Take Control: Self-Administered Small Business

Web Sites and/or Blogs

By Michael YubloskyThe Web “Professor”

9-30-14

Outline

What is WordPress?

Why You Should Use WordPress

WordPress.org vs WordPress.com

Main Features and Differences

1. What Is WordPress?

WordPress is a free and open source Web site and/or blog publishing tool

based on PHP and MySQL

uses theme based architecture (child themes, custom themes)

with many add ons called plugins (small programswork within WordPress and your theme) and Widgets

ThemesTemplate, wire frame, layout

Easily change look (almost instantaneously) while using most of the information on site (stored in folders)

Some allow built in flexibility (colors, fonts, sizes,even layouts)

Plugins

Pre-written programs (mostly free or requesting donations)

Allow custom features, functions

Widgets

Areas within a theme where you can add text, images, videos, and other plugins

2. Why You Should Use WordPress

Content Management System (CMS)

Built for Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Other CMS (Joomla, Drupal) Platforms and Publishing Options (on site builders, software)

Flexibility and Expandability

Portability

Support is out there

Control your destiny

Responsive designs (all in one) available

3. WordPress.com vs WordPress.org

.org – a la carte on hosted sites with unlimited space generally including email accounts

.com (free) – ads, limited business,no ecommerce, 3 gb space, no email

.com (upgrades) – Premium $99/yr Business $297/yr, Enterprise $500/yr, VIP $1,250/yr or $5,000/yr

Support

.org – varies per host, on line forums, communities, reasonably priced technical

.com (free) – on line forums, communities

.com (upgrades) - varies

Backups

.org – you are responsible to perform or can pay for, use plugins, etc.

.com – they provide

Themes

.org – uses free, premium and custom themesCan modify in styles editor, files or add child themes

.com (free) – use only free themes, no style editing

.com ($ upgrades) – styles editing $30/yrpurchase custom themes (from $20/yr), unlimited custom themes $120/yr

Plugins

.org – free, premium, custom

.com (free) – not allowed

.com (VIP) – $1,250/mo or $5,000/mo

Maintenance and Security

.org – Updates, maintenance and security are your responsibility.Not difficulty to manage... orCan opt for a managed site ($$$)

.com – done for you

Hosting Expense for .org

Hosting <$10/moOn site recommended by WordPress

Domains

.org – custom, select from available< $15/yr

.com (free) – always 'yourname.wordpress.com' * based on one-time usage availability

.com (upgrade) – option at additional $3 registration, $15/yr + cost of URL

.com Premium Features

Analytics (Measurement Tools)

.org – can add free such as host analytics, Google analytics as well as premium. WordPress stats are also available

.com – limited to WordPress analytics

Monetization

.org – whatever you wish. Ads, ecommerce, interactive, etc.

.com – need 25,000 page views to sell ads and then split revenuePremium services

Control

.org – you own your data and informationCan move if don't like host, changes

.com – read the rulesWordPress can delete your site at any time for

rules violationsWordPress can change your themeWordPress will promote themselves as your

host

4. Important Features and Differences

Between Wordpress.comand WordPress.org

.org Dashboard (landing)

Slightly Different Sidebars

.com

.org

Premium Options .com

Shopping Cart for Premium

Theme Options From 'Appearance'

.com Themes

.org Themes

Upload A ThemeDownloaded and/or Purchased

From Hard Drive

Search For Themes Via Features

Colors, Layout, Featuresor Subject

New Posts Appear in Chronological Order

on Blog Page

New Post Dashboard

Option to Allow Comments

Visual or Text (html) Mode

Upload Media

Categories and Tags (Aid Search)

Pages (are Static)

Page Dashboard

No Categories or TagsCan Determine Order on

Navigation Bar (Menu)Option to Allow Comments

Widgets (Vary Per Theme)

Plugins(only with .org vs. free .com)

WordPress Small BusinessWeb Sites and/or BlogsCoaching and Tutoring

Michael Yubloskymikey@diywebjem.com

847.209.6335