Getting Online on a Shoestring

Economical approaches to creating a website using WordPress.org and WordPress.com

Transcript

1. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Getting Online on a SHOESTRING WordPress.com and WordPress.org Presented by Ngaire Ackerley of LBDesign
2. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley A little bit about me •  Background in Computer Graphic Design (BCGD Hons) from New Zealand •  Have been working in the web industry for over 6 years •  Work with WordPress on a daily basis •  Work for LBDesign, a small design company that works with charities and businesses across the world
3. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley What we’ll cover today •  What to consider before you start a website •  About WordPress.com •  About WordPress.org •  Themes •  Plugins •  Examples •  Security
4. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley What we won’t be covering •  Technical how to’s •  Terminology •  Other Content Management Systems •  Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) strategies
5. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Before you start a website
6. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Nothing is free … • Any web solution will cost some money • Time is money … it can be more efficient to pay for someone else’s expertise rather than muddle through it for weeks on end • When using web consultants (designers, developers, online marketing professionals), look for transparency
7. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Consider your target audience
8. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Consider your goals
9. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Consider your content & flow
10. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Create a sitemap
11. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Consider your branding
12. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley In review: •  Nothing is free… could be worth paying a professional •  Target Audience •  Goals •  Content and Flow •  Sitemap •  Branding
13. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Any Questions?
14. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org
15. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley WordPress.com •  Not just for blogging, but websites too! •  Free and Easy to setup •  Limited design/functionality •  Upgradable options •  http://en.support.wordpress.com/ introduction/ •  http://en.support.wordpress.com/using- wordpress-to-create-a-website/
16. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley WordPress.org •  Requires hosting such as WP Engine, Dreamhost, Memset, HostPapa, etc. •  Requires a domain name •  Open source – no license fees •  Flexible with greater customisation opportunities than .com •  http://wordpress.org/about/ •  http://en.support.wordpress.com/com-vs-org/
17. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Themes (Part I) •  The design and functionality of your website •  WordPress.com and WordPress.org offer an array of themes that you can use •  For an original and fully customisable option use WordPress.org and ask a web designer to create one for you
18. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Themes (Part II) •  Free Themes •  Premium Themes •  Starter Themes •  Custom Themes
19. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Search engine optimisation • WordPress is set up with some SEO options such as title tags, page headings etc. • WordPress.org offers a range of SEO Plugins • However, content is still key!
20. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Plugins (Part I) •  Additional functionality at a very reasonable cost •  Even premium plugins are only a fraction of the cost for the same functionality to be custom-made •  WordPress.com allows for SOME plugins, but a greater array of plugins can be used on WordPress.org •  Well-created plugins vs. badly-created plugins
21. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Plugins (Part II) •  Plugins can handle tasks such as: –  Online donations –  Event registration –  Calendar of events –  Membership-based digital downloads –  Search engine optimisation –  Contact forms –  Galleries and Slideshows
22. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley
23. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley In review: .com vs. .org •  Control versus cost •  Functionality versus cost •  Unique design versus cost •  Themes can be free, cost or be custom created just for you •  WordPress can assist SEO •  Plugins can add inexpensive functionality but need to be carefully selected
24. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley .com example: workconnected
25. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley .org example: ARH
26. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Large .org example: SURF
27. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Large .org example: SURF
28. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Large .org example: SURF
29. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Security •  As WordPress grows more popular and prominent on the internet, it presents more of a security risk •  WordPress is safe – but nothing on the internet is unhackable •  Spend money on good hosting … pay now or pay later! •  Follow best practices for web security
30. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley In review •  Think about your website before you get started •  WordPress.com can keep costs down if you want to start simple •  WordPress.org can offer a lot of customisation in design and functionality •  You can always start small and progress to more customised while keeping all your content with WordPress
31. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Questions? •  @lbdesign •  london@lbdesign.tv •  http://lbdesign.tv •  @ngaireackerley •  ngaire@lbdesign.tv •  http://designack.com