Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to pick & install plugins. We go back to basics in our WordPress Beginner's Series. First getting familiar with the WordPress backend Administration screens and then moving on to how to pick plugins and install them.

1. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Austin WordPress Meetup Group
Presented By: Rich Plakas

2. A Little Bit About Me
★ IT Background going back to the days of DOS &
Novell
★ Began “messing” with WordPress in 2007.
★ Switched my focus from IT to WordPress in 2011
★ I was tired of doing Windoze Updates & changing
Printer Toners :-)
★ Joined the Austin WordPress Meetup Group In 2012.
★ I love BBQ & Craft Beer.

3. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The WordPress Administration Screen is composed of:
The top ToolBar
Left Main Navigation
The WordPress Dashboard.
The Dashboard comes with 5 WIDGETS by default.
Welcome
At a Glance
Quick Draft
Activity
WordPress News

4. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins

5. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins

6. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
As you install new Plugins,
your Dashboard & Navigation options will
change.
Some themes will also add their own
Navigation & Dashboard options.

7. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install
Plugins

8. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
You can control which widgets are displayed in the Dashboard
without having to delete or modify the plugin associated with it.
Click on the SCREEN OPTIONS arrow:

9. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
You can control some of the Administration Screen colors and
options in your User Profile:

10. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Toolbar
The Toolbar mostly contains shortcuts to
create New Posts,Pages Media, and Users.

11. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
Is this the only way you can Create a New post or Page?
NO!
You can also do it from the Navigation Menus!

12. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Setting Menu
One of most important options in the Navigation
is the Settings Menu:

13. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Setting Menu - General Options

14. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Setting Menu - Writing Options

15. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Setting Menu - Reading Options

16. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Setting Menu - Discussion Options

17. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Setting Menu - Media Options

18. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Setting Menu - Permalinks Options

19. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Appearance Menu - Themes, Widgets & Menus

20. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Appearance Menu - Widgets

21. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Appearance Menu - Menus

22. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Appearance Menu - THE CUSTOMIZER

23. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Appearance Menu - THE CUSTOMIZER
LIVE DEMO TIME!

24. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins

25. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
What are plugins?
“Plugins are tools to extend the functionality of
WordPress. The core of WordPress is
designed to be lean, to maximize flexibility and
minimize code bloat. Plugins offer custom
functions and features so that each user can
tailor their site to their specific needs”
— http://codex.wordpress.org/Plugins

26. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
What are plugins really?
Plugins are apps or programs composed of
PHP scripts that extend the functionality of your
WordPress site.

27. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
Some plugins are free and others you must pay
for.
You can find thousands of free plugins in the
WordPress Plugin Directory:
https://wordpress.org/plugins/
There are over 40,000 plugins there!

28. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins

29. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
Examples of Plugins:
Backup Plugins
Ecommerce Plugins
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Plugins
Photo Gallery Plugins
Analytics Plugins

30. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
How Many Plugins Can I Run on my
WordPress Website?
There is no definitive answer.
It depends on how resource intensive those
plugins you installed are.

31. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
How Can I Tell if a Plugin is OK to Install?
Check how many active installs.
Check the Ratings & Reviews.
Check how many support requests have been
resolved and how quickly.
Check when it was last updated.

32. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins

33. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins

34. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins

35. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
What Out for Abandoned Plugins!
Check the Last Updated Date!

36. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
Before Installing a Plugin Make Sure You
have a Backup of Your WordPress Website!
You should also have FTP (or SFTP) access to
your website before installing a Plugin.
FTP File access will give a quick way to disable
the plugin if your site crashed and becomes
unreachable.

37. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
What Can Go Wrong?
Worst Case:
A new plugin you install can conflict with another
plugin or with WordPress itself and render your
WordPress website unreachable.
Not as Bad:
Your website will slow down or act “Weird”

38. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins

39. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins

40. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
LIVE DEMO TIME!

41. Questions?
Rich Plakas Connected Systems
@RichP on Twitter Rich@ConnectedSystems.US
The WordPress Beginner's Guide To SEO