Getting Online on a Shoestring

Charities in today’s economy need strong web tools to build their websites, attract donors, engage with their communities and achieve their mission. In this session Ngaire offered two key approaches when developing a website based on taking advantage of WordPress.com and WordPress.org. While was presented to charities, it is still relevant to businesses alike.

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 7 years •  Design & code with WordPress every day •  Work for LBDesign, a small design agency 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 What is WordPress? •  Open Source CMS •  More than just a blogging platform •  1 in 5 websites are powered by WordPress * •  Dynamic – you can edit the content! •  Easy to use! * http://wpmu.org/wordpress-powers-one-in-five-websites/
15. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org
16. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley WordPress.com
17. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley WordPress.com •  Free and Easy to setup •  Don’t have to worry about security or maintenance •  Advertising supported •  Limited design/functionality •  Upgradable options at a cost: http://en.support.wordpress.com/ upgrades/
18. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley WordPress.org
19. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley WordPress.org •  Flexible with greater customisation opportunities than .com •  Requires hosting such as WP Engine, Dreamhost, Memset, Bluehost etc. •  Requires a domain name
20. 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 •  WordPress.com – theme limitations •  WordPress.org – fully customisable. For an original no-hassle option ask a web designer to create one for you
21. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Themes (Part II) •  Free Themes •  Premium Themes •  Starter Themes •  Custom Themes
22. 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 to make the most of SEO on your site • However, content is still key!
23. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Plugins (Part I) •  Additional functionality •  Premium plugins are only a fraction of the cost for the same functionality to be custom-made •  A greater array of plugins can be used on WordPress.org sites •  Well-created plugins vs. badly-created plugins
24. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Plugins (Part II) •  Online donations •  Event registration •  Calendar of events •  Membership-based digital downloads •  Search engine optimisation •  Contact forms •  Galleries and Slideshows
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26. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley WordPress.org: Admin-side
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32. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Navigation menu Content Slideshow plugin
33. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Potential widget Featured images Content
34. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Blog posts
35. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley WordPress.com: Admin-side
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40. 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
41. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley .com example: workconnected
42. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley .org example: ARH
43. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Large .org example: SURF
44. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Large .org example: SURF
45. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Large .org example: SURF
46. 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
47. 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
48. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Resources This Presentation is online at •  http://lbdesign.tv/october-fsi-presentation WordPress.com: •  http://en.support.wordpress.com/introduction/ •  http://en.support.wordpress.com/using-wordpress-to-create- a-website/ •  http://en.support.wordpress.com/upgrades/ WordPress.org •  http://wordpress.org/about/ •  http://en.support.wordpress.com/com-vs-org/
49. http://lbdesign.tv london@lbdesign.tv @ngaireackerley Questions? •  @lbdesign •  ngaire@lbdesign.tv •  http://lbdesign.tv •  @ngaireackerley •  http://designack.com