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Most WordPress performance problems are not ‘WordPress problems’ — they’re default settings and plugin choices. If you set up hosting correctly on day one, you avoid the painful cycle of switching themes, stacking plugins, and still failing Core Web Vitals.
This checklist is written for beginners, but it follows the same principles agencies use when launching client sites on providers like Hostinger: keep the stack lean, secure accounts first, then optimize delivery.
Phase 1: Account + domain safety (15 minutes)
Enable 2FA on your hosting account.
Use a password manager and unique passwords.
Turn on auto-renew for your domain.
Verify WHOIS privacy settings.
Phase 2: WordPress install defaults (20 minutes)
Set site title + tagline (helps SEO and browser previews).
Disable public user registration unless you need it.
Delete unused themes/plugins.
Set permalink structure to post name.
Phase 3: Performance baseline (the 80/20)
Before you touch fancy optimizations, lock the big wins: caching, image formats, and avoiding heavy plugins. Most sites get faster by removing, not adding.
Turn on full-page caching (host-level if available; otherwise a lightweight plugin).
Use WebP/AVIF images and compress uploads.
Avoid page builders unless you truly need them.
Limit fonts (use system fonts or one family with few weights).
Connect a CDN or at least use Cloudflare DNS.
Phase 4: Security essentials that actually matter
Keep WordPress core + plugins updated (set auto-updates for trusted plugins).
Limit admin logins (rate limiting + strong passwords).
Install only necessary plugins (every plugin is code you must trust).
Use HTTPS everywhere; fix mixed content early.
Phase 5: Backups and recovery
Backups are only valuable if restores are easy. Your host may provide backups, but you should still keep an off-site copy for worst-case scenarios.
Confirm backup frequency and retention in your hosting plan.
Do a test restore on a staging site.
Keep an off-site backup (cloud storage or a separate backup service).
Document your DNS + hosting login details safely.
A quick ‘launch-ready’ audit
Homepage loads fast on mobile data
No broken links or missing images
Contact form delivers emails reliably
Privacy policy and cookie disclosures are accessible
If you follow this checklist, you can run WordPress on affordable hosting without feeling fragile. The key is to start lean, keep updates boring, and treat backups like insurance — you don’t notice them until you desperately need them.