Developing a Website with WordPress

Developing aWebsite withWordPressHeather Actonhttp://heatheracton.comChicago Code CampMay 19, 2012

Introduction

Mechanical Engineer turned Web Developer○ http://heatheracton.com

Develop client sites using WordPress Organize WordCamp Chicago

○ http://2012.chicago.wordcamp.org

Organize WordPress Lake County Meetup○ http://wplc.us

What is WordPress

CMS PHP / MySQL WordPress.org

Why Develop with WordPress

Faster Easier Flexible Community

What Can WordPress Do?

Blogs (of course...) Business Sites Social Networks E-Commerce

How to Build a WordPress Website

1. Choose a host 2. Install WordPress 3. Choose & install a theme, or build your own 4. Plug it in... 5. Take care of it!

1. Choose a Host

YAY! Bluehost Hostgator WP Engine

Linux

Meh... GoDaddy Yahoo DirectNic Hosting24

Windows

2. Install & Setup WordPress

Pick your poison

○ One-click

○ Famous 5 minute install

Configure

○ No admin user

○ Settings-->Permalinks set to /%postname%/

○ Settings-->General

3. Themes

Free themes repository Premium themes

○ StudioPress○ WooThemes○ Theme Trust

Build your own!

○ Toolbox○ WP Bootstrap

4. Plugins (& other functionality)

BackupBuddy Gravity Forms WordPress SEO

Google Analytics Google Feedburner Webmaster Tools

5. Ongoing Ownership

Make sure backups are running Clickity click to update

○ WordPress version

○ Plugins

○ Theme or theme framework

Continuing Ed

Online

○ WordPress.org Codex

○ WP101.com

○ Lynda.com

WordCamps

Milwaukee - 6/2 & 3○ Chicago - 8/25 & 26

WordPress Meetups

○ Lake County

○ North Side

○ Milwaukee

Questions?