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Getting Started

Getting Started with WordPress for Absolute Beginners

WordPress on Laptop Screen

Domain Names

  • What is a domain name?
  • .com vs other Top Level Domains (TLD)
  • Purchase from a third party
  • Hover.com
  • NameCheap.com

Hosting

  • Your #1 Priority as a Beginner is Great Support
    • 24 Hour Phone, Live Chat, Email, & Ticketing
    • Your #2 Priority is Speed
    • Ensure you get a free SSL Certificate to secure your site
  • Shared Hosting vs Managed Hosting
    • Managed Hosting
      • WPEngine.com
      • FlyWheel.com
  • SiteGround.com
    • https://www.siteground.com/tutorials/wordpress/
  • A2Hosting.com
  • DreamHost.com
  • Budget Options include BlueHost & HostGator
  • Free Option is WordPress.com

WordPress.org vs WordPress.com

  • WordPress Software
    • Open Source
    • Free Download
  • WordPress.org
  • WordPress.com
    • Support via Happiness Engineers
  • Automattic, Inc. / WordPress Foundation / Matt Mullenweg

Email Service

  • Third Party vs Free Email from Your Host
  • Zoho.com (free & paid plans)
  • Google G Suite ($5.00 per month)

Themes

  • Change Themes to Change Styling (Not Functionality)
  • Themes Require Setup including plugins and widgets to look like the demo
  • Build on a Solid Foundation
    • Stay Away from Bloated Themes with lots of Functionality
    • Free + Premium = Freemium
  • Market Places for Themes & Plugins
    • Envato
      • Theme Forest
      • Code Canyon
    • Mojo MarketPlace
    • Individual Company Websites
  • Child Themes
    • Allows Your Theme to be Updated Without Losing Your Customizations
    • Buy a Theme that comes with a Child Theme
    • Create Your Own Child Theme for any Theme
    • Use plugins for customizations instead of a Child Theme
  • Frameworks
    • StudioPress Genesis – Light
    • WooCommerce Canvas – Great for e-commerce
    • Thesis
  • Theme Companies
    • Array Themes
    • Astra – Great for use with Beaver Builder & other Page Builder Plugins
    • GeneratePress – Great for use with Beaver Builder & other Page Builder Plugins
    • MyThemeShop.com
    • StudioPress.com
    • WooCommerce.com
    • Free Themes on WordPress.org

Plugins

  • Used to add functionality to WordPress
    • Can be downloaded and activated directly within WordPress
    • Premium Plugins must be downloaded from the companies website and then uploaded to WordPress and Activated
      • Premium Plugins Usually Require a License
      • Typically Require Annual Support Payment
      • Some companies are switching to Ongoing Subscription Based Models
      • Can easily become your greatest expense
  • Akismet, JetPack, Woo Themes all by Automattic
  • BackWPup
  • Beaver Builder – A Page Builder
    • Choosing the right theme for Beaver Builder
  • Google Analytics for WordPress by MonsterInsights
  • iThemes Security
  • WPForms, Gravity Forms, Ninja Forms, Contact Form 7
  • Yoast

Using WordPress

  • Login
  • Admin Area
  • The Customizer
  • Changing Themes
  • Adding a Plugin
  • Installing a Widget
  • Creating a Page
  • Creating a Post
  • Saving a Draft
  • Publishing a Post

Learning Resources

  • WP101.com
    • Introduction to WordPress Course
  • WPBeginner.com
    • Ultimate Guide: How to Start a WordPress Blog (Step by Step)
  • YouTube.com
  • WPTavern.com for News
  • MichaelHyatt.com
    • How to Launch a Self-hosted WordPress Blog in 20 Minutes or Less – Demonstrated on Bluehost.com
    • What I’ve Learned About Blogging From Writing More Than 1,000 Posts
  • Podcasts
    • BlogAid
    • KitchensinkWP with Adam Silver
    • OfficeHours.FM with Carrie Dils
    • YourWebsiteEngineer with Dustin Hartzler

Advancing with WordPress

  • Start Learning the foundations
    • HTML, CSS
    • JavaScript
    • PHP

Questions & Answers

  • Live Q & A
  • Forums
  • Website – Louisvill.io changing to LouisvilleTech.org
  • Slack – Louisville Tech, WordPress Channel (Get your Slack invite at LouisvilleTech.org)
  • Meetup.com – WordPress Louisville Meetup
  • Facebook – Louisville WordPress User Group

Contact Me

  • Email:  John@JohnHendrix.me
  • Twitter: @JohnTHendrix
  • Website: www.JohnHendrix.me

 

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