The document is a seminar overview presented by Brian Rotsztein on the effectiveness of WordPress as a content management system (CMS). It covers key topics including how to convert WordPress for business use, its flexibility and extensibility, and various plugins for enhancing functionality. Additionally, it addresses potential pitfalls and critical questions businesses should consider when using WordPress as their CMS.

1. WordCamp Montreal 2010
Brian Rotsztein
Hub: www.brianrotsztein.com
Blog: www.purposive.com
Follow Me: @brianrotsztein
Write Me: info@brianrotsztein.com

2. Seminar Overview
1. From Basic CMS to WordPress
2. Why WordPress is a Powerful CMS
3. How to Convert WordPress to a CMS
4. Refining Your CMS for Business Websites
5. What is Being Managed?
6. Pitfalls of WordPress as a Business CMS
7. Business Questions
8. Gallery of Popular WordPress Uses
P.S. Say “no!” to death by PowerPoint. No other slide in this presentation will look like this!

3. What is a
CMS
?

4. Software

5. A Basic CMS…
Allows users with
little understanding of
web programming to
update a website.

6. Simplest Form
(…and I mean REALLY simple!)

7. 2 Popular Basic CMSs
Cushy CMS & Adobe Contribute:
Users edit text on a static website

8. A basic CMS is a
limited product

9. A Better CMS…
Can do a lot more
than these simplistic
systems.

10. Enter:

11. Blog Website
Traditional Edit with
use of a CMS
WordPress

12. Popular WordPess Features
Blog Website
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Add Text
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Add Media
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Edit Main Sections
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Manage Users
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Add Comments
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. Blog or website?

14. A Blog IS a Website!

15. In most cases,
the distinction is
ARBITRARY

16. The main defining factor is
PURPOSE
How is WordPress being used?

17. Why is
WordPress
a powerful CMS?

19. Easy

20. Flexible
Versatile
Adaptable
Adjustable
Extensible

21. Themes

22. n s
g i
Plu

23. WordPress is a Platform

24. Add Plugins, Watch it Grow

25. Adapt as Needed

26. Create a Masterpiece

27. How Many?

28. Photo by Wikimedia User
Darkfate

29. Community
Support

30. Mobile Apps
Have Smartphone.
Will Update.

32. A Deeper Look

33. Posts vs. Pages
Get Over It!

34. Display a Static Front Page

35. X www.website.com/08/28/?p123crap/
www.website.com/products/

36. Disallow Comments
Full Website
Individual Pages

37. Navigation
by Widget

38. Published Sidebar Menu

39. Template Hierarchy

40. Template Tags: Tags Tag

41. CMS Themes

42. CMS Theme
with Custom Options

43. Refine
Your CMS

44. Admin Management: User Roles

45. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Make your website “Google-friendly”
Plugins to Consider
All in One SEO Pack
Platinum SEO Pack
Headspace 2

46. Maintenance
Mode

47. Don’t wait until
disaster strikes
Make
Back-ups!

48. More Ideas for Business CMSs
Project / Task Management (CollabPress)
Speed Up WordPress (WP Super Cache)
“Actual” CMS Plugins
White Label Admin Templates

49. What exactly are you
managing?

50. The main factors are
Content
&
Communications

51. TEXT
(Obvious, I know)
Visual HTML
This is blue text. <h1><span style="color:
#0000ff;">This is blue
text.</span></h1>

52. Photos
People like to look at people
Plugins to Consider
NextGEN Gallery
Flickr Gallery
Watermark Reloaded
Microstock

53. Video
Plugin to Consider
Smart YouTube

54. Contact Management
Plugins to Consider
WP Contacts Directory
RoloPress

55. Email
“Marketing”
Plugins to Consider
MailPress

56. Customer Support
Plugins to Consider
WordPress Advanced Ticket System
LiveHelpNow

57. Audio/Podcasting
Plugins to Consider
Podpress
Blubrry PowerPress

58. E-commerce

59. Social Media Networking

60. Remember…
WordPress is User-defined
The Definers
Business Owners
Web Designers
Web Programmers
Internet Marketers
End-users
YOU

61. Build On Your Platform
Business Website Job Boards
Personal Site Classified Ads
Real Estate Listings Social Media Network
Magazine Forum
Event Registration Portfolio
Membership Website Review Websites
Radio Station (RSS Station) Online Store
Subscription-only Website Product Gallery
Video Sharing Wiki
Intranet Auctions
Word Processing Cloud Web Directory
The List Goes On…

62. Pitfalls

63. Upgrades

64. Start with Version 1.0

65. New Version is Released

66. Upgrade to a Better Version

67. Custom
Programming

68. A Web Designer
Can Help

69. You May Want to
Un-plugin

70. Training
One-on-one
User Manual
Teach to Learn
Demo Site

71. Multilingualism
WordPress might have
trouble displaying text
in a language that
others can understand.

72. Business Questions
Why do I need a CMS?
What are my needs? (Realistic?)
Who is going to manage my WordPress CMS?
Will there be future expansion? (Themes, Plugins, Content Types Upgrades)
Do I have time? (E.g., search for plugins, test plugins, read reviews,…)
Do I have the skill set?
What’s my budget?

73. Who is using
?

89. Brian Rotsztein
Hub: www.brianrotsztein.com
Blog: www.purposive.com
Follow Me: @brianrotsztein
Write Me: info@brianrotsztein.com
Web Design: www.redstonex.com
Internet Marketing: www.uniseo.com