WordPress Setup (From Zero → Live)

Step 1: Start Local (You Will Buy Hosting Later)

• Install LocalWP (recommended) or XAMPP to run WordPress on your computer.
• Create a local site named: Geopolitics Agenda.
• Use a simple local URL (example: geopoliticsagenda.local).

You can move to paid hosting later without rebuilding everything.

Step 2: Install WordPress (1-Click)

• In LocalWP: click “Create a new site”.
• Site name: Geopolitics Agenda.
• Create admin username + password (save this).
• Open admin at: your-local-url/wp-admin.

Step 3: Basic WordPress Settings (Important)

• Settings → General: Title “Geopolitics Agenda”, Tagline “Decoding Power, Policy, and the World Order”.
• Timezone: UTC+5:30 (India).
• Settings → Permalinks: choose “Post name”.

Step 4: Install a Clean Theme (Think-Tank Style)

• Appearance → Themes → Add New → Search: Astra → Install → Activate.
• Do NOT import flashy demos. Content-first, clean layout.

Step 5: Install Must-Have Plugins

• Rank Math SEO
• Google Site Kit
• WPForms Lite
• Ad Inserter
• LiteSpeed Cache (or WP Rocket if paid)

Avoid too many plugins. Speed matters.

Step 6: Create Core Pages (Non-Negotiable)

• About Us
• Contact Us
• Editorial Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions

Paste the content we already created and publish.

Step 7: Create Categories (Site Structure)

• Explainers
• Regions
• Themes
• Daily Brief
• Opinion & Analysis

Step 8: Menu Setup (Top Navigation)

• Appearance → Menus → Create Menu.
• Add: Home, Explainers, Regions, Themes, Daily Brief, About.
• Set as Primary Menu.

Step 9: Homepage Setup

• Settings → Reading → Your latest posts.
• Save. (Best for a content-first site.)

Step 10: Security & Final Checks

• No pop-ups, no auto-play media.
• Mobile-friendly and fast-loading.
• No dummy text or broken pages.

Step 12: Homepage Layout + Widget Setup

Keep it clean, serious, and reader-first (policy journal style, not news spam).

Option A (Recommended): Blog-Style Homepage

• Dashboard → Settings → Reading
• Homepage displays → Your latest posts → Save

This is best for SEO, AdSense, and easy publishing.

Ideal Homepage Structure (Top to Bottom)

• Header: Site name, tagline, clean navigation (Home, Explainers, Regions, Themes, Daily Brief, About).
• Featured content: Publish 1-2 best posts and mark as Sticky.
• Main content feed: Latest explainers, analysis, daily briefs.

How to Set Featured Content

• Posts → All Posts → Edit your best post.
• Visibility → Stick to the top → Update.

Sidebar Widgets (Order Matters)

• Appearance → Widgets → Sidebar
• Search widget
• Categories widget: Explainers, Regions, Themes, Daily Brief, Opinion & Analysis (show hierarchy).
• Recent Posts widget: 5 posts
• One ad slot via Ad Inserter labeled Sponsored (no sticky ads).

Footer Setup (Trust Builder)

• Appearance → Widgets → Footer
• Footer menu: About Us, Editorial Policy, Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions, Contact Us.
• Footer text: "Independent platform for global affairs analysis."

What Not to Do

• No sliders, breaking news tickers, flashy colors, or autoplay media.
• No crowded ads. Keep ads minimal and labeled.