Presentation: Are you an engineer looking to enhance your professional brand? Join our insightful webinar where Gary Vaughan, a seasoned IT professional and WordPress expert, will unveil the power of WordPress websites in boosting your career and professional profile. Whether you're a consultant, volunteer, or aspiring employee, a well-crafted website can be a game-changer in showcasing your expertise.
Speaker Bio: Gary's long career spans from Project Manager and Foreign Service Officer to IT Contractor at the State Department's Office of eDiplomacy. With a profound focus on WordPress software support, he now dedicates his expertise to pro bono website design for DC area non-profits and offers web design resources at dcwebrevolution.com. Gary specializes in WordPress web consulting, business planning, website design, and social media management.
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WordPress Websites for Engineers: Elevate Your Brand
1. WordPress Websites for Engineers
Computer Coach Online Webinar Series
April 19, 2024
by
Gary Vaughan, Web Designer
Elevate Your Brand
2. Agenda
1. Why a Website or Blog?
2. General Website Planning Steps
3. WordPress (WP) a Leader on the Web
4. WP Job Market and Roles
5. WordPress.Com - a user-friendly WP Option
6. WP as a tool/community to “do good”
Format: Slides, Demo, Q+A…see [this TBD Slideshare link] for Slides copy
Special 10% Discount Offer for my 3 Website Services!
Icons Source: Iconmonstr
3. About Me…
• 15 Years IT Contractor at State Dept until June 2022 (WP Support)
• Career Project Manager in int’l development (USAID, Peace Corps)
• MBA and PMP (Project Management Professional) – see my LinkedIn.
• Coaching of non-profits since 2018 (see Taproot Plus, or Catchafire)
• My many “side-gigs”: computer clubs, Toastmasters, pro bono
• Launched my Website Design Consulting Fall 2022!
4. A Website tells your Story!
• Rationale for a Website…
• A digital “storefront” you control and “brand”
• A “hub” for other social media
• A broad and deep “container” for your content and story
*Site as a space to hone, update your “value add”
-- for easy entry to learn/experiment with WordPress software…
-- to launch a pro or personal blog … (Martin Fowler)
-- or tout your solopreneur/non-profit services.
6. Leverage Social Media
• Focus on 2-3 top Platforms
• LinkedIn, Twitter (X), Facebook Business (dynamic!)
• More technical forums: Mastodon, GitHub, ProjectManagement.com, etc.
• Draft profile, engage with community
• Connection to your website!
• Explore IT Freelancing sites
• Examples: simple Fiverr (I plan to launch!), more complex Upwork
• One-off sales – globally competitive! [check out WP developers, designers!]
• Sharpen your “value add” and website brand
7. WordPress Leads the Web
• WordPress a Leader on the Web – see 2024 Report (WPBeginner)
• Open Source Software + Thousands of Themes, Plugins
• 43% of Websites, 64% of CMS is on WordPress – Community Support!
• Cost: small monthly charges typically for hosting and support
WP Alternatives?: Best Web Builders for 2024 (PC Magazine)
8. Join the Huge WP Community!
• Learn from WordPress Community: WordCamps, Wordpresstv
• Highly collaborative, supportive and diverse!
• My Notes from attending WC US in DC last August
• Upcoming “WordCamps” (incl. Contributors Day)
• Montclair, NJ: 6/1/2024
• WC Canada – Ottawa: 7/11-13/2024
• WC US – Portland, OR: 9/17-20/2024
9. “State of the Word: 2023”
• By Matt Mullenweg, WP co-founder (WordCamp Madrid)
https://wordpress.tv/2023/12/11/state-of-the-word-2023/
11. WP Developer Skills
• Mastering Core Languages: HTML, CSS, Javascript, PHP, MySQL
• Understanding WP Architecture (WP Codex, Developers Handbook)
• Engage in WP Open Source Community
• Choose your WP specialization
• Core, Theme, Plugin, API Development
• Ecommerce and Custom Development
• Performance and Security Optimization
How to Become a WP Dev; Dev Resources on WP.ORG; WP Playground - for Testing
12. Site Production Tips
Highlight not Overwhelm your Content!
• Plan your site purpose, and map content to suit your audience
• Design a professional, branded, user-friendly site
• Draft engaging, scannable content
See further tips in Annex 2
13. Search Optimization Tips
Make your site findable on the Web!
• Logical Site Navigation, Titles
• Keywords, Categories and Tags
• Optimization of images, meta descriptions
• Jetpack SEO features [WP Plugin]
• Google Tools: Search, Trends, Alerts, Search Console
WPCOM Webinars: SEO Foundations, Effective Keyword Research
14. WordPress.Org (robust)
A Self-hosted WordPress site…
• PRO
• Great flexibility: thousands of Themes, Plugins…customization
• More ecommerce/monetization options, SEO tools, etc.
• WP.ORG is dominant WP version for users, designers, developers
• CON:
• Users’ Need to update software, security, themes, plugins…conflicts!?
• Sites can get “overgrown”, difficult for User to maintain or redesign
WP.ORG vs WP.COM – article (Hostinger); WordPress.Org resource site
15. WordPress.Com (simplified)
A hosted WordPress service by Automattic…
• Free or small fee ($4-$25/month), per Plan – see WP.COM
• Built-in Updates, Security, Backup, Site Analytics (user traffic)
• Great Support!: FAQ knowledge base, webinars, classes, forums
• Con: most plans w/ limited add-ons (Plugins), can retire Themes
16. My Website: DCWebRevolution.Com
• About: Bio – Gallery --->
• Blog for pro learning
• Site Comments, Forms
• Event promotion
• WP, Tech Resources
• TBD: MailChimp newsletter
21. Basic WordPress Concepts
• Dashboard vs Site View – internal controls vs external public site
• Theme – a layout style or format (free or premium)
• Media – place for images, photos, PDFs
• Post – changing content, like a Blog post
• Page – more static content, like an About page
• Menu – a place to organize and display your content on site
• Block Editor – modular blocks to build Pages and Posts
• Site Editor – updated flexible Editor + related Block Themes
22. WP.COM Demo (20 min.)
1. Demo The Tek Manager Site [free Assembler Block Theme, Full Site Editor – Design
Your Own wizard!]
2. Show site’s “Dashboard”
• Frontend (Public View): Blog Posts, Pages, Menu, Footer
• Backend (Admin Actions): Left sidebar, “Coming Soon”…Add free sites!
• Add Content: Pages, Posts, Media; Site-wide Editor
• Navigation: Theme (layout), Menu (location, display)
• Interaction: Feedback, Comments…Analytics
See Slides 26 - 28 for WP.COM Site Start-up Tips
Quick Account/Bare Site Setup Steps (20 min!)
My 4 Theme (layout) Suggestions
23. WP.COM Support Resources
• Get WP Answers on Support (or “?” on your Dashboard, or Google it)
• Sign up for free WP.COM Webinar or see past Webinars).
• Learn from WordPress Community: WordCamps, Wordpress.tv
Attend free WP Meetups (for ex., Gen Herres’ Baltimore WP Meetup: See her
Meetup Description/Services, and YouTube recordings)
24. • Scoping
• Business
• Branding
Planning
• Layout
• Training
• Launching
Website
• Site Stats
• Apps & Tools
• Social Media
Management
My Project Management Consulting Approach
25. My Conclusions
• A Blog/Website can enhance your “brand” and traffic
• A site as a “hub” for social media interaction with your Audience
• WordPress dominates Web, and WP.COM - an easy entrée
• WP.COM offers a wealth of self-help resources and support
• Check out my WP.COM account set-up steps…and DIY Option – see
my Resources link!
Explore WordPress.Com today!
26. How to Get Started on WP.COM
• First, “Get Started” Button, “Create your account”: Enter Email/PW…Validate
• Next, 6 Steps to build a starter site (20 min!)
1. Choose your domain (type a URL…pick a free domain!)
2. Select your Plan (also check “free”)
3. What are your Goals: check one
4. Bring your Vision to Life – Choose Theme, or Design Your Own tool
5. Let’s Get Ready to Launch [NO!] – Give your site a Name, Tagline
6. Upper right, Skip to Dashboard (√ upper left, site as “Coming Soon”!)
Then start drafting initial content: Pages, Posts, and adding to Menu
27. Suggested Free Themes I
Easy Themes to get Started…
• Design Your Own App (Wizard, “Assembler” Block Theme)
• Start Home Pg Design – Patterns
• Choose Styles: Colors, Fonts
• Select Pages
• Edit demo Pages/Posts with your content
• Libre 2 (Blog – Simple, Classic Theme)
• Lean format + Header/Color/Font options
• Learn to use blocks for content
• Theme updated by WP.COM
28. Suggested Free Themes II
Robust FSE Themes – More Design Required!
• Twenty Twenty-Four (Full Site Editor Theme - FSE)
• Full fledged website
• Built-in demo patterns to edit
• Latest default Theme by WP.ORG
• Fewer (FSE Theme)
• Style Variations
• New Theme by Automattic
• Full Site Editor to add complexity
29. Contact Me
• Email: gary@dcwebrevolution.com
• Cell: 703-899-9940
• Website: https://dcwebrevolution.com
Slideshare link: TBD __________________
Free Webinar Offer: An added 10% off my online prices!
Online prices: New Website $100, Website Check $50, Online Business Plan $200
Call/Email me with any questions, or
Fill out this Website Planning Request form.
32. 1. Apps to Grow your Site
Harness additional online tools and apps…..
• Design Logos or Infographics (free Canva tool, DIY Infographics)
• Try Podcasting (How to Article, Software Options)
• Produce Videos (Infographic, Software Options – Capcut)
• Link to Appointment App (for ex. Calendly)
• Automate Emailed Newsletters (for ex., MailChimp)
33. 2a. Website Planning Tips
• Audience (demographics)
• Models (inspirational websites)
• Site Map (your site sketch or outline)
• Content (text, images, logo…)
• Team (site Admin and support)
• Design (or redesign…migration?)
Draft a Project Plan (√ graphical Trello) or Brainstorm Design (√ Figma tool)
My Drawn Site Map for “Marketing Maven” [Demo]
34. 2b. Website Design Best Practices
• Layout: professional, brand-consistent, up-to-date Theme
• Scanability: Clean, Readable text… with a “call to action”
• Navigation: Easy-to-find info, Visual Hierarchy
• Images: Optimize size, photos, copyright…Quality!
• Engagement: Build for traffic on Web, “SEO”
• Testing: check browser/device compatibility
Image Source: Pexels [WP.COM]
35. Moodboard - Brand “Brainstorming”
My Moodboard on Pinterest for a fictional Computer Repair Co. - CALARTS
How to create a beautiful moodboard - Canva
36. 2c. Blog Drafting Tips
• Practical: How tos, Top Tips, Best of…
• Templates, Infographics, Icons
• Story-telling (√ Selective Potential lighthouse touring)
• Apt Headline, engaging intro
• Short points, break up text – blogs as a narrative form!
• Cite sources, beware copyright (√ free images – Pexels, Wikimedia)√
Check Blog Writing Tips
37. 3. Other Pro Blog or Website Examples
• The Perimeter (Photo Blog)
UK Photos, WP.COM site…Tips: √ Events focus, Media outreach, visual impact
• Mind the Workplace (Narrative Blog)
US Law Prof, WP.COM site …Tips: √ Simple blog layout, hi value blog articles
• Selective Potential (Lifestyle Website)
Squarespace site…Tips: √ use of Blog Categories for travels/services
38. 4. Use WP to Help Your Community!
WP as a tool to promote and help your local cause
• Inspiring story of Shambi Broome in Columbia, SC
• She is a full-time WP Web Developer and cancer survivor
• Founded a non-profit to train girls in coding: Webgyrlz Code
• Mobilized girls to build a website vs local food insecurity: Cancel Hunger
• Video of her talk at WP US in DC last August.
• Another example: WP.ORG supports “Kids Camps” to teach WP
WP is a great way to mobilize local talent and resources to do good!