The document discusses the importance of improving support documentation for WordPress themes and plugins to enhance user experience, especially for new and non-technical users. It emphasizes creating a user-centric approach to documentation by addressing user needs, providing clear instructions, and using multiple learning channels such as videos and tutorials. Key recommendations include establishing standards for documentation, improving information architecture, and ensuring ease of findability and usability across all platforms.

1. Improving WordPress Themes & PluginsSupport Documentation By Gloria Antonelli

2. About.meFine artistStarted web dev in mid 90’sCrazy about learning new technologyLearn from the bestLove to teach what I learnGo to a lot of conferencesShy online but not in personI consult, train and sometimes write. http://2011.chicago.wordcamp.org/2011/07/23/interview-with-gloria-antonelli/

3. Support documents & learning channelsarekey for greatUser Experience.

4. The ProblemToo many frustrated users are searching for answers on how to use your products.examples: All in one SEO & Thematic

5. It’s been the Wild West in WP development land.Are we ready to settle down with some standards in support document creation?

6. WP Gold Standardthreed’sthedevelopmentdesigndocumentationCreate standards without stifling innovation and creativity.

7. Questions to ask yourself.What is your business model?Business goals?Full-time venture?Who are your target users?What is your development philosophy?Why are you making themes & plugins?Once you know tell your users!

8. the team : many hats, jobs & skillsCODE DESIGN UI UX IA SEOThe holy trinityUX IA Dev

9. Are you wearing all the hats?

10. For users to easily find information to configure, modify & use your products.EXPECTATIONS

11. The Long Tail of UsersHeadexperienced usersLong Tailnew & non tech usersUnlimited niche users with various skill sets

12. The Learning CurveDifficultHeadexperienced usersEasyLong Tailnew & non tech usersUnlimited niche users with various skill sets

13. The Learning CurveDifficultHeadexperienced usersEasyLong Tailnew & non tech userslimitedUnlimited niche users with various skill sets

14. The Learning CurveDifficultAre you addressing the needs of this market segment?Easy[new & non tech users]

15. Target Users Skill Set****an estimate of skill sets *refers to all JavaScript libraries

16. “please care about your end users”Gary VaynerchukFOWA Vegas 2011

17. WP Learning CurvehtmlMultiple learning layersWordPress UI Theme Functionality Theme Options Theme Widgets Many Pluginscssphp

18. WP Learning CurveAdvanced learning layershtmlWordPress UI Theme Functionality Theme Options Theme Widgets Many Pluginscssphp

19. Users ProcessDecide to use WordPressPlugin SelectionSet upThemeModifyThemeTheme Selection>>>>repeat as neededread docssearch webview videosview tutorialssearch webread reviewsselect & hopefor the best read docssearch webview videosview tutorialssearch webread reviewsread docssearch web

20. Theme Support,Option Page UI,& Pluginseveryone is differentDon’t know what to expect until you buy in.are youmaking users crazy?

21. Move from Dev Centric to User CentricIs there a clear learning path for all users?

22. Create a [UX-Centric] ProcessThink of users needs throughout each step.Create a [UX-Centric] Process Think of users needs throughout each step.

23. Brainstorm ideas/solutions to ease pain points.Create a [UX-Centric] Process Think of users needs throughout each step.

24. Brainstorm ideas/solutions to ease pain points.

25. Collect data from users in each target segment.Create a [UX-Centric] Process Think of users needs throughout each step.

26. Brainstorm ideas/solutions to ease pain points.

27. Collect data from users in each target segment.

28. Develop a prototype of learning channels.Create a [UX-Centric] Process Think of users needs throughout each step.

29. Brainstorm ideas/solutions to ease pain points.

30. Collect data from users in each target segment.

31. Develop a prototype of learning channels.

32. Create a foundation for the learning center.Create a [UX-Centric] Process Think of users needs throughout each step.

33. Brainstorm ideas/solutions to ease pain points.

34. Collect data from users in each target segment.

35. Develop a prototype of learning channels.

36. Create a foundation for the learning center.

37. Write content, create videos, and tutorials.Create a [UX-Centric] Process Think of users needs throughout each step.

38. Brainstorm ideas/solutions to ease pain points.

39. Collect data from users in each target segment.

40. Develop a prototype of learning channels.

41. Create a foundation for the learning center.

42. Write content, create videos, and tutorials.

43. Conduct usability testing as you go along.“Don’t Make Me Think”By Steve KrugA Common Sense Approach to Web UsabilityThe Do-It-Yourself Guide to Finding and Fixing Usability Problemshttp://www.sensible.com/

44. User Pain PointsDon’t know where to start.

45. Understanding features in different themes.

46. Unfamiliar with terms & finding info.

47. Different naming conventions.

48. Next iterations of WP core.

49. No theme support evaluation system.Don’t start with just a forum!

50. Don’t start with just a forum!Users need more step by step:

51. Don’t start with just a forum!Users need more step by step:“get started” instructions – install & configure

52. Don’t start with just a forum!Users need more step by step:“get started” instructions – install & configure guides for troubleshooting, option page, features, modifying the themeForums have a place but best to give answers before they areasked.

53. Don’t start with just a forum!Users need more step by step:“get started” instructions – install & configure guides for troubleshooting, option page, features, modifying the theme advance code & developers guide

54. Don’t start with just a forum!Users need more step by step:“get started” instructions – install & configure guides for troubleshooting, option page, features, modifying the theme advance code & developers guide videos, tutorials and faq

55. Don’t start with just a forum!Users need more step by step:“get started” instructions – install & configure guides for troubleshooting, option page, features, modifying the theme advance code & developers guide videos, tutorials and faq links to external resources

56. Don’t start with just a forum!Users need more step by step:get started instructions – install & configure guides for troubleshooting, option page, features, modifying the theme advance code & developers guide videos, tutorials and faq links to external resourcesForums have a place but best to give answers before they areasked.

57. Create Multiple ChannelsGuidesForumVideosTutorials

58. Documentation TipsInformation ArchitectureFindabilityVisual PresentationInstructional CreationConcept Map ModelBest Practices

59. Information Architectureis the categorization of information into a coherent structure.

60. Information ArchitectureArrange in order of importance

61. Information ArchitectureArrange in order of importance Arrange in order of skill level

62. Information ArchitectureArrange in order of importance Arrange in order of skill levelClear calls of action (Start Here)

63. Information ArchitectureArrange in order of importance Arrange in order of skill levelClear calls of action (Start Here)Clear navigation

64. Information ArchitectureArrange in order of importance Arrange in order of skill levelClear calls of action (Start Here)Clear navigationUse descriptive headlines

65. Information ArchitectureArrange in order of importance Arrange in order of skill levelClear calls of action (Start Here)Clear navigationUse descriptive headlinesUI consistency for ease of use