WordPress is a complex platform which allows for endless customization and possibilities. This is why many online businesses that are based on it rely on a whole team of professionals to make it work as expected. However, you can achieve much even when you’re all by yourself. Here are the skills you must have – or acquire – in order to run your WordPress website successfully:

1. Understanding eCommerce

If you’re planning to advertize and sell online, then you must understand eCommerce solutions and how these can be connected to WordPress. You should know of the great flexibility you can take advantage of, which allows you to list one single item for sale or create a huge store with countless items.  If you want a quick and simple start, opt for an eCommerce plugin.

2. Choose a compatible hosting package

The WordPress hosting service of choice should meet your immediate demands. Don’t simply shop based on price – you will find loads of very different options and it might get you confused. Check the resources and space availability, the maintenance and security aspects, as well as the expansion possibilities. The cheapest and very simple hosting options do not allow for future growth. Know your requirements and pair these with the ideal package.

3. Make your site responsive

This is a skill you must possess. Regardless of your web design skill level, you need to make sure your site can be viewed on any device, browser and screen. If you’re a rookie and you’re about to select your readily made WordPress theme online, make sure it is able to adapt to that. Choose themes labeled or described as responsive, or which have a mobile version.

4. Outsourcing

Outsourcing means letting other skilled people do the work you would’ve otherwise done. It takes skill to know which tasks to manage by yourself and which to leave to others. In addition, you need to know how to select the right professionals, who will get the job done in due time and for a fair price. Negotiation is a good strategy, but sometimes you will have to pay the full price if you’re committed to quality.

5. Time management

Starting an online business and setting up its website means you have a whole bundle of tasks to deal with. You must be aware of what should be done first and how much time to allocate to each specific task. If you’re too active promoting your brand on social media, you may not have enough time for writing quality content, for example.

6. Correct focusing

The proven rule says that only 20% of what you do brings you 80% of the profit. You must therefore identify the strong areas and focus on what makes you successful. See what brings you traffic and create more of that (if it’s content we’re talking about) or invest more in the ad campaigns that yield results.

7. Personal development

You can’t be successful online unless you learn how to meet other people’s demands. You won’t be able to deliver them the business solutions they are looking for, unless you have worked on yourself first. You have to be an empowered person in order to be ready to help others and inspire them via your online presence.