WordPress can be used to build websites, blogs, and applications. It exists in two versions - WordPress.org for self-hosted sites and WordPress.com for sites hosted on WordPress' servers. Themes and plugins can be used to customize WordPress sites and add extra functionality like galleries, maps, e-commerce, and more. It is important to keep WordPress and all extensions up to date, backup sites regularly, and use security plugins to protect sites.

1. WordPress in a Nutshell
graphic design. websites. social media. training.
Tweet this session!
@gizmodesign #chiXpo

2. wordpress.com
vs.
wordpress.org

17. Themes
Is the theme responsive?
Create a child theme
Free is not always better
SEO
Get as close to what you want out of the
box
Support

18. Plugins
Wordpress.org/extend/plugins
WP-Post Views
Codycanyon.com
Publish to Facebook
Twitter Blackbird Pie (prettier
Backup Galleries
tweets)
Backup Buddy NextGEN Gallery
Feedburner
WordPress Backup to Dropbox Content Slider
WP Subscriber
VaultPress Portfolio Slideshow
Spam
WP-DB Backup PhotoMosaic
Akismet
Spam Karma 2 Akismet
Calendars Maps
Bad Behavior
Event Calendar Mapped Contact Form Pro
Booking Calendar WP Geo Tagger
Speed things up
All-in-One Calendar XML Google Maps
WP Super Cache
W3 Total Cache
Comments Security
Redirection (cleans up 301, 404 errors)
Intense Debate HTML Purified
Discus Security Ninja
Spruce things up
Sucuri
TinyMCE Advanced
Community
Ultimate TinyMCE
BuddyPress SEO
WP Google Fonts
MagicMembers WordPress SEO by Yoast
Related Posts / Related Posts Via
DirectoryPress All in One SEO Pack
Categories
Google XML Sitemaps
WP-Print
Contact Simple Tagging
Search Everything
Custom Contact Form
Video Player
Contact Form 7 Social
Facebook Walleria (events, wall,
Gravity Forms Slick Social Share Buttons
slideshow, photo albums)
Sharebar
E-Commerce Sexybookmarks
Tracking
WP E-Commerce / GetShopped Pinterest Pro for Wordpress
Google Analyticator
Cart66 OnlyWire for WordPress (post to
multiple sites)
Spam Catching
Events Shorten2Ping (sends via Ping service)
reCAPTCHA
Event Espresso Subscribe Here Widget
Anti-Spam Image Plugin
EventBrite Tweetily

19. Copyright
Tineye.com
WP-Copyright Protection: Disables right-
click downloads, disables iframes
Copyright Proof
DMCA Protection Badge
Watermark Reloaded

20. Security in brief
Change your login to something other
than “admin”
Change your password frequently
Keep WP updated, and ALL themes &
plugins
More than anything: BACK IT UP!
Great plugin: Sucuri

21. Speed & who’s
sharing my IP
Caching plugins
Your server:
sitecheck.sucuri.net
www.sharingmyip.com
www.yougetsignal.com/tools/web-sites-
on-web-server
www.domaintools.com/research/
reverse-ip

22. Where to go
from here
Galleries
Membership-driven community sites
Online directories
Review websites
E-commerce

23. Offers
Dreamhost.com: Use code GIZMODESIGN for $15 off one year
or $30 off 2 years hosting
ElegantThemes.com: http://tinyurl.com/ck9qyl2