Plugin Basics - 2013 WordCamp Phoenix

Plugins are a quick and easy way to extend the functionality of WordPress without knowing programming languages. The WordPress plugin repository currently hosts over 22,800 free plugins that do everything you can imagine and more including adding social media icons, improving your SEO, displaying image slideshows, turning your site into a store, an online forum, or even your very own social network, plus much more! While plugins bring a huge amount of functionality to WordPress, they can also be the source of a lot of trouble. This session will show you what to look for in a plugin, how to download and install them safely to your site, how to provide and get feedback on the plugins you try, as well as some recommendations for plugins that will compliment every site you build.

Transcript

1. Plugin Basics Suzette Franck @mt_Suzette WordPress Evangelist Lead Media Temple January 18, 2013 WordCamp PHX 2013
2. Who am I • Suzette Franck WordPress Evangelist Lead at Media Temple • Twitter: @mt_Suzette • Slides: https://speakerdeck.com/ suzettefranck
3. What is a Plugin? A plugin adds extra functionality to your WordPress blog such as widgets, shortcodes, and additional options up to full featured applications such as e-Commerce, Reviews, Calendars, Maps, Wikis and more +
4. How Many Plugins Should I Have? As few as possible!
5. Types of Plugins • Free, listed in WP Repository, strict standards, made by volunteers, may not have support, GPLv2, may have “Pro” paid version w/additional features • Premium, not listed in WP Repository, no standards, made by anyone, typically do include some support, license varies
6. Premium Plugin Sources • Code Canyon (codecanyon.net) • WPMU Dev (premium.wpmudev.org) • Gravity Forms (gravityforms.com) • VaultPress (vaultpress.com) • WP App Store (wpappstore.com)
7. WordPress Plugin Repository • GPLv2 (General Public License) • Will not spam your website with advertising • Includes readme.txt • No obfuscated code • Cannot disable functionality or annoy to force you to buy • No unauthorized collection of data • No banner or advertising, sponsored links
8. Finding a Plugin • Plugin Name & Version • Star Rating • Number of Times Downloaded • Last Updated • Requirements & Compatibility • Authors & Donation Page • Support Forum
9. WordPress Plugin Page
10. WordPress Favorites
11. Favorites Page
12. Accessing Favorites
13. Plugin Manager
14. Installing Plugins • Automatic - plugins in the repository • Hybrid - downloaded zip file • Manual - upload folder to wp-content/plugins via FTP
15. Automatic Installation • Go to Plugins > Add New • Search for plugin name or keyword, or browse categories and tags • Click Install • Click Activate Plugin
16. Search by Name or Keyword Browse by clicking on Category & Tag Links
17. Search Results
18. Plugin Details
19. Hybrid Installation • Download zip file from plugin site • Go to Plugins > Add New • Click on Upload, browse to file • Click on Activate Plugin
20. Manual • Using FTP Client such as Filezilla • Upload folder to wp-content/plugins/ • Go to Plugins on Dashboard • Find the plugin and click Activate
21. Updating Plugins Always keep your plugins up-to-date!
22. Update Available Update one-by-one or bulk update
23. Uninstalling Plugins • Plugin Manager: Deactivate then Delete • FTP: Delete or rename plugin folder
24. Troubleshooting • read the readme.txt • deactivate all plugins, activate one-by-one • rename plugin folder using FTP (will deactivate it) • use Support Forum on WordPress.org
25. readme.txt file • Go to Plugins > Editor • Select Plugin to Edit • List of files on the right, click readme.txt • View on the left
26. Viewing readme.txt *** NEVER edit an active plugin! ***
28. Plugins for Every Site • Akismet (Spam blocker) • Jetpack by WordPress.com (Everything) • WordPress SEO by Yoast (SEO) • My Page Order (Reorder pages) • WordFence Security (Security) • WP-Optimize (Optimize your DB) • BackUpWordPress (Backups)
29. Some Good Advice • Get a dummy WordPress site • DesktopServer (ServerPress.com) • Install and configure plugins to see what they do • Have fun!
30. Suzette Franck sfranck@mediatemple.net Questions? @mt_Suzette