WordPress 101Jared McMullin

Outline

Website

Domains + Hosting

Find The Best Theme

Find the best Plugins

Before + After

Security + Backup + RESTORE!!

What Should My Website BE Like?

• Find Websites you like / will be competing against

• Make a list of functionalities (Social media icons, live tweets)

• Draw it out, even if you can't draw

Domains + Hosting

• Buy a Domain Name (.com, .co, .anything)

• Find cheap but reliable hosting, You can always scale up later

• Know the difference between RAM, processor, disk space and bandwidth

Domain Providers

Domain Buying Tips• Make a list of names you would like

• Currently 208 extensions to choose from

• Search and buy quickly

• Always get the private ad on to avoid WHOIS results

• LOOK FOR COUPONS

• Some websites offer huge discounts for multi year registration

Hosting Providers

Hosting Types

• Shared Web Hosting ($)

• Virtual Private Server ($$)

• Dedicated Server ($$$)

• Managed Wordpress hosting ($-$$)

Hosting Terminology

• RAM = Random Access Memory: The more ram you have the more plugins and software you can run.

• Processor: More powerful = faster loading times

• Disk Space: How many files you can store on your server

• Bandwidth: How much data you can transfer over a billing cycle. (If a 1mb picture is viewed 100 times that’s 100mb of bandwidth)

Hosting Provider Tips

• Compare pricing as much as possible

• LOOK FOR MORE COUPONS!!!!

• Read recent reviews

• Get a feel for their customer support. (Response time, phone or email)

Premium Themes• 90% are under $60

• You can view live demos before you buy

• Documentation and tutorials

• Updated more often

• More flexible and customizable

• New themes are more than likely responsive

• Most have great customer support

• Demo Data Import Is extremely helpful!

Essential Plugins (FREE)

• YOAST SEO

• Contact Form 7

• Editorial Calendar

• W3 Total Cache

• WP smush.it

• IFTTT

SECURITY + BACKUP + RESTORE

• iThemes Security: Protects your website, hides files, changes your login url from yoursite.com/wp-admin to something only you know like yoursite.com/pineappleface

• Duplicator or Backupbuddy: Backups and clones your database and website files

• Practice backup and restoring BEFORE launching your website

• ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS KEEP WORDPRESS, THEME AND PLUGINS UP TO DATE PLEASE!!!!

My Favorite Resources• www.Google.com

• www.Youtube.com (For tutorials)

• www.ThemeForest.com

• www.wpbeginner.com

• www.Fiverr.com

• www.Udemy.com

Any Questions?