An overview of the WordPress ecosystem for new users that includes a discussion of wordpress.com and wordpress.org, how plugins fit in, Coder Talk DeCoded: A guide for humans and two bonus slides - questions to ask your WordPress developer and resources for more information.
1. The World of WordPress
Pamela Coyle
Content Connects
@ContentRocks
PuttingthePiecesTogether #wcn14world
WP 101 Presentation for WordCamp Nashville 2014.
Copyright2014PamelaCoyleand
Content-Connects.AllRights
Reserved.
2. If the Internet is Milky Way
• Open source
• Most popular
• Kind learning curve
• Evolves for users
• Huge ecosystem
• We’re in it.
…WordPress is our solar system
Copyright2014PamelaCoyleand
Content-Connects.AllRights
Reserved.
3. WordPress is the Sun, Shining on Us All
WP
Plugins
Themes
eCommerce and
Other integrations
Hosting
System of Wordpress-related services evolved around it
Copyright2014PamelaCoyleand
Content-Connects.AllRights
Reserved.
6. Same Core, Different Capabilities
wordpress.com
Free (ish)
Site “lives” at wordpress.com
200+ themes
Site may have ads ($ to remove)
Plugins restricted
No maintenance required
Security is handled
No eCommerce ($ to add)
More ease, less freedom
wordpress.org
WP is free; expect other costs
Site “lives” at paid hosting
1000s themes plus custom
design
No ads unless you want them
Full access to free + paid plugins
Maintenance required
Security is your responsibility
eCommerce can be added
More freedom, less ease
Copyright2014PamelaCoyleand
Content-Connects.AllRights
Reserved.
7. Typical Evolution of WordPress User
Start at
wordpress.com
Custom domain
name at wp.com
DIY
Self-hosted site
with a paid theme
and
wordpress.org
DIY or not
Want more
flexibility, extra
ability, custom
design
NOT DIY
…especially business sites
Copyright2014PamelaCoyleand
Content-Connects.AllRights
Reserved.
8. More Power, Freedom, Flexibility…
Domain name
Hosting
Theme or custom development
Site maintenance (core+plugins)
Site security
Premium plugins
Email service
Ecommerce providers
have more costs and responsibilities.
Copyright2014PamelaCoyleand
Content-Connects.AllRights
Reserved.
9. Out from the Core…
core
themes and
frameworks
plugins
integrations
like
ecommerce,
email
...with the core being red-hot magma
Copyright2014PamelaCoyleand
Content-Connects.AllRights
Reserved.
10. Another Way of Looking at It
WordPress
Core
WP-
aligned
plugins
Third-party
plugins
Copyright2014PamelaCoyleand
Content-Connects.AllRights
Reserved.
11. If the Universe were Matt M…
Matt’s
Brain
Automattic
• Wordpress dot com
• WordPress VIP
• Tons of other stuff
• 12+ other companies
and services now in
the family such as
Gravataar, JetPack,
and most recently
Scroll Kit and
Longreads (4/2014)
WordPress
Foundation
• WordPress
dot org
• Wordcamp
Central
• Other open
source
projects
Copyright2014PamelaCoyleand
Content-Connects.AllRights
Reserved.
12. Coder Talk DeCoded
a guide for humans
• CMS: Content management system
• Adds functionality: Does cool new stuff (like plugins)
• Widget: Part of the interface, or dashboard, that is interactive
• Platform Agnostic: Works on all operating systems
• Mobile Responsive: Works and looks great – content scales
• API: Application Program Interface, code that connects stuff
• HTML5: Updated mark-up language that supports Schema
• CSS: Cascading Style Sheet, or what controls the “look”
• PHP and MySQL: WordPress core and database languages
Copyright2014PamelaCoyleand
Content-Connects.AllRights
Reserved.
13. Before workingwith a dev or designerask:
• Do you build custom themes or work from an existing theme
or theme family?
• How will you redirect pages from my existing site (if you have
one)?
• Will my site be HTML5 compatible and mobile responsive?
• Will you handle the basic SEO or do you have someone who
can?
• Do you provide maintenance packages or who can you
recommend?
• Will you provide training if I need it on adding content to my
WordPress site?
• What will you need from me – logo, images, content, etc. – to
get started?
Copyright2014PamelaCoyleand
Content-Connects.AllRights
Reserved.