WordPress Crash Course - WP 101
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WordPress is a free and open source content management system that allows users to build websites and blogs. It can be self-hosted (WordPress.org) for full control over themes, plugins, and functionality or used through WordPress.com for a simpler hosted option with limited customization. Key aspects of WordPress include using pages for static content, posts for time-based blog content, categories and tags to organize content, plugins to extend functionality, and widgets to customize the site interface. Setting up and maintaining a WordPress site requires attention to security, themes, plugins, SEO, analytics and social media integration.
WordPress Crash Course - WP 101
- 1. { WordPress Crash Course } Heather Acton WCChicago North Meetup 11/16/11
- 2. { What is WordPress? } WordPress (the software) is: a free and open source blogging tool and publishing platform (GPL license) powered by PHP and MySQL, coded with TLC by hand a content management system (CMS) extensible with themes and plugins used by over 14.7% of Alexa Internet's "top 1 million" websites powering 22% of all new websites currently the most popular CMS in use on the Internet Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- 3. { Why Use WordPress? } Ease of use Supportive community Codex Forums WordCamps
- 4. { WordPress - .com vs .org } WordPress.com Simple setup, create an free account yoursitename.wordpress.com Hosted on WordPress.com servers Limited theme (look/feel) choices No plugins, aka additional functionality Non-commercial use
- 5. { WordPress - .com vs .org } WordPress.org (aka self-hosted WordPress) Need to purchase domain & hosting plan (<$60/yr.) yoursitename.com One-click install WordPress, or manual install Total flexibility in look/feel and functionality Web developer should be consulted to ensure proper setup
- 6. { So which is right for me? } .com is great for the casual blogger family or personal blog no monetization ever desired easy to maintain .org is necessary for the current or aspiring business blogger ad revenue, e-commerce, paid membership, or even supporting your business start building search engine clout here may desire a developer
- 7. { WordPress.org } Dashboard Pages vs. Posts Categories vs. Tags Plugins & Widgets Check Your Site Health
- 8. { The Dashboard } Home Your site at a glance Drag/drop/collapse modules Screen Options
- 9. { The Dashboard } Updates When an update is available, install it! Always back up your site first
- 10. { The Dashboard } Poke around to learn! Appearance Settings
- 11. { Pages vs. Posts } Pages = Static, dateless content About Us, Contact Us Probably accessible via navigation Posts = “Blog”-like content Daily, weekly, monthly content added Displayed newest to oldest Use categories and tags to organize
- 12. { Categories vs. Tags } Categories Big buckets to organize posts Hierarchical Good practice: 10 categories or less per blog Tags (NOT keywords) Topics covered in your posts Good practice: 10 tags or less per post Resource: http://en.support.wordpress.com/posts/categories-vs-tags/
- 13. { Plugins vs. Widgets } Plugins Extend the functionality of WordPress E-Commerce, fancy comments, SEO help, etc. http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins Widgets Drag/drop modules that go in your sidebar or other “widgetized” areas of your website
- 14. { Site Health Checklist } Security Social Strong username & password Links to social sites Routine backups scheduled Easy social sharing of posts, done right (BackupBuddy) Theme WP version, theme, and plugins all up- to-date Secure, reputable, supported, flexible SEO Theme modifications done in child theme WordPress SEO by Yoast plugin Analytics & Tracking Enable sitemap in Yoast & submit to search engines Google Analytics installed Permalinks set to /%postname%/ Feed redirected to Feedburner feed