Difference between revisions of "Introduction to WordPress 2015"
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(Created page with "== Initial questions: == * What are tutorial resources? * What are new tolls, next level? * What should we recommend for the future? * How to transition to WordPress from an e...") |
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| Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
# Admin screen is intuitive for user back end | # Admin screen is intuitive for user back end | ||
# Makers of Wordpress try to avoid site breaking when upgrades happen | # Makers of Wordpress try to avoid site breaking when upgrades happen | ||
| − | * Plugins are exceptions and should be selected with caution | + | #* Plugins are exceptions and should be selected with caution |
| − | * Plugins code quality not hold to same standard | + | #* Plugins code quality not hold to same standard |
# Wordpress has automatic security updates | # Wordpress has automatic security updates | ||
| Line 21: | Line 21: | ||
== Hosting == | == Hosting == | ||
| − | * WordPress.com | + | |
| + | *WordPress.com | ||
| + | ** Blog | ||
| + | ** Not for a website | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Wordpress.org | ||
| + | ** Can be installed on your own server and customized | ||
| + | |||
| + | # First Path - (Blue Host, HostGator) | ||
| + | #* Low cost budget hosting, $10/month | ||
| + | #* Blue Host has good customer support, security, not sure about privacy | ||
| + | #* One click install | ||
| + | # Second Path - Managed Hosting (UpEngine, Media Temple, Page.ly | ||
| + | #* $29/month | ||
| + | #* Updates site for you | ||
| + | #* Both public facing and private | ||
| + | #* Staging versions to best functionality and updates | ||
| + | #* Better security | ||
| + | #* If you get hacked, they guarantee to fix it | ||
| + | #* The hosting plan will depend on the traffic on your site | ||
| + | |||
| + | == How To == | ||
| + | '''Tutorial resources''' | ||
| + | * wordpress.org forums | ||
| + | * google "fastest way to do ____." | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Themes == | ||
| + | Themes control what it looks like, how things are displayed | ||
| + | # Use one of the existing themes from wordpress.org | ||
| + | #* Some themes you can customize | ||
| + | #Theme forest and others | ||
| + | #* Don't get them from google! You will get malware | ||
| + | #* Studio Press | ||
| + | |||
| + | ; Theme Framework: Pieces you can put together in your own way Control the design and layout | ||
| + | * i.e. Divi theme is a good example. Parent has functionality and child theme can lay on top. | ||
| + | * i.e. avada works well | ||
| + | |||
| + | Use the "customizer" on WordPress back end to see your options for changing theme. Preview not only accurate. | ||
| + | When adding functionality think about the goals of your site and how that content will be maintained. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Custom Theme''' | ||
| + | * Can be totally customized | ||
| + | # Simple option | ||
| + | #* implementation of exiting themes/plugins to give you what you need. | ||
| + | #* Low cost option | ||
| + | # Work with a team for design and development | ||
| + | #*More time consuming | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | == Plugins == | ||
| + | * Plugins are functionality | ||
| + | * There is overlap | ||
| + | * Look for plugins at wordpress.org | ||
| + | '''Which one to pick?''' | ||
| + | * See reviews | ||
| + | * Stars are only meaningful with lots of reviews | ||
| + | *'''Ask:''' | ||
| + | **What is the reason this person made the plugin? | ||
| + | **When is the last time it was updated? | ||
| + | **How often that person is coming back to improve and fix bugs (find out this info under "more details") | ||
| + | |||
| + | Often you will see a free version and a paid version with more features. This is a good sign because free versions will surely work. | ||
Revision as of 19:02, 19 November 2015
Initial questions:
- What are tutorial resources?
- What are new tolls, next level?
- What should we recommend for the future?
- How to transition to WordPress from an existing site?
Why use WordPress?
- Easier learning curve
- Wide ranging community
- Admin screen is intuitive for user back end
- Makers of Wordpress try to avoid site breaking when upgrades happen
- Plugins are exceptions and should be selected with caution
- Plugins code quality not hold to same standard
- Wordpress has automatic security updates
Disadvantage
- WordPress does a lot of basic things very easily but complex customization gets exponentially more difficult
- Custom code is expensive, you have to maintain it
- From the developer end, we have to plan for site maintenance in the form of service contracts, this creates staffing problems
- There are $99 WordPress developer resources in Eastern Europe and India where wages are lower. How do we know the ethics of that Business?
Hosting
- WordPress.com
- Blog
- Not for a website
- Wordpress.org
- Can be installed on your own server and customized
- First Path - (Blue Host, HostGator)
- Low cost budget hosting, $10/month
- Blue Host has good customer support, security, not sure about privacy
- One click install
- Second Path - Managed Hosting (UpEngine, Media Temple, Page.ly
- $29/month
- Updates site for you
- Both public facing and private
- Staging versions to best functionality and updates
- Better security
- If you get hacked, they guarantee to fix it
- The hosting plan will depend on the traffic on your site
How To
Tutorial resources
- wordpress.org forums
- google "fastest way to do ____."
Themes
Themes control what it looks like, how things are displayed
- Use one of the existing themes from wordpress.org
- Some themes you can customize
- Theme forest and others
- Don't get them from google! You will get malware
- Studio Press
- Theme Framework
- Pieces you can put together in your own way Control the design and layout
- i.e. Divi theme is a good example. Parent has functionality and child theme can lay on top.
- i.e. avada works well
Use the "customizer" on WordPress back end to see your options for changing theme. Preview not only accurate. When adding functionality think about the goals of your site and how that content will be maintained.
Custom Theme
- Can be totally customized
- Simple option
- implementation of exiting themes/plugins to give you what you need.
- Low cost option
- Work with a team for design and development
- More time consuming
Plugins
- Plugins are functionality
- There is overlap
- Look for plugins at wordpress.org
Which one to pick?
- See reviews
- Stars are only meaningful with lots of reviews
- Ask:
- What is the reason this person made the plugin?
- When is the last time it was updated?
- How often that person is coming back to improve and fix bugs (find out this info under "more details")
Often you will see a free version and a paid version with more features. This is a good sign because free versions will surely work.