Optimizing Elementor, Welcome Emails, and JOMO

Caring for your WordPress website

WordPress Performance

If your WordPress website was built with the popular page builder Elementor, you might be aware of the trade-off between amazing editing features and a slower website.

Like many feature-rich plugins, Elementor can take its toll on website performance. There are optimization options, starting with Elementor’s own built-in performance features which they claim are improving with each plugin update.

But this article offers an in-depth tutorial for optimizing an Elementor website using two proven plugins: Smush and Hummingbird.

I’ve used both plugins on some of my client websites and have seen significant performance boosts.

There is a free version of Smush but the premium version gives you way more features that are well worth the cost if you have an image-rich website. And when you buy the premium version, you get all of WPMU plugins (including Hummingbird).

Caring for Your Business

Marketing

If you have an email list, consider (or revisit) your welcome emails.

A welcome email (or email sequence) is an important part of getting to know new or potential customers.

Imagine hosting a party where guests come through the door and no one greets them. Some guests might be fine with slipping under the radar. But many—even wallflowers like me—like to at least be acknowledged and appreciated for showing up.

A welcome email is something like that. You don’t have to overwhelm your email subscribers, but an appropriate welcome is a great start to a potentially long-term relationship.

Caring for Yourself

Inspiration

Most people are familiar with FOMO (the fear of missing out). It’s no fun (and sometimes anxiety-inducing) to think that you’re missing out on an event or important conversation.

Less known is FOBO, the fear of a better option (also coined by Patrick McGinnis) which can stem from over-evaluating or trying all angles to ensure the best possible option is chosen.

For me, FOBO often leads to the infamous “paralysis of analysis.” I sometimes look at so many options that I become overwhelmed and end up doing nothing.

When FOBO strikes, one solution is to realize the futility of perfection and understand that choosing any good option is generally better than devoting too much energy to searching for the best.

A good decision is better than no decision. Right?

Usually. But maybe there’s another way.

An antidote to FOMO (and perhaps FOBO) is JOMO – the Joy of Missing Out. This idea involves “reconnecting to simple pleasures in the present moment.”

Instead of fearing or regretting missing out or not finding the best option, you can intentionally choose to miss out. Practicing self restraint and choosing to opt out can actually result in joy.

JOMO can stem from a sense of contentment with what one has, or where one is, or with one’s particular skill level.

You’ll find some very helpful resources in this article, but I’ll summarize some strategies for practicing JOMO:

• Make a list of activities you enjoy doing and make time for them
• Plan time off (not just holidays, but moments in your day and week)
• Do a regular digital detox (you know what this means)
• Connect in-person with people important to you (even short conversations help)
• Practice self-care (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual)

So, if things like optimizing Elementor or creating an email welcome sequence produces FOMO or FOBO in you, consider the possibility of JOMO. That might mean asking someone else to do the things that create fear or stress rather than joy.

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