graphicallydesigning

Working with themes & plugins

Susan Ramsey

AGENDA

About Me Introduction Themes Frameworks Child Themes Plugins: Free Plugins: Premium FAQsHelpful LinksQ&A

About Me

Susan RamseyFort Worth, TX

Owner, Graphically Designing www.graphicallydesigning.com

Where you’ll find me online: Pretty Darn Cute Design – Theme Support & Customizations StudioPress Community Forums – Moderator/Volunteer Twitter: @GraphDesigning

Introduction

What is a Theme?

A theme provides the user a way to control the look, design,

functionality and presentation of their website.

It’s sometimes called the “skin” of a website, but it’s much more than

that.

It’s a collection of files (“template files”) each of which provides

different functionality.

Default Themes

Each WordPress install comes loaded with three

default themes.

Even if you don’t use one of these themes, keep one

in your dashboard. Ideal for Troubleshooting

How to Choose A Theme

Select a Theme which is suitable for your business and/or niche

A theme which is designed for someone who blogs about their family is going to look and feel different than a theme design for an insurance company.

How to Choose A Theme

Keep it Simple

Choose a theme which provides you with the functionality you need, rather

than one which has all the “bells and whistles”

Responsive or non-Responsive?

Check Browser Compatibility

Check Terms of Service

Free Themes

Available through WordPress.org (or via your site’s Dashboard)

Support provided via WordPress volunteer support forums

Available through Third Party Developers

Support may or may not be provided

Frameworks

A Theme framework is a foundation for WordPress development,

designed to be used with a Child Theme.

“Child” Themes

A child inherits the functionality of another theme,

called the parent theme

Child themes allow you to modify, or add to the

functionality of that parent theme

Updates to a child theme will not be wiped out when

the parent theme is updated.

Easier for new users to modify

Plugins

Plugins are scripts which add to the functionality of WordPress. They enhance existing

functionality, or new functionality.

There are currently over 33,000 plugins in the WordPress Repository.

Spam Blockers SEO Email Forms E-Commerce Photo Galleries Events Calendars Newsletters Social Media Social Sharing

How to Choose a Plugin

Determine Need – don’t add unnecessary plugins.

Rating – check the rating and popularity of a plugin; how often has it been

downloaded?

Support – who provides the support? Is it free, or an additional cost? Check the

support forum for the plugin – how quickly are support tickets responded to?

Updates – when was the plugin last updated? Is it compatible with the latest version

of WordPress?

Akismet – Spam Blocker

Yoast SEO

Free Plugins & Premium Plugins

Free plugins are available through the WordPress Repository, or may be available outside of the repository.

Many plugins off both a free version and a premium version.

Premium version offers more functionality, including “add-ons”

Dedicated support

Questions?