Presented at Nashville WordCamp 2013, this presentation covers best practices for using images, what a widget and a widget area is and how to use it, and how to choose a theme that's right for you

1. Intermediate Intro to WordPress
Images, Widgets & Themes... Oh my!
D'nelle Dowis
Berry Interesting Productions, Inc.
WordPress customization & development

2. Hello there!
Is she a good witch or a bad witch?
Danielle D'nelle T Dowis
Throneberry
Opened BIPI in 2006
• Vanderbilt
• Bulloch Hall Quilt Guild
• The Williamson • Nashville Pix
Herald Newspaper • The Green Wagon
• Alchemy of Sol
• Acxiom Corporation
• Two Star Design
email marketing
• John Navin
• The Princeton • Carden Avenue
Review operations
• East Nashville Chiropractic
• Ben Sesar
• Paris Gordon
• Home & Hill Magazine
#wcn13ohmy

3. Images and You
no slight of hand needed
● optimize where you can
● prep your alt text, please
● upload your image
● mind your details
● insert your image
● editing & advanced settings
● WordPress galleries
● featured image
#wcn13ohmy

4. What's a Widget?
"a small application with limited functionality"
● RSS feeds, simple HTML,
plug-ins, links, meta-data
● modular - placement can
depend on your theme's
options
● use pre-loaded options,
configure your own code, or
find a plug-in you like
● pay attention to settings
● watch for compatibility issues
● experiment!
#wcn13ohmy

5. The Long Road to a Perfect Theme
It's always best to start at the beginning
Twenty Twelve
● developed by the WordPress team
● already fully responsive
● simple customization options
● easy to grow from
Ask yourself: - what is my site's purpose?
- what is my budget? now? a year from now?
- how long will I need this theme?
- how much code customizing can I do?
#wcn13ohmy

6. The Wild World of Free Themes
Be prepared for a long road
Expect to read the signs
Watch out for flying monkeys
#wcn13ohmy

7. Ready? Set... Install!
No, seriously, it really is that simple
● Try a few on for size, then stick
with one
● Get to know your widget-
capable areas
● Experiment with customizations
● Know where your code lives
#wcn13ohmy

8. Choosing a Paid Theme
● Ask for advice
● Read the reviews
● Ignore the stock photos
● Check compatibility
● Be aware of what you can do
on your own
● Explore the documentation
● Get to know the creator
● Connect via social media
● Don't cheap out
● Get the latest version
● Stay up-to-date
#wcn13ohmy

9. Parent & Child Theme Combos
● Stability and adventure
● Divides the workload
● Keeps you safe(r)
● Allows you to experiment
● Plans for the long-term
#wcn13ohmy

10. Resources
...you didn't think I did this all on my own did you???
● Berry-Interesting.com
● Wordpress codex
● pixlr.com
● Themeforest.net
● iThemes.com
● WooThemes.com
● Codex.wordpress.org
● codex.wordpress.org/Using_Images
● developers.google.com/speed/articles/optimizing-images
● codex.wordpress.org/WordPress_Widgets
● wordpress.tv/2012/12/13/sean-nilsson-how-to-choose-a-
premium-theme/
● codex.wordpress.org/Child_Themes
#wcn13ohmy

11. D'nelle Dowis
chief distiller of awesomesauce
Berry Interesting Productions, Inc.
WordPress customization & development
#wcn13ohmy
hello@berry-interesting.com
@d_nelle
facebook.com/berry.interesting
615-825-5608
want a copy of this presentation?
shoot an email over to me at
hello@berry-interesting.com