Presentation: Are you an engineer looking to enhance your professional brand? Join our insightful webinar where Gary Vaughan, a seasoned IT professional and WordPress expert, will unveil the power of WordPress websites in boosting your career and professional profile. Whether you're a consultant, volunteer, or aspiring employee, a well-crafted website can be a game-changer in showcasing your expertise. Speaker Bio: Gary's long career spans from Project Manager and Foreign Service Officer to IT Contractor at the State Department's Office of eDiplomacy. With a profound focus on WordPress software support, he now dedicates his expertise to pro bono website design for DC area non-profits and offers web design resources at dcwebrevolution.com. Gary specializes in WordPress web consulting, business planning, website design, and social media management.

1. WordPress Websites for Engineers
Computer Coach Online Webinar Series
April 19, 2024
by
Gary Vaughan, Web Designer
Elevate Your Brand

2. Agenda
1. Why a Website or Blog?
2. General Website Planning Steps
3. WordPress (WP) a Leader on the Web
4. WP Job Market and Roles
5. WordPress.Com - a user-friendly WP Option
6. WP as a tool/community to “do good”
Format: Slides, Demo, Q+A…see [this TBD Slideshare link] for Slides copy
Special 10% Discount Offer for my 3 Website Services!
Icons Source: Iconmonstr

3. About Me…
• 15 Years IT Contractor at State Dept until June 2022 (WP Support)
• Career Project Manager in int’l development (USAID, Peace Corps)
• MBA and PMP (Project Management Professional) – see my LinkedIn.
• Coaching of non-profits since 2018 (see Taproot Plus, or Catchafire)
• My many “side-gigs”: computer clubs, Toastmasters, pro bono
• Launched my Website Design Consulting Fall 2022!

4. A Website tells your Story!
• Rationale for a Website…
• A digital “storefront” you control and “brand”
• A “hub” for other social media
• A broad and deep “container” for your content and story
*Site as a space to hone, update your “value add”
-- for easy entry to learn/experiment with WordPress software…
-- to launch a pro or personal blog … (Martin Fowler)
-- or tout your solopreneur/non-profit services.

5. Business Plan
Website*
Hub
Social
Media
Real
World
Marketing
One Caveat!...Website as just part of your Marketing Message…
*Why Need a Website in 2024?: Credibility, Control, Searchability
Image Source: MS PowerPoint SmartArt

6. Leverage Social Media
• Focus on 2-3 top Platforms
• LinkedIn, Twitter (X), Facebook Business (dynamic!)
• More technical forums: Mastodon, GitHub, ProjectManagement.com, etc.
• Draft profile, engage with community
• Connection to your website!
• Explore IT Freelancing sites
• Examples: simple Fiverr (I plan to launch!), more complex Upwork
• One-off sales – globally competitive! [check out WP developers, designers!]
• Sharpen your “value add” and website brand

7. WordPress Leads the Web
• WordPress a Leader on the Web – see 2024 Report (WPBeginner)
• Open Source Software + Thousands of Themes, Plugins
• 43% of Websites, 64% of CMS is on WordPress – Community Support!
• Cost: small monthly charges typically for hosting and support
WP Alternatives?: Best Web Builders for 2024 (PC Magazine)

8. Join the Huge WP Community!
• Learn from WordPress Community: WordCamps, Wordpresstv
• Highly collaborative, supportive and diverse!
• My Notes from attending WC US in DC last August
• Upcoming “WordCamps” (incl. Contributors Day)
• Montclair, NJ: 6/1/2024
• WC Canada – Ottawa: 7/11-13/2024
• WC US – Portland, OR: 9/17-20/2024

9. “State of the Word: 2023”
• By Matt Mullenweg, WP co-founder (WordCamp Madrid)
https://wordpress.tv/2023/12/11/state-of-the-word-2023/

10. WP Job Market (Roles)
• Developer
• Designer (UI/UX, Graphics, Video)
• QA Engineer
• Site Admin/Support
• Content Writer/Marketer
• Project Manager
• Salary Range: WP Designer $73K/yr vs Developer 94K/yr [Zip Recruiter]
2024 WP Career Options Report (WPBeginner)

11. WP Developer Skills
• Mastering Core Languages: HTML, CSS, Javascript, PHP, MySQL
• Understanding WP Architecture (WP Codex, Developers Handbook)
• Engage in WP Open Source Community
• Choose your WP specialization
• Core, Theme, Plugin, API Development
• Ecommerce and Custom Development
• Performance and Security Optimization
 How to Become a WP Dev; Dev Resources on WP.ORG; WP Playground - for Testing

12. Site Production Tips
Highlight not Overwhelm your Content!
• Plan your site purpose, and map content to suit your audience
• Design a professional, branded, user-friendly site
• Draft engaging, scannable content
See further tips in Annex 2

13. Search Optimization Tips
Make your site findable on the Web!
• Logical Site Navigation, Titles
• Keywords, Categories and Tags
• Optimization of images, meta descriptions
• Jetpack SEO features [WP Plugin]
• Google Tools: Search, Trends, Alerts, Search Console
WPCOM Webinars: SEO Foundations, Effective Keyword Research

14. WordPress.Org (robust)
A Self-hosted WordPress site…
• PRO
• Great flexibility: thousands of Themes, Plugins…customization
• More ecommerce/monetization options, SEO tools, etc.
• WP.ORG is dominant WP version for users, designers, developers
• CON:
• Users’ Need to update software, security, themes, plugins…conflicts!?
• Sites can get “overgrown”, difficult for User to maintain or redesign
WP.ORG vs WP.COM – article (Hostinger); WordPress.Org resource site

15. WordPress.Com (simplified)
A hosted WordPress service by Automattic…
• Free or small fee ($4-$25/month), per Plan – see WP.COM
• Built-in Updates, Security, Backup, Site Analytics (user traffic)
• Great Support!: FAQ knowledge base, webinars, classes, forums
• Con: most plans w/ limited add-ons (Plugins), can retire Themes

16. My Website: DCWebRevolution.Com
• About: Bio – Gallery --->
• Blog for pro learning
• Site Comments, Forms
• Event promotion
• WP, Tech Resources
• TBD: MailChimp newsletter

17. WP Expert Sites
(WP.ORG)

18. Anphira
• By Gen Herres: A WP Developer, Speaker, Baltimore WP Meetup Leader
https://www.anphira.com/ (Kaya Child Theme)

19. Yonder Moon Creative
• By Kyle Vamvakas, a WP web designer in Kalamazoo MI
https://yondermooncreative.com/ (GeneratePress Theme)

20. Yikes
https://www.yikesinc.com/, (Yikes Custom Theme)
• A Philadelphia area WP Development Agency

21. Basic WordPress Concepts
• Dashboard vs Site View – internal controls vs external public site
• Theme – a layout style or format (free or premium)
• Media – place for images, photos, PDFs
• Post – changing content, like a Blog post
• Page – more static content, like an About page
• Menu – a place to organize and display your content on site
• Block Editor – modular blocks to build Pages and Posts
• Site Editor – updated flexible Editor + related Block Themes

22. WP.COM Demo (20 min.)
1. Demo The Tek Manager Site [free Assembler Block Theme, Full Site Editor – Design
Your Own wizard!]
2. Show site’s “Dashboard”
• Frontend (Public View): Blog Posts, Pages, Menu, Footer
• Backend (Admin Actions): Left sidebar, “Coming Soon”…Add free sites!
• Add Content: Pages, Posts, Media; Site-wide Editor
• Navigation: Theme (layout), Menu (location, display)
• Interaction: Feedback, Comments…Analytics
See Slides 26 - 28 for WP.COM Site Start-up Tips
Quick Account/Bare Site Setup Steps (20 min!)
My 4 Theme (layout) Suggestions

23. WP.COM Support Resources
• Get WP Answers on Support (or “?” on your Dashboard, or Google it)
• Sign up for free WP.COM Webinar or see past Webinars).
• Learn from WordPress Community: WordCamps, Wordpress.tv
Attend free WP Meetups (for ex., Gen Herres’ Baltimore WP Meetup: See her
Meetup Description/Services, and YouTube recordings)

24. • Scoping
• Business
• Branding
Planning
• Layout
• Training
• Launching
Website
• Site Stats
• Apps & Tools
• Social Media
Management
My Project Management Consulting Approach

25. My Conclusions
• A Blog/Website can enhance your “brand” and traffic
• A site as a “hub” for social media interaction with your Audience
• WordPress dominates Web, and WP.COM - an easy entrée
• WP.COM offers a wealth of self-help resources and support
• Check out my WP.COM account set-up steps…and DIY Option – see
my Resources link!
Explore WordPress.Com today!

26. How to Get Started on WP.COM
• First, “Get Started” Button, “Create your account”: Enter Email/PW…Validate
• Next, 6 Steps to build a starter site (20 min!)
1. Choose your domain (type a URL…pick a free domain!)
2. Select your Plan (also check “free”)
3. What are your Goals: check one
4. Bring your Vision to Life – Choose Theme, or Design Your Own tool
5. Let’s Get Ready to Launch [NO!] – Give your site a Name, Tagline
6. Upper right, Skip to Dashboard (√ upper left, site as “Coming Soon”!)
 Then start drafting initial content: Pages, Posts, and adding to Menu

27. Suggested Free Themes I
Easy Themes to get Started…
• Design Your Own App (Wizard, “Assembler” Block Theme)
• Start Home Pg Design – Patterns
• Choose Styles: Colors, Fonts
• Select Pages
• Edit demo Pages/Posts with your content
• Libre 2 (Blog – Simple, Classic Theme)
• Lean format + Header/Color/Font options
• Learn to use blocks for content
• Theme updated by WP.COM

28. Suggested Free Themes II
Robust FSE Themes – More Design Required!
• Twenty Twenty-Four (Full Site Editor Theme - FSE)
• Full fledged website
• Built-in demo patterns to edit
• Latest default Theme by WP.ORG
• Fewer (FSE Theme)
• Style Variations
• New Theme by Automattic
• Full Site Editor to add complexity

29. Contact Me
• Email: gary@dcwebrevolution.com
• Cell: 703-899-9940
• Website: https://dcwebrevolution.com
Slideshare link: TBD __________________
Free Webinar Offer: An added 10% off my online prices!
Online prices: New Website $100, Website Check $50, Online Business Plan $200
Call/Email me with any questions, or
Fill out this Website Planning Request form.

30. Thank
You!*

31. ANNEXES

32. 1. Apps to Grow your Site
Harness additional online tools and apps…..
• Design Logos or Infographics (free Canva tool, DIY Infographics)
• Try Podcasting (How to Article, Software Options)
• Produce Videos (Infographic, Software Options – Capcut)
• Link to Appointment App (for ex. Calendly)
• Automate Emailed Newsletters (for ex., MailChimp)

33. 2a. Website Planning Tips
• Audience (demographics)
• Models (inspirational websites)
• Site Map (your site sketch or outline)
• Content (text, images, logo…)
• Team (site Admin and support)
• Design (or redesign…migration?)
Draft a Project Plan (√ graphical Trello) or Brainstorm Design (√ Figma tool)
My Drawn Site Map for “Marketing Maven” [Demo]

34. 2b. Website Design Best Practices
• Layout: professional, brand-consistent, up-to-date Theme
• Scanability: Clean, Readable text… with a “call to action”
• Navigation: Easy-to-find info, Visual Hierarchy
• Images: Optimize size, photos, copyright…Quality!
• Engagement: Build for traffic on Web, “SEO”
• Testing: check browser/device compatibility
Image Source: Pexels [WP.COM]

35. Moodboard - Brand “Brainstorming”
My Moodboard on Pinterest for a fictional Computer Repair Co. - CALARTS
How to create a beautiful moodboard - Canva

36. 2c. Blog Drafting Tips
• Practical: How tos, Top Tips, Best of…
• Templates, Infographics, Icons
• Story-telling (√ Selective Potential lighthouse touring)
• Apt Headline, engaging intro
• Short points, break up text – blogs as a narrative form!
• Cite sources, beware copyright (√ free images – Pexels, Wikimedia)√
 Check Blog Writing Tips

37. 3. Other Pro Blog or Website Examples
• The Perimeter (Photo Blog)
UK Photos, WP.COM site…Tips: √ Events focus, Media outreach, visual impact
• Mind the Workplace (Narrative Blog)
US Law Prof, WP.COM site …Tips: √ Simple blog layout, hi value blog articles
• Selective Potential (Lifestyle Website)
Squarespace site…Tips: √ use of Blog Categories for travels/services

38. 4. Use WP to Help Your Community!
WP as a tool to promote and help your local cause
• Inspiring story of Shambi Broome in Columbia, SC
• She is a full-time WP Web Developer and cancer survivor
• Founded a non-profit to train girls in coding: Webgyrlz Code
• Mobilized girls to build a website vs local food insecurity: Cancel Hunger
• Video of her talk at WP US in DC last August.
• Another example: WP.ORG supports “Kids Camps” to teach WP
WP is a great way to mobilize local talent and resources to do good!