Archive for WordPress Plugins

Feb
16

What are WordPress Plugins?

WordPress Plugins Make Your Web Site, Work, and Life Easier!

If you’re new to WordPress you might have noticed in your Dashboard (your administration area) a plugin icon (looks like an electrical plug) and the word Plugins – and you just might be scratching your head wondering what the heck WordPress Plugins are and why you need them.

What are WordPress Plugins?

In simple terms a WordPress Plugin is a “mini” software program, if you will, that someone wrote to make your web site, work, and life easier.
WordPress plugins are added (installed) into your WordPress application (your WordPress site).
WordPress Plugins can add customization, features, and services to your WordPress site; such as adding video, adding an events calendar, adding rotating images/text, adding a shopping cart, an email list, and the list goes on and on!
Some WordPress plugins have settings and some don’t.
Some WordPress plugins are free and some are for a fee, referred to as Premium Plugin’s.
Some WordPress plugins are used in the editing area of a page or a post and some are used in the widget area of your WordPress site.
Some WordPress plugins will appear, after installing, in your Settings in the Dashboard that will have their own “clickable” area in the Dashboard under Settings or somewhere else on the left of the Dashboard.
Currently the WordPress.org depository has over 18,330 plugins to assist you in almost anything you can imagine or need for your WordPress web site.

How to Find WordPress Plugins

You can find WordPress Plugins in the Administration Panel (Your Dashboard) > Plugins > Add New panel, or directly via the Official WordPress Plugins Directory and download them, and then FTP them up to your site.

Tips BEFORE You Install a WordPress Plugin

Know the version of WordPress you have installed on your web site. You can find this out by logging into your Dashboard and on the home page it will tell you what version of WordPress you have installed.
Before installing a WordPress plugin make SURE it is compatible with your version of WordPress. When you find the WordPress plugin you want or “think” you want read the details FIRST before clicking Install Now! You’ll see something like this – generally on the right side of Plugin Details: Requires: 3.1 or higher (This means your WordPress version MUST be above 3.1), Compatible up to: 3.3.1 (This means it will work fine with WordPress versions up to 3.3.1), Last Updated: 2011-12-5 Downloads: 947,083
When you click on Details read this stuff or take a look at the plugins: 1) Description, 2) Installation, 3) FAQ, 4) Screenshots, and 5) Changelog.
Also check out the ratings that people have given the WordPress plugin and any reviews you might find.
BACKUP Your WordPress Site!

I Can’t Find a WordPress Plugin for My Needs!

You’re in luck! You can write your own WordPress plugin if you know how!

Updating WordPress Plugins or Updating WordPress – Warning Tips

Do a full backup FIRST before you update a WordPress Plugin!
Do a full backup FIRST before you update WordPress! Before you update your WordPress version FIRST Deactivate (turn off) ALL your WordPress Plugins!! Once your WordPress version is updated activate (turn on) ONE plugin at a time, check your site in a new tab in your browser and make sure it WORKS! Why? Because if you update WordPress and a plugin you have installed is NOT up to date or compatible with the newest version of WordPress you will BREAK your SITE!!! I know – this has happened to me – thank goodness I had a backup to restore the site!!!!
I HIGHLY recommend you purchase BackupBuddy by PluginBuddy. BackupBuddy is a premium plugin that not only backs up your WordPress site (and will send it to S3, Dropbox, FTP, your email, or Rackspace Cloud) BUT has a built in Malware Scan.

Some WordPress Plugin Questions for You:

What else do you need to know or learn about WordPress Plugins?
Do you use WordPress Plugins?
What are your favorite WordPress Plugins?
Is there a WordPress Plugin that you need some instructions on how to use? (Which ones?) I’ll do my best to make a how-to video for you!!

Please leave your responses, comments, or questions in the comments area below and make sure you sign up for our blog posts and newsletter!

Categories : BackUp Buddy, Wordpress, WordPress Plugins, WordPress Training

Feb
2

Viruses Attacking WordPress 3.2.1

by Janet L. Hall, Web Trainer/Developer

Yesterday I was sent an email from a former student of WordPress training that I do at the College of Southern MD. regarding a virus that is attacking WordPress 3.2.1.

I was somewhat surprised yet more shocked that I hadn’t heard about this from any of my “daily” WordPress blogs that I subscribe to or any of the WordPress community. So at first I thought it might be a hoax so I ran it through Snopes.com and nothing came back saying it was a fake.

So I’d like to share some of the story with you, along with a link so you can read the entire article and share with you an inexpensive plugin that you can check to see if your site was infected.

From the Register, dated January 31, 2012, and article by John Leyden he begins with:

Malware-spreaders are hacking into vulnerable WordPress-powered sites in order to drive traffic towards pages loaded with exploits.

Hundreds of websites based on WordPress 3.2.1 have been compromised so that surfers directed to the WordPress-built sites via email links are exposed to the Phoenix exploit kit, M86 Security warns.

A full-write up of the attack, including screenshots, can be found in a blog post by M86 Security here.

Now you should know that WordPress is now in version 3.3.1; however MANY WordPress owners either do not update their versions, or don’t know how to update their version, which is really very simple. (I’ll teach you that in another post).

What I want to share with you today is how you can quickly and easily check to see if your WordPress site has been infected.

Step 1: Purchase BackupBuddy by PluginBuddy. BackupBuddy is a premium plugin that not only backs up your WordPress site (and will send it to S3, Dropbox, FTP, your email, or Rackspace Cloud) AND has a built in Malware Scan

Step 2: Click on Malware Scan – All you need to do after purchase and installation is click on Malware Scan – see I told you it was quick and easy!

And look at all the other cool things it offer:

Backups and Restores your WordPress site
You can schedule your backups – put it on automation baby!
You can even migrate your WordPress site to another site!!
PLUS when you get BackupBuddy, you also get access to their support forum. (Which I can tell you is one of the best I’ve used since 1996!)

Step3: If everything checks out OK now back up your site.

Step 4: Deactivate all your plugins

Step 5: Update your version of WordPress.

Step 6: Activate your plugins one at a time. Activate one and look at your site live – why? Because you might have a plugin installed that won’t work with the newest version of WordPress. Activating one at a time, looking at your site to make sure all is working and repeat the process. If a plugin isn’t up to date and doesn’t work properly with the newset version of WordPress you’ll know which one to either keep deactivated doing it this way or see if there is an update for the plugin.

Step 7: Need Help? Fill in the form below. We’ll get back to you shortly.

Categories : BackUp Buddy, Wordpress, WordPress Plugins, WordPress Training

Dec
29

How to Transfer Your Domains

by Janet L. Hall, Web Trainer/Developer

How to Transfer Domains and Web Sites

I was just reading an article by Perry Chiaramonte “On Eve of Net Boycott, Dump GoDaddy Exodus Begins” with regards to GoDaddy.com originally supporting the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and which CNET gives a great report of how SOPA will affect you.

In the article this guy “Fred” was reported as starting a boycott of GoDaddy:

The call to dump Go Daddy started when one user of popular link-sharing site reddit.com was unhappy with the response he got from the company after writing a letter expressing how uneasy he felt about their support for the legislation.

“My heart was broken. I’ve used them for years,” the reddit poster who would only give his first name “Fred” told FoxNews.com. Fred claimed to have already transferred 51 domains to another registry. “I didn’t like the generic letter they sent back to me so I posted a call to boycott. I didn’t know it would catch on the way it did,” he said.

GoDaddy did not respond to repeated emails and phone calls from FoxNews.com.

Fred, who goes by the handle SelfProdigy, says since posting, he’s received hundreds of emails from people asking for help in transferring domains, which can normally be a tricky process.

So I thought I would put together a step-by-step process of transferring your domain and your web site (NOTE: Some of you might have your domain name – your www.yourwebsitename.com – registered with GoDaddy and your “live” web site hosted with someone else AND some of you might have your domain and your web site on GoDaddy – either way it’s a process and as “Fred” said can be a tricky one).

Step 1: Download (Backup) a FRESH copy of your web site to your computer. The best and fastest way to download a site is using a FTP program (UNLESS you have a WordPress Site/Blog – notes on that in a second in Step 1A). I recommend the free FTP program FileZilla. You will need to download the FileZilla software, install it and then learn how to use it

Step 1A: If you have a WordPress web site or blog on GoDaddy you will need to back it up NOT using the FTP program; however a premium plugin by PlugInBuddy called BackUpBuddy (Prices vary depending on the licenses you will need to purchase; however if you purchase by end of year you can get 30% OFF by using the Coupon Code: BACKUP2011). Once purchased you will need to install the plugin, set it up, and then back up your site. You can send your backup to your email, Amazon S3, DropBox, or an FTP program.

Step 1B: If you made your web site on a GoDaddy template or GoDaddy Overnight – well you might be out of luck and will need to build a new site – so make sure you have at least a copy of all you pages, content, images and videos on your computer. You CANNOT transfer their templates. If you need a new site built call or email me – I’ll be happy to assist you.

Once you have confirmed you have a fresh copy of your web site on your computer (your C Drive) you are ready to move to Step 2.

Step 2: Now you ‘ll need to decide who you will transfer your domain (registration) and web site / blog (hosting) to – in other words what company do you want to give your money to and support and who will be the best one to support you and your work. [Side Note: Now I'm in a pickle as I'm a reseller for Wild West Domains, which is GoDaddy's reseller name - so I won't direct you to that and I'll need to rethink using them and transferring my domains - one thing at a time].

With that said I highly recommend HostGator for BOTH your domain transfer and hosting of your web site / blog. Get 25% OFF by using Coupon Code: godaddytransfer at HostGator.com (please note the 25% off is only for hosting; however HostGator will transfer your domain(s) for FREE for you once you purchase their hosting services!)

And good news if you are reading this on 12/29/11 – I just spoke to HostGator and if you email sales@hostgator.com and tell them you want to transfer your domain and hosting they will have a “special” low price for you AND if you have a cPanel (which you should) at GoDaddy – they “might” be able to transfer your site/blog too!!!!

Step 2A: Once you have selected your hosting package and entered in your domain name, then visit Transfer My Domains at HostGator. Here are some things you will need to know and have handy BEFORE you fill in their form:

HostGator will transfer the primary domain name (.com, .net, .org) associated with a new client’s account upon signup at no charge. Please make sure you have completed the following process before submitting this domain transfer form.

Please understand that it’s not necessary to transfer a domain name with us to host your web site with HostGator. It is possible to leave your domain registered elsewhere, but point it to us using our name servers. A majority of our clients decide to transfer their domain registrations to HostGator for the better support. Also, if the domain is new, you must wait 60 days until submitting this form, as brand new domains can’t be transferred. If you still wish to transfer the registration to us, please follow these guidelines:

1. Make sure the WhoIs information is up-to-date.
2. Make sure you have access to the email address stated in the WhoIs Information.
3. Update name servers to the HostGator name servers prior to initiating transfer.
4. Unlock the domain.
5. Retrieve the EPP Authorization key from your current registrar.
6. Fill out the HostGator domain transfer form.
7. Please ensure that the domain is at least 60 days old.
8. This process can take up to 7 days, so please allow plenty of time for your previous registrar to approve the transfer.

Any domain transferred to HostGator is automatically renewed for an additional year for free!
*Please note that a small fee may be required for certain TLDs with higher pricing structures (Example: CO.UK, .CA, .DE, .MOBI, etc)

Okay 3-5 above might be a little “geek” or should I say “Greek” to some of you so I have a quick little video that will show you what to look for. Login to your account and click on your domain name and look for Name Servers. Also HostGator will email you your NAME SERVERS that you will need to change for your domain at GoDaddy. Do NOT use the NAME servers in the video example! This is an example – so make sure you click OK after changing the name servers to the ones that HostGator emails you. Unlock your domain and have your Authorization Code emailed to you. Then go back and fill out the Hostgator Form.

<a href="http://www.vimeo.com/34347604" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.vimeo.com']);">http://www.vimeo.com/34347604</a>

Step 3: If you did not have HostGator do all your transferring for you – once your domain is finally transferred you will need to upload your web site or blog that you downloaded to your C Drive or backed up using BackUpBuddy.

Step 3A: If you FTP your site to your computer all you will need to do is go back into your FTP program and log into your new hosting and FTP your site up to the public_html folder.

Step 3B: If you used BackUpBuddy to back up your WordPress Site you will need to install (migrate) your WordPress site using the ImportBuddy that comes with BackUpBuddy and follow the instructions on the Video on Migrate – move it somewhere else.

This does take some time and concentration – however if you run into problems, want a DIY lesson or want us to do it for you – just email HELP me Get Off GoDaddy!

Categories : BackUp Buddy, Wordpress, WordPress Plugins, WordPress Training

Oct
20

SexyBookmarks Plugin

by Janet L. Hall, Web Trainer/Developer

SexyBookmarks

I’ve been searching high and low for this plugin that you can add to the bottom of your posts for others to click and share in various places; however couldn’t find out it’s name, that is until David R. in a webdesign.com event chat mentioned it today.

You can view the SexyBookmarks Plugin in action at the bottom of this post and it’s very easy to install (see bottom of post for how-to installation); however if you are using a Builder iThemes WordPress Theme the bookmarks show up in all your widgets and really makes your pages look terrible (this can be fixed and I’ll show you how in a second)!

See how ugly this is BEFORE I apply the fix:

The fix was really easy once I figured out the code to add to my Builder CHILD Stylesheet (style.css), which I added to the bottom of the sheet:

/***********************************************
sharing is caring widget fix
************************************************/
.widget .shareaholic-show-on-load{

display:none !important;
}

.widget .shareaholic-like-buttonset{
display:none !important;
}

See how pretty this is AFTER I apply the fix:

How to install SexyBookmarks:

<a href="http://www.vimeo.com/30862180" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.vimeo.com']);">http://www.vimeo.com/30862180</a>

Categories : Code, WordPress Plugins, WordPress Training

Oct
5

Birthday Presents for You!

by Janet L. Hall, Web Trainer/Developer

I’m Partying Like it’s 1954!

Today, Oct. 5th, I’m celebrating my 57th!

And I have Three FREE Birthday Presents for you

AND Three HEAVILY DISCOUNTED Presents for you!

FREE Present #1

Free Mp3 and Handout: Why You Should Have a Web Site and 7 Steps to Creating Yours

A recording of a presentation I did many years back (when FrontPage was popular, which you will hear me refer to )

Benefits of Owning a Web Site
5 W’s of What You Should Include on Your Web Site
7 Steps to Creating a Web Site

FREE Present #2

Free E- Book: Top Ten Organizing and Time Challenges People Face

I wrote this 29 page e-book back in 2005. Here’s a peek at the chapters:

Chapter 1. Paper Challenges: Includes mail, reading material and files

Chapter 2. Bedroom Challenges: Includes laundry, clothes, drawers and closets

Chapter 3. Children: Includes their schedules and their bedroom and toys

Chapter 4. Shopping Challenges: Includes food, gifts and cards

Chapter 5. Kitchen Challenges: Includes organizing, meal planning and cooking

Chapter 6. Time: Spending time with family, children, friends and self

Chapter 7. Appointments: Includes medical, school, parties and events

Chapter 8. Tools

Chapter 9. Car Clutter

Chapter 10. Maintaining home systems and cleaning

FREE Present #3

Free MP3 and Handout: How to Maximize Your Time … Even When You Never Have Enough

This is a live recorded event many, many years ago I presented.

Discover where your time goes
Goal Setting
Scheduling and Prioritizing
Who or What are your Time Robbers
Time Saving Tips and MORE!

Discounts are valid from Oct. 5th – Nov. 5th

Discounted Present #1

Need a web site, blog or both? I’ll build you a three page site (with or without blog) using one of my WordPress themes you choose from.

Here’s what you’ll need before I begin your build (if you need help just ask):

Purchase a domain name and hosting service; I recommend HostGator.com use Coupon Code: janets57BDay to get 25% off your purchase

Pick out a theme from my themes collection

Email me your info and what you want on your site!

Once you purchase your web site package I’ll email you or call you with all the instructions you’ll need so I can begin your web site.
(Sites are built on a first come first serve basis – most sites can be completed with three days or less)

Once your site is complete you will get one hour phone or Skype training (which I’ll record and send to you) – a $125 value – so you’ll know how to blog or make new pages – easy as filling out an email!

$200 OFF a three page site – your cost is $570.00 Order Now or Call me at 410-586-9440 if you have any questions or would like to discuss before purchasing.

Discounted Present #2

Need some training? Training is done via phone or Skype. All training is recorded (screen and voice) and will be emailed to you so you always have your lessons.

Training for WordPress, iThemes Builder, Allure Themes, WordPress Plugins, PlugIn Buddy Plugins, Gravity Forms, E-Commerce Plugins, Word 2007/2010, and PowerPoint 2007/2010.
Business and Internet Marketing Training and MORE are available – just call or email to see if I can train you!

$68 OFF one hour training – your cost is $57 an hour Order Now or Call me at 410-586-9440 if you have any questions or would like to discuss before purchasing.

Discounted Present #3

Four MP3′s and Handouts! All Four for $57!!!

Introduction to Using Articles and Newsletter to Grow Your Business (2 MP3′s and Handout) Value $29.97

How to Deliver Teleseminars and Make Money Form Your Phone (1 MP3 and handout) Value $29.97

It’s All About Keywords (1 MP3 and Handout) Value $29.97

How to Get Clients in these Challenging Times (1MP and no Handout) Value $29.97

$62.88 OFF – your cost is $57 Order Now (Once you order you will receive an email with a password to download your MP3′s)

Well that’s it folks – time for me to start my party – I do hope you like your presents!

Categories : Fun Stuff, Getting Organized, iThemes Builder, Wordpress, WordPress Plugins, WordPress Training

Jun
23

Getting Organized: My Webdesign Training Manual

by Janet L. Hall, Web Trainer/Developer

This past Memorial Day weekend I had several things I wanted to accomplish: 1) Help build a floating island for my friends pond at her farm in Mine Run, VA, 2) Plant several American Chestnut saplings at the farm, 3) Get my training handouts from Webdesign.com organized into a binder and any special instructions I have received through the support forums at iThemes.com for Builder, 4) Get the classes I teach at CSM for web site design organized and into a binder, and 5) Have fun and relax – AKA – unplug and enjoy great company, food, drink, and nature stuff!

Before we left for the farm I got a box and packed up all my handouts, all my class instructions, a three hole puncher, stapler and stapler remover, page dividers, and two three inch white binders.

For my Webdesign.com handouts and special instructions from forum support I first sorted by categories I had decided to use in the binder, which consists of the following:

Business
WordPress
Builder
Code
Plugins
Images
Video

Then I went to work on removing any staples from the handouts, three hole punching them and stapling them again, and then adding them to the binder under the proper category.

It sure is easier to locate what I need when I need it now – I can help myself and my clients faster and better for everything is in one place at my fingertips!

Here’s a pic of my manual – today I made it a cover!

If you’re not familiar with the iThemes community I highly recommend you check out their various “parts”.

Here is how I got started:

I first purchased iThemes Builder in December, 2009 because I was looking for something I could build WordPress web sites/blogs in and have the ability to control the look and feel and to style sites without a lot of coding. iThemes Builder fit the bill! With their newest theme Builder and Child Themes (now up to 38 child themes and growing by leaps and bounds!) I was hooked and impressed so I purchased the Builder Theme Core to use on an unlimited number of sites. I purchased Builder before it was released – and myself, and I’m sure many others – waited for the release day.

In August of 2010 I joined the iThemes University at Webdeign.com. This is PREMIUM training for web design and development! The folks at iThemes out shine and over deliver almost as much as anyone I’ve done business with on the Internet since 1996. Their training and support are more then 5 stars – I give them 100 stars! They do offer some of their training for free; however if you’re not a member you can’t revisit the recordings of the training – the recordings make it nice to be able to review because some times I can’t make a class or I get busy in the chat room with other members talking about other things – if you’ve ever been in a chat room while getting a webinar lesson you know how that goes.

In October of 2010 I purchased the PluginBuddy Developer Suite (another division of iThemes) to be used on unlimited sites. Oh my goodness these plugins will BLOW YOUR MIND! I love them all and use them all however I think it is safe to say my favorite is their BackUp Buddy (better know as BUB). BUB can backup your WordPress site in a flash and you can even use it to migrate your site to another site/domain!

Here’s a list of plugins PluginBuddy offers:

BackupBuddy
EmailBuddy (Available only in the Developer Suite!)
Mobile
DisplayBuddy
including: SlideShow, Video Showcase, Carousel, Featured Posts, Rotating Text, Billboard, Rotating Images, and Copious Comments
VidEmbed
With more coming! One is called LoopBuddy and I can tell you all of us in the iThemes community are “biting at the chop” for this one to come out – it’s currently in beta.

I want to thank iThemes for all they do – their support, training, and customer service surpasses most – a company that all companies should strive to be like! I can say my business is better because of you.

If you need help getting organized please visit my other site and career at OverHall.com

Categories : Getting Organized, iThemes Builder, Wordpress, WordPress Plugins, WordPress Themes, WordPress Training