Post on 10-Feb-2017
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Austin WordPress Meetup Group
Presented By: Rich Plakas
A Little Bit About Me
★ IT Background going back to the days of DOS & Novell
★ Began “messing” with WordPress in 2007.★ Switched my focus from IT to WordPress in
2011★ I was tired of doing Windoze Updates &
changing Printer Toners :-)★ Joined the Austin WordPress Meetup Group In
2012.★ I love BBQ & Craft Beer.★ I run a beer blog: www.CraftBeerAustin.com
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The WordPress Administration Screen is composed of:
The top ToolBarLeft Main Navigation
The WordPress Dashboard.
The Dashboard comes with 5 WIDGETS by default.
Welcome
At a Glance
Quick Draft
Activity
WordPress News
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
As you install new Plugins, your Dashboard & Navigation options will
change.
Some themes will also add their own Navigation & Dashboard options.
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
You can control which widgets are displayed in the Dashboard
without having to delete or modify the plugin associated with it.
Click on the SCREEN OPTIONS arrow:
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
You can control some of the Administration Screen colors and options in your User Profile:
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Toolbar
The Toolbar mostly contains shortcuts to create New Posts,Pages Media, and Users.
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
Is this the only way you can Create a New post or Page?
NO!You can also do it from the Navigation Menus!
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Setting Menu
One of most important options in the Navigation is the Settings Menu:
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Setting Menu - General Options
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Setting Menu - Writing Options
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Setting Menu - Reading Options
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Setting Menu - Discussion Options
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Setting Menu - Media Options
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Setting Menu - Permalinks Options
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Appearance Menu - Themes, Widgets & Menus
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Appearance Menu - Widgets
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Appearance Menu - Menus
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Appearance Menu - THE CUSTOMIZER
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
The Appearance Menu - THE CUSTOMIZER
LIVE DEMO TIME!
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
What are plugins?
“Plugins are tools to extend the functionality of WordPress. The core of WordPress is designed to be lean, to maximize flexibility and minimize code bloat. Plugins offer custom functions and features so that each user can tailor their site to their specific needs” — http://codex.wordpress.org/Plugins
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
What are plugins really?
Plugins are apps or programs composed of PHP scripts that extend the functionality of your WordPress site.
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
Some plugins are free and others you must pay for.
You can find thousands of free plugins in the WordPress Plugin Directory:
https://wordpress.org/plugins/
There are over 40,000 plugins there!
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
Examples of Plugins:
Backup Plugins
Ecommerce Plugins
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Plugins
Photo Gallery Plugins
Analytics Plugins
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
How Many Plugins Can I Run on my WordPress Website?
There is no definitive answer.
It depends on how resource intensive those plugins you installed are.
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
How Can I Tell if a Plugin is OK to Install?
Check how many active installs.
Check the Ratings & Reviews.
Check how many support requests have been resolved and how quickly.
Check when it was last updated.
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
What Out for Abandoned Plugins!
Check the Last Updated Date!
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
Before Installing a Plugin Make Sure You have a Backup of Your WordPress Website!
You should also have FTP (or SFTP) access to your website before installing a Plugin.
FTP File access will give a quick way to disable the plugin if your site crashed and becomes unreachable.
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
What Can Go Wrong?
Worst Case:
A new plugin you install can conflict with another plugin or with WordPress itself and render your WordPress website unreachable.
Not as Bad:
Your website will slow down or act “Weird”
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and How to Pick and Install Plugins
How to Pick and Install Plugins
LIVE DEMO TIME!
Questions?
Rich Plakas Connected Systems
@RichP on Twitter Rich@ConnectedSystems.US
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