This document provides an overview of WordPress, including what it is, different versions of WordPress (WordPress.com and WordPress.org), things to be aware of when using WordPress, and basic features like posts, pages, menus, themes, plugins, and images. WordPress is an open source content management system that powers over 25% of websites and allows users to create blogs and websites without advanced coding knowledge through its user-friendly interface and features.

1. TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR SITE
WITH WORDPRESS

2. BeckyDavisDesign.com @beckyddesign
WHAT IS WORDPRESS?
WordPress is an open source blog tool and
publishing platform powered by PHP and MySQL. It's
often customized into a Content Management
System (CMS). It has many features including a plug-
in architecture and a template system.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
At this point over 25% of ALL websites are powered
by WordPress.
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3. BeckyDavisDesign.com @beckyddesign
DIFFERENT FLAVORS OF WORDPRESS
Wordpress.COM –
Set up a site for free and start
blogging!
Limited theme choices
Restricted plug-in use
Non-commercial only
Limited traffic allowed
Yourdomain.wordpress.com
No worries about hosting or
updates 3

4. BeckyDavisDesign.com @beckyddesign
DIFFERENT FLAVORS OF WORDPRESS
Wordpress.ORG –
Install the software on your hosting server – many
hosts have a quick way to do this through the control
panel
Famous less than 5 minute install (after DB has been
configured)
Almost unlimited design and functionality options
Keep it updated!
Recommend using a pro to get things designed
and setup. Coding knowledge is necessary.
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5. BeckyDavisDesign.com @beckyddesign
DIFFERENT FLAVORS OF WORDPRESS
Wordpress.ORG + Wordpress.COM
Use the same software
Creation and editing are done in the “dashboard” –
(backdoor)
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6. BeckyDavisDesign.com @beckyddesign
THINGS TO BE AWARE OF
If you already have a site that is NOT
WordPress
If you only need to make a few small
changes in a year, creating a new site in
WordPress may not be worth it
Most sites can be re-created with
WordPress, but it’s not a simple copy &
paste
You will be starting over…
Sites are like computers – over 5 years is
really old
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7. BeckyDavisDesign.com @beckyddesign
THINGS TO BE AWARE OF
When using a pro….
Be clear on what you want in a site
Design and functionality
Be sure TRAINING is included
You should know how to add/edit
content
Be sure that you have your login info
for the site as well as your hosting
and domain
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8. BeckyDavisDesign.com @beckyddesign
LET’S LOGIN & PLAY
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9. BeckyDavisDesign.com @beckyddesign
POSTS AND PAGES
Posts – for the “blog”
All posts show up in a list and
work as a group
Default is Latest First
Usually has comments, but
doesn’t have to
Can be assigned categories
and be categories can be
added to menu
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10. BeckyDavisDesign.com @beckyddesign
POSTS AND PAGES
Pages - for most of the regular
“static” pages of the site, i.e.
Home, Contact, About
They generally do not have
dates or comments or
categories attached to them
They work independently
Pages & Posts can be edited
and changed at any time from
the Dashboard
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11. BeckyDavisDesign.com @beckyddesign
 Images need to be
edited/optimized before being
uploaded to site!
 Average size off camera =
6000px
 Average width of site = 1000px
 Large images = SLOW load
 All images live in the media
library
 Use readable titles
 Add alt tags!
 Can be added to pages or posts
easily
 Slideshows require all images
to be the same size
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IMAGES

12. BeckyDavisDesign.com @beckyddesign
 Completely within your
control
 Page has to be
created first
 Can change title for
menu
 Can use custom links
or categories
 Can create children
(drop downs)
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MENUS

13. BeckyDavisDesign.com @beckyddesign
Themes control the Look, Feel and Functionality of a
WordPress site.
Layout (templates):
Distinct looks for Home, pages, portfolio, blog etc.
Side bar on left or right or both?
Widgets available?
Designed to be Responsive?
What does YOUR content need?
Style:
Purple & white or green & brown?
What font? What size, color of font?
or
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THEMES
BUTTON Button

14. BeckyDavisDesign.com @beckyddesign
Ready-made themes
Wordpress.org/themes – free
Many vendors, usually $20-$80
Look at structure, templates, keep your content in mind
Don’t be sucked in by splashy design
Carefully investigate the documentation and support before
purchase
Words to look for: templates, widgets, responsive, support
No coding needed, but still a learning curve
Built for masses, many options
Custom built themes
Hire a pro or learn to code (HTML, CSS, PHP)
Built just for what you need
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THEMES

15. BeckyDavisDesign.com @beckyddesign
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THEME STRUCTURE
All of these files
connect to the
mySQL database.
That’s where the
content lives.
Widgets are
containers that
mostly live in the
sidebar, but can
be in the footer or
header too!
Style.css controls
the look of
everything.
widget
widget
(Where the
“Loop”
happens)

16. BeckyDavisDesign.com @beckyddesign
Plugins add functionality to the site.
Backups
Slideshows
Forms
Social media connections
Shopping carts
Custom fields and content areas
SEO
Wordpress.org/plugins 41,550 in the repository
Many more “premium” ($) ones available
Research and play required 16
PLUGINS

17. BeckyDavisDesign.com @beckyddesign
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THAT’S A WORDPRESS SITE?
 Vogue.com
 Newyorker.com
 Lafeber.com
 chicagotribunemediagroup.com
 hydeparkday.org
 https://wordpress.org/showcase/ many more
examples!

18. BeckyDavisDesign.com @beckyddesign
becky@beckydavisdesign.com
beckydavisdesign.com
http://www.meetup.com/Chicago-WordPress-Meetup/
come and learn more!
Thanks!
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CONTACT