The document provides an overview of starting with WordPress, outlining its history, advantages, and disadvantages as a content management system. It discusses essential steps such as choosing a web host, installing WordPress, and selecting a theme, along with the pros and cons of various theme options. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of using child themes for customizations and the need for some technical knowledge to effectively manage a WordPress site.

1. AIGA Essentials
Getting Started
with WordPress
By Tom Semmes
TGS Creative

2. AIGAA Easrsgehn!ti aIl scan’t find
a theme that
works! !
How do I make it do what I want it
to do?
Isn’t WordPress supposed to be
easy?

3. AAIIGGAA EEsssseennttiGiaaettlilnssg Started with WordPress
Show of hands. Are you…
 Considering starting a blog or website?
 Working with a WordPress site and are frustrated
making the changes you want?
 A print designer moving into web design?
 A web designer with knowledge of HTML and CSS
interested in migrating to WordPress?

4. AAIIGGAA EEsssseennttiGiaaettlilnssg Started with WordPress
What is WordPress?
 WordPress is a free and open source content
management system (CMS) based on PHP and
MySQL.
 Originally developed in 2003 as a system for blogging.
 Not just for blogs. Wordpress.com vs WordPress.org
 It is one the most popular web builders today powering
1 out of every 4 sites

5. AAIIGGAA EEsssseennttiGiaaettlilnssg Started with WordPress
Pros?
 Your client can manage and update their site.
 You can apply a new look instantaneously by simply
changing the theme.
 Content, since it is separate from design, has more flexibility
and power using Widgets and Shortcodes.
 You can easily add functionality, like shopping carts, event
calendars, slideshows, and forms, with inexpensive Plugins.
 Free technical support is only a Google search away.

6. AAIIGGAA EEsssseennttiGiaaettlilnssg Started with WordPress
Cons?
 WordPress is vulnerable to hackings and attacks
 The core files and plugins need to be updated.
 You are at a remove from the design. You can no
longer work directly with HTML. Changes have to be
coordinated across a variety of files. This could require
knowledge of CSS and PHP and make creating a
custom design difficult.

7. AAIIGGAA EEsssseennttiGiaaettlilnssg Started with WordPress
Getting Started
1. Choose webhost.
2. Install WordPress.
3. Choose a theme.

8. AAIIGGAA EEsssseennttiGiaaettlilnssg Started with WordPress
Choosing a Webhost
 Standard Shared Hosting: Most popular webhosts will
allow you to install WordPress easily via CPanel. These
hosts are often inexpensive you may sacrifice in speed and
security. GoDaddy, Bluehost, Hostgator.
 WP Managed Hosting. WordPress is already installed.
Built-in security protections, trained technical support,
development areas and more. More expensive but more
secure and faster. SiteGround, Pressable, WP-Engine.

9. AAIIGGAA EEsssseennttiGiaaettlilnssg Started with WordPress
Three ways to log in
To have control of a WordPress site you need this access
 Webhost login to control panel
 FTP access to web files
 WordPress admin login

10. AAIIGGAA EEsssseennttiGiaaettlilnssg Started with WordPress
A WordPress installation
A WordPress installation creates a database to store
content and uploads hundreds of files to your server.
Let’s take a look under the hood…

11. AAIIGGAA EEsssseennttiGiaaettlilnssg Started with WordPress
Choosing a Theme
Themes control how you site looks and functions. They are
composed of files including PHP templates, CSS, Javascript
and images. Your main options:
 Free themes from WordPress. org
 Commercial themes
 Web Builders
 Framework themes

12. AAIIGGAA EEsssseennttiGiaaettlilnssg Started with WordPress
Free Themes
There are thousands available via wordpress.org.
Though free you generally should avoid them for these
reasons:
 Difficult to search. Too many choices
 Conflict with plugins and WordPress updates
 No technical support or upgrades
 Limited options

13. AAIIGGAA EEsssseennttiGiaaettlilnssg Started with WordPress
Commercial Themes
Available through commercial sites for a small fee ($25-$50);
generally worth with for these reasons:
 Technical support and regular updates
 Theme options and Extended features: responsive layouts,
portfolios, shopping carts
Some options:
 Large brokers: Mojo and Envato
 Boutique : WooThemes, Elegant Themes, StudioPress

14. AAIIGGAA EEsssseennttiGiaaettlilnssg Started with WordPress
Web Builders
Web builders were created to allow complex sites to be built without
any coding experience.
 You don’t need to know CSS or PHP
 You can drag and drop elements like a page layout
 Cons: proprietary system. You lose your work if you switch back
Some options:
 Ultimatumtheme.com, headwaythemes.com and iThemes Builder

15. AAIIGGAA EEsssseennttiGiaaettlilnssg Started with WordPress
Framework Themes
Basic non-stylized themes with sturdy structure built for you to create
your own work on.
 Requires good knowledge of CSS and familiarity with PHP
 Solid support and documentation
Some options:
 WooThemes. Canvas. Built in theme options
 Studio Press: Genesis. Vast knowledge base
 Themble: Bones. No frills and no unnecessary code

16. AAIIGGAA EEsssseennttiGiaaettlilnssg Started with WordPress
Using a Child Theme
If you plan to make any changes to the files in a theme,
create a child theme to hold your changes
 Your changes won’t be overwritten by new updates
 Keeps the original files intact

17. AAIIGGAA EEsssseennttiGiaaettlilnssg Started with WordPress
D.I.Y.
With a little bit of CSS and Firefox’s Firebug extension you
can go far in changing the look of the site to your liking.
Here’s how…

18. AIGA Essentials
Thank You!
Feel free to contact me:
Tom Semmes
tom@tgscreative.com