Plugins and Widgets

PLUGINS

Plugins – are small applications that run within WordPress to make things happen on your website. WordPress.org now offers 32,318.

  • They can be loaded right from your dashboard.
  • They are searchable right from your dashboard (by function ie contact form)
  • Rated by stars, and you can click “Details” to read more about them including the number of people that have uploaded them.
  • Plugins is its own category on the main dashboard.
  • Behind the scenes plugins help with
  • ------search engine optimization
  • ------backups
  • ------things to make it all work better
  • On website plugins create
  • ------slideshows of images
  • ------contact forms for visitors
  • ------things to make site better for visitor

 

WIDGETS

Widgets are plugins that do something the public can see or interact with; image, embedded video, comments. Widgets also are made of built-in application code. WordPress has a number of them already loaded with each theme. To see these widgets go to Appearance on the dashboard and then go to Widgets. Usually these widgets are preloaded into the "footer" or "sidebar" area of your WordPress. In order to get rid of them go to Appearance, Widgets and drag them out of the area where they are over left. I think widgets were created so that WP developers could give new WP users basic capabilities that all bloggers wanted (back in the day) like a post listing in footer, or embed a video.

Often a plugin will create a widget to use in a post or page. Example Metaslider the plugin (downloadable)  creates a metaslider widget that can be added to a page. 

MOST USEFUL PLUGINS [MY FAVORITES CURRENTLY]

Page Builder by SiteOrigin

Page Builder by SiteOrigin

Page Builder by SiteOrigin easily gives you the ability to become more creative by laying out your pages and posts into columns. Then using different widgets in those columns to expand the look of your posts.

Black Studio TinyMCE Widget

Black Studio TinyMCE Widget

Black Studio TinyMCE Widget - This little visual editor widget works along with Page Builder to allow things like CENTERING images! Look for it in Widgets as "Visual Editor" and open it in a column of Page Builder to enable you to bold, italicize, create lists, center - not only text but images.

Meta Slider

Meta Slider

Meta Slider allows you to create any number of slideshows of images. Each slideshow can be custom sized for location in the blog or on a page.

WordPress SEO by Yoast

WordPress SEO by Yoast

WordPress SEO by Yoast Search engine optimization made easy. Sitemaps created automatically. Assist you with fill in keyword checks at the bottom of every post and page. Highly regarded!

Google Analytics for WordPress

Google Analytics for WordPress

Google Analytics for WordPress - Another Yoast plugin that is important to have. Setting up a Google Analytics account (free) shortly after you begin helps you track your website's progress.

Contact Form 7

Contact Form 7

Contact Form 7 - Still the best most used Contact Form on WordPress. Create an easy way for your visitors to get in touch with you.

UpdraftPlus Backup and Restoration for WordPress

UpdraftPlus Backup and Restoration for WordPress

UpdraftPlus Backup and Restoration for WordPress - Another highly regarded plugin for the backend of your website. Easily backups up your database and website to a location of your choice. I chose my Dropbox account.

Google Doc Embedder

Google Doc Embedder

Google Doc Embedder - You can give visitors access to pdfs, powerpoints, etc. without their having to have programs. Optional downloading also.

NO WORRIES

Don't worry about getting every plugin and widget you are ever going to use the first time you sit down to work on your WordPress website! You will realize you want one when you want to do something on a new page that you've never done before. Check first on the WordPress.org plugins page to find the perfect tool for the fun new task you want to do. Or maybe you will go to a WordPress meetup and someone will recommend this great new plugin that brings you infinite traffic to your website. If you don't like it you can always deactivate and delete. I suggest that you look for ones that have high ratings and have been downloaded often. That way they likely work. Also I always watch for ones that are compatible with the most recent WordPress (which is 3.9.1). 

WordPress Themes

Pick a ThemeHow your website looks! A theme is a “collection of files” that create a unifiying look for your website without modifying the underlying software. That means the look can be changed easily by changing themes, without the content of your website being changed.

CT4U likes to personalize the Origami theme.

CT4U likes to personalize the Origami theme.

Many themes are free from WordPress.org and I suggest you start there. This quote is verbatim from their website: “The WordPress Theme Directory is the official site for WordPress Themes which have been checked and inspected, and are free for downloading. The site features the ability to search by type and style, and offers a demonstration of the page view elements of the Theme.” I am fairly adamant about the checked and inspected being very important.

There are 2,619 on WordPress.org and you can purchase an upgrade – premium theme for the free ones – that gives you more capabilities. But to get started I highly recommend either Twenty-Twelve or Origami.

Important

Themes are installed from your Dashboard – under Appearance. You do not have to download them to your home computer, ftp them anywhere! Read further for more advice on themes and tips on backgrounds—–>! Continue reading

Install WordPress on Host Server

Loading WordPressWell Folks, this blog to show you how easy it is to get WordPress loaded on your host ended up being a wonderful learning curve. Always a new opportunity for learning. I decided to make you a screen capture video. Because it Really Is easy to install WP on your host – the hosting companies that I recommend have a one button (they say) install of the software. The biggest thing you have to remember is to take out the wp in the directory location and put your email down at the bottom so you get the installation instructions. They have the login info and I’ve found it vitally important to keep track of that!

 

Check out the video below. Created with opensource VLC media player as the screen capture and Windows Movie Maker, Windows 8.

Step by step instructions:

  1. Login to hosting account (with GreenGeeks this is a two step process)
  2. Login to your Cpanel – interface with the “backend” of your website
  3. Look for the Software installer – GG’s is Softaculous and it is at the bottom of the Cpanel
  4. Click on the WP icon – that takes you to installation panel
  5. Click on Install
  6. Choose Protocol – http:// is fine for now, for small non-commercial websites. You can still have a shopping cart and let PayPal or another free service worry about the security certificate. That is another level of complexity.
  7. Choose Domain – Your new domain will likely be the only one listed in the domain area (unless you have more than one domain on the account – then use drop down to pick correct one).
  8. In directory – This is an important space – where the wp install will go. There are even instructions on the left to “leave this space blank”. There is a “wp” in the space – delete the wp so that space is blank. Otherwise browsers won’t find your website.
  9. Site Name – Next place to change is the website name. Site Title
  10. Site Description – This correlates to the “Tagline” in many themes.
  11. It is advisable to change the admin to something else – Write it Down!
  12. Also you need a Strong password – Write it Down!
  13. Last but not least be sure to put an email where you want the installation instructions to go down at the bottom, before you click Install.
  14. If you have that email address in at the bottom then go ahead and click Install.
  15. Very quickly it will tell you everything was installed properly – or what the problem was. Usually it is Easy Peasy. And the login location for your website is right there. It was also mailed to the email you listed.

Just found this video from GreenGeeks on easy installation of WordPress.