When you first install Drupal, one of the first places you should head is to the administration module to get some basics configured.   Later on, we’ll recommend an administration module that will simplify some of the more complicated settings - but your first steps should be to get these basics in place.

Change Site Information.
This changes the header and title of your website. The information that you place here should be very carefully planned out as it is also used by search engines to understand what your website has to offer.

1. Go to Administer
2. Site Configuration
3. Site Information
4. Enter the name, email address, slogan, mission and footer message
5. Save Configuration

Cleanup your URLs
Instead of an ugly like URLs ?q=something you will get a URL like /something. This will help users track where they are and most importantly it will help search engines understand your website navigation better.

1. Go to Administer
2. Site Configuration
3. Clean URLs
4. Enabled
5. Save Configuration

Set the Proper Date and Time
While you will see a number of options in the Date and Time menu - the only key for now is to get the server to know the time zone you are in.

1. Go to Administer
2. Site Configuration
3. Date and Time
4. Select your default time zone
5. Save Configuration

Change your account name and password
You should switch away from “admin” as that is the most obvious account name for any hacker to attempt to use.

1. My Account
2. Edit
3. Change user name
4. Change password
5. Confirm password
6. Save

Enable Contributed modules
Modules are plugins that extend Drupal’s core functionality. Most modules you will have to go and find yourself, but Drupal includes some optional modules that you should setup immediately.

1. Go to Administer
2. Site Building
3. Modules
4. Check Path
5. Check Statistics
6. Save Configuration

Drupal comes with amazing features built into the Drupal Content Management System. However, the Drupal community has added modules you should add to any Drupal site. Check out this blog on 5 Drupal Modules that you must install.

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1. Speed Up Your Drupal Installation
2. Drupal and AdSense - Maximize Your Ad Revenues
3. Stop Drupal Spam
4. Drupal Deploy Makes Migration Easy
5. 5 Drupal Modules You Must Install