Are you thinking of starting a blog and finding that WordPress is the top tool for blogging? Do you have a more standard webpage and keep hearing about other sites using WordPress as their web platform? Perhaps you’re a friend or client of the author and you’ve come here looking for some tips. Or maybe you’re Future Me using these articles as a reference on future projects. Whatever the case, welcome to the WordPress Series of Articles.
About This Series
Whatever the case, you can use WordPress at your level. Throughout this series of articles, we’ll walk through the steps you need to take to get your blog or website up and running with WordPress. Whether your goal is to have a simple blog or a complex website, we’ll talk about everything from getting your site set up to editing PHP code.
The WordPress Series is a weekly series beginning in January 2013. Check back every Sunday to see what we’ve published on Saturday! (Note: you’ll notice that I’m plowing through the series ahead of schedule. I’m currently reworking a site from scratch and am documenting my way through the process.)
Articles
- Terms – Before we get started, let’s set the stage by defining the terms we’ll be using throughout the series. As we progress through the series, this article may grow. (Published 1/24/13)
- What is WordPress? – Before you can get started you need to understand what WordPress is, including the features and limitations. (Published 1/25/13)
- Planning – Before you start your site, you need to PLAN your site. Choose your blog name or website name. Decide on a layout. Get inspired! (Published 1/26/13)
- Using wordpress.com for Free – Understand the way to write a blog for free without buying a domain. (Published 1/28/13)
- Installing WordPress (on your own domain) – If you’ve decided to use your own domain and hosting account, learn about the WordPress system requirements and how to install WP. (Published 1/28/13)
- Logging Into WordPress – once you’ve installed WordPress, you need to know how to log into your dashboard and your database.
- Settings (especially permalinks) – Before you start adding pages and posts, you may need to adjust your settings. Especially have a look at your permalinks. (Published 1/29/13)
- Themes – Installing and setting up your free or premium WordPress Theme. Including my favorite theme sites. (Published 1/30/13)
- Sample Theme – As we go through the process, I’ll be working on a website. Check out this page to see what understanding and editing theme options can accomplish. (Published 1/30/13)
- Posts and Pages – Understanding the difference between posts and pages is imperative. Also learn what the options are for each.
- Media – Understanding copyright issues, where to get free/paid images that you can use, and understanding how media works in WordPress. Learn how to use galleries.
- Content – Making sure your website content is interesting, easy to read, and easy to find.
- Jetpack – this package comes pre-installed on WordPress. Tips and Troubleshooting.
- Plugins – Depending on the functionality of your page, you may need to install Plugins. This article includes tips on finding and installing plugins, including a list of my favorites.
- Widgets – Widgets are widely used in sidebars and footers. Learn how they work, including a list of my favorites.
- Social Interaction – There are plugins, widgets, and more aimed solely at optimizing your website or blog for social interaction. What works well and why to use it.
- Comments – Understanding how to control comments on your site.
- Spam – Spam is a HUGE problem with blogs or any site that contains a form. That includes your comment page. Learn how to minimize this problem in WordPress.
- Custom Menus – Setting up and using custom menus in WordPress.
- Mobile & Responsive – The number of people viewing websites on mobile devices is growing by leaps and bounds. Make sure your site is mobile-ready.
- Database Editing – Occasionally, you may need to manually edit your database. Know how to access and edit the fields.
- Database Backups – You need to back up your database regularly. If your host gets hacked or goes down, you don’t want to lose weeks or months of work.
- WordPress Updates – WordPress pushes updates regularly. Understand the new features, bug fixes, and security issues. Learn the steps for updating your website.
- Google Analytics – Learn how to use Google Analytics to learn how users view and access your site.
- SEO – Optimize your content and website to get your content higher on a Google Search page.
- Code – Understand how your WordPress files are structured. Learn the best tools to edit the code in your files and FTP upload them to your server.
