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Wordpress Plugins and Widgets

Posted on 06. Oct, 2009 by Pete Hollier in Search Optimization, Wordpress

Tuning Wordpress Blogs

I am a firm believer in the benefits of Business Blogging and the use of Wordpress as the Blogging platform.

In my last Blog Post I reviewed the steps required to install a self hosted Wordpress Blog and publish the first Blog Post and Page. Those were Blogging first steps, Wordpress has the functionality to provide your business with a a highly customizable and functional web site.

Wordpress Additional Setup Tasks

Wordpress has an extensive array of set up options available and to cover each individually is beyond the scope of this Blog Post.

I recommend the first steps is to review the options available in the left navigation column and specifically under Settings. Review the options within each category, and select the option most relevant to your requirements.

Set Permalinks to Custom

One option that does need to be set is the Permalinks Option.

To create a Search Engine Friendly URL for your Blog Posts and Pages, Permalinks should be set to custom with the following code included /%postname%/ (Copy the red text and characters into the Custom Field of the Permalinks Option)

Modify Blog Links

Wordpress’s Blog Roll includes some default links which must be deleted or modified prior to installing your Blog Roll into a selected side bar of your theme. (See Widgets Below)

To modify your Blog’s links from the Wordpress Dashboard click => Links

Your new window will open and you will be able to modify, delete and add links as required.

Wordpress Plugins

Plug-ins are the heart of Wordpress’s functionality, however Plug-ins must be used with caution due to the endless array of developers who have developed these Add-on features for Wordpress. Although Plug-ins have the potential to greatly improve the functionality of your Blog they also have the potential to cause the whole site to crash due to various plug-ins conflicting with each other.

To alleviate the potential crisis of installing an incompatible Plug-ins, I have a Wordpress test site installed which mirrors the Wordpress version, Theme and Plug-ins of my main Blog site. Installing on this site prior to a live Wordpress Blog is the safest method to ensure you are not installing a Plug-in which will adversely affect your Blog. If this seems to be to much trouble at the very least you should back up your Wordpress Installation prior to the installation of a new plug-in.

Must Have Wordpress Plug-ins

With so many options it is quite easy to get carried away when considering what Plug-ins to install and miss the basics.

I have found that the following Plug-ins are essential for your Wordpress Blog. The only Plug-ns you will need in addition to these are Social Media plug-ins which meet your Social Marketing needs and a method to either embed hosted video or to include a video player to play video files hosted on your server.

All in One SEO Pack

The All in One SEO Plug-in for Wordpress simplifies the set up of your On-page Optimization factors such as Title and Description tags.

Subscribe 2

Subscribe 2 lets visitors subscribe and get email notifications of new Blog Posts. A simple and easy way to keep your readers informed. RSS Feeds are also essential to empower visitors to keep themselves up to date on your Blog Postings.

Contact Form 7 and Simple Captcha

Contact Form 7 and Simple Captcha enables you to quickly and easily create custom contact forms for your Blog. Contact Form 7 Plug-in with Simple CAPTCHA creates a simple code to copy and paste wherever your online forms are required.

Wordpress Plugin Installation

From your Wordpress Admin Dashboard

1. Scroll and Click => Plug-ins
2. Click => Add New
3. Enter your Plug-in Keyword => Search
4. Review Plug-in results and select Plug-in for installation => Install
5. Confirm Installation and proceed
6. Click => Activate Plug-in

Depending on the Plug-in you are installing you may have to modify Plug-in settings following Plug-in activation. If you do not see your new Plug-in listed in the Dashboard’s left column navigation you may need to Click => Settings to find it listed in that section of the Admin area.

Widgets and Sidebars

The Sidebars are the host of the numerous Widgets which are powered by the Plug-ins. The sidebars are where much of the Wordpress functionality becomes apparent. Once you understand how to install and set up the various Widgets, experimentation is one of the best ways forward. Try it and if you like the results keep it or otherwise try some other configuration. Widget and Sidebar set up functions are easy and intuitive being supported by Drag and Drop functionality.

From your Wordpress Admin Dashboard

1. Scroll and Click => Appearance
2. Click => Widgets
3. Select Sidebar
4. Left Click => Select Widget and Drag to Side Bar (Repeat as required)
5. Complete required Widget setup requirements and save
6. Preview web site changes

To Remove a Widget it is a simple task to open the required Side Bar and Click and Drag the Widget to the removal area.

The Last Word

Blogging should be fun and Wordpress adds to the experience for both the Blog visitor and owner. Experiment with your Wordpress Blog the options are limitless. You have now developed some basic Wordpress skills, get experimenting and have fun.

Written by: pete@seowizardry.ca a Search Engine Optimization Consultant

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If you would like to use this article on your web site please contact pete@seowizardry.ca for an html version. All I request is you provide Pete Hollier and Seo Wizardry with a reference to this article and provide a link back to www.seowizardry.ca

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