priming your wordpress canvas – essentials for a solid foundation
DESCRIPTION
http://2013.montreal.wordcamp.org/schedule/talks/ So you’re ready to create your very own WordPress masterpiece, but a little confused about the initial the setup process (before you paint your theme and content on the canvas). No worries. We’ll sort out a how to implement the steps and prioritize and elements/plugins you need. This is a technical talk that focuses on the not so obvious external elements that should be connected to your little WP ecosystem. You will walk away a workflow set-up tool kit and the confidence that your site will poised for future growth. Also, your OCD will rejoice.TRANSCRIPT
Priming your WordPress Canvas
Elida Arrizza
WordCamp Montreal 2013
Essentials for a Solid Foundation
slideshare.net/elida-arrizza
Note: The “why” for each topic is not on slides.
who is this for?
“Why didn’t anyone tell me that before?!?Now I have to deal with this ******* problem.”
“I’m really glad I did that a long time ago. Although, I never mastered it – or realized how important it is.”
why?
http://www.essentialvermeer.com/technique/technique_support.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Supper_(Leonardo_da_Vinci)
Vermeer | The MilkmaidDavinci | Last supper | 1970ies
Poorly prepared ground can hinder longevity of a great masterpiece. Meticulous concern for canvas preparing techniques for longevity and optimal surface for crafting artwork.
vs.
why?
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Montreal_Olympic_Stadium_from_Mont_Royal.JPG http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Roman_Aqueduct_Segovia_night_2012_Spain.jpg
vs.
AvoidingCommon Pitfalls
WorkflowStructureExample
PART
APART
B
AvoidingCommon Pitfalls
PART
A
HOSTING SPEED
WEBMASTER STUFF
SETTINGS
BACKUPS SECURITY
1 4
2 5
3 6
“Future ready” Categories
HOSTING CHOICE1
Pick Your Foundation
• Cost• Features• Customer service• Technical
support
• Value of ‘goods’• Ease of use• Guarantee
General blah blah blahYOU ARE HERE
Detached house
PRIVATE SERVER
Condo/ semi detached
VIRTUAL PRIVATE SERVER (VPS)
Apartment
SHARED HOSTING
TIP: Set your Domain to auto-renew. Don’t unintentionally let it expire. Keep account info up to date.
HOSTING CHOICE1
Other ConsiderationsOptimized server for your WordPress site?
PLATFORM Linux/Apache (not Windows IIS)
Committed to keep up to date with WP?
RELIABILITY & UPTIMELIVE servers status?Do they communicate planned maintenance/downtime?Most online reviews are marketing traps.
PERFORMANCE Are they afraid to reveal the hardware they use?
SCALABILITY If you need “more” in the future, do they offer options/packages for growth?
SERVER LOCATION Can you choose location close to your visitors? (speed)
HOSTING CHOICE1
Good sign server is optimised for
WordPress
WEBMASTER STUFF2
Create a Dedicated Google Account
GOOGLE SERVICES 3RD PARTY EXAMPLES
TIP: If desired name is taken, try website domain.
• WordPress.com (for Automattic plugins)
• Plugin accounts (e.g. WPML)
• Purchased themes accounts
• Google Services• Gmail• Analytics• Webmaster tools• Places• Google+
Hosting/FTP accessDomain registrationWordPress usersGoogle servicesPlugin accountsmySQL databaseetc.
usernames/passwords, email associated with account and login links for:
companyPW-20110421.txt
WEBMASTER STUFF2
Create “Access sheet” Text File
TIP: Google Docs may NOT be the best tool for this.
Webmaster Tools Account
www.google.com/webmasters/tools/
WEBMASTER STUFF2
Lots of benefits• Visibility• Link and query traffic reports• Detailed page reports• Crawls and index info• Sitemaps stuff• Diagnose problems• Tell google how to look at your site• Google will let you know if they are
having problems accessing your site (e.g. malware).
Create account and “verify” it to your WP site
Dear Google,Please take me seriously.Sincerely, newwordpressite.com
XML SitemapsWEBMASTER STUFF2
Create and verify XML Sitemap file to your WP site
Helps search engines crawl your site.
No promises made, but improves site visibility.
A text file that lives in the root folder of your website: example.com/sitemap.xml
Lazy way: Verify using a plugin like “Google-sitemap-generator”
With time your site may be rewarded with mini sitemap
Google Analytics Account
Open an account at google.com/analytics
WEBMASTER STUFF2
Hook up Google Analytics with your WP site
Lazy way: use a plugin like “Google-analytics-for-WordPress” or”Google-Analyticator”
Just connect it NOW. Otherwise you will lose the opportunity to capture the data.
You can learn more later.
Gravatar.com“A Globally Recognized Avatar“Not a plugin and not essential, but a standard thing to do.
http://WordPress.com
Create WordPress.COM AccountWEBMASTER STUFF2
(not .org)
Then hook-up Automattic plugins.
jetpack pluginActivate “Stats” If you want daily overview stats Many other Jetpack goodies
akismet pluginComment Spam filter if you have comments enabled. Get an API key through Akismet.com then apply to plugin settings
This username and password is needed to access Jetpack, Akismet and Gravatar.
CONTENT DATABASE
Option 1: The Manual Way
Google this:“How to download WordPress mySQL database with PHPmyadmin”
BACKUPS3
Via FTP + PHP Admin
Remote hosting FTP website website root/wp-config.php website root/wp-content
Download to Local Computer
3 kb 1 to ~ 10mb
Download to Local Computer
SQL&
!
WARNING: Advanced procedure
WP-DB Manager
Cron jobs (advanced) Hosting add-on service
BACKUPS3
WordPress backup to Dropboxwpb2d.com
Option 2: Use Plugin or Service
FREE PAID
OR
Ensure BOTH content + database are covered
Speed Checking
Pingdom
tools.pingdom.com
YSlow browser extension by Yahoo
developer.yahoo.com/yslow
3 NEED FOR SPEED
If you find your webpage load is dial-up-ish...
The report will give you hints to “optimize”
TIP: It could also be your internet connection. Test it at speedcheck.net
Caching Plugins4 NEED FOR SPEED
vs.WITHOUT WITH CACHING
Can help serve pages faster and reduce server load
Plugin Examples: W3 Total Cache, Super cache, Quick cache, etc
Database Love4 NEED FOR SPEED
Install a DB optimization plugin and schedule
Take out the trash
•Page and Post Revision•Empty/unneeded tables•Comment Spam•Trashed items•Post Meta orphans
What gets purged?
Ensure your Database gets backup before doing this.
Plugin suggestions: Yoast Optimize DB, “Optimize Database after Deleting Revisions”, “WP CleanFix”
Flush unneeded revisions
4 NEED FOR SPEED
Database LoveDeleting number of “saved revisions” can significantly lighten the DB.
You can schedule to Revision deletion (and qty) in many Database optimization plugins.
Many revisions in the database can make it heavy and sluggish.
Toss the revisions!Enable Revision
visibility here
WP dashboard>Categories WP dashboard>Post>EditWP dashboard>Tags
3 WP SETTINGS
Basic TaxonomyCategories + tags
Manage and create Apply to a post
Remember, Pages do not support Categories and Tags (only Posts).
3 WP SETTINGS
Basic TaxonomyCategories + tags
Remember, Pages do not support Categories and Tags (only Posts).
TAGSOne-off instances & specific
CATEGORIESReusable & more general
Example: mechantmangeur.com
Watch&eatFoodRecipesLiving
HOW MANY TO USE?1 category is better nothing.
2 to 10 total per post is a good base.
WP dashboard>Settings>Permalinks
3 WP SETTINGS
PermalinksChange default
OOOoogly URL Default
Prettier URL, Also good for SEO
When you become more advanced
Don’t use “admin” as username
6 SECURITY BASICS
WordPress Admin User DefaultsDon’t use default username (admin) and weak password
Choose a custom username in the one-click-install, because Usernames cannot be changed later.
Passwords can be changedEnsure that it is strong!
WP dashboard>Users
Hosting dashboard> one click install
6 SECURITY BASICS
Hosting AccountChange the password at LEAST once per yearMake it a strong password
Hosting dashboard> account > password
6 SECURITY BASICS
Flawed or outdated Themes+Plugins
Unistall inactive T+PsUnused T+Ps mean more time+storage to backup. So keep your WordPress clean and un-install them.
Use trusted T+PsThemes that releases updates once in a while offer better se-curity. “Premium themes” generally offer updates.
!BEWARE: Free themes, low quality themes and outdated themes leave your site more vunerable to being hacked.
6 SECURITY BASICS
Core updatesWait a few days to a month after update release
TIP: Wait for your important plugins to offer an update for the latest release before updating core.
1 4
2 5
3
6
HOSTING CHOICE NEED FOR SPEED
WEBMASTER STUFF WP SETTINGS
BACKUPS
SECURITY BASICS
Informed decision based on needs and priorities
Speed checking Caching Database optimization
Set permalinks Establish basic taxonomy
WP user/PW Hosting PW Flawed themes and plugins Updates
Create Google Account Create Access sheet Create wordpress.COM account Analytics Webmaster tools + XML Sitemap
Understand Content + Database Manual Backup Plugin or paid service
“Future ready” checklist
OMG
Workflow Structure
PART
B
M&Ms OCD scale
Where are you?
#puppyfail
Admin
WebmasterStuff
Brand Assets
Backups
Newsletter
Content
Development
Example StructureDefine your own in advance, and adapt as you go.
OCD/WP Friendly Working Folders
Non-WP “containers” in a WP ecosystem
AssetsContent BackupsDevelopment WebmasterStuff
Admin
Design Brief
Strategy Plan/ Marketing Plan
Audits
Timeline
Content calendar (xls)
Post Visuals
Copydecks
etc.
Moodboards
Mockups
Wireframes
Content
Staging
Logos
Fonts
Page Content
Photos
Avatars
Favicons
Brand Guide
Analytic Reports
Webmaster Access Sheet
Webmaster Tools Stuff
SEO docs
Original Site
wp-content
Database
Keeping working files organized
Analysis and Planning
Design and Development
Maintenance
Design Brief Strategy
AuditsTimeline
Mood BoardsWireframes
ContentStaging
New ContentUpdates
UpgradesMonitoring
Phases1 2 3
Questions?
BACKGROUNDS by SubtlePatterns.comFONTS by Type Together, Bree and Bree serif
Thanks for listening! slideshare.net/[email protected]
