Hands-On Tech Chicago 11-02-2012 Heather Acton http://heatheracton.com Slides are at: http://hact.in/HandsOnTech Getting Started With WordPress 

Intro • Former mechanical engineer turned independent web developer • Specialize in WordPress for small businesses & nonprofits • Organizer WordCamp Chicago 2011 & 2012 • Founder / Organizer WordCamp Lake County Meetup Group • Married mom of 2 • Love Dave Matthews Band and craft beer 

Overview 1. Approach 2. What is WordPress 3. Prework - domains, hosting, email 4. Installing & configuring WordPress 5. Adding content 6. Themes & plugins 7. Ongoing maintenance 8. Where to find help 

How this training works • Overview of each topic • Resources for more learning • Ask questions anytime 

What is WordPress? (self-hosted / .org) 

Prework • Read about WordPress • http://codex.wordpress.org/Main_Page • Choose a domain registrar • Namecheap • Choose a website host • Shared: Bluehost, Hostgator ($5-8/mo) • Managed: WP Engine, Page.ly (~$30/mo) • Choose an email service • Google Apps, free to 10 users • Connect these services 

Installing WordPress Shared host • One-click installs available for the FTP leery • OR • FTP the files & connect them to a blank database • http://codex.wordpress.org/Installing_WordPress ***SECURITY ALERT*** With either method above, do not use the default “admin” username. Very secure usernames and passwords are key to keeping your installation secure. 

Installing WordPress Managed host • Come with WordPress already installed. • Lucky you. 

See, WordPress is easy! 

The WordPress Dashboard 

Themes & Plugins Themes Fonts Colors Layout Plugins Functionality e-commerce membership events management and so much more... 

The wonderful world of WordPress themes • Free themes • 1,617 themes in the repository • http://wordpress.org/extend/themes • Meant to work “out of the box” • Varied quality • Premium themes • StudioPress, WooThemes, Theme Forest, Elegant Themes • Meant to work “out of the box” • Varied quality • Additional functionality • Support • Theme frameworks • Genesis, Headway, Thesis, Pagelines • “Blank” themes meant to be used with a child theme • OR • “Blank” themes with interfaces that make it easier for non-developers to customize their theme • Starter themes • _s (underscores.me), Bootstrap WP, Roots • Barebones themes meant to jump start the “from scratch” theming process • HTML, CSS, and PHP skills required 

WordPress plugins • Free plugins • 22,041 free plugins in the repository • http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins • Research before you install • WordPress SEO by Yoast, Google Analytics for WordPress by Yoast, Akismet, BuddyPress, bbPress, Widget Logic, Social Sharing Toolkit • Premium plugins • Typically fuller functionality • Typically premium support • Research before you buy • Gravity Forms, BackupBuddy, Cart66, S2Member, Events Calendar Pro 

Maintaining a WordPress site • Scheduled backups • WordPress version updates • Plugin updates • Theme updates 

Ongoing help & support • WordCamps • http://wordcamp.org • http://2012.chicago.wordcamp.org • Meetups • http://www.meetup.com/Chicago- WordPress-Meetup/ • http://wplc.us • http://wpmchenry.com • Forums • http://wordpress.org/support/ • Codex • http://codex.wordpress.org/ • GOOGLE!!! • Books • WordPress for Dummies • Tutorial sites • WP101 • Lynda.com 

Questions & Discussion