(Part 3 in a series of 4)
In the previous two lessons, we’ve been talking about WordPress. Lesson #33 covers getting started with WordPress. Lesson #34 covers several of my recommended WordPress settings. And now we’re going cover the fun stuff!
(Watch this video…)
Main points:
-There are hundreds of free themes at: http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/
-A nice thing about selecting a theme from the WP site, is seeing if it is compatible with the latest version, seeing user comments, etc.
-Tip: If you intend to do very much customization to your theme, you might want to choose one that is NOT heavily dependent on graphical design.
-Advanced tip: web designers may submit their own theme to WP’s directory (see guidelines first). This could result in exposure from thousands of downloads and back links.
-There are also thousands of 3rd party themes for sale and for free.
Plugins that I currently use:
Akismet
All in One SEO Pack
Dofollow
Ajax Comments-Reply
Flickr Photo Album
ShareThis
UPDATE: I no longer use the ShareThis plugin, and now I use Simple Facebook Like Widget. For more information, see this post about Facebook plugins
There are three main ways…
-You could use an AdSense-ready theme (such as an AdSense template, or search the WP themes directory for one)
-You could use an AdSense WP Plugin, such as Adsense Manager (search the Plugins directory for AdSense). In general, this would be my recommendation.
-You could add it manually to your theme (for example you could insert your ad code into the header.php, sidebar.php, or single.php files)
Action steps:
1) Choose a theme for your WordPress site and install it.
2) If you’re going to allow comments, activate the Akismet plugin.
3) Explore the other plugins.
In the next lesson, we’ll look at how to customize your WordPress theme.
If you need help, please check out the forums at: http://wordpress.org/support/
As always, you are welcome to post your questions and comments below 🙂 Feel free to let us know your favorite themes and plugins!
Have a great day!
Hello Lucy,
Eric will still be completing 100 lessons. The next lesson will be sent to you soon. You can also visit the following link to see the latest lesson updates and revisit earlier lessons:
http://www.ericstips.com/tips/category/lessons/
Here is the direct link to lesson 13:
You may also simply change the number at the end of the link, to go to a different lesson number (example: /lesson1, /lesson2, /lesson3, etc…).
If your email happens to block some of the lessons, we recommend that you view this tip on whitelisting an email address:
Dear Eric, I would like to say you have a great website, and even though i just subscribe i have been following you for weeks. Do i need to install both “all in one seo pack” and “wordpress seo by yoast”
Hello Churchill,
Eric typically just uses the All in One SEO Pack.
I have not seen unless I missed it, any suggestions for Security Plugins, is it necessary for a website/blog that is not open for comments?
Hello Mary,
Most WordPress attacks come through the comments, so it really wouldn’t be as necessary for you.
However, I would encourage you to keep comments open in most cases. Comments help foster community, credibility, and trust.
WordPress also continually puts out new versions to increase security against such attacks.
Eric,
Another great update for those who need it! I was wondering why you didn’t list XML SiteMaps plugin or 404 Redirect?
I use all of the above listed themes on all my blogs, I very fond of All In One Seo, it does everything for you.
Thanks Again For All That You Do!
The Cash King
http:www.thecashking.org
Hello Keith,
Those can certainly be useful plugins as well.
Eric thanks for your time and valuable information, I am well motivated keep studying and working hard, greetings to you too Micah wish health, peace and prosperity God bless you all his friend Jorge
Hi guys,
I can see from this lesson that it is getting a bit old, WordPress has moved way beyond this version displayed in the lesson-For instance the themes have exploded and those default themes have not been included for at least 3 years….sound lesson though-maybe an update is in order?
Hello Michael,
Yes, WordPress continually releases new updates, but Eric focuses on keeping lessons “Evergreen” by teaching timeless principles.
We’ll definitely see if this lesson merits an update sometime soon!
Putting a title in the All In One SEO pack does not change anything.
I tired it and wordpress keeps the original tag that you put in the site description when you
first install wordpress.
You can change the tag when you go into Settings and then General but I tried changing
it by editing and scrolling down to All In One Seo and it doesn’t work.
Hi Eric, I’m preparing to launch a new site, not sure if I should use single page or mini site or a wordpress design. I’d like to make it a membership site teaching effective traffic strategies that I’ve learned and have worked for me in my own online biz. As for design, I was thinking a page with a video player, archive library of my tutorials would work as well as a way to interact with my visitors. Do you know what wordpress theme might work for me? MY domain will be hosted with GVO.
Thanks
Bookerads;
Most themes would allow you to do this. But, the hard part would be to make it a members-only site.
Here is the link to Eric’s lesson called, How to Build a Membership Website:
You might want to check out “WordPress Wishlist” linked in the above post.
Thanks Micah!
I have been and will always be learning more about the IM space. I have enjoy your presentations. Keep it up Eric
your amazing! You know. I know you know. just had to blurt it out again.
Thankyou!
Thanks so much for the lessons.
I am building my blog and when I attempt to download Ajax Comments – Reply it gives this warning: This plugin hasn’t been updated in over 2 years. It may no longer be maintained or supported and may have compatibility issues when used with more recent versions of WordPress.
Is there another comparable plugin I can use in it’s place?
Thanks.
Hello Robyn,
It hasn’t been removed yet, so it may still work just fine. Please let us know if you have any trouble, and we’ll look for alternatives in the meantime.
I love monahrc, optinmonster jetpack
This warning is posted on the Simple Facebook Like Widget page:
This plugin hasn’t been updated in over 2 years. It may no longer be maintained or supported and may have compatibility issues when used with more recent versions of WordPress.
Is it still compatible?
Hello Marcia,
It hasn’t been removed yet, so it may still work just fine. Please let us know if you have any trouble, and we’ll look for alternatives in the meantime.
Hi Eric,
The third party app precaution about time down is a nice tip.
I’ll be aware of uploading too much plugins on my WordPress website.
Regards
Marc
Hello I had trouble getting the API number for the Akismet plug in doesn’t matter how I try WordPress wants to charge me $96 I thought it was free. I followed your direction by going to WordPress.com but it wants to charge me?
I am following to Eric tips evereday. He always delivering value to his subscriber. I like the way he help everyone in this internet marketing world.
Keep it up and God Bless.