Introduction to Wordpress

By Kevin McKernan

Introductions

ME?

Kevin McKernan
http://mckernanlive.com
kevin@mckernanlive.com
Front End Web Developer

You!

What is your name?
Why are you here?
What is the most important thing you want to learn today?

today

  • Learn about WordPress, basic concepts & fundamentals
  • Walk through the WP dashboard one step at a time
  • Talk about themes, plugins, customization
  • Answer any questions you may have about WP


What is wordpress?

  • WordPress is a CMS (content management system)
  • WordPress is a blogging platform

.COM vs .ORG

WordPress.com

  • Hosted Service
  • Free*
  • Ad Supported (sometimes)
  • Limited Features*
  • No Plugins

WordPress.ORG

  • Requires your own hosting + domain
  • Free*
  • No ads!
  • Limitless Functionality*
  • Thousands of plugins

How does it work?

  • All content (pages, posts, menus, etc..) is stored in a database
  • All media (images, audio, video, documents) are stored as files, but kept track of in the database
  • The design of the site is contained within the theme (or template)
  • Functionality outside the core of WordPress is contained within a plugin

How do I get started?

  • Get web hosting (PHP, MySQL, Linux)
  • Many hosts offer 1 click WP setup
  • Alternatively, download from wp.org & upload to the server
  • Follow the install instructions

Content

<this is where your things go>

Posts

  • "Timed" content
  • News, Blog, Updates, etc.
  • Can be scheduled
  • Contained in Categories
  • Address: mysite.com/2013/12/new-post/

Pages

  • Static Content
  • About Us, Contact, etc
  • Parent / Child Pages
  • Address: mysite.com/about-us/

Media

Contains all files uploaded to your website, like:

  • Images (JPG, PNG)
  • Documents (DOC, PDF)
  • Audio (MP3)
  • Video (MP4)

Comments

  • Users can comment on posts (if you let them)
  • Disabled on most business sites

Appearance

  • Themes
  • Customize
  • Widgets
  • Menus
  • Editor

Themes

  • A theme is what your site looks like
  • Can be:
    • Purchased
    • Downloaded for free
    • Custom Designs
  • .COM has limitations on which themes you can use
    • <!> May provide functionality...

    Themes (part 2)

    2,160 free themes are available on WordPress.org
    3,609 premium themes on ThemeForest
    86 themes (with support!) for $39? Elegant Themes

    Customize

    • Utilized heavily by some themes
    • Customize your theme:
      • Background Colors
      • Fonts
      • Logos
      • Header Images

    Widgets

    What the heck is a widget?
    Where do they go? What do they do?

    Menus

    This is where you create your site navigation

    • Link within your site
    • Link outside your site
    • Indent, or "nest" items to create dropdowns
    • Some themes have multiple menu locations

    Editor

    "Scary Code Place"

    Allows you to edit your site's template files.
    If you don't know HTML / CSS, no touchy!

    Plugins

    Plugins add functionality to WordPress.
    Like what? Cue examples!

    Wordpress seo



    Gravity forms

    Tidy repo

    Plugin review site

    wordpress plugin directory

    http://wordpress.org/plugins or Plugins --> Add New

    28,390 plugins in the directory...
    and those are just the free ones on WordPress.org!

    There are many sources of paid plugins, but 
    just because you're paying for it doesn't make it great.

    Users

    • Add, delete, or edit users
    • Manage user permissions
    • Edit your profile

    Subscriber

    • Can post comments (if enabled)

    Contributor

    • Can write new posts, submit them for approval

    author

    • Can create & publish their own posts

    Editor

    • Can create new pages
    • Can approve other users' posts
    • Can edit other users' posts / pages

    administrator

    • Can do "all the things"


    Tools

    • Import from other platforms
    • Export your content
    • Some plugins will add their options page here

    Settings


    General

    • Site Title & Tagline
    • Website Address
    • Time & Date Settings

    Writing

    • Formatting
    • Default Post Category

    (Other settings nobody uses)

    Reading

    • Home Page
    • Blog Page
    • RSS Feed

    Discussion (Comments)

    • Enable / Disable Comments
    • Moderation Settings
    • Other Comment Settings

    Media

    • Edit default sizes for image uploads

    Permalinks

    Always change the option on this page, 
    or your website will have links like yoursite.com/?p=123

    Plugin Settings

    Some plugins will add their own settings pages

    Wordpress 
    "Deadly Sins"

    (and common issues, but deadly sins sounds better)

    Wordpress core 
    hacks / edits

    Not using

    child themes

    sketchy 

    "free themes"

    For more information see: WPMU Dev

    Account security

    Theme Functions

    Hosting & Domains

    • I hate GoDaddy. There. I said it.
      • Use anything but GoDaddy.
      • WebFaction is really good.
    • I register domains at namecheap.com
    • Article on WP Hosting by Yoast
    Made with Slides.com