WordPress for Fed Government Blogs & Microsites

WordPress

Web Manager University - New Media TalkPresented by Kristy Fifelski, Web ManagerCity of Reno, Nevada

for Government Blogs & MicrositesFederal

WordPress is everywhere…

WordPress in Governmentexamples…

RecoverySF.org is an example of a government microsite

Another government microsite using WordPress platform

Important WebsitesWordPress.comWordPress.orgCodex.wordpress.org

1. On WordPress.com

2. In-house on your own serverPHP version 4.3 +MySQL version 4.1.2 +

3. 3rd party host

3 Ways to Host WordPress Websites

What makes up a WordPress site?

Microsite for city government “task force”

index.php

header.php

sidebar.php

footer.php

loop.php

Displays posts and post content

codex.wordpress.org

WordPress admin area

Customizing themes

Working with plugins

Kristy’s favorite plugins

• Akismet

• All in One SEO Pack

• Contact Form 7 (with Really Simple CAPTCHA)

• DandyID Services

• Flexible Lightbox

• Flickrpress

• Google XML Sitemaps

• Register Plus Redux

• Sociable

• Topsy Retweet Button

• User Photo

• WP to Twitter

• Wptouch

Tips for government blogging& lessons learned

• Start a personal blog to get a feel for blogging

• Decide what the purpose of your agency’s blog will be

• Determine who is responsible for writing & who has final say

• Decide what ‘voice’ to use

• Consider archive procedures

Excellent resource for Fed government blogging at:http://www.howto.gov/social-media/blogs

Federal agencies that want to use vetted WordPress plugins can learn more at: http://blog.citizen.apps.gov/release/blog-plugins

Free theme @ govfresh.com/wordpress

Theme template

City of Manor, TX

Questions?

Contact me: Kristy Fifelski

www.kristyfifelski.com

Twitter: @kristyfifelski

Web Manager University - New Media TalkPresented by Kristy Fifelski, Web ManagerCity of Reno, Nevada