2. Use a CMS that allows for growth—WordPress:
WordPress is a FREE web software you can use to create a
beautiful website and blog. There are thousands of plugins and
themes available to transform your site into almost anything
you can imagine. Over 60 million people have chosen to use
WordPress. You do not need special software to run or use
Wordpress (.com or .org):
Hosted on Wordpress.com, all you need is an email
address to be up blogging in minutes (you can use
custom address), portable, you can move to .org
Wordpress.org is self-hosted on your server, you
can change themes and make updates to content
easily. Excellent online community with forums.
Great online courses available at www.lynda.com
3. Blog, Website, or Both?
WordPress makes life online simple, with one perfect tool.
As your publishing company and library of work grows, your
website evolves with you. WordPress is nimble and flexible
with updates from developers around the world.
Hosted on Wordpress.com, all you need is an email
address to be up blogging in minutes (you can use
custom address), portable, you can move to .org
Wordpress.org is self-hosted on your server, you
can change themes and make updates to content
easily. Excellent online community with forums.
Great online courses available at www.lynda.com
4. SEO — Search Engine Optimization:
SEO book specialist we work with said this about
WordPress: Having used WordPress, the fundamental
architecture of the site is very search engine friendly so, in
terms of the underlying code, etc. there is not much more one
needs to do, which is nice.
I recommend Yoast SEO plugin, but some themes come with
some great SEO tools built in. The Efinity theme does. An
excellent course on SEO from Lynda.com is: Improving SEO
Using Accessibility Techniques: Morten Rand-Hendriksen
Great tips on how to use a screen reader software to “see” as a
search engines does to help find holes in your SEO work.
5. Start with a theme to save time and money:
WordPress comes with a basic site themes right out of the box,
however, customizations are endless. Themes are the style
choices that changes the look and function of your site (see
hand out on slideshare for theme resources).
View live previews
of themes, check
developer
stats/support
forums too.
6. Choose a Responsive Theme:
Responsive web design (RWD): sites that provide an
optimal viewing experience—easy reading and navigation
across a wide range of devices (laptop, tablet, to mobile).
Auto resize
of graphic
elements
and menu
to fit device
7. Choose a Responsive Theme:
Responsive web design (RWD): sites that provide an
optimal viewing experience—easy reading and navigation
across a wide range of devices (laptop, tablet, to mobile).
Auto resize
of graphic
elements
and menu to
fit device
8. Choose a Responsive Theme:
Auto resize
of graphic
elements
and menu
to fit device
You can
have a
responsive
slider too.
9. Choose a Responsive
Theme:
Responsive web design
(RWD): sites that provide an
optimal viewing experience—
easy reading and navigation
across a wide range of
devices (laptop, tablet, to
mobile).
Auto resize
of graphic
elements
and menu to
fit device
10. Browser Testing and Retesting:
Crossbrowser testing is very important before launch
and as you update plugins, themes, add graphics and
elements: Also helps to assure your site is working well
across multiple devices (laptop, tablet, to mobile).
I highly recommend:
crossbrowsertesting.com
11. Help “tweaking” your site, just when you need it:
Qualified developers tweak your website from $39
www.tweaky.com great option for spot developer help.
Discovered this company in developer forums and think it is
a great concept for publishers, authors, and bloggers.
12. Help “tweaking” your site, just when you need it:
Qualified developers tweak your website www.tweaky.com
13. – Thank you –
To share visit Shannon_Bodie
at www.slideshare.net
Click for Handout download.
Or email Shannon Bodie for file.