This document provides an overview and recommendations for setting up a WordPress site, including: 1. It recommends selecting a domain registrar and web host, and discusses the pros and cons of having them with the same account. 2. It provides a list of recommended managed and self-managed web hosts that support WordPress installations. 3. It offers tips for securing WordPress sites, including using strong passwords, regular backups, and security plugins.

1. Wordpress Resources
Oct 11-12, 2014 * The University of the South
Judy Wilson / site shack web design * nashville, tn
____________________________
copyright 2014 Site Shack Web Design
all rights reserved

2. Class Website
www.site-shack.com/wordpress-sewanee-class

3. Self Hosting
You’ll need to:
• Choose a domain name
• Select a domain registrar
• Find a web host (curated or non-curated)

4. Domain name registrars
• www.dotster.com
• www.register.com
• www.bluehost.com
(also provides WordPress hosting, 1-click install)

5. Recommended Hosts
Self managed or “non-curated”
• webservices.thesba.com (Small Business Authority) - includes domain
registration.
• www.mediatemple.net/wordpress-webhosting.php (Media Temple) -
includes domain registration.
• www.bluehost.com - includes domain registration.
• www.site5.com - includes domain registration
Note: It’s possible to install WordPress on a Windows server, but WordPress is
really designed for a Linux environment.

6. Recommended Hosts
Managed or curated hosts
• www.wpengine.com
• www.websynthesis.com (recommended by Yoast Temple)
- includes domain registration, uses Linux platform
• www.getflywheel.com - includes domain registration, uses
Linux platform
• www.getpantheon.com - sophisticated, powerful – uses
the “development – test – live model.”

7. Is it ok if my host and domain
registrar are at the same account?
‣ Pro: It makes setup easier. No need to know anything about
“DNS.”
‣ Con: If you have a falling out with your web host, you can switch
hosts without losing or having a hassle transferring your domain
name to a new web host. Likewise if your registrar gives you
problems, you still have access to your web host.

8. Be aware.
A word about one-click installs. Use a bit of caution with these.
They are ok to use, but some hosts will also bundle hundreds (!)
of extra themes. Make sure your one-click will not do this.
The more themes, the better your chances of being hacked. Some
themes are coded in such a way that they can be easily exploited
by hackers. You will also need to confirm that various security
features are in place after install.
In other words, don’t “save money” by going with a cheap host or
registrar.

9. • Set your domain name to auto-renew or pay for multiple years.
• After you search for your domain name, buy it.
• You get what you pay for: cheap ($3.95 a month e.g.) host accounts typically live
on servers already stuffed with hundreds or thousands of other accounts,
leading to slow downloads, increased vulnerability, long waits on customer
service and so on. But it’s getting better.
• Beware the “You Needs” (private registration, free trial offers, additional
security that costs $ etc).
• Check your shopping cart before you pay.
• Don’t cheap out.
Be aware, cont.

10. Where are all the files located?
or What’s FTP?
‣ FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a means of moving Web site files from your computer to
the Web host’s server (which is connected to the Internet).
‣ How do I get an FTP program (aka “FTP client”)
• You will need to download and install a FTP program
• (Mac > Transmit or Filezilla and Windows > Filezilla)
• NOTE that your web host account will include and FTP account

11. Be hyper-vigilant!
• codex.wordpress.org/Hardening_WordPress
• Use salt in your wp-config.php file -
• api.wordpress.org/secret-key/1.1/salt/
• Don't use "admin" as your user name!
• Don't use a wp_ prefix for your tables.
• Use long (at least 8-12 characters) random, non-sequential passwords or have the host
auto-generate your password (meaning: you won’t find it in a dictionary).
• Get into the habit of changing your password(s) every 3 months.
• KNOW IF/HOW/WHERE TO BACKUP and RESTORE YOUR SITE INCLUDING THE
DATABASE.
• Scan your site: sitecheck.sucuri.net
www.slideshare.net/siteshackdesign/site-shack-securitywp041913

12. Recommended Theme Sources
www.themeforest.net
www.inkthemes.com
www.templatic.com
www.elegantthemes.com
www.vivathemes.com
Genesis - Framework or Parent/Child - $59.95 or buy both
my.studiopress.com/themes
Ask yourself:
Is this theme responsive?
Is there a user forum?
Is it free?
Generally, do not use a free theme.

13. Recommended Plugins
wordpress.org/plugins/browse/popular
www.tipsandtricks-hq.com/list-of-the-best-and-
must-use-wordpress-plugins-535
Backup Buddy
ithemes.com/purchase/backupbuddy
Yoast SEO and Google Analytics
yoast.com/wordpress/plugins/seo
Social Media integration & tracking
wordpress.org/plugins/addthis
Forms - basic
www.contactform7.com

14. Recommended Quiz Plugins
codecanyon.net/item/wordpress-quiz/5057356
$22.00
wordpress.org/plugins/wp-pro-quiz
Free
Requires: ver 3.3 or higher
Compatible up to: 4.0
Last Updated: 2014-10-14
Downloads: 65,503
wordpress.org/plugins/slickquiz
Free
Requires: ver 3.0 or higher
Compatible up to: 4.0
Last Updated: 2014-11-5
Downloads: 36,999

15. Recommended Ecommerce Plugins
Note: there are many WP ecommerce plugins and ecommerce themes (some, like a
woocommerce theme is designed to work only with the woocommerce plugin). Different
ecommerce plugins/themes have different features and should be evaluated for use –
along with their popularity, rating, compatability with your WP version etc – based on the
features you need.
Ready Ecommerce (highly rated)
http://wordpress.org/plugins/ready-ecommerce/
Compatible up to: 4.0
Last Updated: 2014-10-14
Downloads: 711,861
4.7 out of 5 stars

16. Recommended Ecommerce Plugin:
Woocommerce plugin + theme
Woo ecommerce themes are to use the woocommerce plugin. The themes use the Woo “framework” theme – this framework
theme is purchased separately and works as a kind of code base for the actual Woo theme. This is what’s referred to as a “parent
– child” theme configuration. The framework is the parent and the theme is the child. Modifcations to the theme and its code
are not (and should not be) made to the framework; this is important. When a theme is updated (as is sometimes necessary),
only the framework gets the updates, not the “child theme” with its modified (or “overwritten”) code. If the framework’s code
had been overwritten however, the child theme would likely break or not function/appear as it should.
Note that the Inovado theme supports woocommerce.
www.woothemes.com/woocommerce/
www.woothemes.com/wooframework/
WooCommerce is free but you can purchase extensions on CodeCanyon.
http://codecanyon.net/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&term=woo+commerce
Includes such plugins (that are coded to work with woothemes and woocommerce):
codecanyon.net/item/social-coupon-for-wordpress/3417466?ref=wpexplorer
Social Coupon for WordPress is a WooCommerce extension that allows you to easily add a social
coupon system to your site that allows users to get instant discounts for sharing your pages.

17. WordPress Event Registration Plugins
Events Manager
wordpress.org/plugins/events-manager
wp-events-plugin.com
Requires: 3.5 or higher
Compatible up to: 4.0
Last Updated: 2014-9-5
Downloads: 968,471
4.3 of 5 stars
The Pro version allows payment integration.
Event Registration
wordpress.org/plugins/event-registration
Requires: 3.7 or higher
Compatible up to: 3.9.2
Last Updated: 2014-7-15
Downloads: 119,096
3.6 of 5 stars

18. Recommended Learning Resources
www.wpbeginner.com
code.tutsplus.com/categories/wordpress
codex.wordpress.org
www.lynda.com
wpnashville.com
2014.nashville.wordcamp.org

19. Search Engine Optimization Resources
Webmaster Guidelines
Best practices to help Google find, crawl, and index your site
support.google.com/webmasters/answer/35769
Google’s guidelines to duplicate text
support.google.com/webmasters/answer/66359?hl=en
www.moz.com
moz.com/blog/searchmetrics-ranking-factors-2014
moz.com/beginners-guide-to-seo
moz.com/blog/7-advanced-seo-concepts
yoast.com/articles/wordpress-seo

20. Want to know more?
Just Google WordPress.