WORDPRESS

Information, Plug-ins, Templates, Tips

WordPress, certainly is a valuable piece of kit for any Business or person wanting a Web presence.

Setup and installation of WordPress is easy, with most Hosting Companies able to do this with the click of a button. Of course, if you want to get your hands dirty and have a little knowledge of how to do this, then the end result can be quite rewarding. Just knowing that you can create a beautiful looking website on your own is a fantastic feeling. Having control over every aspect of the Website you create is even better.

Of course, (if you’re going it alone) then you may need to know how to set up a Database, but installing WordPress does this for you. It certainly helps you learn if you ever need to transfer a WordPress site from one hosting company to another etc.

Let’s talk Plug-ins

There are literally thousands of Plug-ins for WordPress, and not all of them will be compliant with your version of WordPress, that’s why you should always ensure your website is kept up to date with the latest version. Setting WordPress is now automated, just remember to set your current email address and when WordPress has updated, you will receive a confirmation email.

There is some conjecture on the internet about how many plugins you should have on your WordPress installation, obviously having too many active plugins will slow the loading time of your page and increase the chances of one plugin conflicting with another. Plugins can “Break your Website”. Yes, you may end up with a white screen or even rubbish pieces of script or code on your pages where they shouldn’t be. But if you don’t have a large website with a huge Database then you can get away with running quite a few plugins.

I run anywhere from 10-15 to sometimes even up to 30 plugins. Why? well let’s just say that WordPress still does not have all the features a usual Web Designer requires. You tend to find plugins that work for you and stick to them. I am a BIG fan of FREE Plugins, and most will do the job you require. But there are also times when you will need to BUY a Plugin for the extra features. Well worth supporting the Author of the Plugin if it has been written well and has good Support. I tend to shy away from the Plugins Author if they offer limited functions and require you to pay astronomical amounts of $$$ for upgrades each year.

Some Plugins I use I will list here. Remember, it is up to you as to whether you use them or NEED them. I will not list Authors, only the Plugin Name. Do a Search from Plugins | Add New, in the Admin panel of WordPress. I tend to just go for the plugins with the most downloads. However, please ensure you do a little homework here and check the reviews and feedback on ANY plugins BEFORE you install it.

Remember also, that plugins can “Break” your website. So if this occurs you need a BACKUP Plan.

BACKUP – BACKUP – BACKUP.

Yep, you have probably heard it all before, but once you have been caught out,  sometimes more than once, because you didn’t learn your lesson the first time. I assure you, you will ALWAYS do a Backup.

Here is a List of some Plugins I have used (not all on the same site) obviously!!! some Free, some Paid.

Advanced Custom Fields: Image Hotspots Field

Ajax Domain Checker

Custom JavaScript Editor

Download Plugin

Extra Short codes

Gravity Forms

Force  en_AU

Google Analyticator

Huge IT Slider

Nextgen Gallery

Nextgen Gallery Plus by Photocrati

Quform

Regenerate Thumbnails

Remove Feed Links

Rename wp-login.php

Schema

Schema Default Image

Shortcodes by Angie Makes

Show Hide Author

Stop Spammers

WordPress Exporter

WP Custom CSS

WP Simple Adsense Insertion

WP Simple PayPal Shopping Cart

WP User Activity

Yoast SEO

There are plenty more I have used, this list is not exhaustive. I don’t have any affiliation with any of these plugins or Authors. If you would like my feedback on any plugins I have mentioned, please contact me. I will try to give you my honest and unbiased opinion.

Templates

I tend to create my own WordPress Templates using Artisteer (” no I don’t get a kick back from mentioning them”). Using Artisteer gives me more control over how my pages will look, from Colours, Style, Fonts, Widgets, you name it, heaps of functions to play with. You just install WordPress as normal and Upload your own Template.

Of course, if you prefer, you can opt to purchase  Templates which have all, or most of the functions you require, and this will negate the need to install so many plugins on your site. Yes, there are plenty of FREE Templates for use with WordPress, but I have found that most of them lack the extra functions required to really make your Website pop. That’s why I choose Artisteer.

Next month I will elaborate more on Templates.

Regards,

Wayne

Graphic Designer / Web Designer

Coastal Web Design

Contact me if you have any questions and I will be happy to answer them (if I can) I don’t profess to have all the answers ONLY my own opinion.