DIY WordPress Website & SEO Workshop

Introduction to WordPress

Daniella Norwood

Ella J Designs - Warwick, RI

http://ellajdesigns.com

danni@ellajdesigns.com

Agenda1. Web hosting and domain names

2. Navigate the WordPress dashboard

3. Configure basic settings

4. Choose a WordPress theme

5. Add and format web or blog pages, content, links and images

6. Add a Menu

7. Add plugins and widgets

8. Keep your site safe and secure

Getting Started

What you need:● A hosting provider

examples: HostGator, BlueHost, WPEngine and FlyWheel

● A domain name (we use namecheap.com)

*Most hosting providers have a one-click install of WP so you don’t have to worry about doing it yourself. But...

1. Download the latest version of WordPress from WordPress.org

2. Create a database on your server

3. Configure the wp-config.php file with your database info

4. Copy the WordPress files to your server

5. Go to http://yourdomain.com/wp-admin/install.php and fill out the site

details.

6. Click Install and you’re ready to go.

http://codex.wordpress.org/Installing_WordPress

A True DIY

After you log in to your new site you’ll be taken to the Dashboard.

This is your control center.

Configure Basic Settings

● General

● Writing

● Reading

● Discussion

● Media

● Permalinks

General Settings

Change the Tagline.

Change the Timezone.

Writing Settings

Change the name of the default post category. Then select that here...

Reading Settings

This depends on your theme and the layout. Make sure this is unchecked!

Discussion & Media Settings

Depends on the purpose of your site.

It’s ok to go with the default values.

And now, the biggie...

Permalink Settings

Please remember to change this.

I like this one.

Now You’re Ready to Party

Choose a Theme

Guidelines:

1. Your website’s purpose.

2. Your brand.

3. Ease of use.

4. Mobile Responsive!

Free v. Premium

There are plenty of wonderful free themes to choose from.

However, if you need support, I would recommend buying a premium theme.

My favorite company is StudioPress but there are many others like WooThemes and Elegant Themes.

What’s Next?

Create Content

Pages:

● About● Contact● Landing page

Posts:

● News items● Recipes● How to articles

Pages/PostsClick the title or ‘Edit’ to edit the page.

Pages/Posts: Quick Edit

Pages/Posts: EditorOpen the page in a separate tab/window.

Hit refresh after changes.

Insert images into the page/post.

Click “Add Media”

Pages/Posts: Add Media

Insert images into the page/post.

Upload your file and fill out the information.

Don’t forget the attachment settings.

Insert Images

Add the Featured Image.

Settings: Title, Alt tag

Add Featured Image

SEO

Add Audio

Adding audio is almost the same as adding an image. Upload the file, select the appropriate setting and the file will be embedded:

Add VideoAdding video is as simple as adding the link to the Editor:

Back end: Front end:

Add SEO

SEO

Posts: Categories & Tags

What’s the difference?

Categories are meant to be a broad grouping and tags are more specific.

You do need to categorize your posts, but you don’t need to tag them.

The goal is to always make the site user-friendly.

Publish

Create a Menu

1 2

3

Here it is...

Widgets

Drag and Drop!

Need more functionality?

Plugins

Keep in mind:

● compatibility with your current version of WP

● does the developer have other plugins?

● is the plugin being updated consistently?

● are the support tickets being answered?

Plugins: My top 10

1. Akismet2. WordPress SEO by Yoast3. Google Analytics (Yoast)4. Gravity Forms (Premium) or Contact Form 7 (free)5. BruteProtect6. Duplicator7. Ultimate Maintenance Mode8. Jetpack9. Floating Social Bar

10. Smush.it

Safe & Secure

1. Don’t use admin as your username.

2. Have a strong password.

3. Keep WordPress core files and plugins up to date.

4. Always back up your site!

Daniella Norwood

Ella J Designs

Warwick, RI

http://ellajdesigns.com

danni@ellajdesigns.com

Thank you!

Questions?

Search Engine Optimizationwith Justin Capaldi