most websites, WordPress is a faster and more practical choice.

eCommerce: WordPress vs. Laravel

Selling products or services online? Then you’ll want to look at how each platform handles eCommerce. The right setup can make managing your store much easier.

WordPress: The eCommerce Powerhouse

One of the biggest strengths of WordPress is its flexibility for selling online. You can use it to build anything from a simple donation button to a massive online marketplace.

If you want to build a full online store, you can follow our complete guide on how to start an online store. The most popular way to do this is with a free plugin like WooCommerce, which adds all the features you need, like product pages, a shopping cart, and payment gateways.

But WordPress isn’t just for large stores. You can also:

• Accept simple payments or donations with a form builder like WPForms.
• Sell digital products like ebooks or courses with Easy Digital Downloads.
• Create a paid membership site to sell exclusive content with a plugin like MemberPress.

This flexibility makes WordPress a powerful choice that can grow with your business, no matter how you plan to sell online.

Laravel: The Custom eCommerce Builder

Laravel doesn’t come with built-in eCommerce features. But because it’s a flexible framework, developers can use it to build a fully custom eCommerce solution tailored to specific needs.

This lets you design features that may not be possible with WordPress. However, it requires advanced development skills and more time to set up and maintain.

Laravel is better suited for large businesses that need specialized functionality and have the technical resources to support a custom platform.

🏅 Winner for eCommerce Capabilities: WordPress (for most people)

For most small to medium-sized stores, WordPress with a plugin like WooCommerce is the easiest and most affordable choice. If you need a standard online store, this approach is plug-and-play and gives you everything you need to start selling without hiring a developer.

Laravel is a better fit when you need a large, custom eCommerce system. It is the best choice if you are building a bespoke platform with unique inventory, shipping, or recommendation features and have the budget for custom development.

SEO: WordPress vs. Laravel – Getting Found Online

If you want people to discover your website through search engines, then you need to think about search engine optimization (SEO). Your choice of platform can make a big difference in how easy that is to do.

WordPress: The SEO-Friendly CMS

WordPress is well-known for being SEO-friendly right out of the box. It supports key features like SEO-friendly URLs, categories and tags for organizing content, and alt text for images—all built into the platform.

WordPress makes SEO easy, especially with plugins like All in One SEO (AIOSEO). These tools help you add meta tags, create sitemaps, and optimize your content, all without needing to code.

With tools like this, you can follow most SEO best practices without needing to write any code.

If you’re serious about SEO, I recommend pairing your plugin with a fast-loading theme and a caching plugin to boost your site’s speed—a key ranking factor.

Laravel: The SEO Toolkit for Developers

Laravel doesn’t offer built-in SEO tools. Instead, it gives developers full control to add SEO features through code.

While you can build everything from the ground up, developers can also use pre-built Laravel SEO packages to handle tasks like creating sitemaps or managing metadata.

Popular Laravel SEO packages include ‘artesaos/seotools’, which can help handle meta tags, Open Graph, and more.

However, this still requires manual setup and coding knowledge to implement.

This flexibility is useful if you’re building a custom web application and need specific SEO structures. However, it’s a lot more technical and time-consuming.

If you’re not familiar with coding, then managing SEO in Laravel can be a real challenge.

🏅 Winner for SEO: WordPress

For most websites, WordPress is the easier and more beginner-friendly option for SEO. Its built-in features and powerful plugins make it simple to improve your search rankings without technical skills.

Laravel is best for developers working on advanced projects with very specific SEO needs. But you’ll need to be comfortable coding and managing those features manually.

Speed Matters: Performance in WordPress vs. Laravel

Website speed is important because a slow-loading website can frustrate visitors and negatively impact your search engine rankings.

Let’s take a closer look at how WordPress and Laravel compare when it comes to performance.

WordPress: Performance Requires Optimization

WordPress makes it easy to build a site, but that convenience can lead to slower load times if you’re not careful.

It’s important to know that the core WordPress software is actually very fast. But performance can slow down if you use a poorly coded theme, install too many or poorly coded plugins, or upload large, unoptimized images.

This is why it’s important to optimize your WordPress website to keep it running fast.

To boost WordPress performance, you can use caching plugins like WP Rocket, optimize your images, choose a lightweight theme, and select a quality hosting provider.

For step-by-step advice, see our ultimate guide to boosting WordPress speed and performance.

Laravel: Built for Speed

Laravel is built for speed because it starts as a lean, lightweight foundation. Developers only add the specific code and features needed for the project, so there’s no extra bloat to slow the site down.

That said, performance still depends on how well the code is written. A poorly optimized Laravel project can run into the same issues as any other framework.

But when set up properly, Laravel offers a strong foundation for high-performance websites and applications.

🏅 Winner for Performance: Laravel

If speed and performance are top concerns, especially for custom applications or high-traffic projects, then Laravel is the better fit. It’s well-suited for advanced performance needs and offers more precise control.

Still, WordPress can deliver excellent performance too. With the right hosting and optimization strategies, it can support fast load times even during high-traffic events. It just requires more setup and ongoing maintenance.

Growing Your Site: WordPress vs. Laravel Scalability

Scalability is your website’s ability to handle growth in traffic without slowing down.

Both WordPress and Laravel are excellent for this, but they use very different approaches.

WordPress: Scaling with the Right Infrastructure

WordPress can be scaled to handle massive amounts of traffic. In fact, many high-traffic websites, including major news outlets and enterprise companies, run on WordPress.

However, the scalability of a WordPress site depends less on the core software and more on its hosting environment and setup. To handle growth, you will need to invest in better infrastructure.

This usually involves:

• Upgrading Your Hosting: Moving from a basic shared hosting plan to a more powerful VPS or a high-performance managed WordPress hosting provider is the most important step.
• Using a CDN: A Content Delivery Network (CDN) helps distribute your website’s files across servers worldwide, reducing the load on your main server and speeding up load times for visitors.
• Optimizing Your Site: Using a caching plugin, optimizing images, and choosing well-coded plugins and themes are important for maintaining performance as you grow.

Laravel: Scaling with Custom Architecture

Laravel is designed for scalability from the ground up. Because it’s a framework, developers have complete control over the application’s architecture, allowing them to build systems specifically for high-traffic and complex tasks.

It comes with built-in features that make scaling easier for developers. These include support for distributed caching systems, background job queues to handle intensive tasks, and a structure that works well with modern, scalable server setups like load balancers.

This level of control is powerful, but it requires significant technical expertise. Scaling a Laravel application is not about clicking a few buttons. Instead, it requires careful architectural planning and server management by a skilled development team.

🏅 Winner for Scalability: WordPress for Most Websites, Laravel for Custom Applications

For most businesses, blogs, and online stores, WordPress is the more practical choice for scaling. You can easily handle growth by upgrading your hosting plan and using optimization tools without needing to rebuild your site’s foundation.

Laravel is the winner for custom web applications (like a SaaS platform) where complex scalability needs are known from the start. It offers a more robust foundation for developers who need to design a highly specific, scalable architecture from scratch.

Safeguarding Your Site: WordPress vs. Laravel Security

Both WordPress and Laravel can be very secure, but you’ll approach security differently depending on which one you choose.

Let’s take a look.

WordPress Security: A Shared Responsibility

WordPress itself is secure, but its popularity makes it a common target for hackers. The real risks often come from outdated plugins or poorly coded themes.

Because you can add so many different plugins, your site has a larger ‘attack surface,’ meaning more potential entry points for hackers if things aren’t kept up-to-date.

The good news is that regular updates and careful plugin choices can go a long way in keeping your site safe.

To stay secure, I always recommend you use reputable plugins from trusted sources, keep everything updated, and follow best practices like strong passwords and two-factor authentication.

Beyond your own efforts, your web host plays a huge role in keeping your site secure. Choosing a quality managed WordPress hosting provider adds a powerful layer of protection, as they often include security features like firewalls, malware scanning, and automatic updates.

For extra security, I recommend using a security plugin. We currently use Cloudflare on WPBeginner, and we’ve also had success with Sucuri. Cloudflare is ideal for larger sites, while Sucuri offers solid protection for all types of websites.

Check out our guide to the best WordPress security plugins for more recommendations.

Laravel Security: Built-in Protection and Encryption

Laravel includes built-in security features like CSRF protection and input validation that make it easier to build secure apps without needing extra tools.

It also uses encryption by default for sensitive data. For example, Laravel hashes passwords using bcrypt, helping keep login credentials secure even if the database is compromised. WordPress has also used password hashing for a long time and added support for bcrypt in version 6.8.

Laravel also encrypts cookies and sessions, which helps protect user data and prevent session hijacking.

That said, Laravel security depends heavily on the developer. Misconfigurations or insecure code can still create vulnerabilities. That’s why following secure coding practices and conducting regular security audits are essential.

🏅 Winner for Security: Laravel

Laravel provides a stronger security foundation out of the box, especially for developers who want built-in tools. But both platforms can be secure when used properly.

WordPress requires more ongoing maintenance, like updating plugins and using security tools, but it’s very secure when you follow best practices.

To learn more, see our ultimate WordPress security guide.

Community and Resources: WordPress vs. Laravel

When you run into an issue or want to add new features, having a strong support community and plenty of resources is a huge advantage.

This is a key area where WordPress and Laravel are very different, and it can make a big impact on your final choice.

WordPress: A Thriving Community

WordPress powers over 43% of all websites on the internet, and this enormous market share supports a global community of users, developers, and designers.

Whether you need help troubleshooting an issue, selecting a plugin, or learning a new feature, there’s likely someone who has already encountered the same problem and shared the solution online.

In addition to community forums, you’ll find official resources like Learn WordPress and Make WordPress, which offer structured courses, lessons, and documentation to help users at all levels.

At WPBeginner, we also offer a wide range of free resources, including step-by-step tutorials, a newsletter, video guides, a helpful Facebook group, and more.

To get started, see our guide on how to make the most out of WPBeginner’s free resources.

And because of WordPress’s popularity, the theme and plugin marketplace is massive, giving you endless customization options without writing any code.

Laravel: A Developer’s Hub

Laravel has a smaller but highly focused community made up of developers and technical users. It emphasizes clean code, reusable packages, and advanced development practices.

Although the Laravel ecosystem is more niche, it’s very active and supportive. I’ve found the official documentation to be excellent, and there are plenty of places to ask questions or share solutions.

Top Laravel learning resources include Laracasts (a premium tutorial site), community forums like the Laracasts forum and Laravel.io, and the Laravel subreddit.

Unlike WordPress, Laravel doesn’t offer a marketplace of themes and plugins. It’s designed for building things from scratch, so you’ll be writing more code, but you’ll also have full control over the final product.

Fortunately, Laravel developers are in high demand, and finding skilled professionals is generally not difficult.

🏅 Winner for Community and Resources: WordPress

While both platforms have strong communities, WordPress has a much larger and more beginner-friendly ecosystem. Here’s why:

• The WordPress community welcomes users at every skill level. There are countless forums, tutorials, and support groups where you can find quick help.
• Most common issues already have documented solutions you can find with a simple web search.
• Its huge marketplace makes it easy to add new features or design updates with minimal effort.

Laravel offers an excellent support network for developers, but if you’re not comfortable with code, WordPress is the more accessible and community-rich option.

Cost Comparison: WordPress vs. Laravel

I know from experience that budget is a major factor when choosing a platform. While both WordPress and Laravel are open-source (meaning the software itself is free), there are other costs to consider.

WordPress: Budgeting for Your Site

WordPress is usually more affordable at the start. With free themes, plugins, and budget-friendly hosting (as low as a few dollars per month), you can launch a site cheaply. Just remember that premium themes, plugins, or hiring a developer will add to the cost.

Here’s what you’ll need to budget for:

• A domain name (like wpbeginner.com) costs around $10-15 per year, but you may be able to get the first year for free.
• Web hosting (where your website files and database are stored) costs $2-25 per month. I recommend Bluehost for beginners because they have affordable plans and great support.
• You can choose a free theme or purchase a premium theme for $30-200 to get more design options and features.
• You can also use free plugins, though premium plugins can add powerful features. I recommend checking out our list of the must-have WordPress plugins.
• If you need custom work, then you will need to hire a developer or designer. This can be the biggest expense, though most WordPress websites won’t need it.

We have a detailed guide on WordPress website costs if you want more information.

Laravel: Investing in Development

Laravel projects typically cost more because they require custom development. You’ll likely need to hire a developer or a team, which makes sense for larger or more complex projects.

Here’s a breakdown of the typical costs you can expect with Laravel:

• Domain name: Around $10–15 per year, just like with WordPress.
• Web hosting: Typically $15–100+ per month. Laravel apps often require more robust infrastructure, such as cloud hosting or a VPS for better performance.
• Developer fees: This is usually the largest cost. If you’re building something custom, hiring a Laravel developer is essential, and rates can vary widely depending on the complexity of your project.

All in all, Laravel gives you complete freedom to build exactly what you need, but that flexibility comes with a bigger investment in both time and money.

For example, you might launch a simple WordPress site for under $100, but a custom Laravel project could easily start in the thousands depending on its features.

🏅 Winner for Affordability: WordPress (for most people)

For most people, especially beginners and small businesses, WordPress is the more cost-effective option. You can launch a full-featured website without hiring a developer, and many themes and plugins are available for free.

Laravel is best suited for complex projects with unique functionality, where you have the budget to invest in custom development. It’s a powerful solution, but not the cheapest one.

The Verdict: Choosing Between WordPress vs Laravel

So, which platform is right for you? It all depends on what you need from your website.

Use WordPress if you want to build a website quickly, manage content easily, and benefit from thousands of ready-made themes and plugins. It’s perfect for blogs, business sites, portfolios, and online stores without breaking the bank.

Use Laravel if you’re a developer (or working with one) building a custom web application with unique features, advanced functionality, or a need for serious scalability and control. Laravel is more powerful under the hood, but it requires coding expertise to unlock its full potential.

To help you decide, here’s a simple breakdown of who each platform is best suited for:

Before choosing a platform, consider your goals, technical skills, and budget.

If you want to build something quickly and easily, WordPress is likely the way to go. But if you need full control and are building something more advanced, Laravel might be a better fit.

I hope this guide helped you get a clearer picture of whether WordPress or Laravel is right for your next project. Ready to build your site? If you’re leaning toward WordPress, check out our guide on how to start a website step-by-step.

Frequently Asked Questions About WordPress vs. Laravel

Now that you’ve read our comparison of WordPress vs. Laravel, you might still have some questions. Here are some quick answers to frequently asked questions.

Is WordPress or Laravel easier to use for beginners?

For someone just starting out with website building, WordPress is easier to learn and use. It is designed with user-friendliness in mind, even if you have no coding experience. You can get a website up and running quickly, often with just a few clicks.

Laravel, on the other hand, has a steeper learning curve. It’s a framework built for developers, so it assumes you have coding knowledge or are willing to learn.

Do I need to know coding to use WordPress or Laravel?

With WordPress, you can build and manage a website without writing any code at all. You can use themes to control the design and plugins to add features, all without needing to write code. If you want to make very advanced customizations, then some coding knowledge can be helpful.

Laravel is different. To use Laravel effectively, you need coding skills, specifically in PHP. Building a website or web application with Laravel involves writing code to create features, customize functionality, and manage your site.

Which is better for SEO: WordPress or Laravel?

Both WordPress and Laravel can be excellent for SEO, but they approach it in different ways. WordPress is naturally quite SEO-friendly right out of the box, and you can use plugins like All in One SEO to optimize your site for search.

Laravel gives developers more direct, technical control over SEO. With Laravel, you can fine-tune every aspect of your website’s code and structure for optimal SEO performance. But this isn’t a one-click solution because it takes a lot of coding.

Is WordPress or Laravel more secure?

Both WordPress and Laravel can be secure platforms, but security needs to be approached differently for each. WordPress is actively maintained for security, and you need to keep it updated. You also need to use security best practices and plugins for the best protection.

Laravel is more secure from a technical standpoint. It has many security features by default and encourages secure coding practices. However, just like any platform, Laravel’s security still depends on developers writing secure code and properly configuring their applications.

When should I choose WordPress over Laravel?

I recommend WordPress for most websites. It’s easy to set up and manage, especially if you’re not a coder. It’s ideal for blogs, small business websites, portfolios, and online stores. It lets you get a website online quickly and cost-effectively.

When should I choose Laravel over WordPress?

In most cases, it’s best to choose Laravel when you need to build a custom web application or a website with very specific and complex features. You will need development expertise or a development team, but you can build something truly unique from the ground up.

We hope this tutorial helped you compare WordPress vs. Laravel and their pros and cons. You may also want to see our guide on how to choose the best website builder or our expert pick of popular sites using WordPress as a CMS.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post WordPress vs Laravel – Which Is Better? (Expert Comparison) first appeared on WPBeginner.

I’ve helped WordPress users navigate a lot of different privacy laws, but Saudi Arabia’s Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) still surprises many website owners.

If your site collects personal information from people in Saudi Arabia (and it probably does), then PDPL compliance isn’t optional.

Contact forms, newsletter signups, user accounts, blog comments — all of these fall under the law’s requirements, even if you don’t live in Saudi Arabia.

I hear from readers all the time who didn’t realize this until they were at risk of penalties.

The good news? Getting compliant doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

I’ve spent quite a lot of time researching the PDPL and testing WordPress tools to make this guide as beginner-friendly as possible. I’ll show you exactly how to protect your business, stay on the right side of the law, and earn your audience’s trust.

What Is the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL)?

Saudi Arabia’s Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) is a privacy law that protects the personal information of people living in Saudi Arabia. It sets clear rules for how businesses collect, use, and store that data.

Like other privacy laws — including the GDPR — the PDPL doesn’t just apply to local businesses. It can affect websites, blogs, and online stores around the world.

The key factor is whether your site handles data from people in Saudi Arabia. If your audience is global, then there’s a good chance the PDPL applies to you.

That’s why it’s important to understand what this law covers and what steps you can take to stay compliant.

Why WordPress Users Should Care About PDPL Compliance

Not following the PDPL can lead to serious consequences. Fines can reach up to SAR 5 million (about $1.3 million USD) per violation. That amount can double for repeat offenses.

If you unlawfully share sensitive data, especially with the intent to harm someone, the penalties are even more severe. You could face up to two years in prison and fines of SAR 3 million (around $800,000 USD).

But PDPL compliance isn’t just about avoiding legal trouble — it’s also about trust.

When you give visitors more control over their personal data, you show that your site respects their privacy. Over time, building trust can get you more signups, conversions, and sales, helping to grow your online business.

By contrast, failing to comply with PDPL can really damage your reputation.

And remember, the PDPL might apply to you even if you don’t live in Saudi Arabia. Just like GDPR and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), it’s based on whose data you collect, not where you’re located.

With all that said, almost all WordPress users should care about PDPL compliance.

How PDPL Affects Your WordPress Site

The first step to PDPL compliance is understanding what counts as personal data.

That includes anything that can identify someone, such as their name, email address, IP address, physical address, or even their browsing history through cookies.

As a WordPress site owner, here are some of the key rights and responsibilities you need to know:

• Right to Be Informed: You must clearly tell visitors what data you collect, how you use it, and whether you share it with third parties. This info should be easy to find — don’t make people dig through your site to locate it.
• Right to Access: Users can request a copy of the personal information you’ve collected about them.
• Right to Correction: If someone’s data is inaccurate or incomplete, they have the right to ask you to update it.
• Right to Delete: People can ask you to delete their personal data.
• Right to Object: Users can say no to how you’re using their personal information.
• Right to Data Portability: Individuals can request their data in a machine-readable format and transfer it to another service.

Throughout this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to support these rights using simple tools and beginner-friendly tips.

Beginner’s Guide to PDPL Compliance for WordPress Websites

Navigating compliance can feel overwhelming, especially when the stakes include damaged reputations, steep fines, or even jail time.

But at its core, the PDPL is about being clear and transparent with your users. It’s all about giving people control over how you collect and use their personal information.

With that in mind, let’s walk through the steps you can take to meet the PDPL’s requirements.

Perform Regular Data Audits

The first step to PDPL compliance is knowing what personal data you collect and how you handle it. That means doing a full data audit of your WordPress site.

A good audit shows whether your current practices match PDPL rules — and where you may need to make changes.

To help you get started, here are some key questions to ask:

• What personal data do I collect? This could include names, email addresses, IP addresses, payment details, and more.
• How do I use this data? Look at how you process information, whether you share it with team members or third-party tools like ad networks or email services.
• Do I really need this data? If you’re collecting something you don’t actually use, then it’s better to stop.
• How secure is it? Review your WordPress security, check who has access, and consider using security plugins to add extra protection.

After the audit, be sure to write down your findings. Keep a record of what you collect, how you use it, and what steps you’ve taken to stay compliant.

This documentation helps prove you’re serious about privacy, which is important if you’re ever audited or asked to explain your practices.

As a general rule, it’s smart to do a new audit at least once a year. You should also review your data handling anytime you change how your site collects or uses personal information.

And since privacy laws can change, it’s a good idea to re-check everything whenever the PDPL is updated.

Collect Less Data 

Once you’ve reviewed the data you collect, the next step is to ask: Do I really need all of it?

The PDPL says you should only collect data that’s relevant, necessary, and tied to a specific purpose. That means no gathering extra information just in case you might need it later.

If something isn’t essential, then you should stop collecting it.

This principle is called data minimization, and it’s not just about compliance. It also makes your life easier.

When you collect less data, it’s simpler to stay organized and respond to user requests. For example, if someone asks you to delete their data or send them a copy, you’ll have less to dig through.

So, as you go through your forms and plugins, look for anything you can remove or simplify.

Create a Privacy Policy 

Your privacy policy is where you explain what personal data you collect, how you use it, and who you share it with. Think of it as your website’s promise to be transparent with visitors.

Under the PDPL, having a clear and accessible privacy policy isn’t optional — it’s required.

The good news is that WordPress comes with a built-in privacy policy generator. You can use it as a starting point and customize it for your site.

You can also check out the WPBeginner privacy policy as an example.

If you use our template, make sure to replace all mentions of WPBeginner with your own blog or business website.

We also have a complete step-by-step guide on how to add a privacy policy in WordPress if you need help getting started.

If you already have a privacy policy, now’s the time to update it. Make sure it includes your users’ PDPL rights, like the Right to Be Informed and Right to Access, along with clear instructions for how they can exercise those rights.

For example, you could link to a form where users can request a copy of their data, or show them how to ask for deletion.

And don’t forget to review your privacy policy regularly to keep it accurate as your site grows and evolves.

Add a Cookie Popup

Under the PDPL, you must get explicit consent before placing cookies that collect personal data, except for cookies that are strictly necessary.

This means you need to let visitors know about your cookie practices and get their clear consent before using non-essential cookies.

The best way to do this is by adding a cookie popup to your WordPress website.

A well-designed popup helps you support key PDPL rights, starting with the Right to Be Informed. It clearly tells users what types of cookies you use, what data those cookies collect, and why you’re collecting it.

Your popup can also support the Right to Object. Users can simply click ‘Reject’ to refuse non-essential cookies without digging through settings.

There are lots of cookie banner plugins out there, but I recommend using WPConsent. It’s a powerful WordPress privacy plugin built to help you meet PDPL, GDPR, and similar privacy standards.

In fact, we use WPConsent on all our websites, including WPBeginner. It’s easy to set up and handles cookie banners, consent logs, and more.

To get started, install and activate the WPConsent plugin like you would with any WordPress plugin.

WPConsent will automatically scan your site and list all the cookies it finds.

From there, the setup wizard helps you customize your popup. As you make changes, you’ll see a live preview so you know exactly how it will look on your site.

You can adjust the layout, position, font size, button style, colors, and even add your own logo.

Once you’re happy with the design, just save your changes. The cookie banner will now appear on your site and begin collecting consent from your visitors.

Create a Dedicated Cookie Policy 

In addition to using a cookie popup, I also recommend creating a separate cookie policy page. This gives you a clear place to explain exactly how your site uses cookies and what kind of data you collect through them.

By writing a dedicated policy, you’re supporting the PDPL’s Right to Be Informed and building trust with your visitors.

Your cookie policy should list the different types of cookies your site uses, such as essential, analytics, or marketing cookies. You can also describe what these cookies do, like tracking your visitors or showing personalized ads.

I also suggest explaining what kind of personal information these cookies collect. That could include IP addresses, browsing behavior, or referral URLs.

Try to avoid technical jargon. Instead, use simple, clear language so anyone can understand your policy.

If you’re using WPConsent, you’re in luck. The plugin can automatically generate a detailed cookie policy for you. Just go to WPConsent » Settings and choose the page where you want the policy to appear.

WPConsent will create the content for you, based on the cookies it found during the scan.

You can then display this content using a shortcode on your selected page.

Once the policy is live, make sure visitors can find it. I recommend adding a link in your website footer or right inside your privacy policy.

You can also include a link in your cookie popup so that people can read the full policy before choosing their cookie preferences.

If you created your popup with WPConsent, the link is already built in. When someone clicks the ‘Preferences’ button, they’ll see a link to your cookie policy.

Then, they’ll need to select the ‘Cookie Policy’ link. 

And that’s it! WPConsent will take them straight to the right page.

Block Third-Party Scripts 

One of the trickiest parts of PDPL compliance is dealing with third-party tracking tools. I’m talking about services like Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel.

These tools often collect personal data, such as IP addresses, location info, or behavior across pages. That means they fall under the PDPL, and you need to get consent before loading their scripts.

That’s why I recommend setting up automatic script blocking. This keeps those scripts from running until a visitor has clearly opted in.

If you’re using WPConsent, then you’re already covered. It comes with automatic script blocking built right in.

Behind the scenes, it detects and pauses common tracking scripts like Google Analytics, Google Ads, and Facebook Pixel — without breaking your website.

Track and Log Visitor Consent

Websites need to collect and log cookie consent data to comply with privacy laws and be able to prove that they obtained valid consent from users. This comes in handy in case of audits, complaints, or legal investigations.

This practice of logging visitor consent protects your business, helps build trust with your visitors, and also provides solid evidence that you’re complying with the PDPL.

If you’re using WPConsent, the plugin takes care of this for you. It automatically logs each consent event along with key details like the visitor’s IP address, what they agreed to, and the date and time.

You can see all this information right in your WordPress dashboard. Just go to WPConsent » Consent Logs.

Then, if you ever need to share the log with a legal team or an auditor, you can export the data directly from your dashboard.

Allow Users to Withdraw Consent 

The PDPL states that people have the right to change their minds and withdraw consent at any time. To stay compliant, you need to give your visitors a simple and visible way to do that on your website.

I recommend using WPConsent’s Do Not Track add-on. It lets you create a dedicated ‘Do Not Track’ page in just a few clicks.

Once you install the add-on, just go to WPConsent » Do Not Track » Configuration to set up your form.

Visitors can then go to this page and fill out a short form to withdraw their consent.
It’s quick, user-friendly, and shows that you respect their privacy choices.

After setup, you can choose the page where this form appears, and WPConsent will handle the rest behind the scenes.

WPConsent also stores all these requests directly in your WordPress database. That means you stay in control of the data and don’t have to rely on third-party services to track user consent changes.

Plus, the plugin logs every request automatically. So if you’re ever audited, you’ll have clear documentation showing that you honored your visitors’ decisions.

Alternatively, you can use WPForms to create a data deletion form on your site. Unlike WPConsent, WPForms lets you fully customize the form the way you want.

It also comes with a dedicated ‘Right to Erasure Request Form’ template. This template gives you a solid foundation, so you can add this crucial form to your site quickly and easily. This directly addresses the ‘Right to Delete’ I mentioned earlier.

You can customize this template in WPForms’ drag-and-drop editor, which makes it easy to add, remove, and edit fields.

When you’re happy with the form, you can add it to your site using either a shortcode or the WPForms block.

After adding the form to your site, you need to make it easy for visitors to find. For example, you can link to the form from your privacy policy page, or even embed it directly there.

You can also put a link in your website’s footer. The goal is simple: make it easily accessible to your website visitors.

Next, you will need to review any user requests for data deletion.

Luckily, WPForms isn’t just a form builder. It also comes with a powerful entry management system that makes it easy to track form submissions.

To review your entries, simply head over to WPForms » Entries. Here, you’ll see a list of all the forms across your WordPress website.

Simply find your data erasure form and click it.

You’ll now see all your ‘delete data’ requests.

So, what happens when you spot a new deletion request?

The good news is that WordPress itself comes with a built-in Erase Personal Data tool. This tool lets you erase all the user’s personal information, so you don’t need to install any extra WordPress plugins.

Just head over to Tools » Erase Personal Data to access this tool.

In the ‘Username or email address’ field, you need to type in the user’s information you want to remove.

This tool even has a handy ‘Send personal data erasure confirmation email’ setting. This will automatically let the user know that you’ve completed their request, keeping them informed and building more trust.

Handle Data Access Requests Efficiently

Under the PDPL, visitors have the right to ask for a copy of all the personal information you’ve collected about them. Thankfully, you can handle these ‘data access requests’ in pretty much the same way as the ‘data deletion’ requests we just explored.

The easiest way to support this is by adding a request form to your site. I recommend using WPForms, which includes a ready-made Data Request template.

Just select the template and customize it in the drag-and-drop editor. You can easily adjust the fields as needed to collect the information you need to fulfill each request.

Once the form is live, WPForms will log each submission inside your WordPress dashboard. That way, you can respond quickly when a new request comes in.

To view entries, go to WPForms » Entries and select your data request form.

You’ll now see all the entries submitted through this form.

When you get a new request, you can fulfill it using WordPress’ built-in Export Personal Data tool. This lets you export all the known data for any user, packaged conveniently in a .zip file.

To create this .zip, just head over to Tools » Export Personal Data.

Just enter the user’s email or username, and WordPress will generate a downloadable file with all the personal data you’ve collected.

Once it’s ready, you can send the zip file directly to the person who requested it.

Support the ‘Right to Correction’

The PDPL also gives users the right to ask you to fix or update their personal information if something is wrong or incomplete.

This might happen after someone reviews their data and spots a mistake. Or maybe they’ve moved or changed their phone number and want you to update their profile.

Once again, the easiest way to accept these requests is by adding a dedicated form to your site.

I recommend WPForms for this, too. It includes a Personal Information Form template that works great for correction requests.

This form comes with many essential fields already built in, such as legal name, preferred nickname, email address, home phone, and cell phone. 

The template even includes an “Update Existing Record” checkbox, so users can let you know they’re submitting a change to their existing profile.

However, every website stores different information, so you may want to customize the form to collect other details. In that case, simply open the template in the WPForms editor and then add more fields to the form using drag and drop.

You can then fine-tune these fields using the left-hand panel. Just repeat these steps until the form collects all the information users might want to edit.

Once you’re done, go ahead and publish the form on your site like you would with any other form.

Make sure users can find this form easily. I usually link to it from the privacy policy or place it in the footer so it’s always accessible.

As always, WPForms displays all submitted form entries directly in your WordPress dashboard. This makes it easy to spot data correction requests as soon as they arrive, so you can act on them quickly.

How you update this information may vary depending on the tools you’re using. For example, you might need to update a record in your customer relationship management (CRM) app or email management software.

If the information is stored directly in WordPress, then you may just need to go to Users » All Users in your WordPress dashboard.

Here, find the user profile you need to update and click its ‘Edit’ link.

You’ll now see all the essential information WordPress has stored for that user.

From here, you can make any necessary changes and save the user’s updated profile.

WordPress and PDPL Compliance: FAQs

Understanding online privacy can be a big challenge. So, you might still have some questions about how the PDPL affects your WordPress website.

But don’t worry! At WPBeginner, we’re here to help you understand this important privacy law.

In this section, I’ll cover the most common questions we get asked about PDPL compliance, so  you can get the answers you need.

What happens if my website is not PDPL compliant?

If your website doesn’t comply with the PDPL, you could face serious consequences. That includes large fines, which may reach millions of Saudi Riyals. In severe cases, criminal charges like imprisonment may also apply.

Beyond the legal and financial risks, breaching the PDPL can seriously harm your organization’s reputation. If you don’t seem to care about user privacy, then your audience will quickly notice. When that happens, they will stop trusting you and will almost certainly take their business or readership elsewhere.

Does the PDPL only apply to businesses in Saudi Arabia?

No, the PDPL doesn’t just apply to Saudi-based businesses. If your website collects personal data from someone living in Saudi Arabia, then you’re required to follow the PDPL, even if your business is located elsewhere.

How can I balance user experience with PDPL compliance?

Following the PDPL doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the user experience. In fact, giving visitors control over their data is a key part of good UX.

Here’s how I recommend balancing both:

• Show a clear cookie popup that explains how you use cookies in simple terms.
• Write a privacy policy that’s easy to read and free of legal jargon.
• Add forms that let users request their data or ask for it to be deleted, so they feel respected and in control.

Are there any exemptions to the PDPL for small websites?

The PDPL generally applies to any website that collects or processes personal data from users in Saudi Arabia, no matter the size. That means most WordPress site owners need to follow it.

There may be exceptions in very specific cases, but these aren’t always clear. If you’re unsure whether the PDPL applies to you, I recommend talking to a legal expert.

What are the key steps I should take to comply with the PDPL?

Every site is different, but here are the basics I always recommend:

• Create clear privacy and cookie policies that explain your practices in plain, user-friendly language.
• Run regular data audits to understand what personal data you collect, where it’s stored, and who can access it.
• Ask for clear, explicit consent before collecting data, and give users a way to withdraw it. A cookie popup can help with this.

By putting these measures into practice, your website will be much closer to meeting the PDPL’s core requirements. 

Additional Resources

Keeping your WordPress site perfectly aligned with the PDPL isn’t a one-time task. In fact, it’s something that needs your ongoing attention. 

To help you continue on this journey, here are some helpful resources you can check out:

• Saudi Arabia’s National Data Management Office – Get the latest information and updates about the PDPL.
• How to Know if Your WordPress Website Uses Cookies
• How to Keep Personally Identifiable Info Out of Google Analytics
• How to Make Google Fonts Privacy Friendly
• How to Stop Storing IP Addresses in WordPress Comments

I hope this beginner’s guide to PDPL compliance for WordPress websites has helped you understand this important privacy law. Next, you may want to see our expert picks for the best GDPR plugins to improve compliance or our guide on how to perform a security audit.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post Beginner’s Guide to PDPL Compliance for WordPress Websites first appeared on WPBeginner.

Today, WPBeginner officially turns 16 years old!

If WPBeginner was a kid, it would be old enough to drive in Florida. Crazy how time flies.

Looking back, it’s hard to believe that what started as a simple WordPress resource site has grown into such an incredible community of website owners, bloggers, developers, and entrepreneurs from all around the world. YOU continue to be the heart and soul of WPBeginner!

Like every year, I want to take a few minutes to share all the major updates happening in the business as well as some personal reflections.

To celebrate this special milestone, I am hosting a huge birthday giveaway with over $20,000 in prizes! We’ll be selecting 87 lucky winners who will get access to premium WordPress plugins and tools to help grow their websites.

Since this is a long article, you can easily skip to the section you’re most interested in:

My Personal Updates

If you’re new here, you might not know that I have been using WordPress since I was 16 years old, and I started WPBeginner in 2009 when I was in college at age 19.

Ever since then, I’ve been dedicated to the WordPress community, and WordPress plays a huge role both in my life as well as my family’s life.

My son, Solomon, is now 8 years old, and he regularly attends our company events. He even did the opening bit for our last keynote with over 200 team members in attendance. Watching Solomon grow up and develop his public speaking skills is truly special.

Although a bit more limited, I have continued our travels around the world, exploring new cultures, and meeting local WPBeginner readers.

Here are some photos from our travels:

One of the best parts about running a fully remote online company is the flexibility it offers us. We have team members in over 50 countries now, and my goal is to continue visiting at least a few new countries each year. Side note: yes, we’re hiring.

Also if you didn’t get a chance to read my 2024 recap, I highly recommend checking it because I shared lessons learned from last year.

WPBeginner Updates

Like all publishers and content websites, our traffic has been impacted by Google’s algorithm and the rapidly changing A.I. landscape.

Being in the SEO industry since 2006, this isn’t the first wave of big changes that I have witnessed, but this time the wave is much larger. I plan to share more actionable thoughts on this in a separate blog post in the near future.

The good news though is that we’re fortunate to have an incredible community of readers and subscribers. This is the what’s MOST important.

Since starting WPBeginner, my focus has always been to create helpful tutorials and resources for WordPress beginners, and we will continue to serve our community.

I’m truly grateful for everything we’ve accomplished together this year.

As always, none of this would be possible without your continued support and trust. THANK YOU for being part of our journey!

Here are some of the big updates that happened on WPBeginner in the last 12 months:

1. We Launched WPBeginner Spotlight

Over the past year, we’ve been publishing a monthly series called WPBeginner Spotlight, where we cover major WordPress industry news from brand acquisitions and mergers to flagship feature releases, and other significant announcements that matter to WordPress enthusiasts.

We started this initiative because a lot of our readers asked us to do it. There was a vacuum in this category as other WordPress news blogs stopped publishing.

Take a look at the latest edition of WPBeginner Spotlight if you haven’t checked it out.

Got something to share in the next edition of Spotlight? Whether it’s a new product launch, a significant update, or an exciting event, reach out to us through our contact form.

2. Real People, Real Impact: #MyWordPressStory Series

We’ve had the privilege of talking to WordPress experts and letting them share their inspiring stories with our community through our #MyWordPressStory series. This series brings you insights from some of the most successful leaders in the WordPress industry.

Take a look at some of the inspiring #MyWordPressStory editions here:

• From Side Project to 700K+ Active WordPress Installs: Tobias Bäthge from TablePress shares his incredible WP journey.
• From Freelancer to Founder: Ionut Neagu from ThemeIsle Shares His Journey to Building a Successful WP Business
• Blogger Turned WordPress VIP Partner: How WordPress Continues to Inspire Rahul Bansal from rtCamp
• How Zac McDonald Grew Into the Top-Rated WordPress Freelancer on Upwork
• How Ben Rojas Rose From a Developer to the President of AIOSEO

These stories share personal insights about what worked, what didn’t, and what you can do to succeed in your unique journey.

Want to be featured in the next edition of #MyWordPressStory? Feel free to reach out through our contact form here.

3. WPBeginner Workshop: Free Live Training

This year, we launched WPBeginner Workshop, bringing live education directly to the WPBeginner community. We hosted numerous workshops every month, covering WordPress fundamentals, SEO strategies, blogging, and eCommerce tips, and much more.

Each workshop has featured expert instructors sharing practical knowledge, followed by live Q&A sessions where attendees got their WordPress questions answered in real-time.

Best of all, it’s totally free to attend!

All you need to do is join our newsletter to stay up to date.

4. New Acquisitions, Investments & Product Launches

In 2018, I created the WPBeginner Growth Fund to invest in WordPress focused companies that are solving important problems that you, our readers, want me to help out with.

In the past 12 months, we have made several big acquisitions and investments in the ecosystem.

• We acquired BuddyBoss to help you create a private community with social networking groups, forum discussions, online courses, and more. Here’s the full background story.
• We completely revamped Sugar Calendar to make it easier and faster to manage events and ticketing in WordPress. Here’s the full background story.
• My team at AIOSEO launched a brand new writing assistant, SEOBoost. As you write, it gives you real-time insights into how to optimize your content for improving your search rankings. Here’s the full background story.
• We launched OnePageGA, a one-page Google Analytics dashboard. It lets you easily create a simple and easy-to-understand dashboard for Google Analytics 4. Here’s the full background story.
• We launched ClickSocial, a social media management plugin. It helps you start scheduling and publishing social media content right from your WordPress dashboard. Here’s the full background story.
• We launched WPConsent, a powerful cookie consent management plugin that ensures your website meets global privacy standards and avoids fines. Here’s the full background story.
• We acquired aThemes, a popular WordPress theme company known for building beautiful website templates that are optimized for speed and performance. Here’s the full background story. If you’re looking for a new theme, check out Sydney and Botiga (both are free).

I’m really proud of how far we’ve come with the Growth Fund, and it’s really amazing to see the impact our companies are making in the WordPress ecosystem and the larger open web.

Want me to invest in your business? Learn more about the WPBeginner Growth Fund.

Product Company Updates

One of the questions I often get from new readers is that how does WPBeginner make money when we give away all our WordPress tutorials and training for free.

Yes, we also have a huge library of WordPress video courses that are completely free for everyone.

WPBeginner is funded 100% through the support of our readers like you.

My various companies develop premium WordPress plugins to help you grow your website. These plugins are built with the same beginner-friendly approach you know and love from WPBeginner, and they have powerful features to take your website to the next level.

When you buy a license for any of my premium plugins, you’re not only helping make your website better, but you’re also helping support WPBeginner and our mission.

My company, Awesome Motive, has over 330+ team members across the world, and all of us are committed to helping you build a better website!

Here’s a list of our plugins that you should check out. Collectively, they’re being used on over 30 million websites. Your support means a lot to us whether you use the free version or purchase a premium license — we are here to serve.

WPBeginner 16th Birthday Giveaway

To celebrate the 16^th birthday of WPBeginner, we’re running our biggest ever giveaway!

We are giving away premium plugin licenses worth over $20,000 to 87 lucky winners.

So, what kind of goodies are we giving away? Here’s the complete list:

WPForms, MonsterInsights, OptinMonster, AIOSEO, SeedProd, Thrive Suite, Funnelkit, Uncanny Automator, MemberPress, Easy Digital Downloads, SearchWP, RafflePress, WPConsent, WPCode, Duplicator, aThemes, WP Mail SMTP, WP Simple Pay, Formidable Forms, Pretty Links, AffiliateWP, BuddyBoss, Envira Gallery, Smash Balloon, SEOBoost, LowFruits, ClickSocial, PushEngage, and OnePageGA.

Thank You, Everyone

I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported us in this journey. I really do appreciate all of your retweets, personal emails, content suggestions, and the interactions at the events.

I also want to say special thank you to everyone who’s using our plugins because that enables us to keep bringing more free tutorials on WPBeginner.

You all are AMAZING and without you, there is no WPBeginner.

I look forward to another solid year ahead of us.

Syed Balkhi
Founder of WPBeginner

The post WPBeginner Turns 16 Years Old – Here’s What’s New + a $20,000 WordPress Giveaway first appeared on WPBeginner.

I still remember the first time one of my articles appeared in the top 3 search results, but Google’s AI Overview credited someone else.

The frustrating part? The information came directly from my post. 😒

That moment really opened my eyes. That’s why I’ve spent the last several months studying how AI search tools like Google’s AI Overview, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude pull information.

I’ve tested different formats, structured data settings, and optimization strategies across multiple WordPress sites.

In this guide, I’ll break down what Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) means for WordPress users. You’ll learn how it works, how it compares to traditional SEO, and what specific steps you can take to help your content show up in AI answers — even if you’re not a tech expert.

If you’ve been worried about losing traffic or falling behind, you’re not alone. I’ve been through the same frustration. That’s why I created this guide: to help you adapt more quickly and with less stress.

Here is a quick overview of the topics I’ll cover in this guide:

What Is Generative Engine Optimization? (And Why It Matters for WordPress)

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) means structuring your content so that AI tools like ChatGPT, Google’s AI Overview, Claude, and Gemini can easily understand, summarize, and include it in their answers.

These AI tools aren’t just scraping the web. Instead, they’re scanning for structure, clarity, and relevance. If your content is well-formatted, direct, and easy for language models to process, it has a better chance of being included in AI-generated answers.

Think of it like SEO, but instead of optimizing for search engine bots, you’re optimizing for AI models trained on massive amounts of text.

GEO doesn’t replace traditional SEO. It builds on it by focusing on how modern AI tools interpret and reuse information.

AI Search Is Already Here (And It’s Eating Your Traffic)

When Google first rolled out AI results, I figured they wouldn’t affect much. But I was wrong. In some cases, the summary used my content, but no one clicked through to my site.

And I’m not the only one who’s noticed this.

A recent study by Ahrefs analyzed 300,000 keywords and found that when Google showed an AI Overview, the top-ranking page saw a 34.5% drop in average clickthrough rate compared to similar results without AI.

AI tools are changing how people get answers. They often pull responses directly from existing content, and many users do not need to click past the summary.

In a recent interview, Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince shared: “Today, 75 percent of queries get answered without you leaving Google.”

If your site is not included in that AI-generated answer, you are missing out on visibility and potential traffic, even if you are still ranking high in traditional search results.

The good news is that WordPress gives you the tools to adapt. With WordPress SEO plugins like All in One SEO, clear formatting, and structured content, you can prepare your site for both traditional rankings and AI search results.

That’s what helped me get my posts noticed again, and it can help you, too.

GEO vs SEO: What’s Different, What’s the Same?

SEO and GEO often overlap, but they have different goals. Traditional SEO helps your site rank in search results, while GEO helps your content get included in AI-generated answers.

With SEO, you’re optimizing for search engine bots that index and rank pages. With GEO, you’re optimizing for AI tools that summarize and generate answers. Both are important, but they reward different strategies.

Here’s a quick comparison of how SEO and GEO compare:

In simple terms, SEO helps people find you. GEO helps machines understand and use your content when answering someone’s question. If you want to stay visible, you’ll want to do both.

How AI Search Works Behind the Scenes

To optimize for AI search, it helps to understand how these tools work behind the scenes.

While each platform is different, they tend to follow similar patterns when deciding what content to summarize, cite, or ignore.

How Google AI Overviews Choose What to Display

Google isn’t guessing when it builds an AI Overview. It looks for content that’s clear, well-structured, and trustworthy.

From what I’ve observed, the following factors can increase your chances of being included:

• Pages that already rank well organically, but not always
• Content with short, direct definitions or summaries near the top
• Posts with step-by-step formatting, like numbered lists or how-to blocks
• Pages using schema markup for FAQs, HowTo, and definitions
• Sites that show author names, publish dates, and E-E-A-T signals

Even if your content isn’t ranking in the #1 spot, it can still appear in the AI Overview, as long as it’s structured clearly. I’ve seen this happen on some of my own articles after I added schema and rewrote the introduction.

How ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini Pull Info From Your Site

AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini don’t index pages the same way Google does. Instead, they use web crawlers or partner APIs to collect and learn from your content.

It’s helpful to know that some AI answers come from the model’s “memory” (its training data, which can be months old), while newer AI tools can browse the live web for up-to-date information.

If your site is public and crawlable, it may be part of the training or retrieval process, especially for tools like ChatGPT that include browsing or plugin features.

Even if they’re not pulling content in real time, AI models trained on older data can still paraphrase your writing.

That’s why formatting, clarity, and author signals are so important — they help models understand who said what, and how to attribute it.

What Makes Content “AI-Ready” (According to LLM Behavior)

I’ve tested dozens of prompts using content I’ve written, and the same pattern keeps showing up. AI tools prefer content that is structured, concise, and easy to break into smaller pieces.

Think of your blog post like a Lego set.

If it’s well-organized with labeled parts like subheadings, summaries, and schema, AI tools can easily pick out the pieces they need. If it’s just a wall of text, they are more likely to skip over it.

How to Optimize WordPress Content for Generative Engines (GEO Steps)

Now that we understand how AI search can be used to bring traffic to your website and improve its visibility, let’s look at some practical steps that you can apply right now.

Step 1. Choose the Right SEO Tool for the Job

If you’re using WordPress, the easiest way to optimize for AI search is by using the All in One SEO plugin. It’s already the best SEO plugin for WordPress — and in my experience, it’s also the most powerful tool for Generative Engine Optimization.

We use AIOSEO on WPBeginner and all our partner sites, and we’ve seen a noticeable improvement in AI Overview visibility since making a few small changes with its tools. See our full All in One SEO for WordPress review for more details.

It gives you full control over how your content appears in both search results and AI-generated answers.

Here are some of the key AIOSEO features I rely on for AI search optimization:

• Schema Markup: Easily add HowTo, FAQ, Article, and custom schema to any page.
• TruSEO Analysis: Get real-time suggestions to improve structure, readability, and clarity.
• FAQ Blocks: Add machine-readable FAQs that help trigger AI citations.
• Author + Publisher Info: Add structured author bios and business details to boost E-E-A-T signals.

In the steps below, I’ll show you how to apply these tools and strategies to your own content. If you already use AIOSEO, you’ll be able to follow along easily.

If not, then install and activate the All in One SEO for WordPress plugin. Here is our complete guide on how to set up All in One SEO for WordPress.

Note: A free version of All in One SEO is also available. You can give it a try, but I recommend upgrading to the paid version to unlock its full potential.

Step 2. Use Clear and Concise Language That AI Can Interpret

One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that AI tools don’t read like humans. Instead, they break content into small parts to understand what it means.

If your content uses complex language or too much jargon, then it becomes harder for AI tools to understand and quote it correctly.

When I rewrote some of my posts using shorter sentences and simpler words, I started seeing more of them appear in ChatGPT and Gemini responses. Clear content isn’t just better for people. It’s better for machines, too.

Here’s what I try to follow when writing for both readers and AI:

• Keep sentences under 20 words whenever possible.
• Use simple vocabulary unless a technical term is absolutely necessary.
• Break long paragraphs into smaller ones, with one idea per paragraph.
• Avoid run-on sentences, complex punctuation, and clever phrasing that might confuse AI tools.
• Put the key point at the beginning of the sentence, then explain or expand after.

AIOSEO’s TruSEO score often flags issues like sentence length and clarity.

It analyzes your content for ideal paragraph and sentence length, active voice, transition words, consecutive sentence patterns, subheading usage, and Flesch readability score.

I use those suggestions as a quick check to make sure my posts are easy to scan, not just for readers, but for AI tools too.

You can see our guide on how to add and improve readability score in WordPress for more details.

Step 3. Include Direct Answers to Common Questions (Prompt Framing)

AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini are designed to answer questions quickly. So if your content sounds like a clear answer to a common question, there’s a much better chance it’ll get used in AI responses. This approach is called prompt framing.

When I started rewriting my content to lead with short, direct answers, I noticed it getting picked up more often by AI tools. Instead of burying the answer in a long paragraph, I give it upfront, then explain the details below.

Here are a few real-world examples:

• Original (food blog): Making banana bread is a simple process that involves mixing ripe bananas with other basic ingredients and baking until done.
• GEO-Optimized: To make banana bread, mash ripe bananas and mix them with flour, sugar, eggs, and baking soda. Then bake at 350°F for about 50 minutes.
• Original (travel site): Many travelers enjoy visiting Italy because of its food, history, and scenic views.
• GEO-Optimized: The best time to visit Italy is in spring (April to June) or fall (September to October) when the weather is mild and crowds are smaller.
• Original (personal finance blog): Having an emergency fund can reduce financial stress and help you manage unexpected expenses.
• GEO-Optimized: An emergency fund is a savings account you use only for unexpected expenses like medical bills, car repairs, or job loss.

These direct answers match how people ask questions in AI tools. When your content mirrors those prompts, it’s more likely to be selected and cited.

And if you’re using AI to help write your content, this is even easier.

Just tweak your prompt to ask for a short, direct answer first, followed by a more detailed explanation. This structure makes your content much more likely to be quoted by AI tools.

Here’s a simple prompt to show how you can apply it to your AI workflow:

Write a blog section that starts with a one-sentence answer to the question: [insert question]. Then follow up with 1–2 short paragraphs explaining the details in plain language.

This small change can make your AI-generated content easier for other tools to summarize, cite, and include in search results.

Bonus Tip🎁: Need prompt examples for your blog posts? See our list of well-crafted AI prompts for bloggers and marketers.

Step 4. Add Schema Markup for Better Context

Schema markup is extra code that tells AI tools exactly which type of content you’re publishing, like a tutorial, FAQ, article, or product review.

It helps machines understand the purpose of your page so they can cite it more accurately.

Schema is one of the clearest signals you can add to your website. I’ve seen content picked up more often by Google’s AI Overview and tools like Gemini after adding the right markup, especially for step-by-step guides and FAQs.

Planning your post with schema in mind also makes writing easier.

For example, formatting your content as a list of steps, a set of questions and answers, or a recipe with ingredients and instructions gives your content a clear structure that works for both humans and machines.

When I first looked into schema markup, it felt overwhelming. But with All in One SEO, I don’t need to mess with code at all. I just pick the content type from the schema tab and fill in the form to generate schema markup.

Here are some of the schema types I use the most when optimizing for AI search:

• FAQ Schema: Helps AI tools pull answers to common questions directly into their responses.
• HowTo Schema: Makes it easier for AI to understand step-by-step tutorials or guides.
• Article Schema: Adds author info, publish date, and headline context — important for building trust and E-E-A-T signals.
• Recipe, Product, or Event Schema: Ideal for food blogs, online stores, or local businesses with structured content.

On WPBeginner and our partner sites, we’ve seen strong results in AI visibility after using schema consistently.

Schema is one of the most effective and underused ways to make your content easier to understand and feature.

Step 5. Format Content With Logical Headings and Subheadings

Clear headings and subheadings help AI tools understand how your content is structured.

They show which parts answer specific questions and make it easier for tools like ChatGPT or Gemini to quote the correct section.

Here’s how I recommend structuring your content:

• Use H2 for main topics or major steps in a guide.
• Use H3 or H4 for supporting details, examples, or sub-questions.
• Write headings that clearly describe the section. Avoid vague titles like “More Info” or “Other Tips.”
• Stick to a logical order and don’t skip heading levels (e.g., don’t jump from H2 to H4).
• Use question-style headings when possible. This matches how people search and how AI tools interpret prompts.

For more details, see our guide on how to properly use heading tags in WordPress.

Step 6. Include a Short Summary or Definition Near the Top

A short summary or definition at the beginning of your content makes it easier for AI tools to pull quick answers from your page.

This is different from answering multiple questions throughout the post. Think of this as answering the main question right away — like giving someone the TL;DR version before you dive into the details.

Here is an example of how Syed Balkhi used this practice in his article about choosing the best business phone service:

Most AI tools scan the top of your post for a quick explanation. If they find a clear summary in the first few lines, your content is more likely to appear in an AI Overview or chatbot response.

Here’s how I typically structure this:

• Write a 1–2 sentence summary or definition right after the heading or intro.
• Use simple language — imagine you’re answering a prompt in plain English.
• Use bold text or a callout block to help it stand out for both readers and AI tools.

For example, in a post about “what to include in a wedding invitation,” I’d open with:

“A wedding invitation should include the couple’s names, event date, time, venue, and RSVP details. You can also add dress code, gift info, or a personal message.”

This kind of summary helps AI tools provide fast, accurate responses, especially when users are looking for quick answers or definitions. It also improves your chances of showing up in Google’s AI Overviews and featured snippets.

If you’re using AI to help you write content, you can train it to follow this approach. Just start your prompt with:

Begin the article with a one-sentence summary that directly answers the main topic or question.

Step 7. Add FAQ Blocks That Match Common User Prompts

FAQ blocks are not just helpful for readers. AI tools like Google’s Overview and ChatGPT also scan them to find short, clear answers to common questions.

I’ve noticed that when I include FAQs that match what people are actually searching for, those answers are more likely to get picked up by AI. It’s like giving models a ready-made response to show in their results.

For example, let’s say you run a bakery website. You could add FAQ questions like:

• How far in advance should I order a birthday cake?
  A good rule is to place your order at least 3–5 days in advance to guarantee availability.
• Do you offer gluten-free cupcakes?
  Yes, we have gluten-free options available for cupcakes and cakes. Just let us know when ordering.

These types of question-and-answer pairs match how people search in AI tools, which makes them very effective.

I normally add an FAQ section to my article, and then use All in One SEO to add FAQ schema directly in WordPress.

However, AIOSEO also comes with an FAQ block that you can use to easily add an FAQ section and then add the FAQ schema markup.

It’s built right into the block editor, so I can format each Q&A and automatically add the right structured data. That way, both humans and search engines understand what I’m offering.

If you’re using AI to help write your content, try prompting it like this:

Generate 3–5 FAQ questions that users might ask about [topic], and write answers in a conversational tone.

Step 8. Use Table of Contents and Jump Links for Structure

When AI tools scan your content, they look for structure. A table of contents (TOC) helps them understand how your post is organized and also makes it easier for readers to navigate.

In longer guides, I include a clickable table of contents near the top. It links to different sections using jump links, which helps both readers and AI tools find what they need.

A table of contents can also help your content appear in rich snippets, which may increase your click-through rate in traditional search results.

If you’re writing a post like “How to Start a Home Cleaning Business,” your table of contents might look like this:

1. Choose a business model
2. Register your business and get licenses
3. Buy the right cleaning supplies
4. Set your pricing and offer packages

This type of structure helps readers skim the page and also helps AI tools extract and cite specific answers.

I use the Table of Contents block that comes with All in One SEO because it automatically builds a TOC from my headings. If you aren’t using AIOSEO, then a great alternative is the Table of Contents Plus plugin.

For more options, see our pick of the best table of contents plugins for WordPress.

Step 9. Cite Sources, Use Author Names, and Add Dates for E-E-A-T

Search engines and AI models both want trustworthy answers, and that means looking at more than just your words. They check who wrote the content, when it was published, and whether you’ve backed up your claims with reliable sources.

If you’re serious about showing up in AI results, you need to show you’re a real person with real knowledge. Not just another website blending in.

This is where E-E-A-T comes in. It stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness.

For example, if you run a travel blog and write about travel insurance, you could cite a source like the U.S. State Department.

Similarly, if you’re giving parenting advice, referencing the American Academy of Pediatrics can help. These aren’t just helpful for readers. They also give AI models more confidence in your content.

Here’s a quick checklist I use to boost trust signals:

• ✅ Add an author name. Use your real name and include a short author bio with relevant experience.
• ✅ Show publish and update dates. This is especially important for topics that change often.
• ✅ Link to credible sources. Use rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" when linking externally.
• ✅ Create an About or Editorial policy page. Let visitors and AI know who you are and what expertise you have on the subject.

I use All in One SEO to manage all of this on my site. Here is how All in One SEO shows an Author bio box.

It lets me control how author names, dates, and schema appear so both users and AI can clearly see who’s behind the content.

If you want to go deeper, I recommend reading our full guide on what Google E-E-A-T means, written by Ben Rojas, the President of All in One SEO. It’s packed with tips for making your site more trustworthy, not just for Google but for all AI-driven platforms.

Step 10. Track AI Search Visibility and Traffic on Your WordPress Site

Normally, I recommend using Google Search Console to monitor how your site performs in search results.

But here’s the catch — Google doesn’t tell you if your content is being used in AI Overviews. There’s no clear label or report that shows whether you were featured in an AI summary or not.

That’s why I use MonsterInsights on my WordPress sites. It connects with Google Analytics and shows where your traffic is coming from, including AI tools like ChatGPT, Bing Copilot, and Perplexity.

You can even track how visits from those platforms change over time by clicking on the ‘View All Referral Sources’ button.

If you want to go deeper, tools like GPTrends.io and Surfer SEO can help you track brand visibility or citations in ChatGPT and other AI responses. They’re powerful, but they come with a steep price tag.

You can also manually track your top keywords in Google Search Console and test them in AI tools to see if your site is mentioned in the results.

Until AI platforms offer more transparency, these are your best options for spotting opportunities and filling in the visibility gaps.

What Content Works Best for AI Search?

AI tools tend to favor content that’s clear, structured, and easy to summarize.

Here are the formats I’ve seen perform best in ChatGPT, Google’s AI Overviews, and other platforms.

• Tutorials and How-To Guides: Step-by-step posts like “How to Start a Freelance Business” or “How to Make an Invoice in Excel” are easy for AI to break down into lists. Make sure to use numbered headings, short steps, and direct language.
• Listicles and Comparisons: AI tools prefer clearly structured content. Using bullet points, subheadings, or comparison tables can make posts like “7 Free Logo Makers Compared” or “Mailchimp vs ConvertKit” easier to quote.
• Opinion Posts With Clear Takeaways: Insight or experience-based articles work well when you include a summary or list of key points at the end. Make sure to include your name, author bio, and credentials to support E-E-A-T.

You do not need to change your niche. Just focus on formatting your content in a way that works for both readers and AI tools. Overall, a consistent layout makes it easier for AI to use your content in responses.

Bonus: Generative Engine Optimization Checklist for WordPress Users

Want to make your content easier for AI tools to understand, cite, and use in search answers?

Here is a quick checklist you can follow. I use this same list when optimizing content across my sites, and it works.

• ✅ Use simple, clear language that AI tools can easily understand.
• ✅ Begin with direct answers and follow with supporting details.
• ✅ Add schema markup using a plugin like All in One SEO.
• ✅ Use clear headings and subheadings to organize your content.
• ✅ Include a short summary or definition near the top of your post.
• ✅ Add FAQ sections that answer common user questions.
• ✅ Use a table of contents with jump links for easier navigation.
• ✅ Display the author name, publish date, and last updated date.
• ✅ Create an About page and author bios to support E-E-A-T.
• ✅ Use tools like MonsterInsights to track AI-related referral traffic.

Even if you only follow a few of these steps, you’ll be making your content more visible to AI search — and giving your site a better shot at getting cited.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait to Be Left Behind

Generative Engine Optimization isn’t a trend, it’s a shift. AI tools are already changing how people search, and they’re not slowing down anytime soon.

If your content isn’t ready for AI search, then you’re not just missing clicks. You’re also missing visibility and revenue, which is like leaving money on the table.

You don’t have to be a tech expert to optimize for AI. Most of it comes down to clear writing, good structure, established SEO best practices, and using the right tools.

That’s exactly why I recommend All in One SEO. It takes care of the technical stuff so you can focus on creating helpful content.

I’ve used AIOSEO on my personal projects as well as client sites. We also use it on WPBeginner and our partner sites, and I’ve seen it make a real difference in how AI tools pick up and display our content.

FAQs About Generative Engine Optimization

Generative Engine Optimization, also called AI Search Optimization, is still new and evolving. Here are answers to some of the most common questions I have received.

Is GEO the same as SEO?
No, but they overlap. SEO helps your site rank in search engines. GEO helps your content get quoted by AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Google’s AI Overviews. The best approach is to focus on both.

How does structured data help with AI search?
Structured data, also called schema markup, tells AI tools exactly what your content is about. It can highlight content types like FAQs, how-to guides, reviews, and more. Tools like All in One SEO make it easy to add schema to your posts.

Will Google’s AI Overviews replace regular search listings?
Not completely, but they are already taking a large share of attention. A study by Ahrefs found that AI Overviews can reduce clicks to top-ranking pages by up to 34.5%. This is why it’s so important to structure your content for both search engines and AI tools.

What’s the best plugin to optimize WordPress for GEO?
I recommend All in One SEO. It adds schema markup, connects to Google Search Console, includes a content analysis tool, and helps AI tools better understand and cite your content.

Can I appear in AI answers even if I’m not ranking high?
Yes. I’ve seen low-ranking pages get featured in AI summaries because they provided a clear answer, strong structure, or relevant schema markup. Ranking still helps — but AI tools often prioritize clarity over position.

Learn More About GEO (AI + SEO) in WordPress

Want to go deeper into using AI tools, writing optimized content, and staying ahead in the AI search era? These guides from WPBeginner walk you through practical ways to apply AI inside WordPress, from writing to SEO to images.

• A Small Business Owners’ Guide to Artificial Intelligence
• Is AI Content Bad for WordPress SEO? (Expert Insights & Tips)
• How to Use AI for SEO in WordPress
• How to Write Content Using AI Content Generator in WordPress
• How to Use AI to Generate Images in WordPress

If you’ve made it this far, you’re already ahead of most site owners. Generative Engine Optimization may sound technical, but at its core, it’s just about making your content clear, helpful, and easy to understand — both for people and for machines.

With the right structure and tools, you can stay visible in the age of AI and continue growing your WordPress site with confidence.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post Beginner’s Guide to Generative Engine Optimization for WordPress first appeared on WPBeginner.

Welcome to the June 2025 edition of WPBeginner Spotlight!

This month brings exciting updates across the WordPress ecosystem, including new plugin features, AI tools, and community highlights.

Highlights include Charitable’s donor management system, expanded AI in Uncanny Automator, and takeaways from WordCamp Europe 2025

There’s plenty to discover, so let’s dive into this month’s most noteworthy WordPress updates.

Charitable Adds a Built‑In Donor Management System for Easier Fundraising and Reporting

Charitable, a leading donation plugin for WordPress, has rolled out a new update that improves its Pro version with a centralized donor management system.

The new system gives nonprofits a clearer view of donor history and interactions. This allows them to manage fundraising campaigns more efficiently by accessing donor data in one place.

Donor profiles now include detailed donation histories, communication preferences, and personalized insights.

Plus, nonprofits can use Charitable to generate segmented reports and tailor their communication strategies. In turn, this can improve donor relationships and boost campaign success rates.

Overall, this update represents a significant enhancement for nonprofit users by simplifying donor management and optimizing fundraising efforts.

Uncanny Automator Expands AI Automation Beyond OpenAI With Claude, Gemini, Grok & More

Uncanny Automator, a popular WordPress workflow automation plugin, brings seven new AI integrations to WordPress: Claude, Gemini, Grok, Perplexity, Cohere, Mistral, and DeepSeek.

Users can now choose from multiple AI models when building WordPress automations, offering flexibility beyond OpenAI. This makes it easier than ever to build smart workflows inside WordPress—no custom code required.

You can now generate AI responses inside workflows using different models, which is ideal for tasks like AI content generation, customer support replies, or research summaries. Plus, each AI service comes with a dedicated action for prompting text responses.

The update also adds new integrations for FluentCommunity and Mailster, with over 25 new triggers and actions across learning and email tools. ARMember and Events Manager users also receive small but useful automation upgrades.

Churn Reduction Made Easy: EDD Adds One‑Click Payment Updates for Recurring Payments

Easy Digital Downloads, the popular eCommerce plugin for WordPress, has released a major update to its Recurring Payments extension. It now gives store owners better tools to reduce involuntary churn and protect recurring revenue.

Involuntary churn happens when loyal customers are lost due to failed payments, often from expired cards or billing errors. Previously, fixing this required customers to log in, which led to friction and revenue loss.

The new update adds secure, no-login one-click links that let subscribers update their payment method directly from email. These “magic links” can be added to renewal reminders and failure notices, making payment recovery quick and painless.

Store owners also get upgraded analytics.

A new dashboard widget and improved subscription reports now include key stats like Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR), Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR), and active subscriptions, which allow business owners to track performance at a glance.

Plus, a new frontend subscription block can give customers more control over their billing, reduce support tickets, and improve retention.

Overall, this update makes EDD even more useful for WordPress-based SaaS, membership, and digital product sites.

Automattic Acquires Clay to Bring AI-Powered Relationship Management to Its Messaging Tools

Automattic has acquired Clay, which is an AI-powered CRM platform that helps users organize, update, and search their networks across emails, calendars, social media, and more.

Clay uses intelligent insights to simplify how people track and nurture connections. It automatically gathers contact information from different communication tools and keeps it up to date. This makes it easier for users to stay in touch with their personal or professional networks.

The Clay team, including co-founders Zachary Hamed and Matthew Achariam, will join Automattic’s Other Bets division, alongside Beeper and Gravatar. The goal is to integrate Clay’s thoughtful, relationship-first approach into Automattic’s growing messaging and communications ecosystem.

WPConsent Adds Do Not Track Page and Per‑Service Controls for Smarter Cookie Compliance

WPConsent has recently rolled out major updates to make cookie compliance simpler and more transparent for WordPress website owners.

You can now create a dedicated “Do Not Track” page where users can submit opt-out requests. These are stored locally on your site and can be tracked or exported from your dashboard.

This update also gives more control to visitors through the cookie popup panel to improve compliance.

Instead of accepting or rejecting broad cookie categories, users can now choose which individual services to allow, like Google Analytics or Facebook Pixel.

Other improvements include a floating settings button, easier import/export of settings, and a built-in service library for quicker cookie setup.

These updates help WordPress users stay compliant, reduce friction, and build trust—all without relying on external tools.

Community, Code, and Collaboration: WordCamp Europe 2025 Draws a Global Crowd to Basel

WordCamp Europe 2025 brought together WordPress enthusiasts from around the world in Basel for a week of collaboration, learning, and open-source contributions.

This annual WordCamp event featured a wide array of informative talks, workshops, and networking opportunities designed to inspire and connect attendees.

One major highlight of the event was the Contributor Day, where participants came together to contribute to WordPress projects, tackling tasks such as bug fixes and feature enhancements.

The sense of collaboration and shared passion underscored the event’s success, encouraging continued open-source contributions.

Additionally, engaging sessions covered topics ranging from the future of WordPress and Gutenberg advancements to SEO best practices and accessibility improvements.

Overall, WordCamp Europe 2025 demonstrated the WordPress community’s commitment to growth and innovation through collaboration and shared learning.

MonsterInsights Rolls Out Advanced Forms Report for Deeper Form-Level Insights & Better ROI

MonsterInsights, the popular Google Analytics plugin for WordPress, has launched its Advanced Forms Report.

This new feature allows site owners to track various metrics such as form views, conversion rates, and user interactions.

The Advanced Forms Report helps site owners understand how their forms are performing, so they can optimize for better engagement and results.

By understanding visitor behavior and pinpointing areas for improvement, site owners can make informed decisions to improve the user experience.

New Search & Replace Update Lets You Bulk Swap Image File Extensions

The WPCode team has released an update for the Search & Replace Everything plugin with new tools for faster image management and performance optimization.

This plugin helps WordPress users search and replace content, code, or media across their website from a safe, visual interface. It’s widely used for tasks like replacing outdated links, bulk-editing posts, or cleaning up unused assets.

With the latest update, you can now swap an image with a new file that has a different extension, like replacing a JPG with a WebP, without having to manually update every instance where that image appears.

The plugin also adds new filters to the Media Library that let you quickly sort and remove unused images. This helps store owners and content creators reduce bloat and speed up their sites without needing to dig through folders or write SQL.

These features are especially useful for improving load times and streamlining media-heavy sites.

In Other News 🗞️

• WPForms has launched a new integration with Google Drive that allows users to manage form uploads directly from Google Drive without needing to log in to WordPress. They also released Form Themes for Elementor, which enables you to design beautiful forms using the Elementor page builder.
• PushEngage now supports WhatsApp messaging for WordPress and WooCommerce, starting with a free click-to-chat button and automated order updates. Store owners can send abandoned cart alerts, confirmations, and more, without needing email addresses or phone numbers.
• FunnelKit Automations has released new updates for smarter store automation. Store owners can now export abandoned, recovered, and lost carts to CSV, resync WooCommerce orders without manual import, and track email stats like opens, clicks, revenue, and winning variation.

🔧 Get WordPress Experts to Maintain Your Website ⚙️

WPBeginner’s WordPress Maintenance Services can handle all your updates, backups, and security so you can focus on growing your business.

No more errors, slow speed, or downtime. Get peace of mind and better performance today.

👉 Get Started Now 👈

• Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, has officially returned its full contributions to WordPress.org. They are restarting their work on Core, Gutenberg, Openverse, Playground, and more after a brief strategic pause.
• BuddyBoss has introduced Activity Topics to help communities organize posts and replies. Members can now group updates under shared topics, making conversations easier to follow and manage.
• Wholesale Suite has added a new WooCommerce Payment Reminder feature. Store owners can now send automatic payment reminder emails without needing a Stripe account.

💾 Backup, Transfer, or Clone Your WordPress Site with Duplicator

Duplicator makes it effortless to migrate your site, create full backups, or stage a new version — no technical skills required!

Whether you’re switching hosts, launching a redesign, or backing up for safety, Duplicator handles it all in just a few clicks.

Download Duplicator Now

• Popular course builder platform, Thrive Apprentice, now supports Square payments directly in course checkouts. This feature allows course creators to accept faster, on-site transactions for cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and more.
• Formidable Forms has launched Timeline Views, a no-code plugin feature that lets you display events, milestones, and updates in a visual, chronological format. Now you can turn form entries into engaging stories or timelines on your site.
• WordPress Core has announced the 6.8.2 release schedule, with multiple bug-scrub sessions starting on June 19 and the first Release Candidate slated for July 8, ahead of the July 15 final release. This minor update focuses on fixing regressions and editor-style issues ahead of the next milestone release.

OptinMonster – Convert Visitors into Subscribers & Customers

OptinMonster helps you grow your email list and boost conversions with high-converting popups and campaigns. Use smart targeting and a drag & drop builder to show the right message to the right person at the right time — no coding needed.

Get OptinMonster

• Automattic has launched the Open Horizons Scholarship, which offers $30,000 to help underrepresented WordPress contributors attend flagship WordCamps globally. The scholarship will cover travel and registration, with the goal of boosting diversity in the WordPress community.
• Advanced Coupons now lets you reward customers with referral points through its WooCommerce Loyalty Program. Shoppers earn points when friends sign up or make a purchase, which encourages organic growth and boosts customer loyalty.
• WP Tasty has launched Tasty Recipes Lite, a free, beginner-friendly recipe card plugin for WordPress. It lets food bloggers create clean, schema-ready recipe cards with multiple templates and handy features.

New Plugins 🔌

• MyPayKit – Collect secure Square payments on your WordPress site with easy-to-build, responsive payment forms — no coding needed.
• WPConsent (🔥Trending) – Powerful WordPress cookie popup and compliance plugin. It helps WordPress site owners comply with privacy laws, such as GDPR and CCPA, by offering customizable cookie banners, consent management tools, and Do Not Track options.
• Sliderberg – Sliderberg is a fast, flexible Gutenberg slider plugin that lets you create responsive carousels using any WordPress block. It’s perfect for showcasing images, products, testimonials, and more.

That wraps up this month’s edition of WPBeginner Spotlight! 🎉 We hope you found it useful for keeping up with the latest happenings in the WordPress space.

Got a product launch, update, or cool project to share? Send it our way, and we might feature it in the next issue.

Thanks for tuning in! We’ll be back next month with more WordPress news and highlights.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post WPBeginner Spotlight 13: Smarter WordPress Tools, Compliance Upgrades, and Workflow Wins first appeared on WPBeginner.

When I launched my first WordPress website, I wasn’t thinking about privacy laws. Like most beginners, I was focused on creating helpful content and getting more traffic.

But times have changed. Now, I hear from many small business owners who are worried about data privacy. Laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) sound intimidating, and with fines reaching $7,500 per violation, it’s easy to see why.

If you’ve felt that same pressure, you’re not alone. Trying to stay compliant while growing your website can feel overwhelming.

That’s exactly why I put this guide together. I’ll walk you through a beginner-friendly, step-by-step plan to help you meet CCPA requirements without getting lost in legal jargon. You’ll learn what data your site collects, how to manage it properly, and which tools can help you stay compliant.

What is the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)? 

Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), California residents have the right to control how companies collect and use their personal information.

It’s also important to know that the CCPA’s definition of ‘personal information’ is very broad. It includes things like names, email addresses, browsing history, and even biometric data. 

Just like other privacy laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), CCPA doesn’t just affect businesses based in California.

It can actually affect many WordPress websites, blogs, and organizations all over the world. If you handle data related to people living in California, then the CCPA may apply to you, regardless of your location.

Now, before you start to worry, it’s important to know that the CCPA doesn’t apply to every single website. It’s mainly aimed at larger businesses.

Generally, your for-profit business needs to comply with the CCPA if it meets one or more of these conditions:

• Has an annual gross revenue of over $25 million.
• Buys, sells, or shares the personal information of 100,000 or more California residents or households per year.
• Gets 50% or more of its annual revenue from selling or sharing California residents’ personal information.

Does your website or business meet these criteria? Then it’s absolutely essential you understand what the CCPA is and what it requires.

Why Should WordPress Users Care About CCPA Compliance?

Ignoring the CCPA can have some pretty serious consequences, including large fines. For example, if you intentionally breach this law, you could be fined as much as $7,500 per violation. 

Even if you break the rules by mistake, the consequences can still be tough. Non-intentional CCPA violations can cost you up to $2,500 per incident. So, even an accident can lead to huge financial penalties.

Plus, complying with the CCPA is about more than just avoiding fines. By giving visitors more control over their personal information, you’re proving that you’re trustworthy. This can get you more signups, conversions, and sales, helping to grow your online business.

By contrast, breaking the CCPA can really hurt your reputation, even if the violation was a complete accident. 

How CCPA Affects Your WordPress Site

CCPA compliance is a big topic, but as a broad overview, there are three core principles that will affect you as a WordPress blog or website owner: 

• The Right to Know: Users can ask what personal data you collect about them.
• The Right to Delete: Users can ask you to delete their personal data.
• The Right to Opt-Out: Users can tell you not to sell their personal information to other companies. 

In this ultimate guide, I will share many tips, techniques, and tools to help you comply with each of these core CCPA principles.

How to Improve Your CCPA Compliance in WordPress

Navigating CCPA compliance can feel like a complex task. But at its core, it’s really all about being clear and open with your users. You also need to give them ways to control how (and if) you collect and use their personal information.

I can’t guarantee that these are the only steps you’ll need to take, but following this guide will put you on the right path to compliance.

That said, let’s get started! You can click the links below to jump ahead to any section:

Perform a Data Audit

As with most data compliance laws, the first step is to identify and document all the different types of personal data you collect, process, and store. This means performing a complete data audit of your website.

I recommend starting by listing all the WordPress plugins and tools that gather data on your site, such as analytics plugins, form builders, and SEO plugins.

You can then carefully evaluate how each one handles user information.

For example, if you’ve created a quote request form on your website, then your form builder plugin might collect the visitor’s name, company name, and job title.

To go a bit deeper, try asking yourself these questions for each tool:

• What specific personal data does it collect? This might be names, email addresses, IP addresses, payment details, or any other form of personal information.   
• Where is this data stored? Is it stored locally on your server or sent to a third-party service? 
• Why is this data being collected? Is it essential, or non-essential? And how are you using that data? 
• How long is this data kept? Do you have a data retention policy for it?
• Is this data shared with anyone? In particular, are there any service providers or advertisers involved? 

This may immediately reveal areas where you need to adjust your data handling practices to comply with CCPA. This could involve changing what data you collect, how long you keep it, or who you share that information with.

Collect Less Data 

There’s an easy way to protect your users’ privacy: avoid collecting information you don’t actually need. This is called data minimization. 

It means you only gather the information that’s absolutely essential for your site to work properly. By doing this, you instantly make CCPA compliance much simpler. 

After performing a data audit, I recommend looking critically at all the data you currently collect. Do you really need every piece of information you ask for? 

Data minimization also plays a big part in building trust with your audience. By not asking intrusive questions or gathering unnecessary personal details, you clearly demonstrate that you respect their privacy. This, in turn, will make users feel more confident and comfortable interacting with your website.

Create a Privacy Policy 

A privacy policy is a page that clearly explains what personal data you collect, how you use it, and who you share that information with.

Creating a detailed and comprehensive privacy policy is essential for CCPA compliance, as it helps visitors understand how you collect, store, and use their personal information. 

The good news is that WordPress comes with a built-in privacy policy generator that you can use to get started by going to Settings » Privacy in your WordPress dashboard.

Alternatively, you can always refer to our WPBeginner privacy policy page as a strong starting point.

If you use our template, then just remember to replace all references to WPBeginner with the name of your business website or blog. 

We also have a complete, step-by-step guide on how to add a privacy policy in WordPress. 

Do you already have a privacy policy in place? Then I still recommend updating it with specific information about the CCPA. In particular, you’ll need to explain your users’ rights under the CCPA, such as their Right to Know, Right to Delete, and Right to Opt-Out.

Even more importantly, you must clearly tell visitors how to exercise their CCPA rights.

For example, you could link to a contact form where they can ask for a copy of their data (their Right to Know). Alternatively, you might show them how to request that you delete all their personal information (their Right to Delete). 

Finally, it’s important to regularly review and update your privacy policy. This helps you make sure it always accurately represents your current data handling practices and stays compliant with evolving laws. 

Add a Cookie Popup

Unlike some other privacy laws, the CCPA doesn’t always require users to actively opt in to data collection.

However, the CCPA strongly emphasizes two key points: users have the right to know about data collection, and they have the right to opt out if they choose.

The good news is that a cookie popup can help you achieve both of these important goals. 

A well-designed popup can clearly inform visitors about the types of cookies you use, what data they collect, and why you’re collecting it (their Right to Know). It can also give users a straightforward and easy way to exercise their Right to Opt Out.

There are many different cookie banner plugins on the market. However, I highly recommend using WPConsent because it makes adding a cookie popup or banner to your site incredibly simple.

WPConsent is a privacy compliance plugin designed to help you meet many different privacy standards, including the CCPA. 

We actually use WPConsent to display cookie banners and manage user consent across all our own websites, including WPBeginner. This firsthand experience has shown us just how effective and user-friendly WPConsent is.

To get started, you simply install and activate the plugin, as normal.

Upon activation, WPConsent will scan your entire site for active cookies and record all the ones it finds. 

Next, WPConsent’s helpful setup wizard will show you how to customize your cookie popup.

As you make changes, WPConsent will display a live preview, allowing you to see exactly how the banner will appear on your WordPress website.

You can then adjust the layout, position, font size, button style, colors, and even add your own custom logo.

When you’re happy with how everything looks, just save your changes, and you’re done. The cookie banner will now appear on your WordPress website.

For details, see our guide on how to add a cookie popup in WordPress.

Write a Separate Cookie Policy 

In addition to a popup or banner, it’s also a good idea to create a cookie policy with specific details about how your site uses cookies. This helps visitors better understand how you collect and use their personal information.

In your cookie policy, you should clearly list the different types of cookies your site uses, like essential, analytics, or marketing cookies. You can also explain their purpose, such as tracking website visitors or delivering targeted advertisements. 

I also recommend explaining what personal information these cookies collect, like IP addresses or browsing history.

To encourage visitor trust, you should keep your cookie policy easy to understand. This means avoiding technical terms or legal jargon. Instead, use clear and straightforward language that anyone can follow.

Visitors should be able to find your cookie policy easily. I recommend adding a link to it within your main privacy policy and also inside your cookie banner.

Thankfully, a tool like WPConsent can handle all this for you. As I’ve already shown, WPConsent can scan your site and identify all active cookies. 

But WPConsent can also use this information to generate a cookie policy. You can find this setting by going to WPConsent » Settings.

Within the plugin’s settings, simply select the page where you want to display the cookie policy.

WPConsent will then go ahead and add this policy to your chosen page. It’s as easy as that!

Are you using WPConsent to display a cookie popup? Then visitors can easily access this cookie policy directly.

They simply have to click on the ‘Preferences’ button.

Then, they’ll need to select the ‘Cookie Policy’ link.

And that’s it! WPConsent will take them straight to the right page.

Block Third-Party Scripts 

One of the trickiest things about CCPA compliance is that it also applies to any external tracking tools you’re using on your site. This includes things like Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel.

That’s because these tracking tools often collect data from your visitors. According to CCPA, you’re responsible for managing how these third-party tools collect, store, and use this data. You also need to let visitors opt out of these third-party tools, if they choose.

So, how do you control external tracking tools? I recommend using automatic script blocking.

This feature stops tracking scripts from loading until the visitor clearly gives their consent. This helps you meet the CCPA’s Right to Know requirement, as visitors clearly understand what they’re agreeing to.

Here, you’re also making third-party tracking opt-in rather than just opt-out. This approach goes beyond the basic standards set by the CCPA.

By taking things one step further, you’re demonstrating a strong commitment to protecting visitor privacy. It shows that your priority is user data protection, rather than simply meeting the minimum standards outlined by the CCPA.

Thankfully, WPConsent has an automatic script blocking feature that works out of the box. Behind the scenes, it automatically detects and blocks common tracking scripts like Google Analytics, Google Ads, and Facebook Pixel, without causing your site to break. 

As soon as the visitor gives their consent, WPConsent executes the script instantly. This means it provides a truly seamless user experience because it doesn’t need to reload the page.

Track and Log Visitor Consent

Even if you’re following CCPA regulations perfectly, there’s always a chance your data handling practices might be questioned. You could even get audited by regulators.

If that happens, you’ll need to prove that you’re respecting your visitors’ choices. With that in mind, it’s super important to track and log user consent.

By keeping a comprehensive log, you’ll always have concrete proof that you’re complying with all the CCPA’s requirements.

Once again, WPConsent does the hard work for you by automatically logging user consent. It records all essential details, including the user’s IP address, their specific consent choices, and the date and time when those choices were registered.

WPConsent then displays all this information directly within your WordPress dashboard. You can find it by going to WPConsent » Consent Logs.

Do you need to share this log with someone else, such as an auditor? You can simply export it from your WordPress dashboard, making it easy to provide proof of your compliance.

Build Trust with Opt-Outs

Under the CCPA, you must give visitors a way to opt out of the sale or sharing of their personal information.

The easiest way to do this is by using WPConsent’s Do Not Track add-on. This lets you add a dedicated ‘Do Not Track’ page to your site with just a few clicks. 

You can find it by going to WPConsent » Do Not Track » Configuration in your dashboard.

Visitors can simply head over to this page and opt out of selling or sharing their personal data.

This straightforward approach enables visitors to exercise their rights without confusion or delay, providing a fantastic user experience. 

Even better, WPConsent stores all these requests locally in a custom table directly on your site.

In this way, you maintain full control over this sensitive data, and you’re not relying on external services to store crucial compliance records.

And WPConsent records all user requests. This means you can provide clear proof of compliance if you’re ever audited or a user asks about their opt-out status.

Support the ‘Right to Delete’

As I’ve already mentioned, the CCPA clearly states that users can request that you delete their personal data.

There are several ways to do this, but I recommend adding a data deletion form to your site. You can easily do this using a powerful form builder plugin like WPForms. 

In fact, WPForms has a dedicated Right to Erasure Request Form template that provides a great starting point, helping you set up this important compliance feature quickly and easily. 

After adding this form to your site, I recommend linking to it from your privacy policy page. Alternatively, you can embed it directly on the page. Whatever approach you take, the key is to ensure that visitors can easily find the form.

WPForms also has a powerful entry management system. This means you can easily filter all the submissions from your various forms and identify any data deletion requests that need to be actioned quickly.

To review your entries, simply head over to WPForms » Entries. Here, you’ll see a list of all the forms across your WordPress website.

Simply find your data erasure form and click it.

You’ll now see all your ‘delete data’ requests.

So, what happens when you receive a data deletion request? 

The good news is that WordPress has a built-in Erase Personal Data tool. Just head over to Tools » Erase Personal Data to access it.

In the ‘Username or email address’ field, type in the user’s information you want to remove.

This tool even includes a ‘Send personal data erasure confirmation email’ setting, which lets the user know when you have completed their request. 

Handle Data Access Requests Efficiently

Users should be able to request a copy of all the personal information you’ve collected about them. Thankfully, you can handle this in much the same way as the data deletion requests we just covered. 

To start, you can add a dedicated form to your site using WPForms. Once again, WPForms makes things very straightforward by offering a ready-made Data Request template.

This template is designed to gather all the information you need to fulfill the user’s request efficiently.

After adding this form to your site, WPForms will automatically log and display all these requests directly in your WordPress dashboard. This makes it easy to identify data access requests as they come in, so you can act on them quickly.

Once again, to see these submissions, go to WPForms » Entries. Here, select your data request form.

You’ll now see all the entries for this form.

You’ll also be happy to learn that WordPress has a built-in Export Personal Data tool. You can use this tool to export all the known data for any user, conveniently packaged as a .zip file.

To create this .zip, simply head over to Tools » Export Personal Data.

You can now type in the person’s username or email address to find the correct record.

Then, simply share the .zip file with the person who made the request.

WordPress and CCPA Compliance: FAQs

Online privacy is a serious topic, so I’m not surprised if you still have some questions about CCPA compliance and how it affects your WordPress website. 

In this section, I’ll cover the most frequently asked questions WPBeginner gets on this topic and offer some straightforward, practical advice.

How does CCPA affect how I use cookies on my WordPress website?

To comply with CCPA, you must clearly tell visitors how your site uses cookies for tracking. 

It’s also important to remember that the CCPA generally takes an opt-out approach to cookies, rather than an opt-in one. This means you can still use cookies by default, but you must allow visitors to opt out if they choose. 

The CCPA also gives users the right to opt out of their personal information being sold and shared.

The issue is that the definition of ‘sale or sharing’ is very broad, and may include data your website makes available to other companies via cookies. Targeted ads are a perfect example of this. 

So, if your cookies might lead to the ‘sale or sharing’ of data, then it’s even more important to offer a clear and easy way for visitors to opt out. 

What happens if I fail to comply with CCPA?

Non-compliance can lead to serious consequences for your WordPress site and business. You might face big financial penalties, with fines going up to $7,500 for each intentional violation. 

Even if you breach the CCPA by mistake, you can still be fined up to $2,500 per incident. These fines can add up very quickly, especially if the violation affects many users.

In addition to fines, breaching the CCPA can damage your reputation. 

In today’s digital world, users care deeply about their privacy. If your audience thinks you don’t care about their privacy, then they’ll lose trust in your brand, and you’ll struggle to grow your online business.

How often should I review my CCPA compliance?

Every website is different, but I generally recommend reviewing your CCPA compliance at least once per year.

It’s also really important to review your compliance every time you make big changes to how you handle user data. 

Additional Resources

Staying informed and proactive is essential for maintaining CCPA compliance on your WordPress site.

The following resources offer valuable insights and practical tools to help you keep up with evolving privacy regulations and best practices:

• Official CCPA Website – Get the latest documentation and updates about the CCPA directly from the California Attorney General’s office.
• How to Make Google Fonts Privacy Friendly
• How to Keep Personally Identifiable Info Out of Google Analytics
• How to Know if Your WordPress Website Uses Cookies
• How to Stop Storing IP Addresses in WordPress Comments
• The Ultimate WordPress Security Guide – Step by Step

I hope this ultimate guide to WordPress CCPA compliance has helped you understand this important privacy law. Next, you may want to see our expert picks for the best WordPress security plugins or our guide on how to add WordPress analytics without cookies. 

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post The Ultimate Guide to WordPress and CCPA Compliance first appeared on WPBeginner.

A slow or complicated checkout process can quietly hurt your WooCommerce store’s sales. I’ve seen it happen many times: a customer adds something to their cart, gets all the way to checkout… and then leaves without buying anything.

This is because even small delays or distractions during the checkout can lead to lost sales. But the good news is that it doesn’t take much effort to fix it.

I’ve helped many WooCommerce store owners make simple changes that led to faster checkouts and better results—more completed orders, higher conversions, and happier customers.

In this guide, I’ll show you easy ways to speed up your WooCommerce checkout. These are proven tips that don’t require any coding, and they can make a big difference in how smoothly your store runs.

Why Speeding Up the Checkout Process Can Boost Your Sales

No one likes a slow checkout. Just like waiting in a long line at the store can be frustrating, a clunky or confusing online checkout experience can drive customers away.

If you run a WooCommerce store, then making your checkout faster isn’t just helpful—it’s one of the easiest ways to reduce cart abandonment and boost sales.

Here’s why:

• Faster checkout = happier customers: Online shoppers expect things to move quickly. When you streamline the process, it prevents your customers from feeling frustrated and looking for a competitor’s store.
• Fewer steps mean fewer drop-offs: Every extra click or form field gives shoppers a chance to leave. By speeding up the process (with fewer form fields, guest checkout, or one-page checkout), you’re removing barriers to purchasing.
• Mobile users love streamlined checkout: A long checkout on a small screen is tricky to use. On the other hand, a quick and mobile-friendly checkout helps smartphone users place orders without getting annoyed.
• It builds trust: A slow or glitchy checkout can make people wonder if your site is secure. On the other hand, a fast and reliable experience helps build trust and confidence in your store.

No matter what you sell—products, downloads, or something else—improving your checkout process can help you earn more.

The good news? I’m going to show you a few proven tips to speed up your WooCommerce checkout and lower your cart abandonment rates.

You can use the quick links below to jump to different tips:

Tip 1: Audit Your Current WooCommerce Checkout

Before making any changes to your online store, it’s important to know how your WooCommerce checkout is looking right now. The goal is to find out if any part of the checkout is running slowly or not working as it should.

The best way to do this is by testing it yourself, just like a first-time customer would.

Begin by adding a product to your cart and completing the checkout process. Notice how many steps there are, if the layout is simple, and if there are any unnecessary fields.

I also recommend trying the process on both desktop and mobile devices. Since many customers shop on their phones, your mobile checkout experience should be just as smooth.

It’s also a good idea to test in multiple browsers (like Chrome and Safari) or ask someone else to do that and share their feedback. Sometimes, others can spot issues you might miss.

You will also want to write down any friction points you notice during the process. These could be anything from slow-loading pages to too many required form fields, confusing layouts, or a lack of mobile responsiveness.

These are the areas you’ll want to improve in the following steps to create a faster and more user-friendly checkout experience.

It’s also wise to assess the speed and performance of your checkout pages. You can use free tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to analyze load times and identify any issues that may be slowing things down.

If you don’t know how to do that, just see our article on how to properly run a website speed test.

If you find any problems, then you can follow the fixes in our ultimate guide to boosting WooCommerce speed and performance.

While manual testing helps you find obvious problems, data can show you exactly where you’re losing customers. 

That is why I recommend using MonsterInsights, which is a powerful analytics plugin for WordPress with built-in eCommerce tracking. It takes complex Google Analytics data and turns it into easy-to-understand reports within your WordPress dashboard.

For details, see our beginner’s guide on how to install Google Analytics in WordPress.

With MonsterInsights’ funnel report feature, you can see how many people add items to their cart, how many reach the checkout page, and how many actually complete their purchase.

This makes it much easier to spot what’s working and what needs improvement.

You can follow our guide on eCommerce tracking to set it up on your store in just a few minutes.

Tip 2: Choose Fast WooCommerce Hosting and Plugins

Before you start optimizing your checkout page, it’s super important to look at your website’s foundation. Your web hosting and plugins can have a huge impact on how fast your entire store loads, including the checkout page.

If your web hosting is slow, then your whole store—including the checkout—will load slowly. That’s why I recommend choosing a provider that offers WooCommerce-optimized hosting.

SiteGround and Hostinger are both great choices. They are designed to keep WooCommerce stores running smoothly with features such as server-level caching, optimized databases, and excellent uptime guarantees.

We actually use SiteGround for our own website, which you can read about in our study on why WPBeginner switched to SiteGround.

Keep in mind that the right hosting will depend on your store’s size, traffic, and budget. If you want to explore more choices, check out our guide to the best WooCommerce hosting providers.

You will also want to be careful about the kinds of plugins that you install. Many online stores are slowed down by bulky or poorly coded plugins, which can seriously hurt performance at checkout.

That’s why I recommend using lightweight, reliable plugins that solve specific problems without adding extra bloat.

For example, FunnelKit helps create a faster checkout, while OptinMonster can recover abandoning visitors without slowing your site down. These plugins are well-coded, regularly updated, and built for speed.

You can find more trusted options in our full list of the best WooCommerce plugins and extensions.

Tip 3: Reduce Payment Form Fields and Checkout Steps

Every extra field in your checkout form is one more chance for a customer to get frustrated and abandon their cart. Simplifying your checkout form can have a significant impact on your store’s conversions and speed up the checkout process.

At a minimum, try to keep only the fields that are absolutely necessary to complete an order. These usually include:

• Name
• Email address
• Shipping address (for physical products)
• Payment details

If you’re currently collecting information such as company name, phone number, or order notes, consider removing it unless you genuinely need it.

Reducing the number of screens also makes a big difference in how quickly the checkout can happen. One-page checkouts keep everything on one screen so that customers don’t have to click through multiple steps.

A great tool for setting this up is Merchant. It offers a fast, mobile-optimized one-page checkout template for WooCommerce that is designed to boost conversions.

Additionally, the plugin features a visual builder that allows you to fully customize your checkout page. You can adjust the layout, add your logo, and control exactly which form fields appear, so the checkout matches your brand.

Another great option is FunnelKit Builder. This free plugin enables you to design beautiful and streamlined checkout pages with trust seals, product guarantees, customer reviews, and more.

For instructions, see our tutorial on how to customize the WooCommerce checkout page.

I also highly recommend offering express checkout to your customers. This feature lets customers skip the long form and pay with one tap using Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal.

It’s one of the easiest ways to shorten the checkout process and increase conversions.

Just follow our step-by-step tutorial on how to add express checkout buttons in WooCommerce to set this up in a few minutes.

Tip 4: Offer Guest Checkout

Not everyone wants to create an account just to place a single order, and forcing them to do so can lead to cart abandonment.

When you enable guest checkout, you’re removing a major roadblock. Fewer steps mean a faster experience for new visitors who just want to complete their purchase quickly.

To enable guest checkout in WooCommerce, just go to the WooCommerce » Settings » Accounts & Privacy page in your WordPress dashboard and check the ‘Guest checkout’ box.

You can also leave the option below it checked if you want to let users create an account after purchase, but make sure it’s optional, not required.

Tip 5: Add a Slide-In Side Cart

Another small but powerful way to speed up the shopping experience is by using a slide-in side cart.

Instead of sending customers to a separate cart page, it allows visitors to view and update their carts without leaving the current page. This saves time and keeps the path to checkout short and smooth.

I recommend using the Merchant plugin for this because it comes with a built-in slide-in cart feature.

When someone adds a product, the cart slides in from the side, showing their order and giving them quick options to update quantities or remove items—without a full page reload. They can also click on the ‘Checkout’ button to navigate there right away.

This keeps shoppers focused and makes it easier for them to go straight to checkout with fewer clicks and less friction.

If you’re looking for a more customizable option, then the FunnelKit Cart plugin also offers a slide-in cart feature. You can tweak the cart to match your branding, add upselling, and set up triggers for when and where it appears.

For more details, you can follow our tutorial on how to add a sliding side cart in WooCommerce.

Tip 6: Enable One-Click Checkout

One-click checkout is exactly what it sounds like—a way for customers to complete their purchase with a single click. It’s helpful for returning customers and logged-in users who have already saved their payment information.

This works so well because it removes all the extra steps that slow people down.

The easiest way to enable one-click checkout in WooCommerce is by using FunnelKit Cart.

It’s a powerful solution for building a streamlined checkout experience, and it works great for both desktop and mobile users.

FunnelKit Cart also supports popular payment methods like Google Pay and Apple Pay, which are perfect for enabling one-click payments in your store.

To see exactly how to do that, follow our step-by-step tutorial on how to create a one-click checkout in WordPress.

Tip 7: Allow Customers to Save Credit Card Details

One way to make future purchases faster is to allow customers to save their credit card details. This means they won’t have to re-enter their payment information every time they make a purchase in your store.

It works well with popular payment gateways like Stripe or PayPal, which both offer the option to securely store customers’ credit card details for later use.

However, while saving credit card details is convenient, it’s important to do it securely. To ensure customer data stays safe, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• PCI Compliance: Make sure your payment processor is PCI-DSS compliant. This is a set of rules that help protect credit card information during transactions. Stripe and PayPal both meet these standards, so you don’t have to store card information on your site yourself.
• SSL Encryption: SSL is a security measure for encrypting sensitive data, including credit card details, during the transaction. You’ll want to make sure your site has an SSL certificate installed.

To allow your customers to save their payment information securely with Stripe, you can use the FunnelKit Stripe plugin.

It integrates Stripe with your WooCommerce store and offers the option for customers to securely save their payment details for faster checkout in the future.

Simply visit the WooCommerce » Settings » Payments » Stripe Gateway page and check the ‘Enable Payment via Saved Cards’ box.

Once you do that, click the ‘Save Changes’ button.

Now, when a customer chooses Stripe as their preferred payment method, their information will be securely stored in Stripe’s secure system, and the plugin will automatically handle PCI compliance.

Tip 8: Make Sure Your Checkout is Mobile-Friendly

Since so many people use their mobile devices or tablets for online shopping, you will also need to focus on providing a faster WooCommerce checkout on mobile.

The first step in creating a mobile-friendly checkout is to use a responsive WooCommerce theme. It will automatically adjust its layout based on the screen size, ensuring that customers can quickly and easily check out.

Themes like Botiga and Neve are designed to be mobile-optimized, making them great choices for your online store. For more options, you can see our list of the best WooCommerce themes.

I also recommend using large, easy-to-tap buttons and keeping your checkout layout clean and organized. This makes it much easier for customers to complete their purchases, especially on mobile devices.

If you’re using the FunnelKit Builder or Merchant to customize your checkout page, you’re already a step ahead.

These plugins are optimized for mobile by default, so your checkout form will look great and function smoothly on any screen size.

You should also be mindful of popups and other distractions that can interrupt the checkout process. These can be particularly frustrating on smaller devices.

If you’re using OptinMonster to create popups, then you’re in luck. It includes powerful display rules and conditional logic.

This means you can easily set your popups to not appear on mobile devices or during checkout, helping maintain a smooth and focused user experience.

For more tips, check out our complete guide on how to make a mobile-friendly WordPress site.

Tip 9: Test and Optimize Your WooCommerce Checkout

Once you’ve made a few changes to your WooCommerce checkout, it’s time to fine-tune everything and test whether the improvements are working.

I recommend running A/B tests to compare different versions of your checkout page, such as versions where you have changed the button text, rearranged form fields, or simplified the layout.

One easy way to do this is by using Nelio AB Testing, a beginner-friendly and free plugin that lets you create split tests right inside WordPress.

For step-by-step help, see our tutorial on how to do A/B split testing in WordPress.

To measure the results of your changes, it’s also important to track user behavior on your checkout page.

For this, I recommend using MonsterInsights, which is the same tool I mentioned in Tip 1.

It provides access to key eCommerce metrics, such as cart abandonment and conversion rates, directly from your WordPress dashboard. You can compare your data over time to see if your changes are having a real impact.

For details, you can follow my step-by-step tutorial on how to enable customer tracking in WooCommerce.

Remember, optimizing your checkout is an ongoing process. Continue testing and tracking, and you’ll see your store’s performance improve over time.

✨Bonus Tips: Quick Wins for a Lightning-Fast Checkout

Already followed the main tips in this article? Great job! Now let’s take things to the next level.

These quick wins can give your WooCommerce checkout page an extra speed boost, making things smoother for your customers and better for your bottom line.

• Use a Content Delivery Network: A CDN stores your site’s static content (like images and scripts) on servers around the world. This means your checkout page loads faster for international customers. I recommend beginner-friendly CDNs like Cloudflare (we use it on all our websites, too!)
• Install a Caching Plugin: Caching stores a version of your pages, allowing them to load instantly for returning visitors. Just be sure to exclude the cart and checkout pages from caching to avoid issues. Plugins like WP Rocket make it easy to do that.
• Clean Up Unused Plugins: Extra plugins can bloat your site and slow down the checkout process. Take a few minutes to deactivate and delete plugins you no longer use.
• Optimize Product Images: Large, uncompressed images can drag your checkout page down. Use image optimization tools like Adobe Photoshop or Optimole to compress images without losing quality.

Even small tweaks like these can make a noticeable difference in your store’s checkout speed, and that means more completed purchases and happier customers.

For even more performance tips, check out our guide on how to speed up your WordPress site.

Frequently Asked Questions About Speeding Up WooCommerce Checkout

At WPBeginner, we get a lot of questions from our readers on how to speed up their WooCommerce stores. Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.

How do I speed up my WooCommerce checkout page?

You can speed up your WooCommerce checkout by reducing unnecessary form fields, enabling guest checkout, and using a one-page layout. Express checkout options like Apple Pay or Google Pay also allow returning users to skip typing and complete purchases faster.

Hosting plays a big role too, so make sure you’re using a WooCommerce-optimized hosting provider and lightweight plugins that don’t slow down your site. Tools like Merchant and FunnelKit also offer built-in features like a slide-in side cart and fast-loading checkout templates.

Can I speed up WooCommerce checkout without requiring user accounts?

Yes! Enabling guest checkout is one of the easiest ways to reduce friction and speed up the process. Many users don’t want to create an account just to make a single purchase, and forcing them to do so can lead to cart abandonment.

You can enable guest checkout in your WooCommerce settings in just a couple of clicks.

How do I know if my WooCommerce checkout is too slow?

Start by testing your own checkout on both desktop and mobile, paying attention to the number of steps required and how quickly the page loads. You can also use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to test performance.

For deeper insights, we recommend using MonsterInsights to track cart abandonment and see exactly where customers are dropping off in the process. This data helps you spot issues that may not be obvious just by clicking through the site yourself.

I hope this article helped you learn how to create a faster checkout in WooCommerce. You may also want to see our tutorial on how to offer shipment tracking in WooCommerce and our guide on WooCommerce SEO made easy.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post How to Create Faster Checkout in WooCommerce (9 Expert Tips) first appeared on WPBeginner.

For many small business owners, translating a website feels like a luxury they simply can’t afford.

I know that feeling all too well. Here at WPBeginner, we’ve translated our site into multiple languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, and Japanese. And in the early days, we learned a tough lesson: traditional translation methods are incredibly time-consuming and expensive.

For a small business owner, that kind of investment often isn’t practical. But what if you could get all the benefits of a multilingual site without the high price tag?

That’s exactly what AI-powered tools offer. Instead of hiring a translator or digging into code, you can use artificial intelligence to quickly translate your entire WordPress site.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to translate your content step-by-step, even if you’ve never used artificial intelligence before.

Why Do You Need AI Translation for Your Website?

Translating your WordPress site into multiple languages can get complicated quickly.

Manual translation takes a lot of time, especially if you’re regularly updating your content. On the other hand, hiring professional translators can help with quality, but it’s often expensive and hard to manage.

That’s why many website owners use WordPress translation plugins. But not all of them deliver the same results.

Some tools have trouble matching your brand voice or handling industry-specific language. This can stop your content from connecting with your target audience.

This is where AI-powered translation stands out.

With the right settings, AI tools can follow your brand guidelines and use your custom glossary to produce more natural, consistent translations. They even learn from your edits, so translations improve over time.

Best of all, it’s fast. What used to take hours or days can now be done in just minutes, without sacrificing quality or consistency.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to use AI to translate your WordPress site. Here are the tools and methods I’ll cover:

Method 1: Using Weglot’s AI Language Model (For Your Entire Website)

Weglot is the best website translation tool, and their AI Language Model feature is a game-changer for translating your entire website.

Unlike basic translation tools that swap words from one language to another, Weglot’s AI actually learns your brand’s personality and creates translations that sound like you wrote them originally.

What’s great about this feature is that it actually learns from you. If you make any manual changes or add specific words to your glossary, then the AI will learn from them.

Over time, the more you use it, the better it gets at sounding just right for your business in every language. It continues to improve, so your translations become even more accurate and true to your brand.

For more insights into the tool, you can see our detailed Weglot review.

Step 1: Get a Weglot Account

You’ll need a Weglot account to start translating your content. The free plan includes 2,000 translated words, but the AI Language Model is available in the Pro plan or higher.

Keep in mind that all plans come with a 14-day free trial, so you can try out the features and see if they fit your needs.

Go ahead and choose a plan from the Weglot website by clicking ‘Start free’ beneath the one you want to use.

This will take you to the signup page.

You need to enter your email address, create a strong password, and click the ‘Sign up’ button.

Upon registration, Weglot will take you to the dashboard.

From here, you can go ahead and click the ‘Create project’ button.

On the next screen, you need to enter a name for your new project. This is for your reference only, but we recommend using a clear name for easier organization.

After that, you’ll choose the website technology in the dropdown field. In this case, you can click ‘WordPress.’

With that done, go ahead and click ‘Next.’

On the next screen, Weglot will show you its API Key.

Keep this tab open, as you’ll need it to connect your Weglot account and your WordPress website.

Step 2: Install and Activate the Weglot Plugin

Now, you can install the Weglot plugin on your WordPress site by going to Plugins » Add New and searching for ‘Weglot.’

Click the ‘Install Now’ button, then activate the plugin after the installation is complete.

Upon activation, you’ll see a new ‘Weglot’ menu item appear in your WordPress admin sidebar.

For more information, check our guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Step 3: Set Up Your Weglot Account and Basic Translation

After activating the plugin, click on ‘Weglot’ in your WordPress admin area.

This will open the ‘Main configuration’ panel, where you’ll connect your WordPress site to your Weglot account.

Simply copy the API key from your Weglot dashboard and paste it into the ‘API Key’ field.

Weglot will then verify your account.

Once verified, you’ll see a checkmark.

Next, you can then select your original language (the language your website is currently written in) and choose which languages you want to translate to.

With that done, don’t forget to click the ‘Save Changes’ button.

And after a few seconds, you’ll see a success message.

If you close the notification, you might notice that Weglot unlocks more customization options.

On the same page, you can customize your language switcher design, configure the widget style, and choose where the language switcher appears on your site.

At this point, Weglot has applied a first layer of standard machine translation across your entire site. This provides you with a complete, translated version to get started.

If you visit your website, you’ll see the language switcher.

In the next steps, I’ll show you how to use the AI Language Model to refine and improve these translations to match your brand voice.

Step 4: Build Glossary Rules for Your Translations

To start improving your translations, it’s a good idea to build your glossary rules first.

A glossary is like a rulebook for the AI. It lists words that should never be translated (like your brand name, product names, or industry terminology) or that must always be translated a certain way.

Without a glossary, AI tools might translate these terms incorrectly or inconsistently. This can confuse your readers, which can harm the user experience or even damage your brand identity.

To start, let’s navigate to the ‘Project’ page and click the one you just created from the Weglot dashboard. This will open the project’s configuration panel.

To build glossary rules, you can switch to the ‘Glossary’ tab.

Then, click the ‘Add glossary rule’ button

In the popup that appears, you will need to:

• Set up your rule, whether it’s to ‘Never translate’ or ‘Always translate.’
• Type in the word you want to set the rule for in the ‘Enter word’ field.
• Choose a target language or leave the ‘Language’ field empty to apply for all languages you have on your site.
• Make it case-sensitive (or not).

For example, my first rule is “Never translate ‘Example Website’ to Indonesian.”

Once you’ve set up the rule, you can click the ‘Save’ button.

Weglot will then redirect you to the ‘Glossary’ tab, where you’ll see all the rules you created in a table.

You can continue adding rules by clicking the ‘Add glossary rule’ button and repeating the same process.

Step 5: Configure Your Custom AI Language Model Settings

Now it’s time to set up Weglot’s AI Language Model.

In your project’s configuration panel, navigate to the Settings » Language Model.

From here, click on the ‘Configure’ button to start building a more personalized translation system.

The setup process walks you through several key areas that help the AI understand your brand.

You can start with your website description, where you’ll write 2-3 sentences explaining what your small business does and what makes it unique.

The most important thing is to be specific about your brand right from the beginning. Context makes a big difference, so be sure to provide as much background as possible.

For instance, you could let the AI know: “Our audience includes DIY enthusiasts.”

If you want to explain your tone, don’t just say it’s “friendly.” Instead, you can try to be more specific with phrases like “warm and encouraging” or “practical with a can-do attitude.”

For example, if your WordPress blog is for sharing DIY projects, you could say:

“This website is a go-to resource for DIY lovers who enjoy gardening, cooking, home improvement, and other hands-on projects. We share helpful how-tos, step-by-step guides, and creative ideas to inspire and support your next project. Our tone is warm, practical, and encouraging, like chatting with a knowledgeable friend who’s tried it themselves and wants to help you succeed.“

Next, you’ll define your tone of voice.

Weglot has 3 options for this – Informal, Neutral, and Formal. If you’re not sure what to pick, you can click on each one, and Weglot will show you an explanation:

• Informal: A friendly and conversational tone that creates a casual atmosphere.
• Neutral: A balanced and professional tone suitable for most business contexts.
• Formal: A professional and authoritative tone ideal for official communications.

After that, you’ll define your target audience by choosing from the 3 available groups: General, Technical, and Non-Technical.

Here’s what each group means:

• General: Targets a general audience. Use standard terminology to address the broadest possible audience.
• Technical: You are targeting users with technical knowledge and expertise. Use industry-specific terminology when needed.
• Non-technical: Targets readers who have limited technical knowledge of industry-specific terminology. Use plain and easily understandable language.

Don’t forget to click ‘Save Changes’ when you’re done.

Near the end of the page, you’ll see advanced settings for your language model. These let you fine-tune how Weglot handles translations on your site.

Here, you can choose to:

• Use the existing glossary rules – This tells Weglot to follow the glossary you’ve set up, so your preferred terms and brand-specific wording stay consistent across all translations.
• Use manual translation – If you’ve made manual edits to your translations, enabling this allows Weglot’s AI to learn from them and improve future suggestions. It helps the AI better match your tone and writing style over time.

Just toggle on the options you want to use and then click ‘Save’ to keep your changes.

Step 6: Apply AI Translations to Your Content

After configuring your AI Language Model, you can apply it to your existing translations.

Simply navigate to Translations » Languages and then click on the language pair you want to edit. This will take you to the translations list.

You’ll see that your content has already been translated using a standard engine. To improve it with your custom AI settings, you have full control over which translations get the AI treatment.

Simply hover over a section and click the ‘Improve with AI’ button.

The AI Language Model system will then process your content using all the brand guidelines and terminology you’ve set up.

Each translation that gets processed with your AI Language Model will show a ‘GenAI’ tag.

This makes it easy to track which content has been improved with your custom AI settings versus standard translations.

You can apply your AI Language Model to individual translations one by one.

Alternatively, you can select up to 25 translations at a time for bulk processing.

Step 7: Monitor and Refine Your AI Translations

After applying AI translations to your content, it’s important to review the results and make adjustments. The AI does excellent work, but it’s not perfect, especially when it first learns your brand voice.

Here are some tips:

• Check a few translated pages on your live website to see how the AI-generated content flows and sounds to real visitors.
• Pay attention to how well it maintains your brand personality and whether technical terms are handled correctly.

When you find translations that need tweaking, you can make those edits manually in the Weglot dashboard. Just go to the section and edit it right in the translation field.

Weglot will then update the status to ‘Manually edited translation.’

Here’s the smart part: The AI learns from your manual corrections and applies those lessons to future translations automatically.

This creates a feedback loop where your AI language model improves over time. The more you use it and refine it, the more accurately it captures your unique brand voice across all languages.

That’s it! You’ve successfully used Weglot’s AI Language Model to create high-quality, on-brand translations for your website.

Method 2: Using SeedProd’s AI Translation (For Page Content)

Weglot is designed for translating your entire website automatically. On the other hand, SeedProd, which is the best drag-and-drop page builder, is perfect for translating content across your WordPress pages.

This method is perfect if you don’t need to translate your whole site but want to quickly create a specific landing page for a campaign in another language.

For example, you could launch a sales page in Spanish for a special promotion without changing anything else on your English website.

For more information about the plugin, check out our detailed SeedProd review.

Step 1: Install and Set Up SeedProd

First, you’ll need to sign up for an account on the SeedProd website.

Just click on the ‘Get SeedProd Now’ button and follow the registration process.

Once you have signed up for an account, you will be taken to your SeedProd dashboard, where you need to download the zip file for the plugin.

Then, it’s time to install it on your WordPress website.

Go to Plugins » Add New Plugin then click on the ‘Upload Plugin’ button.

This will open the file uploader.

Click on the ‘Choose File’ and upload the SeedProd zip file from your computer.

Once uploaded, you can click the ‘Install Now’ button and then ‘Activate’ when it appears.

For more information, see our guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

You will then be redirected to a page where you need to enter your SeedProd license key. You can find this in your SeedProd account.

Step 2: Create a Page with SeedProd

Next, you can navigate to SeedProd » Landing Pages in your WordPress admin area to create a new page.

Simply click ‘Add New Landing Page’.

After that, you’ll need to choose a template.

SeedProd has lots of template options, which are organized into different campaign categories, including coming soon, thank you, and 404 pages. You can click on the tabs at the top of the screen to filter templates based on campaign type.

Since we are creating a landing page, you may want to take a look at the Sales, Webinar, or Lead Squeeze tabs.

SeedProd lets you preview each template. Simply hover your mouse over it and then click on the magnifying glass.

Once you have found the perfect template, click the checkmark button.

This will open a popup where you can name your landing page.

When the page builder opens, you’ll see your content layout on the right side and the building tools on the left.

This is also where you’ll find the AI translation features for individual page elements.

You can now start building and customizing your landing page by dragging and dropping blocks from the panel on the left onto the page on the right.

For details, see our guide on how to create landing pages in WordPress.

Step 3: Translate Page Elements with AI

The AI translation option appears when you select text blocks, like headlines, paragraphs, or button text. You won’t see translation options for images or structural blocks, since those don’t contain translatable text content.

To translate any text block, simply click on it to select it within the page builder. You’ll see the block’s settings panel open on the left side of your screen.

From here, let’s click ‘Edit with AI.’

On the popup that appears, go ahead and expand the ‘Translate text to’ dropdown. SeedProd will then present you with more than 50 language choices.

Select the target language you want to translate your content into from the dropdown menu.

Once you pick your target language, SeedProd’s AI will quickly translate your text in just a few seconds.

You’ll see a preview of the translation, allowing you to check the tone and meaning. If it looks good, just click ‘Insert’ to replace the original text.

What if it doesn’t sound quite right? You can tweak it or generate a new version.

Just repeat this for each text block you want to translate.

Step 4: Review and Publish Translated Content

Before publishing your translated page, I recommend using SeedProd’s preview feature to see how everything looks together.

Click the ‘Preview’ button to view your page as visitors will see it, checking that all translated elements work well together.

Pay special attention to button text, headlines, and calls-to-action to make sure they’re compelling in the target language. Sometimes, direct translations don’t have the same impact as the original, so you might need to adjust phrasing for maximum effectiveness.

Once you’re satisfied with all the translations, you can make the page live by clicking on the ‘Save’ button and then ‘Publish.’

FAQs About Using AI to Translate Your Website

Still have a few questions about AI translations? Below, I’ve answered some of the most common ones to help you make a more informed decision.

How accurate is AI translation compared to human translation?

AI translation has come a long way from the clunky Google Translate days, but it’s not quite at human-level accuracy yet. In my experience, modern AI tools like Weglot‘s AI Language Model get most of the translations right on the first try.

The biggest difference is context understanding. Human translators excel at picking up subtle meanings and cultural references that AI might miss. However, AI wins on consistency because it won’t translate the same term differently across your site like human translators sometimes do.

For most business websites, AI translation provides excellent results that you can fine-tune as needed. The key is treating it as a smart starting point.

Can AI understand regional language differences?

Current AI translation tools handle regional differences better than you might expect, but they’re not perfect.

For example, let’s say you tested translations for Spanish markets. In this case, you may notice that the AI can distinguish between Mexican Spanish and Argentinian Spanish when you specify the target region.

The challenge comes with cultural context and local business practices. AI might translate your content accurately, but it might miss that certain phrases sound too formal or casual for specific regions.

Are there limitations to the current AI capabilities?

Yes, AI translation still has some blind spots. Humor, wordplay, and highly creative content often fail to translate well because they rely on cultural knowledge that AI hasn’t yet fully mastered.

Technical jargon can be tricky, too. While AI handles common business terms well, specialized industry language sometimes gets lost in translation. That’s why building a comprehensive glossary is so important.

I also noticed that AI can struggle with context that spans multiple sentences. It may translate each sentence accurately on its own, but miss how they work together to convey the full meaning.

What are some common challenges in AI translation, and how can they be overcome?

The biggest challenge I see is users expecting AI to work perfectly right out of the box. You need to invest time in training the system with your brand voice and terminology.

Another common issue is inconsistent quality across different content types. Blog posts might translate beautifully, while product descriptions sound awkward. The solution is to create specific guidelines for each type of content you’re translating.

Credit management can also be challenging for beginners. Start small, test thoroughly, and scale up gradually. It’s better to translate 10 important pages perfectly than to translate 100 pages poorly all at once.

More AI Guides to Help Streamline Your WordPress Tasks

I hope this guide helped you learn how to use AI to translate your website. If you found this helpful, you may also want to check out our other guides for growing your business with AI:

• How to Make a WordPress Website With AI
• A Small Business Owner’s Guide to Artificial Intelligence
• Is AI Content Bad for WordPress SEO? (Expert Insights & Tips)
• How to Write Content Using an AI Content Generator in WordPress
• How to Use AI for Customer Service (Tips for Small Businesses)
• Tips for Using AI to Skyrocket Your Lead Generation Campaign
• How to Use AI to Boost Your Marketing (Expert Tips)
• Best AI Prompts for Bloggers, Marketers, and Social Media
• Best Ways to Use OpenAI on Your WordPress Website
• Best AI Website Builders for WordPress (Expert Picks)
• Surprising AI Statistics – Everything You Need to Know

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post How to Use AI to Translate Your Website (2 Easy Methods) first appeared on WPBeginner.

Have you ever clicked on an image on a website expecting it to zoom in, only to realize it doesn’t? It’s a small thing, but it can be surprisingly frustrating for your visitors.

When people can click to enlarge an image—whether it’s a product photo, a blog image, or part of a portfolio—they tend to stay on your website longer and engage more.

I’ve set up this feature on several WordPress sites, and it’s always a quick win.

In this guide, I’ll show you three simple ways to allow users to click to enlarge images on your WordPress website. You don’t need any coding skills, and each method only takes a few minutes to set up.

Why Enlarge Images Upon Click in WordPress?

Letting visitors click to enlarge images on your WordPress website helps them see important details up close.

It’s a simple upgrade that adds a polished, professional feel, especially for portfolios, real estate listings, and photography galleries.

Plus, it can be handy for online stores where customers want to look closely at your products before deciding to buy them.

WordPress includes a basic “Enlarge on click” feature by default. It opens the image right on the page, without any background dimming or visual effect.

This works fine for simple blogs or internal pages, but it looks a bit plain and doesn’t offer much control.

If you want something that looks more modern and polished, then an image lightbox plugin is a better choice.

Instead of simply expanding the image, it opens in a sleek overlay that dims the background and keeps the viewer focused. You also get more control over how the image looks and functions.

Before I show you these different methods, there’s one more thing to keep in mind: image quality. When someone clicks to enlarge a photo, they expect a clear, high-resolution version. But large image files can slow down your site.

That’s where image optimization comes in. By compressing your images without lowering their visible quality, you can keep file sizes small and your site fast.

This means you can use images with large dimensions (like 1500px wide) that look great when enlarged, without hurting performance.

For help with that, check out our guide on how to optimize images for the web.

In this article, I’ll share 3 different methods that can enlarge your WordPress images when they’re clicked, including some lightbox options.

You can use the quick links below to jump to the method you want to use:

Method 1: Using the Default WordPress Feature (Simple)

After testing different ways to enlarge images, I’ve found that WordPress’s built-in feature is perfect for simple needs.

I’ve used this method when creating documentation or writing technical articles. It’s especially useful when you need readers to see small details in screenshots or examine specific parts of an image more closely.

The main downside is that it isn’t a true lightbox. It simply enlarges the image, and you can’t customize the look or add cool effects.

Step 1: Add Your Image in the WordPress Editor

First, you need to create or open the post where you want to add the clickable image.

Then, in the block editor, click the (+) icon to add a new block and choose ‘Image’ from the block options. Once you do, you’ll see buttons for adding an image in 3 different ways: Upload, Media Library, or Insert from URL.

At WPBeginner, we always use the ‘Media Library’ option. This makes sure that the title and alt text we add to the image are available if we reuse it in other articles.

I suggest avoiding ‘Insert from URL’. It hotlinks to an image on another website, which means the picture could break on your site if the original is ever removed.

Step 2: Set Up the ‘Enlarge on Click’ Option

After adding your image to the post or page, you can click on it to reveal the image settings.

With the image selected, click the ‘Insert link’ icon in the block toolbar. In the settings that appear, simply toggle on the option labeled ‘Enlarge on click’.

Step 3: Configure Image Settings

Now that you’ve enabled the click-to-enlarge feature, you may want to customize the original image’s settings to ensure the best display quality within your post or page.

Select your image and then check the block settings panel on the right side of your screen.

You can control how the image looks on the page by adjusting the image’s dimensions. However, this is just the display size.

When a visitor clicks the image, they will see the original, full-resolution image you uploaded to your Media Library. So, make sure you upload a high-quality image at least 1500 pixels wide.

Step 4: Preview Your Image and Publish Your Content

Before you publish your post or page with the ‘enlarge on click’ image option enabled, you’ll want to preview it to make sure it’s working.

To do this, click on the View button in the upper right-hand corner of your editor and select ‘Preview in new tab.’

I recommend you test it in every view option, especially ‘Mobile’, since many people use smartphones these days.

With the ‘enlarge on click’ image effect applied, it should expand on the same page, as seen in the example below. How much it expands depends on the size of the original image you uploaded.

Simply click on the image to return it to normal size.

Once everything looks good, you’re ready to publish or update your content.

Method 2: Using a Lightbox Plugin (More Customization)

Unlike the basic WordPress feature, a lightbox plugin creates a much more professional experience. When a user clicks an image, it opens in a stylish overlay that dims the rest of the page, making your image pop.

I recommend the free Simple Lightbox plugin because it lets you add smooth animations, customizable themes, and slideshow features that make your images stand out. It’s lightweight and works automatically with all your images once activated.

Step 1: Install and Activate the Simple Lightbox Plugin

To get started, you need to install and activate the Simple Lightbox plugin.

If you need help with this process, please read our guide on installing WordPress plugins.

Step 2: Configure Simple Lightbox Settings

After activating the plugin, it’s a good idea to head to Appearance » Lightbox and review its settings to ensure everything is set up the way you want.

Here, you’ll find Lightbox settings that let you adjust where you want to enable lightbox functionality. This can be on the home page, single posts, pages, and more.

I usually stick with the default settings since they work great for most websites.

Next, scroll down to the ‘UI’ settings. These control how the lightbox looks and feels.

By default, the plugin will use a light theme, but you can switch to dark mode if you prefer. You can also adjust the ‘Overlay Opacity,’ which controls how much the background page is dimmed when an image is open, and enable animations to change how the image opens.

Feel free to play with these settings, and don’t forget to click ‘Save Changes’ when you’re done.

Step 3: Add Your Image and Enable Lightbox

Now, let’s test out the lightbox feature. Simply create or open a post and add an image.

Once your image is in the editor, you need to add a caption. The Simple Lightbox plugin will show this text in the lightbox view.

Simply click the image and make sure the ‘Add Caption’ icon is activated in the toolbar. This allows you to type in the ‘Add caption’ text field below your image.

If you don’t add a caption, the plugin will automatically use the image title from the Media Library instead. However, I find that using the caption field gives you more direct control.

Next, with the image still selected, you need to click the ‘Link’ icon in the toolbar and select the ‘Link to Image File’ option. This is a key step that allows the Simple Lightbox plugin to work.

Once you do this, the plugin will automatically detect the link and apply its lightbox effect when a visitor clicks on the image.

Step 4: Test Your Lightbox

Now, let’s test the lightbox feature by previewing the post. Just click the View option in the upper right-hand corner and then select ‘Preview in new tab’.

Once the new tab opens, go ahead and click on the image. You should see it open smoothly in a lightbox overlay with a darkened background.

Depending on your design settings, you will see the lightbox in a light or dark theme. Here’s what the light theme looks like.

The light theme surrounds the photo with a white frame, which creates a good contrast with the darkened background.

Now here’s what the dark theme looks like.

You should also see your image caption in the bottom left corner of the lightbox.

I also recommend previewing your lightbox on other screen sizes to make sure it looks good on every device.

You can do this by returning to the View option and selecting the ‘Desktop’, ‘Tablet’, or ‘Mobile’ option. After that, click ‘Preview in new tab.’

Method 3: Using a Gallery Plugin (Best for Multiple Images)

If you’ve ever wanted to spotlight multiple images, then gallery plugins are hands down the best solution. They help organize and showcase a series of images with image enlargement functionality without slowing down your site.

These plugins can improve user interaction by making your content more engaging and visually appealing, giving visitors a seamless experience navigating through your images.

I recommend Envira Gallery because it allows you to create beautiful, customizable galleries that look great on any device. It’s also super beginner-friendly.

Plus, it includes performance features like lazy loading to make sure your galleries don’t slow down your site. And its AI tool can help you create custom images right inside WordPress.

Most importantly, the plugin offers a lightbox setting with lots of customization options. This way, you can get all the benefits of the click-to-enlarge image feature, plus some cool settings for layouts, gallery transitions, and much more.

Want to learn more about what the plugin can do? We’ve tested it extensively in the past, and you can check out our full Envira Gallery review for more information.

Now, let’s go through the steps of using Envira Gallery to add a lightbox feature.

Step 1: Install and Activate the Envira Gallery Plugin

Let’s start by installing the plugin on your site. In this tutorial, I’ll use the free version, or you can purchase a Pro license from the Envira Gallery website.

Next, install and activate it by following our guide on how to install a WordPress plugin. Once you’ve activated the plugin, Envira’s setup wizard should instantly launch.

From here, click the ‘Get Started’ button to begin the process.

There are 5 steps in this wizard.

During setup, you can choose the category that describes your business or website (like photographer or business owner) and select the gallery features you wish to add.

I recommend continuing with the suggested default settings because they usually offer everything you need. However, if you have a Pro plan, you’ll be able to activate more advanced features.

Keep in mind that the ‘Lightboxes’ option should already be checked, so this feature will automatically be enabled.

Once you’ve finished the setup wizard, you’ll still need to activate your pro license if you purchased one. To do this, go to Envira Gallery » Settings and paste your license key in the field. Then, hit ‘Verify Key.’

Step 2: Create a New Gallery

To create your first gallery, go to Envira Gallery » Add New in your dashboard.

First, add a title at the top of the page. I recommend giving it a clear and descriptive name so that it’s easier to keep track of later.

Next, you’ll notice 3 options for adding images: Native Envira Gallery, Galleries from Other Sources, and Create with Envira AI.

I recommend starting with Native Envira Gallery. It’s the most straightforward way to upload your own images directly.

Go ahead and select the images you want to include. You can add as many as you like while keeping the maximum upload file size below 256 MB.

Step 3: Configure Gallery and Lightbox Options

In the menu to the left of your gallery images, you’ll find Envira’s Gallery settings.

There are tabs for general configuration, the lightbox feature, mobile settings, and more. Let’s go through them one at a time.

You can choose your gallery layout at the top of the ‘Configuration’ section. The grid layout works great for most galleries, but feel free to experiment with other options.

Scrolling down, you can find more gallery settings options.

For example, you can enable lazy loading, set an automatic layout, and add a gallery description.

For example, you might want to set automatic layouts to ensure your gallery looks neat and organized without extra effort.

Next, switch to the ‘Lightbox’ tab. Remember, this feature should be enabled by default, but if it isn’t, check the box next to ‘Enable Lightbox?’

Then, you’ll want to select a ‘Gallery Lightbox Theme.’ This will determine the general appearance of your lightbox.

Your options will depend on your Envira plan and whether you have the Gallery Themes addon. But you should be able to select from a dark, light, or legacy theme.

Further down in the ‘Lightbox’ tab, you can choose how your enlarged images appear, select transition effects, and decide whether to show image titles.

Then, you can find more lightbox settings on the second half of the page.

For example, you can enable navigation arrows, infinite looping of images, or supersize mode. You can even add cool effects for when people open or close your gallery, and when they click through it.

For instance, for ‘Lightbox Transition Effect,’ you can pick fun options like Fade, Slide, Circular, Tube, Rotate, and more.

Next, I recommend going to the ‘Mobile’ tab to configure both the general and lightbox settings.

More people will probably view your gallery on phones than computers, so let’s make sure it looks great on small screens too.

In addition to activating the lightbox feature for mobile devices, you can customize mobile-specific settings such as lightbox dimensions, row heights, and title or caption displays.

As you scroll down, you’ll discover more options, including features like swipe-up to close, gallery navigation arrows, thumbnails, and more.

Finally, the ‘Standalone’ and ‘Misc’ tabs have a few extra settings you may find useful.

The ‘Standalone’ tab lets you give your gallery its own unique URL. This is a great feature if you want to share a direct link to a specific portfolio or photo album.

The ‘Misc’ tab includes tools for importing and exporting galleries, but you probably won’t need those right now.

For a deeper dive into all these settings, you can check out our detailed guide on how to create an image gallery.

Step 4: Preview and Publish Your Gallery

To preview the gallery, click the ‘Preview’ button on the right side of your gallery settings page.

Once you’re on the preview page, click through different images to test the lightbox effect.

Here, you can see the image’s name and the rest of the gallery.

When you test the gallery, the images should open smoothly. If you chose a transition effect, it should be visible here.

For example, I set the Slide transition effect, and here’s how it looks.

To navigate between images, click on the navigation arrows on either side of the screen or use the arrow keys on your keyboard.

At this point, you may want to make sure the navigation arrows work and that your image titles appear correctly if you enabled them.

Once you’re happy with how everything works, you can publish the gallery by clicking the ‘Publish’ button on the right side of your gallery settings.

After publishing the gallery, you can move on to adding it to your website.

Step 5: Add the Gallery to Your Website

Now that your gallery is working perfectly, let’s add it to a post.

Once you are in the WordPress editor, click the (+) icon to add a new block and search for ‘Envira Gallery.’ Then drag the block onto your post.

Next, when you click the ‘Search for a gallery’ drop-down, select the gallery you just created. It will be automatically inserted into the post with all the settings you just configured.

Alternatively, you can add your gallery to pages, widgets, or custom post types by using a shortcode.

You can find this shortcode on the right sidebar of the gallery settings, just under the ‘Publish’ button.

For more information, see our guide on how to add a shortcode in WordPress.

Before clicking the ‘Publish’ button, make sure you preview your post one final time to make sure the gallery appears exactly as you want it.

Your images should now be displayed in a professional grid layout with a smooth lightbox effect when clicked.

FAQs About Enlarging Images in WordPress

Here are some frequently asked questions about enlarging images in WordPress.

How do I enlarge images in WordPress?

You can use the default ‘Enlarge on click’ feature in WordPress for basic functionality. For more control, you can use plugins like Simple Lightbox or Envira Gallery.

How do I automatically resize images in WordPress? 

WordPress automatically creates several smaller versions of your images when you upload them. To have more control over image dimensions or to optimize them for speed, I recommend using an image optimization plugin like EWWW Image Optimizer.

Plugins like Envira Gallery also give you precise control over the display dimensions of images within your galleries.

How do I force image size in WordPress?

You can set custom image dimensions within your theme. For a detailed guide, check out our tutorial on how to create additional image sizes in WordPress. This is a great way to ensure a consistent layout across your galleries and site.

If you prefer using a plugin, consider options like Envira Gallery. It allows you to specify exact image dimensions efficiently, providing control over how your galleries look. This can help maintain a polished appearance across your site.

Bonus Resources: Manage & Improve Your WordPress Images

I hope this article helped you add the ‘enlarge images upon click’ feature in WordPress. Here are some bonus guides if you’re interested in managing and improving your WordPress images:

• How to Optimize Images for Web Performance Without Losing Quality
• How to Add Multiple Galleries in WordPress Posts and Pages
• Best WordPress Image Compression Plugins Compared
• How to Add a Hero Image in WordPress (Works for All Themes)
• How to Create Additional Image Sizes in WordPress
• How to Fix Common Image Issues in WordPress (Ultimate Guide)

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post How to Enlarge Images Upon Click in WordPress (3 Easy Methods) first appeared on WPBeginner.

A friend reached out to me recently after discovering something alarming in their WordPress posts. They were using Yoast SEO Premium with the Classic Editor, and they found Yoast had been automatically inserting odd-looking CSS classes like ai-optimize-6, ai-optimize-9, directly into their content.

The problem is that these classes remain permanently embedded in the posts even after disabling Yoast AI Optimize or completely deleting the plugin. This goes against expected plugin behavior… that is, when you uninstall it, it should leave no trace in your content.

While these AI markers might not visually affect your site, they clutter up your source code. It could also potentially signal to AI content detectors, plagiarism checkers, and even search engines that your content was AI-generated or optimized.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to remove these hidden classes using a quick code snippet. I’ll also explain how to apply it safely and share the SEO plugin I recommend using as an alternative to Yoast.

Here are the things I will cover in this tutorial:

Why These ai-optimize Classes Are Bad for SEO

The ai-optimize-{number} CSS classes are added when you use Yoast SEO Premium’s AI features with the Classic Editor. They don’t appear on the front end, but they’re embedded in your content’s HTML, which can cause problems.

You can view them by visiting any post or page on your site and using the Inspect tool in your browser.

Here’s why I recommend removing them:

• They clutter your HTML: These unnecessary classes make your code harder to read and parse.
• They serve no purpose: They don’t affect how your content looks or functions. They’re just leftovers from the AI tool.
• They can trigger AI detection tools: Some plagiarism checkers and AI content detectors pick up these patterns and may flag your post, even if you wrote it yourself.
• They leave AI footprints across your site: If multiple sites use the same classes, Google might start associating that pattern with low-quality or mass-produced AI content.
• They increase the risk of formatting conflicts: Unknown classes could interfere with your theme or plugins down the road.

There’s no upside to keeping these hidden markers, and several good reasons to clean them out.

The good news is that there is a quick fix, and I’ll show you how to do it safely in the next section.

Step 1: Make a Backup Before Making Changes

Before we move forward, I always recommend creating a full backup of your WordPress site. It only takes a few minutes and gives you peace of mind in case anything goes wrong.

I use Duplicator when I need a quick and reliable backup solution. It’s the best WordPress backup plugin on the market, it is beginner-friendly, and it works great whether you’re backing up or migrating your site.

• ✅ On-demand and automatic WordPress backups
• ✅ Safely stored in remote locations like Dropbox or Google Drive
• ✅ Easy 1-click restore if something breaks

For details, see our guide on how to back up your WordPress website.

Once your backup is ready, you’re safe to move on to the next step, where I will show you how to fix the problem.

Step 2: Add the Code Snippet to Remove ai-optimize Classes

Now that your backup is ready, it’s time to clean up those ai-optimize-{number} and ai-optimize-introduction classes.

I’ve put together a safe and flexible code snippet that works with both the Classic Editor and the Block Editor (Gutenberg), as well as bulk edits.

You don’t need to touch your theme files or mess with FTP. Instead, I recommend using the WPCode plugin to add this snippet. It’s what I use to manage code snippets on WordPress sites without risking anything important. (See my full WPCode review for more details.)

Tip: WPCode has a limited free version that you can use for this tutorial. However, I recommend upgrading to a paid plan to unlock its full potential.

If this is your first time adding custom code to your site, then you can take a look at our guide on how to add custom code snippets in WordPress without breaking your site.

First, you need to install and activate the WPCode plugin. See our tutorial on installing a WordPress plugin if you need help.

Once the plugin has been activated, go to the Code Snippets » + Add Snippet page and click on ‘+ Add Custom Snippet’ button under the ‘Add Your Custom Code (New Snippet)’ box.

Next, you need to provide a title for your code snippet. This could be anything that helps you identify this code easily.

After that, choose PHP Snippet from the ‘Code Type’ drop-down menu.

Now, you need to copy and paste the following code into the Code Preview box.

Here’s the full code snippet:

// For Classic Editor and programmatic updates
function strip_ai_optimize_classes($data, $postarr) {
    if (empty($data['post_content']) || $data['post_type'] !== 'post') {
        return $data;
    }
    $data['post_content'] = strip_ai_optimize_from_content($data['post_content']);
    return $data;
}
add_filter('wp_insert_post_data', 'strip_ai_optimize_classes', 10, 2);

// For Gutenberg/Block Editor
function strip_ai_optimize_classes_rest_insert($prepared_post, $request) {
    if (isset($prepared_post->post_content) && $prepared_post->post_type === 'post') {
        $prepared_post->post_content = strip_ai_optimize_from_content($prepared_post->post_content);
    }
    return $prepared_post;
}
add_filter('rest_pre_insert_post', 'strip_ai_optimize_classes_rest_insert', 10, 2);

// For bulk edit operations - this is the key addition
function strip_ai_optimize_classes_bulk_edit($post_id) {
    $post = get_post($post_id);
    if (!$post || empty($post->post_content) || $post->post_type !== 'post') {
        return;
    }
    $cleaned_content = strip_ai_optimize_from_content($post->post_content);
    if ($cleaned_content !== $post->post_content) {
        remove_action('post_updated', 'strip_ai_optimize_classes_bulk_edit');
        wp_update_post(array(
            'ID' => $post_id,
            'post_content' => $cleaned_content
        ));
        add_action('post_updated', 'strip_ai_optimize_classes_bulk_edit');
    }
}
add_action('post_updated', 'strip_ai_optimize_classes_bulk_edit');

// Catch bulk operations via the bulk_edit_posts action
function strip_ai_optimize_classes_bulk_action($post_ids) {
    if (!is_array($post_ids)) {
        return;
    }
    foreach ($post_ids as $post_id) {
        strip_ai_optimize_classes_bulk_edit($post_id);
    }
}
add_action('bulk_edit_posts', 'strip_ai_optimize_classes_bulk_action');

// Shared function to strip ai-optimize classes
function strip_ai_optimize_from_content($content) {
    if (empty($content) || !is_string($content)) {
        return $content;
    }
    return preg_replace_callback(
        '/class\s*=\s*["\']([^"\']*)["\']/',
        function($matches) {
            $classes = $matches[1];
            $classes = preg_replace('/\bai-optimize-\d+\b\s*/', '', $classes);
            $classes = preg_replace('/\s+/', ' ', trim($classes));
            if (empty($classes)) {
                return '';
            }
            return 'class="' . $classes . '"';
        },
        $content
    );
}

After adding the code, scroll down to the ‘Insertion’ section.

Then, select ‘Run Everywhere’ next to the ‘Location’ option.

Finally, go to the top of the page and switch the status toggle in the top-right to Active, and then click on the ‘Save Snippet’ button to store your changes.

Once you’ve added this snippet to your site using WPCode, it will automatically strip these AI-generated classes from any post you create or update in the future.

If you want to remove the ai-classes from existing content, you’ll have to bulk edit your existing content.

Step 3: Bulk Update All Posts to Clean Up Existing AI Classes

Now that the code snippet is in place, it will automatically clean up any AI markers when you edit or publish a post. But to remove these classes from your older posts, you’ll need to bulk update them.

Don’t worry—this won’t change your content. It simply triggers the filter we just added so the hidden AI classes can be stripped out safely.

First, you need to go to the Posts » All Posts page in your WordPress dashboard and click ‘Screen Options’ at the top right.

From here, set the number of posts per page to 999 (This is the maximum number of posts you can show on this screen) and click ‘Apply’ to load all your posts.

Next, select all posts on the page by clicking the top checkbox. After that, select ‘Edit’ by clicking on the Bulk Actions dropdown, then click ‘Apply’.

WordPress will now show you bulk editing options. Without changing anything else, simply click on the ‘Update’ button.

WordPress will now start updating all your posts. By doing this, it will also trigger the code you saved earlier and remove the AI classes.

Tip 💡: If you have more than 999 posts, just go to the next page and repeat this process until all posts have been updated.

This will clean the ai-optimize-{number} and ai-optimize-introduction classes from all your existing posts—no manual editing needed.

Bonus Tip: Switching to an Alternative SEO Plugin (Better and More Powerful)

Yoast SEO has been around for a long time, but lately, its innovations have slowed down.

At WPBeginner, we made the decision to switch to All in One SEO across all our sites a few years ago. It was a big move, and we documented every reason in this case study: Why We Switched from Yoast to All in One SEO.

I now use All in One SEO on every personal project and all client websites. It’s my go-to SEO plugin because it offers:

• ✅ Comprehensive features for the AI search era (schema markup, advanced sitemaps, AI integrations, and more)
• ✅ Easy setup with smart defaults and checklists
• ✅ Better support for local SEO, WooCommerce, Google News, and more.

If you’re still on the fence, we’ve made a detailed side-by-side breakdown here: Yoast SEO vs All in One SEO – Which Is the Better Plugin?

Important ⚠️: If you have upgraded to the latest version of Yoast SEO Premium (version 25.3.1 or later) or switched to All in One SEO, then you can now simply disable the code snippet in WPCode.

Just go to the Code Snippets page in the WordPress admin area, and switch the toggle next to the snippet to disable it.

Bonus SEO Resources

Whether you’re switching away from Yoast SEO or just want to tighten up your WordPress SEO strategy, here are some helpful resources to guide you.

These tutorials and comparisons can save you time, avoid costly mistakes, and help you get better results from your SEO efforts:

• Best Yoast SEO Alternatives For WordPress
• The Ultimate WordPress SEO Migration Checklist (For Beginners) – Helps you switch away from Yoast to All in One SEO
• How to Set Up All in One SEO for WordPress Correctly (Ultimate Guide)
• Complete WordPress SEO Guide for Beginners (Step by Step)
• How to Use AI for SEO in WordPress (12 Tools)
• Is AI Content Bad for WordPress SEO? (Expert Insights & Tips)

I hope this guide helped you fix the ai-optimize class issue in Yoast SEO and set your site up for better long-term results. You’ve got this—and if you ever need a hand, we’re here to help.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post Fix Yoast SEO’s ai-optimize Bug Before It Ruins Your Site’s SEO first appeared on WPBeginner.

A friend recently asked me, “Should I use WordPress or Django for my new website?” It’s a great question, and a common one. Choosing the right content management system (CMS) can shape your entire online experience.

While WordPress has always been my go-to for building websites, I’ve spent time exploring Django CMS as well. I’ve helped others decide between the two, and I’ve even tested Django on a few personal projects just to see how it stacks up.

In this post, I’ll share what I’ve learned from both platforms—their surprising strengths, their limitations, and why WordPress still comes out on top for creating websites.

Whether you’re launching a blog, a business site, or something more complex, this side-by-side comparison will help you figure out which CMS fits your needs best.

WordPress vs. Django CMS: A Brief Overview

Both WordPress and Django CMS are powerful content management systems (CMS), but they are designed for different kinds of tasks.

I’ve created a quick comparison table below to help you understand the main differences. It explains the key features of WordPress and Django CMS side-by-side:

In the sections that follow, I’ll dive deeper into each of these points and help you decide whether WordPress or Django CMS is the right choice for your project.

How I Compared WordPress vs. Django CMS

I wanted to make sure this comparison was as thorough and fair as possible, so I didn’t just rely on spec sheets and marketing brochures. So, I dug deep, using my own experience and research.

Here’s how I approached it:

• Real-World Projects: I’ve built countless websites with WordPress, from simple blogs to complex eCommerce stores. I’ve seen firsthand what it can do (and what it can’t). I also set up a test environment for Django CMS so I could try everything out myself.
• Hands-on Testing: I didn’t just read about the features, I actually used them. I performed common tasks like creating pages, adding images, and installing plugins. This gave me a real feel for how each platform works in practice.
• Feature Comparison: I compared the core features of each platform, including ease of use, customization options, security, scalability, and content management capabilities.
• Finding the Right Fit: I considered different project types and identified the ideal use cases for each platform. For example, a small business website has different needs than a large enterprise platform.
• Resources and Effort: I factored in the learning curve, development time, and ongoing maintenance required for each platform. This helps you understand the true cost of ownership.
• Growing with Your Project: A content management system should be able to grow with your business. I looked at how easy it is to get started with each platform and how well they handle increasing complexity as your website grows.

Since I’m going to go into a lot of detail in my comparison of WordPress vs. Django CMS, you may want to use this table of contents to quickly navigate the article:

Overview: WordPress vs. Django CMS

Choosing a content management system (CMS) is like laying the foundation for your website.

WordPress and Django CMS are both powerful tools, but they’re designed for different kinds of projects. Picking the right one from the start can save you headaches (and potentially a lot of money) down the road.

I remember when I first started building websites, I tried everything from hand-coding HTML to using clunky website builders. Then I discovered WordPress, and I immediately knew that it was what I was looking for.

Suddenly, I could build beautiful, functional websites without needing a computer science degree. I’ve used it for everything from simple blogs to complex eCommerce sites.

So, what is WordPress, anyway? It’s the most popular website builder and CMS on the planet, powering over 43% of the web. It’s free, open-source, and incredibly versatile. Plus, there’s a massive community of users and developers ready to help you out.

Getting started is a breeze, especially with one-click installs offered by hosts like Bluehost and Hostinger (I’ve used both, and they make it super easy).

As my projects got more complex, I started hearing about Django CMS. It’s a favorite among developers who want more flexibility and control. I even tried using it for a personal project, and it was a completely different experience.

Think of it as building a house from scratch. With Django, you have complete control over every detail, but it requires a lot more technical know-how.

Django CMS is built with Django, a powerful framework that uses the Python programming language.

It is a set of tools and libraries that provide a foundation for building web applications. It’s also free and open-source, but it’s definitely geared towards developers.

You’ll need to be comfortable with coding and server administration to get the most out of it. It’s ideal for large, complex projects that demand a high level of customization and scalability.

Now that you have a basic understanding of both platforms, let’s dive deeper into the key differences between WordPress and Django CMS.

Ease of Use: Which CMS is Easier to Learn?

Ease of use is a big concern for many website builders. You’re probably looking for a platform that’s simple to navigate without prior technical expertise.

Let’s see how WordPress and Django CMS compare in terms of user-friendliness.

WordPress: Easy to Use Most of the Time

WordPress is known for its user-friendly nature. Setting up a basic blog in WordPress can be done in a matter of hours.

The block editor is intuitive, like building with digital Lego bricks. You can easily drag and drop different content blocks to create pages without coding.

And getting started is super easy. Most web hosts, like Bluehost (my personal favorite), offer one-click WordPress installs.

That means you can literally have a website up and running in minutes. WPBeginner readers get a special discount, so you can get started for just $1.99 per month.

After WordPress is installed, you’ll be able to access the admin dashboard. From here, you can customize your site’s design, add new pages, and manage your content. It’s very straightforward.

For details, see our guide on how to create a WordPress website.

Django CMS: For Developers and Code-Savvy Users

Django is built for developers who love the flexibility and control of coding. But if you’re a beginner or prefer a no-code approach, it will feel overwhelming.

You’ll need to know how to code in Python and be familiar with web development concepts to use Django CMS effectively. I’ve talked to friends who tried to use Django CMS without coding experience, and it often leads to frustration.

Even simple tasks, like changing your website’s theme or adding a contact form, often require coding or working with Django’s templating system.

Django CMS’s content editor is relatively straightforward, similar to WordPress’s older classic editor.

It lets you work with formatted text, but not create complex layouts like the newer WordPress block editor.

But most customization happens behind the scenes in code. This can be a steep learning curve for non-developers.

Here’s a quick overview of what makes Django CMS less user-friendly for non-developers:

• Installation and setup require technical knowledge of server administration and command-line tools, such as SSH and virtual environments.
• Theme customization involves editing HTML, CSS, and Django templates, which requires familiarity with Django’s templating language.
• Plugin management often requires installing and configuring Python packages.
• While the content editor is simple, managing content structures and advanced features often requires coding.

All that said, if you have a strong technical background, all of this may sound ideal.

🏅 Winner for Ease of Use – WordPress

For non-programmers, WordPress is the clear winner. It’s intuitive, user-friendly, and packed with features that make building a website a breeze.

Django CMS, while powerful, is best left to the developers. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to get online, WordPress is your best bet.

Customization Options: Making Your Website Your Own

Customization options are essential for creating a unique and functional website. So, how do WordPress and Django CMS compare in terms of customization?

WordPress: Customization Made Easy

WordPress is famous for its flexibility. I’ve built countless websites using the CMS, and I’m always amazed by how much you can change without writing a single line of code. The secret is the large selection of themes and plugins.

Themes transform your website’s appearance with just a few clicks. Thousands of free and premium themes mean you’re bound to find something that perfectly matches your style.

Looking for recommendations? Here are some of my favorite themes.

If you want more customization options, most themes offer built-in options to change colors, fonts, and layouts effortlessly.

For advanced options, the theme customizer or adding custom CSS opens up a world of possibilities.

Then there are plugins, which are like apps for your website. They add all sorts of functionality, from contact forms and online stores to SEO tools and security enhancements.

With over 59,000 free plugins in the WordPress plugin directory and countless premium plugins, the possibilities are nearly endless. Just see my pick of the best WordPress plugins for all websites to get an idea of what they can do.

Django CMS: Customization for Coders

Django CMS takes a different approach to customization. Instead of using visual interfaces and drag-and-drop builders, you customize your website using code.

If you’re a Python developer, this may sound perfect. You can build virtually anything you can imagine to your exact specifications. While it requires more development time upfront, the level of customization you gain can only be achieved using code.

Features like custom product displays, complex filtering options, and unique checkout processes are all possible thanks to Django’s code-centric approach.

Here’s a glimpse into Django CMS’s customization options:

• Pre-built themes can be used as starting points for custom development. But most Django CMS projects involve building a custom theme from scratch.
• Django apps extend functionality like WordPress plugins. However, installing and configuring them requires some coding knowledge, and the selection is not as extensive as the WordPress Plugin Directory.
• Django’s templating system provides control over your website’s HTML structure and content presentation.
• Django CMS integrates with other systems through APIs, allowing you to connect your website with CRM software, marketing automation tools, and more.

If you’re not a developer, you’ll need to hire one to customize your Django CMS website. While this adds to the cost, it also gives you more control over customization.

🏅 Winner for Customization Options – WordPress

If you want easy, no-code customization, WordPress is the clear winner. Its huge library of themes and plugins makes it simple to create a unique website without touching any code.

Django CMS offers ultimate flexibility for developers, but it comes at the cost of increased complexity.

Content Management: Keeping Your Content Organized

Effective content management is essential for websites with frequent updates. You need a CMS that makes it easy to create, organize, and manage all that content.

So, how do WordPress and Django CMS compare in this department?

WordPress: Content Management Powerhouse

WordPress began its journey as a blogging tool, and content management remains one of its greatest strengths. From personal blogs to extensive content hubs, WordPress excels thanks to its flexibility and user-friendliness.

Writing and editing content in WordPress is a breeze. The block editor is incredibly straightforward, allowing you to add text, images, and videos with simple drag-and-drop actions.

You can group your posts together in different ways using categories and tags. You can think of categories as the main sections of my website, and tags as a detailed index.

WordPress also has a built-in media library that makes managing images and videos super easy. You can upload, organize, and insert media into your content with just a few clicks.

And if you’re working with a team, WordPress’s user role management is extremely helpful. You can assign different roles (administrator, editor, author, and more) with specific permissions.

This makes sure that everyone has the access they need without risking accidental deletions or unwanted changes.

Need even more content management features? No problem! WordPress has thousands of plugins that can add everything from custom content types to advanced SEO tools.

Django CMS: Content Management for Developers

Django CMS offers a basic interface for creating and editing content. But it lacks the intuitive user-friendliness of WordPress. I’ve found that even simple tasks, such as creating pages or managing menus, can sometimes require technical knowledge.

And while Django CMS does offer user roles and permissions, configuring them is often more complex than in WordPress. Customizing roles or creating new ones typically involves coding or working with Django’s admin interface, which can be a hurdle for non-developers.

For instance, imagine you need to create custom user roles with specific permissions. In WordPress, this would be straightforward. Meanwhile, in Django CMS, it requires writing custom code.

Here’s a closer look at Django CMS’s content management features:

• You can create and organize pages within a hierarchical structure. However, customizing page templates and adding advanced features often requires coding.
• Adding a navigation menu is easy, but complex menu structures or dynamic menus might require custom development.
• Managing user access and capabilities is possible, but customization often involves code.
• You can track content changes and revert to previous versions of your content.
• Django CMS offers multilingual capabilities, but configuring multiple languages can be complex.

While Django CMS offers powerful content management tools, its developer-centric approach can be challenging for non-technical users.

🏅 Winner for Content Management – WordPress

For most users, especially those without a technical background, WordPress is the clear winner for content management. It offers a user-friendly interface, powerful features, and a huge ecosystem of plugins for content creation, organization, and management.

Django CMS is more flexible for developers, but it comes at the cost of increased complexity.

eCommerce: Selling Online

Selling online requires a comprehensive eCommerce platform. Let’s compare WordPress and Django’s online store capabilities.

WordPress: Great for Selling Online

WordPress doesn’t have eCommerce features out of the box. But you can quickly set up an online store with the help of plugins like WooCommerce. I’ve used WooCommerce a lot for my own projects, and I found it to be very powerful and easy to use.

After installing WooCommerce, it guides you through the setup. Then, you can add products, set up payment methods (like Stripe or PayPal), and decide how to ship things right from the familiar WordPress dashboard.

You can easily customize WooCommerce using plugins and themes designed specifically for online stores. There are plugins available for detailed shipping costs, managing subscriptions, and even adjusting prices according to specific rules.

If you need a simpler way to sell online, especially for digital items or services, I would also suggest looking at Easy Digital Downloads (EDD).

For more information, just see our guide on how to start an online store.

Django: Building a Custom Online Store

Django also doesn’t have eCommerce features built in. However, its power and flexibility let you build the exact online store you want, piece by piece.

This approach gives you total control over everything in your store. You control how data is stored, how the site operates behind the scenes, what users see, and how it integrates with other services. It’s great for making unique online stores with custom features.

While you can build an eCommerce site completely from scratch using Django, there are several tools and frameworks that can help you build faster:

• Oscar Commerce is a set of open-source tools for making eCommerce sites with Django. It provides a foundation for features such as product lists, shopping carts, checkout pages, and order management.
• Saleor started as a Django program but has grown into a powerful, headless eCommerce platform. It can build modern online stores with separate front ends and backends.

There are also simpler tools and libraries if you only need certain eCommerce features.

Building a custom store with Django requires coding knowledge. It’s a good fit for businesses with complex needs, but it’s not a suitable choice for beginners.

🏅 Winner for eCommerce – WordPress

In most cases, WordPress wins in the eCommerce category.

That’s because you can easily turn WordPress into an eCommerce platform by installing an eCommerce plugin like WooCommerce or Easy Digital Downloads. You can quickly get started selling online at an affordable price, and the large WordPress community means it’s easy to find help and information.

Django may be better for building custom online stores where you need full control over every small detail and have a large budget. For example, your developers could build a system with complex billing rules and smart ways to suggest products for specific customers.

That said, you can still get advanced eCommerce functionality with WordPress as long as you have the right tools. For instance, you can add wholesale features using Wholesale Suite or create custom eCommerce automations with Uncanny Automator.

Performance: Speed Matters

Website performance is crucial for user experience, search engine rankings, and your bottom line. So, let’s see how WordPress and Django CMS compare.

WordPress: Performance Requires Optimization

WordPress is incredibly popular, and out of the box, it’s generally fast enough for most small websites. But as your site grows, with more content, plugins, and fancy features, things can start to slow down.

I’ve seen this happen with friends’ websites. One of the biggest causes of this is poorly coded themes and plugins. That’s why it’s important to select the perfect WordPress theme and the right WordPress plugin.

And speaking of tools, a caching plugin is essential for any WordPress site. Caching works by taking a ‘snapshot’ of your web pages and storing them temporarily, instead of generating them from scratch every time a visitor arrives.

This significantly reduces server load and speeds up your site. I personally recommend WP Rocket for its user-friendly interface and powerful optimization features.

We used it for a long time here at WPBeginner and had a great experience with it. You can see our full WP Rocket review for more information.

Overall, WordPress can be incredibly fast with proper optimization. We’ve even put together a comprehensive guide to help you boost your WordPress site’s speed and performance.

Django CMS: Built for Speed

Django CMS is built on the high-performance Django framework, which is designed for speed and efficiency from the ground up.

Because features and customizations are built with code, there’s less reliance on plugins or extensions that could add bloat and slow down a website.

Django’s efficient architecture and the streamlined, custom-coded nature of the site can result in better performance, lower page load times, and the ability to handle higher traffic volumes.

But it’s important to remember that even with Django CMS, poorly written code can negatively impact performance. If you’re not an experienced Django developer, you should hire one to make sure your site is optimized for speed and efficiency.

Beyond just being fast, Django is also incredibly scalable. This means a Django CMS site can easily grow with your business, handling a large increase in traffic, content, and features without a significant drop in performance.

🏅 Winner for Performance – Django CMS

Out of the box, Django CMS generally outperforms WordPress in terms of speed and efficiency (as long as you’re using efficient coding practices). However, with proper optimization, WordPress can also achieve excellent performance.

If you’re willing to put in the effort (or hire someone who is), then WordPress can handle even high-traffic events. But if speed is your top priority and you have the technical expertise, Django CMS might be a better choice.

Security: Keeping Your Website Safe

Security breaches can devastate a website. They can result in lost data, frustrated users, and a damaged reputation.

So, let’s talk about how WordPress and Django CMS compare when it comes to keeping your site safe.

WordPress Security: Staying Ahead of the Threats

With the right precautions, WordPress can be incredibly secure. I’ve used it for years on countless sites, and I’ve learned a few tricks along the way.

First of all, it’s best to keep everything updated. The WordPress core software is regularly patched for security vulnerabilities, so those updates are your first line of defense.

I always recommend setting up automatic updates whenever possible because it’s one less thing to worry about.

Next, you’ll want to be picky about your themes and plugins. Just like I wouldn’t install software from a suspicious website on my computer, I’m careful about what I add to my WordPress sites.

It’s best to stick to reputable sources like the official WordPress directory and well-known developers. And remember, you’ll need to keep those plugins and themes updated, too. Updates often fix security vulnerabilities that could be used to hack your website.

On top of following these best practices, I also recommend using a security plugin. This tool will typically offer malware scanning, firewall protection, and more.

For more on keeping your WordPress website safe, see our ultimate WordPress security guide.

Django CMS Security: A Solid Foundation

Django CMS uses the Django framework’s strong security foundation right out of the box. This is a major advantage for developers who want to prioritize security from the ground up.

For instance, when users submit content on a Django site, the system automatically cleans it up. This prevents a common type of attack called XSS (Cross-Site Scripting), where malicious code tries to sneak onto your site through user input.

Also, for every form you fill out on a Django site, there’s a unique, invisible security token attached to it. This makes it much tougher for attackers to hijack your session or trick you into doing something unintended.

That said, Django requires a lot of the same security best practices as WordPress (or any other CMS), such as regular updates, strong passwords, and two-factor authentication.

Secure coding practices and proper configuration are also important, especially when dealing with sensitive data.

If you’re not a developer, you’ll need to hire a Django expert to make sure your site is configured securely, and you may need them to run regular security audits.

🏅 Winner for Security – Django CMS

Django CMS is more secure out of the box, thanks to the framework’s built-in protections. However, with proper precautions, like regular updates, careful plugin selection, and a solid security plugin, WordPress can also be very secure.

Ultimately, the security of any website depends on your diligence and the steps you take to protect it, regardless of the platform you choose.

Community and Support

A supportive community and readily available resources are essential when building a website. Let’s see how WordPress and Django CMS compare for community and support.

WordPress: A Global Community at Your Fingertips

WordPress is the most popular website builder and has a huge, global community of users, developers, and designers.

Whether you’re stuck on a coding problem, need help choosing a plugin, or just want some general advice, there’s always someone willing to help. And there are plenty of helpful WordPress resources, including Get Started documents, courses, workshops, and lessons.

You’ll find answers to almost any question you can imagine. You can learn more on the official Learn WordPress and Make WordPress pages.

And here at WPBeginner, we offer many different tutorials like this one, a newsletter, free video tutorials, the WPBeginner Engage Facebook Group, a YouTube channel, and more.

Learn how to make the most out of WPBeginner’s free resources in this guide.

Django CMS: A Smaller, More Focused Community

Django CMS has a smaller, more niche community compared to WordPress. This smaller community means you’re interacting with a highly skilled and dedicated group of individuals who are willing to share their expertise.

However, the smaller community does mean fewer readily available resources. You’ll find less documentation, fewer online tutorials, and a smaller selection of pre-built themes and plugins.

This can make it more challenging to find solutions to common problems. You might have to rely more on your own problem-solving skills or reach out directly to the community for assistance.

The Django CMS community is active on platforms like Stack Overflow and specialized forums. While it might take a bit more effort to find answers, the quality of support is often very high. You’re more likely to get in-depth technical assistance from experienced developers.

Here are some key differences in community support:

• While Django CMS has official documentation, it’s often more technical and assumes a higher level of coding knowledge compared to WordPress’s user-friendly documentation.
• The Django CMS community is active on various platforms, but the overall size and activity level are significantly lower than WordPress’s massive online presence.
• A smaller selection of readily available themes and plugins means you’ll likely need to invest more time in custom development or searching for suitable third-party solutions.

If you’re comfortable with independent learning and problem-solving, the smaller Django CMS community might not be a major drawback. However, it doesn’t compare to WordPress’s large and active community, which offers readily available resources.

🏅 Winner for Community and Support – WordPress

For most users, WordPress offers better support due to its large, active community and readily available resources.

However, developers will appreciate Django’s smaller, more focused community, although it requires more independent problem-solving.

Cost: Which CMS Is More Affordable?

WordPress and Django differ significantly in their overall cost. I’ll give you some real-world examples so you can get a better idea of what to expect.

WordPress: Budgeting for Your Site

WordPress itself is free, but you’ll need web hosting and a domain name (around $10-20 per year). Web hosting is where your website is stored, and a domain name is your site’s address.

Hosting costs can range from a few dollars a month for basic shared hosting (perfect for beginners) to hundreds or even thousands for high-performance managed hosting (ideal for larger sites with lots of traffic).

Let me give you a few examples of what to expect:

• 💵 Basic Blog: $50-150 per year (hosting, domain, a simple theme)
• 💸 Small Business Website: $100-500 per year (hosting, domain, a slightly more advanced theme, a few premium plugins)
• 💰 eCommerce Store: $ 500-2,000+ per year (hosting, domain, a premium WooCommerce theme, several specialized plugins, potentially some custom development)

I’ve used both shared and managed hosting, and the best choice really depends on your specific needs.

For example, when WPBeginner was launched, we first used shared hosting to keep costs low. As the site grew, we switched to managed hosting for better performance and security.

While there are many excellent free themes and plugins available, premium options can significantly enhance your site’s functionality and design.

I often recommend premium plugins for features like advanced SEO or eCommerce functionality. These can be one-time purchases or ongoing subscriptions. Either way, you’ll need to factor those into your budget.

Finally, if you need custom development work, you might need to hire a developer or designer. This can add to the overall cost, but it’s often worth the investment for a truly unique and functional website.

For more details, see our guide on how much it really costs to build a WordPress website.

Django CMS: Factoring in Development Costs

Like WordPress, Django CMS is free. But because it’s more developer-focused, the overall cost is usually higher.

You’ll still need hosting and a domain name, but you’ll likely need more powerful (and more expensive) hosting options like VPS or cloud hosting to handle Django’s requirements.

I’ve found that this can be a significant difference in ongoing expenses compared to basic WordPress hosting. Expect to pay $50-200+ per month for suitable hosting.

The most significant cost difference, however, typically comes from development. Django CMS almost always requires a developer for setup, customization, theme creation, and maintenance.

 I’ve seen projects range from a few thousand dollars for a basic setup to tens of thousands for complex, custom-built applications. While you’ll save on premium themes and plugins (Django customization is done through code), developer fees are a substantial part of your budget.

For example, a simple Django CMS website could cost $3,000-$8,000 in initial development costs, while a complex web application could easily exceed $20,000.

🏅 Winner for Affordability: WordPress (Usually)

WordPress is more affordable for most users, especially those starting with a smaller budget. I’ve helped a lot of different people launch websites on a tight budget using WordPress. The lower hosting costs and free themes and plugins make it a great choice for getting started.

However, for some complex custom projects, Django might be a better long-term investment, despite the higher upfront development costs.

The Verdict: Choosing the Right CMS for Your Needs

For most users, especially those who prefer not to work with code, WordPress is the clear winner. Launching websites with WordPress is easy, even for people with limited technical skills. It’s quick to set up, easy to use, and incredibly versatile thanks to the massive library of themes and plugins.

If you want a user-friendly way to create and manage content, WordPress is hard to beat. It’s like having a trusty toolbox filled with all the tools you need to build just about anything.

However, if you’re tackling a complex project that demands serious customization, high scalability, and robust security right out of the box, then Django CMS might be a better choice.

To help you make the right decision, here’s a table summarizing the typical users and primary use cases each platform is designed for:

I always recommend carefully considering your priorities, technical skills, and budget before making a decision.

FAQs About WordPress vs. Django CMS

Now that you have read our comparison of WordPress vs. Django CMS, you may still have some questions. Here are some brief answers to frequently asked questions.

Is WordPress or Django easier for beginners?

WordPress is much easier to use for beginners and users without coding experience. It has a user-friendly interface, one-click installation, and a large library of themes and plugins. This makes it quick to set up and manage content.

Is Django CMS good?

Yes, Django CMS is considered a good content management system. It’s a strong choice for complex projects where a standard, off-the-shelf content management system (CMS) might be too limiting. However, most users will find WordPress a better choice for their blog or website.

Which is better for content, WordPress or Django CMS?

I prefer WordPress for content-focused websites. Its core design and editor are built for usability, and extending content types is simple using themes and plugins.

Django CMS provides an editing interface, but setup and customization require coding expertise.

Do I need coding skills to use WordPress or Django?

You can build functional websites with WordPress without coding skills, thanks to its user-friendly dashboard and extensive plugin ecosystem. However, you can choose to hire a developer if you need extensive customization.

Django, on the other hand, fundamentally requires coding skills for development, setup, and customization.

Is WordPress or Django more customizable?

WordPress provides extensive customization for non-developers through themes for appearance changes and plugins for adding features. Django offers customization at the code level due to its nature as a framework.

Which platform is more secure, WordPress or Django?

Django CMS is often considered to have a stronger built-in security foundation. However, if you keep its core, themes, and plugins up to date, then WordPress can also be very secure, especially when you use a reputable security plugin.

Is WordPress faster than Django?

Django CMS is designed for speed and has a performance advantage, particularly for complex and high-traffic websites. However, if you spend time optimizing WordPress, its performance can also be excellent.

Which is more affordable, WordPress or Django?

WordPress can be a more affordable option for getting started, especially for basic websites. There are many free themes and plugins, and basic hosting can be inexpensive. However, costs for premium themes, plugins, and development help can add up.

Django projects typically require developer involvement from the start, which can lead to higher upfront costs. But for complex projects, this can be a worthwhile investment for long-term scalability and maintainability.

Are there a lot of resources for Django?

WordPress has a much larger community and more resources, including documentation, tutorials, and available developers.

Django CMS has a smaller but active and developer-focused community. There are resources, but nowhere near as many as for WordPress.

When should I choose WordPress vs. Django CMS?

I recommend choosing WordPress if you need a user-friendly CMS for blogs, small business websites, or content-focused sites where ease of use is important.

You may want to opt for Django CMS if you are building complex websites, web applications with content management needs, or projects requiring high levels of customization, scalability, and security.

Bonus Resources: Website Building & Content Management

I hope this tutorial helped you compare WordPress vs. Django and their pros and cons.

You may also want to see some other helpful resources we have at WPBeginner:

• Best and Most Popular CMS Platforms (Compared)
• How to Choose the Best Website Builder
• How to Make a WordPress Website (Ultimate Guide)
• How to Start a WordPress Blog (Beginner’s Guide)
• How to Start an Online Store (Step by Step for Beginners)
• Popular Sites Using WordPress as a CMS
• How to Choose the Best WordPress Hosting (Compared)
• How to Install a WordPress Plugin – Step by Step for Beginners

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post WordPress vs. Django CMS: Which Is Better for Your Website? first appeared on WPBeginner.

When I first started building websites, I thought about using Drupal. It’s a strong platform, but it was too complicated and hard to learn, especially for beginners.

That’s why I chose WordPress instead. It’s powerful, easy to use, and now, it’s what I use for all my websites.

Over the years, I’ve helped many business owners and developers switch from Drupal to WordPress. I know it can feel overwhelming to move your whole website without losing content or breaking anything.

That’s why I created this simple guide to help you migrate from Drupal to WordPress safely and easily. It walks you through each step, using methods I’ve tested and improved with others who have made the same switch.

Whether your website is small or large, I’m here to help you make the change as smoothly as possible. Let’s get started together!

Why Migrate From Drupal to WordPress?

Drupal and WordPress may look similar. But in practice, these website builders are very different.

I’ve found that Drupal, while incredibly capable, can sometimes feel complex and overpowered.

Simple content updates start taking longer than they should. Finding the right developer to make tweaks isn’t always easy or cheap. And honestly, the backend can feel overwhelming sometimes.

In my experience, WordPress is much more user-friendly, which is why I always recommend it to people looking to make a website.

Think of it as your favorite everyday tool that’s easy to pick up and intuitive to use. It makes many tasks very easy to do, like writing and publishing a new blog post, adding an image to a page, or installing a simple contact form.

Drupal, on the other hand, is more like a highly specialized toolkit. It is precise and powerful, but it can feel like overkill for your daily needs. It can be difficult to do something that’s simple in WordPress, like setting up a custom page layout.

See my comparison of Drupal vs. WordPress for more details.

Step 1. Back Up Your Drupal Website and Link Structure

Before you start migrating your Drupal site, you need to create a safe copy of everything.

It’s also a great idea to back up the link structure of your website. You’ll use this information later to make sure you don’t lose your search engine rankings.

Backing Up Your Drupal Website Using a Module

You can back up your Drupal website easily using a module, or more advanced users can do it manually (see below).

The Backup and Migrate module makes backing up a Drupal website pretty straightforward.

Just visit Administration » Extend and you will find the module in the ‘Other’ section. Simply click the checkbox next to the module and then click the ‘Install’ button at the bottom of the page.

Once the module is installed, you’ll find it in your Drupal admin menu. It allows you to create backups of your database, files, or both. For a full site backup, you’ll want to back up everything.

Backing Up Your Drupal Website Manually

Alternatively, if you’re comfortable with the technical side of things, then you can also back up your Drupal site manually.

First, you’ll need to back up your website files using your hosting provider’s file manager or FTP software.

When the file manager opens, click on the public_html folder in the left menu and then select your website’s folder in the left pane. You need to right-click on that folder and create the ‘Compress’ option from the menu.

When asked for a compression type, you should select the ‘Zip Archive’ option. After your website has been compressed, you can close the confirmation message.

Next, you need to find the compressed zip file in the public_html folder. Right-click the file and select the ‘Download’ option. Make sure you store this backup file in a secure location.

Next, you’ll need to back up your database using phpMyAdmin. You will find this useful tool in the account dashboard of most reputable hosting providers.

For example, on Bluehost, you will find it by clicking on the Hosting tab and then scrolling down the page.

Clicking the phpMyAdmin button will launch the application in a new browser tab.

From here, click to select your Drupal database from the left column and then click on the ‘Export’ button at the top.

When you are asked to select the export method, you should select ‘Custom’. It will show you all of the database tables in your Drupal website.

To create a full backup, make sure all of the tables are selected.

You now need to scroll down to the ‘Output’ section and select the ‘Save output to a file’ option.

For compression, select the ‘zipped’ option.

Finally, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the ‘Go’ button.

The compressed database file will be saved to your computer, and you can store it safely, along with the file backup you created earlier.

Backing Up Your Link Structure

Next, you need to back up your link structure. This is important for SEO and making sure that people can find your content online.

You need to make a list of all your current Drupal URLs so that you can set up redirects later in WordPress. This way, if someone clicks an old link to your Drupal website, then they’ll be automatically sent to the right page on your new WordPress site.

I like to use a Chrome extension called Link Klipper. It’s free, easy to use, and can quickly save all the links from a website. You can easily install it in your browser using the link above.

Next, you need to visit your Drupal website’s homepage in your Chrome browser. Once there, just click the Link Klipper icon in your browser toolbar and choose the option that says ‘Extract All Links’.

Link Klipper will do its thing and grab all the links from your homepage and the pages it can find linked from there. It will download these links as a comma-separated values (CSV) file.

When you open that CSV file in Excel or Google Sheets, you’ll see a complete list of your Drupal URLs. Make sure you save this file somewhere safe because you’ll need it later.

Step 2. Installing and Setting Up WordPress

The requirements for both Drupal and self-hosted WordPress are quite similar. You’ll need a domain name and a WordPress hosting account to start with WordPress.

If you already have a domain name and website hosting account for your Drupal website, then you can use them for your WordPress website as well.

Alternatively, if you want to move to a different hosting provider, then I recommend using Bluehost, which is one of the top hosting companies recommended by WordPress. They offer WordPress hosting and a free domain name for just $1.99 a month.

For this guide, I’ll use screenshots from Bluehost to give you a visual example of the process.

You need to navigate to the Bluehost website and click the green ‘Get Started Now’ button.

You’ll then land on their pricing page, which shows you different hosting plans. Their ‘Basic’ plan is perfect for most websites.

Pick a plan that suits you by clicking the ‘Select’ button under it.

Next, you’ll be asked about the domain name you want to use. This is your website’s address, like www.yourwebsite.com.

You need to select ‘I’ll create my domain name later.’ This gives you time to migrate everything before pointing your domain to WordPress.

After the domain step, you’ll need to fill in your account details (name, address, and so on) and your payment information to complete the purchase.

Bluehost will then send you a confirmation email with your login details. Keep this email safe! You’ll need those details to log in to your hosting account dashboard.

When you log in to your Bluehost account for the first time, they install WordPress automatically for you.

Now, just look for the ‘Edit Site’ button in your hosting dashboard and click it. That will take you straight to your WordPress admin area, where you can manage your new website.

And that’s it. You’ve now successfully installed WordPress.

Step 3. Importing Your Drupal Content

To make the migration process as smooth as possible, I’ll show you how to use a free WordPress plugin called FG Drupal to WordPress. It automates a lot of the heavy lifting involved in moving content between these two platforms.

First, you need to install and activate the plugin. For more details, see my step-by-step guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

You’ll then find the importer tool under Tools » Import in your WordPress dashboard menu. You’ll see a list of different import options. Look for ‘Drupal’ in the list and click the ‘Run Importer’ link.

This will launch the FG Drupal to WordPress importer. Now, you’ll need to give the importer some information about your Drupal website so it can connect and grab your content.

The first thing it will ask for is your Drupal website URL.

Next, it needs your Drupal database details to get all your posts, pages, and other content. You’ll need to provide:

• ⛁ Database Host: This is usually localhost if your Drupal and WordPress sites are on the same server. If not, you’ll need to get this from your Drupal hosting provider.
• ⛁ Database Name: The name of your Drupal database.
• ⛁ Database User: The username used to access your Drupal database.
• ⛁ Database Password: The password for that database user.
• ⛁ Table prefix: Drupal uses table prefixes to keep things organized in the database. You’ll need to enter your Drupal table prefix here. It’s often something like drupal_.

You may have written this information down when you first set up your Drupal website. Otherwise, advanced users can use FTP to find the details in your Drupal settings.php file. Or simply contact your Drupal hosting provider and ask for assistance.

Once you’ve entered all the database details, click the ‘Test database connection’ button in the importer. If everything is correct, then you should see a ‘Connection successful’ message.

Below the connection settings, you’ll see some additional options in the importer. These let you control what gets imported, like featured images, content images, and other things.

Just leave the default settings as they are for your first import.

When you’re ready, you can start the import by clicking the big ‘Start / Resume the Import’ button. The importer will start fetching your content from your Drupal website and bringing it into WordPress. It will also import your images, blog comments, and more.

The time it takes depends on the amount of content you have. Once the import is finished, you should see a success message.

The FG Drupal to WordPress plugin can also help you fix internal links.

Sometimes, after a migration, links within your content might still be pointing to your old Drupal site structure. The plugin can try to update these to point to your new WordPress site.

Scroll down to the bottom of the importer page and click the ‘Modify internal links’ button.

Step 4. Pointing Your Domain Name to Your New WordPress Website

Now that your content is imported into WordPress, you need to make sure people will find your new site when they type in your domain name.

If you already have a domain name for your Drupal website (like yourwebsite.com), then you want to keep using that same domain for WordPress. You need to adjust your nameservers to point to your new WordPress site.

Your new WordPress hosting provider, like Bluehost, Hostinger, or SiteGround, will give you the nameserver information you need.

It usually looks like a pair of addresses, something like:

ns1.your-wordpress-hosting.com
ns2.your-wordpress-hosting.com

You change these settings with your domain name registrar, the company where you originally registered your domain name.

Sometimes, your domain registrar might be the same company as your hosting provider. But often, they’re separate. Common domain registrars include companies like Network Solutions and Namecheap.

You need to log in to your account at your domain registrar’s website. Once you’re logged in, find the settings for your domain name. Look for something like ‘DNS Settings’, ‘Nameservers’, ‘Domain Management’, or ‘Manage DNS’.

For example, here is the screen you will see on Bluehost.

You’ll find step-by-step instructions for many popular domain registrars in my guide on how to easily change domain nameservers.

Once you’ve updated your nameservers, it takes a little while for these changes to spread across the internet. This is called DNS propagation.

DNS propagation can take anywhere from a few hours to, in some cases, up to 24-48 hours. During this time, some people might still see your old Drupal website, while others might start seeing your new WordPress site.

Step 5. Setting Up Permalinks and Redirects

Your old Drupal site had its own way of structuring URLs. WordPress does things a bit differently with permalinks.

Because the URLs for each post will be different, anyone who has a link to your old Drupal content will end up seeing a frustrating ‘404 Page Not Found’ error on your new WordPress site.

To prevent broken links, you have to set up SEO-friendly permalinks in WordPress and redirect your visitors from your old Drupal URLs to the right pages on your new WordPress site.

Setting Up WordPress Permalinks

WordPress gives you a few different options for how your website addresses (URLs) are structured. These are called permalinks.

The ‘Post name’ setting is a popular choice. It creates nice, clean URLs that usually include the title of your page or blog post. This structure can be helpful for both visitors and search engines because it makes the URL easy to read and gives a clear idea of what the page is about.

In your WordPress dashboard, go to Settings » Permalinks. You’ll see a section called ‘Common Settings’. Find the option labeled ‘Post name’ and click the radio button next to it to select it.

Then, just scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the ‘Save Changes’ button. Done!

Setting Up Redirects from Your Old Drupal URLs

Now you need to set up redirects to make sure your old Drupal links still work. To do this, you will need that list of old Drupal URLs you grabbed using Link Klipper in Step 1.

To set up redirects easily in WordPress, you need to install and activate a plugin called Redirection. It’s free and it makes managing redirects a breeze. If you need help, see my guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Once activated, you’ll find the Redirection plugin settings under Tools » Redirection in your WordPress menu.

In the Redirection plugin interface, you’ll see fields for Source URL and Target URL:

• Source URL is where you enter your old Drupal website URL – the one you want to redirect from. Just include the part after the domain name, like /my-old-page.
• Target URL is where you enter the new WordPress URL for the same page. Again, just include the part after the domain name, like /my-new-page.

Make sure the ‘301 – Moved Permanently’ option is selected for the ‘Match’ type (it’s usually the default). This tells search engines that the page has permanently moved to a new location, which is important for SEO.

Finally, click the ‘Add Redirect’ button to save the redirect.

Now, you’ll need to go through your list of old Drupal URLs and repeat these steps for each URL you want to redirect. It can be a bit repetitive if you have a lot of pages, but it’s worth the effort to avoid broken links and keep your SEO intact.

For detailed instructions, see my guide on how to set up redirects in WordPress.

Alternative: Using AIOSEO for Redirects

If you’re already using the All in One SEO (AIOSEO) plugin, or if you’re planning to use it to improve your website’s SEO, then it also has a redirection manager built in.

It’s a powerful WordPress SEO plugin that lets you easily set up full site redirects, plus it offers many other features to help your website rank higher in search results.

For example, its 404 error tracking can easily catch broken links, and you can add schema markup, custom breadcrumbs, local SEO modules, and much more.

Step 6. Setting Up Your WordPress Theme

To make your WordPress website look amazing, you need to choose and install a theme. These are ready-made design templates for your site that control its appearance, including the colors, fonts, layout of your pages, and how your blog posts are displayed.

There are plenty of free themes and premium themes available for every possible niche and industry you can imagine.

In my experience, clean and simple designs tend to work best for most websites. They look more professional, they’re easier for visitors to navigate, and most importantly, they put the focus where it should be: on your content.

To help you narrow things down, I put together a guide on selecting the perfect WordPress theme. It walks you through the key things to consider and helps you avoid some common traps.

Then, you can follow my step-by-step guide on how to install a WordPress theme.

Alternatively, you can easily create a custom WordPress theme using drag-and-drop with the SeedProd website builder plugin. This is a great option if you want to perfectly match your old site’s look without writing code, giving you full control over the design.

Of course, if you prefer, you can always hire professionals to design and code a completely custom WordPress website for you.

Step 7. Install Essential WordPress Plugins

WordPress plugins are easier to install than Drupal modules. Thousands are available, both free and paid. So, I created a guide on how to pick the best plugins for your website.

But first, let me introduce you to some must-have plugins that I recommend for pretty much every new WordPress site:

• WPForms lets you create all sorts of WordPress forms – contact forms, surveys, order forms, and more. I use it on my own websites to allow readers to contact me and gather their feedback.
• SeedProd is a powerful drag-and-drop website builder. It lets you easily customize your WordPress design, create unique page layouts, or even build a complete custom theme.
• AIOSEO (All in One SEO) helps you optimize your blog for better search engine rankings. It’s the most powerful SEO plugin for WordPress.
• MonsterInsights connects to Google Analytics and makes it easy to understand your traffic and visitor behavior right inside your WordPress dashboard.
• OptinMonster helps you create popups, slide-in forms, and other opt-in forms to grow your email list and boost conversions.

You’ll find more ideas in my list of essential WordPress plugins. It’s packed with plugins I use and trust.

Alternative: Get Professional Help to Migrate Your Drupal Website

While many of you will be able to follow this guide to migrate from Drupal to WordPress, it’s still a pretty technical project. Maybe you’re not very techy or are simply too busy to do it yourself.

If that sounds like you, then our WPBeginner professional services team can lend a hand. We’ve helped tons of people with their WordPress websites, and we can help you too.

Here are a couple of ways we can make your Drupal to WordPress migration easier:

• Premium WordPress Support Services: Reach out to our team anytime you get stuck, have questions, or just want some personalized help with your migration. We can guide you through specific steps, troubleshoot issues, or even take over certain tasks for you.
• Quick Site Launch Service: Want a completely fresh start with a brand new, custom WordPress website? Our Quick Site Launch service team can design and build a website from the ground up. And we can handle the whole content migration from Drupal.

If you’re curious to learn more about these services or if you just have some questions about migration in general, then we’re here to chat! You can easily get in touch with our support team on our Website Design Services page.

Bonus: Learning WordPress

Now that you have a new WordPress website, you’ll want to learn more. Luckily, we have lots of free resources to help you quickly become a WordPress pro:

• The WPBeginner Blog is the heart of WPBeginner. It’s a WordPress learning library packed with thousands of easy-to-follow tutorials, guides, and how-to articles.
• The WPBeginner Dictionary helps you understand all the WordPress terms and jargon, like a WordPress translator.
• WPBeginner Videos walk you through common WordPress tasks step-by-step, visually, from basic to more advanced techniques.
• Our WPBeginner YouTube Channel is packed with WordPress tips, tutorials, and how-tos to help you stay up-to-date with the latest WordPress goodness.
• The WPBeginner Blueprint gives you a peek behind the scenes and shows you our recommended WordPress setup.
• WPBeginner Deals offer exclusive discounts and coupons on WordPress themes, plugins, hosting, and more.

I hope this tutorial helped you move your site from Drupal to WordPress. You may also want to see our ultimate WordPress SEO migration checklist for beginners or our expert pick of the best WordPress migration services.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post How to Migrate From Drupal to WordPress (Step by Step) first appeared on WPBeginner.

From a plugin built for a local baseball team to one of the most trusted tools in the WordPress ecosystem, TablePress is a story of steady growth, community focus, and user-first development.

Its creator, Tobias Bäthge, didn’t start as a software engineer. He studied control engineering and stumbled into plugin development while helping his sports team with their website. What began as a side project has grown into a full-time business now used by over 700,000 websites worldwide.

In our interview, Tobias shared lessons from nearly two decades of plugin development—why steady support, thoughtful features, and doing less (but better) lead to long-term success.

“The most important thing right now isn’t actually coding—it’s finding a product idea and bringing it to the people.”

Tobias Bäthge – Creator of TablePress

Keep reading to learn how Tobias turned a free plugin into a thriving business, without losing sight of the people who use it every day.

Video Interview with Tobias Bäthge

If you’d like to watch the complete video interview with Tobias, then you can check it out here:

Or you can use the links below to see what we covered in the interview (and more):

🙋 Meet Tobias Bäthge: From Baseball Fan to Plugin Creator

Tobias Bäthge didn’t plan on becoming a WordPress developer. He was studying control engineering at university when he joined a local baseball team and offered to help with their website.

They needed a way to publish schedules, stats, and player info, but there weren’t any suitable plugins available.

“In baseball, what do you need tables for? Schedules, rosters, statistics… the plugin I found didn’t have all the features I was looking for.”

Tobias Bäthge

This kind of origin story—solving a personal need without a bigger plan—is one we see often at WPBeginner. It’s how many of the most useful WordPress plugins get their start.

Tobias found that WordPress was easy to use, but it didn’t have a good solution for managing tables. So he took matters into his own hands.

That plugin became WP-Table Reloaded, and it quickly found an audience beyond the baseball field. Other WordPress users started installing it, offering feedback, and asking for new features.

What started as a personal project turned into something much bigger, used by thousands of people who needed a better way to manage tables in WordPress.

It’s a pattern we’ve seen across many successful WordPress plugins: start small, stay useful, and let real-world use guide your growth.

📈 From WP-Table Reloaded to TablePress: Building for Real Users

As more people started using WP-Table Reloaded, Tobias found himself spending more time in the WordPress forums answering questions, fixing bugs, and helping users get the most out of the plugin.

When users take the time to give feedback, it’s a sign they believe in your plugin’s potential. Tobias recognized this early and made sure to be attentive to his users.

“I think people valued that they received fast and prompt support… I think that’s really one key element that people realized: if they get stuck, they can always approach me.”

Tobias Bäthge

In fact, Tobias has posted over 50,000 times in support forums.

That level of commitment built his plugin’s reputation as a trustworthy, well-supported tool.

He also made a conscious decision to keep the plugin focused. Instead of adding every feature request, he used his own needs as a filter and carefully weighed the long-term impact of each change.

“I always tried only doing things that I thought I would need myself… because if you add something, you can’t really remove it later.”

Tobias Bäthge

Around the same time, he also started digging through the code of other popular plugins, studying how they used WordPress APIs and structured their files.

At WPBeginner, we often recommend this kind of hands-on exploration. For many developers, real-world examples are the fastest way to level up.

By 2011, Tobias realized that WP-Table Reloaded needed a fresh start. The original codebase had grown too limiting, and some of the early design decisions were holding the plugin back. So he started over—and TablePress was born.

“I realized it’s hard with the current technical setup of the plugin… if I start fresh, I can set up a better foundation.

Tobias also made sure the transition from WP-Table Reloaded was seamless, building automatic import tools to prevent users from losing any data.

The result? TablePress kept the clean, user-friendly experience people loved while becoming far easier to maintain, extend, and support. That’s why we still believe it’s one of the best WordPress table plugins on the market.

🚀 Going Full-Time With TablePress: Business, Balance, and Motivation

For years, TablePress was something Tobias worked on in his free time. But in 2022, he made a major decision: to leave his job as a research assistant at a university and focus on TablePress full-time.

It wasn’t easy, especially without a business background or entrepreneurial role models to follow. “I didn’t have a role model. Everybody around me had jobs, no one was self-employed. So I had a lot of respect for the business side,” he said.

The transition meant learning everything from tax laws to payment systems, on top of building new premium features and maintaining the free version. But it also required something deeper: learning to say no.

“Learning to say no is what helped me to start doing TablePress as a profession.”

Tobias Bäthge

That meant saying no to a steady job, no to distractions, and even no to certain feature requests, so that he could build something sustainable on his own terms.

One of the biggest rewards? The freedom to design his day around what really matters.

“I actually take the freedom of taking my kids to kindergarten first in the morning. It gives me energy.”

That balance is also what keeps him motivated, along with the opportunity to keep learning as WordPress evolves.

“What keeps the motivation high is I can learn while working.”

Tobias Bäthge

For Tobias, going full-time wasn’t about going fast. It was about focusing on what matters, building sustainably, and staying connected to the community that helped him get started.

💡 Real Talk: Advice for Aspiring WordPress Plugin Developers

Tobias didn’t build a successful plugin overnight. TablePress grew slowly, through consistent improvements, user feedback, and a strong foundation of trust. That’s also where he thinks every plugin developer should start.

“In the very beginning, providing fast, helpful support can go a long way.”

In Tobias’s case, those early interactions built momentum. Answering questions, fixing bugs, and simply being available created word-of-mouth buzz and trust, long before making money came into play.

We’ve seen time and again: strong support is often a plugin’s best marketing.

But support isn’t the only piece of the puzzle. Tobias recommends starting with a real need—ideally, one you have yourself.

That way, you’re solving a problem you understand deeply, rather than guessing at what users might want.

“You have to kind of do the research first… you need something that separates you from existing solutions.”

Tobias Bäthge

He also sees the freemium model as one of the best ways to build and validate a plugin business, but cautions that it requires careful balance.

“The free version has to provide value on its own… but you can’t give away too many features or people won’t upgrade.”

For Tobias, it’s not about building something flashy. It’s about staying grounded, solving real problems, and doing it in a way that users genuinely appreciate.

💥 Related Post: Looking for more inspirational content? Check out our interview with Ionut Neagu, the founder of Themeisle.

🧠 Staying Focused and Productive as a Solo Founder

With over 700,000 active installs and no full-time team, TablePress is a solo operation at scale. That means Tobias has to be extra intentional with his time, tools, and energy.

One of the first lessons? Learning to say no, not just to feature requests, but to himself.

“Learning to say no—to yourself and to others—is key to setting priorities.”

Tobias Bäthge

Tobias breaks up his day into blocks of time focused on different areas of the business, including support, development, marketing, and documentation. That helps him avoid context-switching and make real progress without burning out.

Another key to his workflow is automation. Over the years, Tobias has built systems that handle everything from plugin releases to syntax checks to version testing. This has freed up time for more important work.

Many solo developers in our community tell us the same thing: automating routine tasks is the only way to scale sustainably.

“Those tasks should be automated… they just work in the background and free you from so much stress.”

Tobias Bäthge

He remembers when pushing a new version of the plugin was a stressful, manual process, and how that stress sometimes delayed releases by weeks.

“Now I have the testing set up in the background… I can much quicker and easier say, okay, new plugin release, click, boom.”

It’s a reminder that good systems don’t just make you more efficient. They make you more confident, too.

🔮 Looking Ahead: TablePress and the Future of WordPress

Tobias is optimistic about where WordPress is going, especially with the ongoing evolution of the block editor and a shift toward more interactive, browser-based experiences.

“There’s a major change happening in the editing experience—it’s an entirely new programming paradigm.”

Tobias Bäthge

That change presents new opportunities for TablePress, from improved interfaces to richer interactions inside WordPress itself. And for Tobias, it also brings new motivation.

But he’s also cautious not to change things just to get people’s attention. In fact, one of the most important lessons he’s learned is how overwhelming updates can be for less technical users.

To get his point across, he shared a relatable anecdote from his own life. He talked about seeing his grandparents, who are in their late 80s, navigate new technology. Tobias, the careful observer, notices when they struggle with updates on their smartphones.

When things move or change unexpectedly, it’s easy for users to feel lost. That has shaped his design philosophy.

“Ironing out wrinkles and making things easier to use is sometimes more appreciated than a big new feature.”

Tobias Bäthge

As WordPress continues to grow and change, Tobias is focused on keeping TablePress intuitive, consistent, and reliable for beginners and advanced users alike.

💭 Final Thoughts

Tobias Bäthge didn’t set out to build a business, but he did set out to build something useful.

Nearly two decades later, TablePress stands as a model of focused development, user-first design, and long-term sustainability in the WordPress ecosystem.

His story is a reminder that you don’t need to move fast or make a lot of noise to be successful. Instead, consistency, clarity, and community support can take you a long way.

For Tobias, what matters most is building something reliable—something that solves a real problem and keeps working over time. That means saying no to change for change’s sake and putting user experience first.

“Sometimes too much change is too much… especially for less technical users.”

Tobias Bäthge

Whether you’re building your first plugin or trying to turn your side project into a full-time venture, Tobias’s journey is proof that thoughtful, steady progress can still help you win.

📚 Bonus: Expert Resources for WordPress Plugin Developers

Want to follow in Tobias’s footsteps and build your own successful plugin? Here are some helpful WPBeginner resources that can help you out:

• How to Learn WordPress for Free (Step by Step)
• Best WordPress Developer Job Sites
• How to Submit Your Plugin to the WordPress Plugin Directory
• How to Track Plugin Engagement With Analytics
• WordPress SEO Tips for Plugin Pages
• WordPress Career Options – How to Make a Living With WordPress

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The post From Side Project to 700K+ Active WordPress Installs: Tobias Bäthge on the Organic Growth of TablePress first appeared on WPBeginner.