From Infrastructure to Website Design
The server build phase is now complete.
The original goal of the Web Workbench Build Storyboard was to document the planning and infrastructure side of creating a self-hosted web environment. That phase is now finished and the focus shifts from servers and networking to something visitors will actually see: the website itself.
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## Current Stage: Website Foundation
With the technical foundations in place, the next challenge is deciding what the website should actually look like and how visitors will navigate it.
Before worrying about search rankings or traffic, I want a structure that feels logical and can scale as more content is added.
Key decisions so far:
- [x] Custom shell theme built with AI assistance
- [x] AI-assisted page builder created and working
- [x] WordPress email delivery tested
- [x] Install and configure Wordfence
- [x] Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
- [x] Configure Independent Analytics
- [ ] Test multiple design layouts
- [ ] Decide on final navigation structure
- [ ] Create core content pages
- [ ] Register with Google Search Console
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## Security First
Before expanding the site, I want the basic security controls in place.
Current plans include:
- [x] Install Wordfence
- [x] Enable two-factor authentication
- [x] Review login security
- [x] Monitor access attempts
- [x] Verify backup procedures
The aim is to establish a secure baseline before adding significant content.
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## Analytics Without Complexity
For analytics, I'm keeping things simple for now.
Rather than introducing multiple third-party tracking platforms immediately, I'm testing Independent Analytics to understand how visitors interact with the site while keeping setup straightforward.
At this stage I mainly want visibility into:
- [ ] Which pages are viewed
- [ ] Navigation paths through the site
- [ ] General visitor behaviour
- [ ] Popular content areas
Detailed analytics can come later.
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## Exploring Design Options
One area I'm currently experimenting with is site structure.
The more I work on the site, the more I find myself drawn towards a WooCommerce-style approach to organising content.
Not because I'm building an online shop, but because product catalogues often solve navigation problems extremely well.
Instead of treating articles as isolated blog posts, I'm considering treating them more like organised resources within categories.
Example:
How To
└── Convert an Old TV into a Smart TV
How To
└── Build a Home Server
WordPress
└── Secure WordPress with Two-Factor Authentication
In this model:
- Top-level pages act like categories
- Individual guides act like product pages
- Navigation follows a logical hierarchy
- Content remains easy to expand over time
Since I primarily use pages rather than posts, this structure feels like a natural fit.
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## Search Console Can Wait
One decision I've made is to delay connecting the site to Google Search Console.
While it's tempting to start collecting data immediately, there is little value in measuring performance while major design and structural changes are still being tested.
My priority right now is:
1. Settle on a design direction
2. Finalise site structure
3. Complete security setup
4. Publish core content
Once those pieces are stable, I can start thinking about indexing, search visibility and long-term SEO.
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## Current Status
- [x] Server build completed
- [x] WordPress installed
- [x] Email delivery tested
- [x] Custom shell theme created
- [x] AI page builder operational
- [ ] Wordfence configured
- [ ] Two-factor authentication enabled
- [ ] Independent Analytics configured
- [ ] Design testing completed
- [ ] Navigation structure finalised
- [ ] Core content expanded
- [ ] Search Console integration
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## Why This Stage Matters
When starting a new website, it's easy to jump straight into content creation and SEO.
I'm taking the opposite approach.
Before trying to attract visitors, I want to be confident that:
- The site structure makes sense
- Navigation is intuitive
- Security is in place
- Analytics are working
- The design can scale as content grows
The goal isn't just to launch a website.
The goal is to build something that remains manageable, expandable and rebuildable in the future.
I will report back when this is completed
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## Next Step
The next phase of this project will focus on testing different design approaches, refining navigation, and deciding how information should be organised before the site begins its public growth phase.