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
   

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2. Who am I
   • Suzette Franck
   WordPress Evangelist Lead at Media Temple
   • Twitter: @mt_Suzette
   • Slides:
   https://speakerdeck.com/
   suzettefranck
   

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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
   +
   

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4. How Many Plugins
   Should I Have?
   As few as possible!
   

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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
   

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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)
   

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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
   

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8. Finding a Plugin
   • Plugin Name & Version
   • Star Rating
   • Number of Times Downloaded
   • Last Updated
   • Requirements & Compatibility
   • Authors & Donation Page
   • Support Forum
   

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9. WordPress Plugin Page
   

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10. WordPress Favorites
    

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11. Favorites Page
    

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12. Accessing Favorites
    

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13. Plugin Manager
    

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14. Installing Plugins
    • Automatic - plugins in the repository
    • Hybrid - downloaded zip file
    • Manual - upload folder to
    wp-content/plugins via FTP
    

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15. Automatic Installation
    • Go to Plugins > Add New
    • Search for plugin name or
    keyword, or browse
    categories and tags
    • Click Install
    • Click Activate Plugin
    

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16. Search by Name or Keyword
    Browse by clicking on Category & Tag Links
    

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17. Search Results
    

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18. Plugin Details
    

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19. Hybrid Installation
    • Download zip file from plugin site
    • Go to Plugins > Add New
    • Click on Upload, browse to file
    • Click on Activate Plugin
    

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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
    

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21. Updating Plugins
    Always keep your plugins up-to-date!
    

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22. Update Available
    Update one-by-one or bulk update
    

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23. Uninstalling Plugins
    • Plugin Manager: Deactivate then Delete
    • FTP: Delete or rename plugin folder
    

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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
    

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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
    

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26. Viewing readme.txt
    *** NEVER edit an active plugin! ***
    

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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)
    

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29. Some Good Advice
    • Get a dummy WordPress site
    • DesktopServer (ServerPress.com)
    • Install and configure plugins to see what
    they do
    • Have fun!
    

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30. Suzette Franck
    sfranck@mediatemple.net
    Questions?
    @mt_Suzette
    

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