WordPressSO MANY PLUGINS, NOT ENOUGH TIME

WordCamp BostonPresented by: Reiko Beach

Aug 23, 2014

What we will cover:

• Plugin vs. Widget

• Suggested Free Plugins

• Other Plugins

• Finding Plugins

• Backup

• Security

What functionality are you looking for?

32,861 PLUGINS 717,781,988 DOWNLOADS, AND COUNTINGAS OF 8/19/2014

Plugins & WidgetsA large part in the flexibility of WordPress

is from using Plugins and Widgets~ ~~~~~~~~~~~

Plug-ins extend the functionality of WordPress (it is something that is installed and activated on the WordPress site)

~~ ~

Widgets are placeholders or user interface elements that have data visible to the user.

PluginsPlug-ins can:

● Add new menus & configuration options to the Admin Dashboard (post types, spam filters, content importing)

● Add new features to the frontend of your website (social sharing tools)

● Change the way your site is displayed (mobile)

● Collect stats (analytics)

● Automate tasks (security, backup)

Some Suggested Free PluginsJetpack – lots of features (by: Automatic -

requires a WordPress.com account)

Disqus/Intense Debate (improves comments)

Akismet – Spam filter (already built in – by: Automatic for personal free - businesses $5 p/m)

W3 Total Cache (improves page speed)

WordPress SEO by Yoast (Search)

Anti-Spam (no Captcha)

BackWPup Free (backs up both database and files)

Many other plugins freely available!http://wordpress.org/plugins/

Some Plugins I use• Gravity Forms ($99 Business)

• Backup Buddy ($80 Personal)

• WP Database Cleaner

• Woo Sidebars

• Google Analytics Dashboard for WP

• WP Touch – Mobile

• Widgetize Pages Light

• Testimonial Widgets

• WooCommerce

Top 12• Akismet Downloaded 22,823,507 times

• WordPress SEO by Yoast Downloaded 12,079,475 times

• Contact Form 7 Downloaded 19,286,403 times

• Jetpack by WordPress.com Downloaded 11,676,798 times

• Wordfence Security Downloaded 2,609,898 times

• MailPoet Newsletters Downloaded 2,237,101 times

As of 8/19/2014

Top 12• NextGEN Gallery Downloaded 10,664,523 times

• All in One SEO Pack Downloaded 19,642,755 times

• WP Super Cache Downloaded 6,061,055 times

• WordPress Importer Downloaded 8,083,625 times

• iThemes Security (formerly Better WP Security)Downloaded 2,846,196 times

• Google XML Sitemaps Downloaded 14,616,663 times

As of 8/19/2014

How to find Plugins• go to http://wordpress.org/plugins/

• What functionality are you looking for?• Twitter Feed• Simple PayPal shopping cart

Architecture of WordPress

• Files & folders

• (File Manager):

• Database (PHP):

Architecture of WordPress

Architecture of WordPress

Architecture of WordPress

Backups

Use a plugin or service (automatic) BackUPwp Free, Backup Buddy or VaultPress

-or-Your Hosting service - just make sure

its not backing up to the same server.

Backups

Here’s an article about different (free) ways to backup your site:

http://premium.wpmudev.org/blog/free-wordpress-backup-plugins/

Security• Always upgrade your WordPress Core,

plugins and themes

• From WordPress 3.7+ there are automatic core updates

• Steps:

• 1. Backup your site

• 2. Upgrade your themes and plugins first

• 3. Upgrade WordPress core

Security• Have strong passwords at all entry

points:– Hosting control panel

– FTP

– WordPress admin (never use “admin”)

– Give people their own username and password

• Delete any plugins you are not using• Download code directly from

wordpress.org whenever possible

Security - some plugins

• Wordfence Security (Anti-virus and Firewall security)

• BulletProof Security (.htaccess file security.)

• Ithemes Security (formerly Better WordPress Security)

• BruteProtect (Cloud-powered protects against botnet attacks)

ConclusionWordPress.org, themes & plugins are open-

source & community developed: embrace - but be cautious

Keep plugins & themes updatedBe careful of what files you’ve changed

(ideally, don’t change any “core” files in themes, plugins or WordPress itself)

http://www.wpthemedetector.com/

http://pagexray.com/ (for chrome)

2 fun tools

Questions?

» Twitter: Reikob and TechDayCamp

» Linkedin: ReikoBeach» Reiko@thetoolboxinc.co

m» phone: 781.987.1655

TRBDesigns.com

TheToolboxInc.com

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