Bronson quick how to client-proof your word press theme

sennza | (07) 3040-1545 | [email protected] | http://www.sennza.com.au/ | Twitter: @sennza

HOW TO “CLIENT-PROOF” YOUR WORDPRESS THEME Bronson Quick

OVERVIEW Why we “client-proof” our WordPress sites

The WordPress Release Philosophy

Leverage WordPress core

Avoid “plugin syndrome”

Think like Nostradamus

Simplicity trumps complexity

Use more page templates!

Always have a backup plan

2 of 15 sennza | (07) 3040-1545 | [email protected] | http://www.sennza.com.au/ | Twitter: @sennza

I was gonna talk about code but decided that I might send you to sleep!


WHO AM I? Brisbane based WordPress Developer

Working with different CMS for 12 years

Die hard Smashing Pumpkins fan!

Organiser of the WordPress Brisbane Meetup group

Co-organiser of WordCamp Gold Coast

Just a guy who is obsessed with WordPress!

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WHY WE “CLIENT-PROOF” SITES Less support

Happier clients

We’d rather an inbox full of new leads than an inbox

of stressed clients!

Our clients can always update everything on their site!

When we code we have to think about “how can the

client break this?”

When the clients are happy, you’re happy!

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THE WORDPRESS RELEASE PHILOSOPHY Too many preferences means you can’t find any of them

Preferences really substantially damage QA and testing

Preferences make integration and good UI difficult

The point of a good program is to do something specific

and do it well

Preferences can confuse many users

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http://codex.wordpress.org/Release_Philosophy



LEVERAGE WORDPRESS CORE

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http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/fluency-admin/

Don’t do this!!!





AVOID “PLUGIN SYNDROME” “There’s a plugin for that”

Don’t install a plugin that has 60 options when

the client will only change 1 of those options

Embrace the GPL and adapt other developers

code

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Friends don’t let other friends install too many WordPress plugins!


THINK LIKE NOSTRADAMUS What will happen if the client updates the WordPress core or any of the plugins?

Don’t hack core!!!! EVER!!!! PERIOD!!!! *gggggggggrrrrrrrr*

If you alter a plugin that doesn’t have hooks you can use to alter it then you need to:

1) Turn off updates

2) Keep an eye on the plugin and apply any security updates they released to the

plugin you altered.

We’re all futurists thanks to WordPress because everything will always be backwards

compatible. (Except for add_contextual_help…”patches welcome ”)

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In the future, all of your clients sites are safe!


USE MORE PAGE TEMPLATES I’ve seen too much logic stuffed into sidebar.php

Too many WordPress people only think about ‘Full

Width’ and ‘Default Template’

get_header(); can be get_header ( ‘kiwi’ );

Template Name: Kiwi Page

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Page templates are easier for you and your clients!


ALWAYS HAVE A BACKUP PLAN BackupBuddy for small clients

VaultPress for the bigger ones!

Never trust a “hosting backup”

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http://vaultpress.com/

http://http://pluginbuddy.com/purchase/backupbuddy/

http://vaultpress.com/


http://pluginbuddy.com/purchase/backupbuddy/


SIMPLICITY TRUMPS COMPLEXITY

Developers gonna develop!

Users gonna use!

Time for some examples!

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If your Mum can update it then you’re doing it right!

https://gist.github.com/BronsonQuick

https://gist.github.com/BronsonQuick


SLIDESHOWS

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DD Slider Custom Post Type


TESTIMONIALS

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Custom Post Type


CLICK A BUTTON AND GET A TABLE!

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Less confusing than WP-Table Reloaded


THANKS ALOT

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http://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/13237

http://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/13237

Bronson quick how to client-proof your word press theme

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