If you’re starting a new blog, delete your first post. Think of it as a test. When launching this blog, I plunged into my inaugural entry and triumphantly published. Some time later, to my horror, I noticed the URL for that post: https://faithfulweb.wordpress.com/2006/10/02/hello-world/. Yes, that’s the WordPress default name, based on the classic phrase programmers use when learning to display text in a new language. Kind of like see-spot-run, but less sophisticated.
Facing a post whose URL screamed “newbie,” I contemplated deleting it and starting again. At the same time, the house blessings post turned into one of the most popular entries on my site to this day. Deleting or renaming could lose me links or search engine results so I left it as is. When sharing the link, though, I use anchor text whenever possible.
I haven’t made that mistake since, although it would be hard to since WordPress doesn’t set a default file name other than with the first post. But I don’t want any of you who are starting a new blog to make the same mistake so I’m sharing it here. You’ll also find this lesson on Daniel’s “blogging mistakes” group writing project on Daily Blog Tips. If you are looking for more blogging tips, Daniel’s site is a good reference. I previously participated in his site traffic tips project.
Has anyone else pulled a hello-world when starting a new blog?
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
[…] Blog by Andrew Flusche – A Clear Point of View is Crucial to Increase your Blog Traffic by George – Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves – Don’t Forget to Use Blog Carnivals by Andrea – Why Blogs and Blogging Will Ruin […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post […]
I love this mistake, Mark. Am I reading right? You wrote a post on the first page and it had the WordPress welcome as the URL, although the subject was House Blessings, and now it is your top post. The irony is exquisite.
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
Yes, I did. But I liked the idea that my first post is called Hello World!
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
[…] 21. Don’t forget to delete the first post Hello-world is the WordPress default name for the first post. Don’t forget to delete otherwise the URL of your first post will screamed “newbie”. Read more… […]
I did as well. I didn’t put up a maintenance page in time. 🙂
[…] Blog by Andrew Flusche * A Clear Point of View is Crucial to Increase your Blog Traffic by George * Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves * Don’t Forget to Use Blog Carnivals by Andrea * Why Blogs and Blogging Will Ruin […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
[…] and WordPress for your Blog | A Clear Point of View is Crucial to Increase your Blog Traffic | Delete Your First Blog Post | Don’t Forget to Use Blog Carnivals | Why Blogs and Blogging Will Ruin your Self Discipline | […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
Rory — my post correctly displayed the blessings info, but the URL itself was “hello-world” instead of “house-blessings.” I’ll follow your lead and enjoy the irony.
Simonne — Glad it worked for you. If I had gone with a more traditional introduction for my first post, I agree that “hello world” would have worked.
Ronalfy — Whew, I’m not alone in this!
[…] Blog by Andrew Flusche A Clear Point of View is Crucial to Increase your Blog Traffic by George Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves Don’t Forget to Use Blog Carnivals by Andrea Why Blogs and Blogging Will Ruin your […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark AlvesDon’t rely on defaults. […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves (me!) […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves If you’re starting a new blog, delete your first post. Think of it as a test. When launching this blog, I plunged into my inaugural entry and triumphantly published. Some time later, to my horror, I noticed the URL for that post..Yes, that’s the WordPress default name, based on the classic phrase programmers use when learning to display text in a new language. […]
[…] I’m slapping my own forehead, There’s been some mild expletives hurled. My post said, “House Blessings,” My URL said, “Hello World!” You better delete your first blog post before they think you’re on the booze. Got those sweetly sneaky, cheeky, lovin’ everything about you WordPress blues. (Mark Alves) […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
Well, I am a programmer. So I loved the idea of having the first post named Hello World! I even comment that I am leaving it be for just that reason. So guess it just depends on what boat you are in. But if you do change the title of your first post, good idea to change the slug too.
GnomeyNewt — I agree that if your first post is an introduction, such as http://www.bluejar.com/hello-world/, then “hello world” makes sense. Since mine was on another topic, changing the slug as you suggest is the way to go.
Email Monitoring Services
We are totally happy that you\’ve stumbled upon our web page about journal.
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
[…] Delete Your First Blog Post by Mark Alves […]
[…] in strange and unusual ways. I especially enjoyed this description of the classic blunder “Hello World“, which is the default name of your first blog within the “wordpress” software […]
[…] in strange and unusual ways. I especially enjoyed this description of the classic blunder “Hello World“, which is the default name of your first blog within the “wordpress” software […]