This document discusses themes and plugins in WordPress. It begins with an introduction to the presenter and an overview of the agenda. It then defines what a theme is and discusses default themes, how to choose a theme, free themes, frameworks, child themes, and how to select plugins. Popular free plugins like Akismet and Yoast SEO are mentioned. The document encourages selecting plugins needed while considering ratings, support, and updates. It concludes with asking if there are any questions.

1. graphicallydesigning

2. Working with themes & plugins
Susan Ramsey

3. AGENDA
 About Me
 Introduction
 Themes
 Frameworks
 Child Themes
 Plugins: Free
 Plugins: Premium
 FAQs
 Helpful Links
 Q&A

4. About Me
Susan Ramsey
Fort Worth, TX
Owner, Graphically Designing
www.graphicallydesigning.com
Where you’ll find me online:
 Pretty Darn Cute Design – Theme Support & Customizations
 StudioPress Community Forums – Moderator/Volunteer
 Twitter: @GraphDesigning

5. Introduction
What is a Theme?
 A theme provides the user a way to control the look, design,
functionality and presentation of their website.
 It’s sometimes called the “skin” of a website, but it’s much more than
that.
 It’s a collection of files (“template files”) each of which provides
different functionality.

6. Default
Themes
 Each WordPress install comes loaded with three
default themes.
 Even if you don’t use one of these themes, keep one
in your dashboard. Ideal for Troubleshooting

7. How to Choose A Theme
Select a Theme which is suitable for your business and/or niche
 A theme which is designed for someone who blogs about their
family is going to look and feel different than a theme design for
an insurance company.

8. How to Choose A Theme
Keep it Simple
 Choose a theme which provides you with the functionality you need, rather
than one which has all the “bells and whistles”
Responsive or non-Responsive?
Check Browser Compatibility
Check Terms of Service

9. Free Themes
Available through WordPress.org (or via your site’s Dashboard)
 Support provided via WordPress volunteer support forums
Available through Third Party Developers
 Support may or may not be provided

10. Frameworks
A Theme framework is a foundation for WordPress development,
designed to be used with a Child Theme.

11. “Child” Themes
A child inherits the functionality of another theme,
called the parent theme
Child themes allow you to modify, or add to the
functionality of that parent theme
Updates to a child theme will not be wiped out when
the parent theme is updated.
Easier for new users to modify

12. Plugins
Plugins are scripts which add to the functionality of WordPress. They enhance existing
functionality, or new functionality.
There are currently over 33,000 plugins in the WordPress Repository.
 Spam Blockers
 SEO
 Email Forms
 E-Commerce
 Photo Galleries
 Events Calendars
 Newsletters
 Social Media
 Social Sharing

13. How to Choose a Plugin
Determine Need – don’t add unnecessary plugins.
Rating – check the rating and popularity of a plugin; how often has it been
downloaded?
Support – who provides the support? Is it free, or an additional cost? Check the
support forum for the plugin – how quickly are support tickets responded to?
Updates – when was the plugin last updated? Is it compatible with the latest version
of WordPress?

14. Akismet – Spam Blocker

15. Yoast SEO

16. Free Plugins & Premium Plugins
Free plugins are available through the WordPress Repository, or may
be available outside of the repository.
Many plugins off both a free version and a premium version.
 Premium version offers more functionality, including “add-ons”
 Dedicated support

17. Questions?