Among the best business choices I’ve made are:
#1 Migrating to WordPress
#2 Migrating to The Genesis Framework
If you haven’t done so already I recommend migrating your brand’s website/s to a Genesis Child Theme. For more on that, check out why ultra optimized themes are the best. Now, if you’re ready for a migration, here’s a good checklist (with a few conversion rate tips):
- Create/Access the staging environment
- Confirm that the “Discourage search engines from indexing this site” option is enabled for the staged URL
- Delete as many plugins as possible (Ninja Forms, Genesis Enews Extended and Genesis Simple Share are permitted)
- Update WordPress
- Install the latest version of the Genesis Framework
- Install and activate selected Genesis Child Theme
- Delete unnecessary themes
- Review and/or fix WordPress Settings
- Reveal Images and Activate Media Files via ‘Settings’ then ‘Media’
- Set/Adjust Comment Settings (and delete any spammy comments)
- Check/Adjust Genesis Theme Settings
- Define the purpose of the website (what a conversion is)
- Build/Optimize header
- Use optimized logo
- Use don’t make me think menu with buttons for pricing and sign-up/schedule pages
- Display phone number for local businesses
- Double check header function on small and large desktop, tablet and mobile
- Build/Optimize footer
- Stick to simple imageless design (including using text rather than icons to link to social profiles)
- Add Solid Stratagems signature (Site By Solid Stratagems)
- Build/Optimize sidebar
- Stick to simple imageless design
- Build/Optimize Homepage
- Setup the Child Theme Custom Widgetized homepage
- Awesome background image with good contrast on every sized device
- Single H1 as the main heading of above the fold / top section
- Single tagline below the main heading
- Button with call to action text (e.g. ‘view pricing’, ‘schedule free inspection’ etc.)
- Use correct use of headings and heading hierarchy throughout homepage
- Build/Optimize Pricing Page
- Flexible
- Simple
- Transparent
- Call to action buttons
- Build/Optimize Sign-Up Page
- Less is best
- Don’t make me type
- No credit card required (not always the needed solution)
- Build/Optimize Success Page
- Another chance to give an awesome first impression
- Build/Optimize Blog Page
- Include featured images
- Include post title
- Include some text?
- Optimize Contact Page
- Fix/Optimize Posts and Pages
- Do not edit/change permalinks
- Build/optimize after content widget area if applicable
- Remove irrelevant shortcodes
- Correct hierarchy (single h1, paragraphs follow headings, correct heading hierarchy)
- Use best practices for meta tags
- Get approval for recommended CSS additions/edits
- Make this list better
