WordCamp Boston WordPress plugins-8-2014
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This document summarizes a presentation about plugins in WordPress. It discusses the differences between plugins and widgets, provides examples of popular free plugins for various functions like comments, caching, security, and backups. It also reviews how to find, install, and manage plugins safely. Backup of sites is recommended, and security best practices are outlined like keeping software updated and using strong unique passwords.
WordCamp Boston WordPress plugins-8-2014
- 1. WordPress SO MANY PLUGINS, NOT ENOUGH TIME WordCamp Boston Presented by: Reiko Beach Aug 23, 2014
- 2. What we will cover: • Plugin vs. Widget • Suggested Free Plugins • Other Plugins • Finding Plugins • Backup • Security
- 3. What functionality are you looking for? 32,861 PLUGINS 717,781,988 DOWNLOADS, AND COUNTING AS OF 8/19/2014
- 4. Plugins & Widgets A large part in the flexibility of WordPress is from using Plugins and Widgets ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~ Plug-ins extend the functionality of WordPress (it is something that is installed and activated on the WordPress site) ~~ ~ Widgets are placeholders or user interface elements that have data visible to the user.
- 5. Plugins Plug-ins can: ● Add new menus & configuration options to the Admin Dashboard (post types, spam filters, content importing) ● Add new features to the frontend of your website (social sharing tools) ● Change the way your site is displayed (mobile) ● Collect stats (analytics) ● Automate tasks (security, backup)
- 6. Some Suggested Free Plugins Jetpack – lots of features (by: Automatic - requires a WordPress.com account) Disqus/Intense Debate (improves comments) Akismet – Spam filter (already built in – by: Automatic for personal free - businesses $5 p/m) W3 Total Cache (improves page speed) WordPress SEO by Yoast (Search) Anti-Spam (no Captcha) BackWPup Free (backs up both database and files) Many other plugins freely available! http://wordpress.org/plugins/
- 7. Some Plugins I use • Gravity Forms ($99 Business) • Backup Buddy ($80 Personal) • WP Database Cleaner • Woo Sidebars • Google Analytics Dashboard for WP • WP Touch – Mobile • Widgetize Pages Light • Testimonial Widgets • WooCommerce
- 8. Top 12 • Akismet Downloaded 22,823,507 times • WordPress SEO by Yoast Downloaded 12,079,475 times • Contact Form 7 Downloaded 19,286,403 times • Jetpack by WordPress.com Downloaded 11,676,798 times • Wordfence Security Downloaded 2,609,898 times • MailPoet Newsletters Downloaded 2,237,101 times As of 8/19/2014
- 9. Top 12 • NextGEN Gallery Downloaded 10,664,523 times • All in One SEO Pack Downloaded 19,642,755 times • WP Super Cache Downloaded 6,061,055 times • WordPress Importer Downloaded 8,083,625 times • iThemes Security (formerly Better WP Security) Downloaded 2,846,196 times • Google XML Sitemaps Downloaded 14,616,663 times As of 8/19/2014
- 10. How to find Plugins • go to http://wordpress.org/plugins/ • What functionality are you looking for? • Twitter Feed • Simple PayPal shopping cart
- 11. Architecture of WordPress • Files & folders • (File Manager): • Database (PHP):
- 15. Backups Use a plugin or service (automatic) BackUPwp Free, Backup Buddy or VaultPress -or- Your Hosting service - just make sure its not backing up to the same server.
- 16. Backups Here’s an article about different (free) ways to backup your site: http://premium.wpmudev.org/blog/free-wordpress-backup-plugins/
- 17. Security • Always upgrade your WordPress Core, plugins and themes • From WordPress 3.7+ there are automatic core updates • Steps: • 1. Backup your site • 2. Upgrade your themes and plugins first • 3. Upgrade WordPress core
- 18. Security • Have strong passwords at all entry points: – Hosting control panel – FTP – WordPress admin (never use “admin”) – Give people their own username and password • Delete any plugins you are not using • Download code directly from wordpress.org whenever possible
- 19. Security - some plugins • Wordfence Security (Anti-virus and Firewall security) • BulletProof Security (.htaccess file security.) • Ithemes Security (formerly Better WordPress Security) • BruteProtect (Cloud-powered protects against botnet attacks)
- 20. Conclusion WordPress.org, themes & plugins are open-source & community developed: embrace - but be cautious Keep plugins & themes updated Be careful of what files you’ve changed (ideally, don’t change any “core” files in themes, plugins or WordPress itself)
- 21. http://www.wpthemedetector.com/ http://pagexray.com/ (for chrome) 2 fun tools
- 22. Questions? Let’s connect: » Twitter: Reikob and TechDayCamp » Linkedin: ReikoBeach » [email protected] » phone: 781.987.1655 TRBDesigns.com TheToolboxInc.com