This document provides an agenda and overview for a DIY WordPress website and SEO workshop. The workshop will cover topics like choosing a web host, installing WordPress, configuring basic WordPress settings, selecting a theme, adding content and media, creating menus and widgets, installing plugins, and keeping the site secure. It recommends hosting providers, guides attendees through manual and one-click WordPress installations, and provides tips on customizing settings, optimizing content for SEO, creating pages and posts, and suggested plugins.

1. DIY WordPress Website &
SEO Workshop
Introduction to WordPress
Daniella Norwood
Ella J Designs - Warwick, RI
http://ellajdesigns.com
danni@ellajdesigns.com

2. Agenda
1. 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

3. 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...

4. 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

5. After you log in to your new site you’ll be taken to the Dashboard.
This is your control center.

6. Configure Basic Settings
● General
● Writing
● Reading
● Discussion
● Media
● Permalinks

7. General Settings
Change the Tagline.
Change the Timezone.

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

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

10. Discussion & Media Settings
Depends on the purpose of your site.
It’s ok to go with the default values.
And now, the biggie...

11. Permalink Settings
Please remember to
change this.
I like this one.

12. Now You’re Ready to Party

13. Choose a Theme
Guidelines:
1. Your website’s purpose.
2. Your brand.
3. Ease of use.
4. Mobile Responsive!

14. 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.

15. What’s Next?

16. Create Content
Pages:
● About
● Contact
● Landing page
Posts:
● News items
● Recipes
● How to articles

17. Pages/Posts
Click the title or ‘Edit’ to edit the
page.

18. Pages/Posts: Quick Edit

19. Pages/Posts: Editor
Open the page in a separate tab/window.
Hit refresh after changes.

20. Insert images into the page/post.
Click “Add Media”
Pages/Posts: Add Media

21. Insert images into the page/post.
Upload your file and fill out the
information.
Don’t forget the attachment
settings.
Insert Images

22. Add the Featured Image.
Settings: Title, Alt tag
Add Featured Image
SEO

23. 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:

24. Add Video
Adding video is as simple as adding the link to the Editor:
Back end: Front end:

25. Add SEO
SEO

26. 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.

27. Publish

28. Create a Menu
1 2
3

29. Here it is...

30. Widgets
Drag and Drop!
Need more
functionality?

31. 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?

32. Plugins: My top 10
1. Akismet
2. WordPress SEO by Yoast
3. Google Analytics (Yoast)
4. Gravity Forms (Premium) or Contact Form 7 (free)
5. BruteProtect
6. Duplicator
7. Ultimate Maintenance Mode
8. Jetpack
9. Floating Social Bar
10. Smush.it

33. 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!

34. Daniella Norwood
Ella J Designs
Warwick, RI
http://ellajdesigns.com
danni@ellajdesigns.com
Thank you!
Questions?

35. Search Engine Optimization
with Justin Capaldi