WordPress – CMS – Basics and More
Gone are the days when a website could get away using simple static HTML code. With the ever increasing use of ‘alternate media’ websites now need to be responsive for a good viewer experience. They also need to be dynamic, easily managed (often by multiple contributors), SEO optimized, and regularly updated.
This calls for a CMS installation. (Content Management System) There are several free CMS open source systems based on PHP. WordPress, Drupal, Joomla are the main players. Even though the general concepts are the same, each have their own learning curve.
They all pretend to be ‘easy’ to use for a non-programmer, however, in reality it is very helpful to have a rudimentary understanding of the PHP language, and a willingness to spend some time learning each systems unique admin configurations.
Setting up WordPress:
Establish the MYSQL database first. Download the latest version of WordPress from wordpress.org. Upload it into it’s own folder inside the root of your host. (or on your local server.) Enter the DB passwords in wp-config.php and upload. Run the “5-minute install”.
http://codex.wordpress.org/Installing_WordPress
The best place to find information, clarification and instructions is on the WordPress Codex:
http://codex.wordpress.org/
Themes:
WordPress will activate it’s current default theme but also ships with the previous 2 themes. (2012, 2013, 2014) Each of these themes target a different use – 2013 is more of a blog format, 2014 offers more contemporary image based layouts. The theme controls the way the website appears on screen, (by CSS and theme-specific php) and some themes include additional features and/or plugin functions, or even offer entire ‘page layout builder’ interfaces. Each theme designer/company has their own way of constructing their themes, but multiple themes by the same designer usually function the same way.
The www.wordpress.org website offers many free themes. But commercial themes also have advantages, such as better designs, tech support and superior coding. Prices vary, but range in the $35-80.
- http://wordpress.org/themes/ (free themes)
- http://wordpress.org/themes/commercial/
(Lists some of the most popular commercial theme companies.)
Download and install a chosen theme into the wp-content/themes folder. Delete any unused themes. However, always keep at least 1 default WP theme in case of a theme crash. (!)
Always use a Child theme – based on your chosen theme. Any customization of the CSS or PHP needs to be done in the Child theme. This avoids changes being lost with parent theme updates.
http://codex.wordpress.org/Child_Themes
It is important to become familiar with the default WordPress admin interface before activating a new theme. Know how to handle Pages, Posts, Menus, Widgets, Plugins, Media uploads and the various options under “Settings”.
Plugins:
Plugins add additional functionality to a WordPress installation. There are thousands available, but it’s prudent to download only those on the wordpress.org plugin repository.
http://wordpress.org/plugins/ Respected commercial plugin authors also have at least one free plugin in the WP repository.
Plugins are easiest to install right inside the plugins window in the WP admin area.
My favorite and essential plugins:
- WordFence Security
- BackWPup
- WordPress SEO by Yoast or All In One Seo Pack
- Widget Logic (if theme does not provide page-specific widget options)
- Simplified Social Sharing (or any preferred social sharing plugin)
Possibly useful depending on site requirements:
- NextGEN Gallery (photo galleries with ‘overlay’ effect for enlargements)
- Subscribe2 (automatic email send of new posts to subscriber list)
- Business Directory Plugin (free or paid business directory)
- The Events Calendar
- Akismet licence (blocks spam, small fee required for activation key.)
- Fast Secure Contact Form
- Websimon Tables (to easily display table data)
- BackupBuddy (popular fee-based backup plugin, but check host compatibility)
- Broken Links Checker
Updating software:
WordPress releases a core files update every few months.
It is critical that WordPress core files are updated!
(Often the updates address new security issues, and not updating increases the risk of being hacked.)
As soon as WordPress releases core updates, the plugin authors scramble to update their plugins to maintain compatibility. It is wise to run the plugin updates as soon as they become available – however, it is also sensible to check the WP forums first regarding any possible plugin compatibility problems.
Backups:
A WordPress website has two parts:
- The WP core files, and the customized theme folders, plugins and uploads (photos/PDF files etc.)
- The MYSQL database (the actual texts, user info, settings etc.)
Both should be backed up, but scheduling depends on how often a website is updated or changed.
Use a plugin to run backups automatically. Backups can be saved in the root folder, emailed (only the database) or uploaded to a Dropbox account, or other cloud server such as Amazon s3. For very large sites, a cloud server such as Amazon s3 may be the only option for the files backup. (Dropbox has a size limit for remote uploads.)
Learn how to backup, restore or move a WordPress site manually:
http://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-move-wordpress-from-local-server-to-live-site/
http://www.jasonbobich.com/web-design/moving-wordpress-to-a-new-server/
To search and replace in the MsQL file:
https://interconnectit.com/products/search-and-replace-for-wordpress-databases/
Other possible add-ons:
- Sucuri Malware detection, alerting, cleanup
- InfiniteWP Manage multiple sites from one interface
- BackupBuddy Commercial backup plugin, very popular, but will it work? (Check their hosting compatibility list in the Help files.)
See malicious attacks in real time:
http://www.wordfence.com/
More goodies:
Easy way to embed video’s: http://codex.wordpress.org/Embeds
Hints: http://remkusdevries.com/10-things-you-did-not-know-about-wordpress/
Hint:
Running WAMP server (localhost) on Windows 8 may not work if Skype is open. Skype needs to be fully shutdown.