In this hands-on 2 day (12 hour) workshop, you will learn how to build a fully-functioning, device-responsive website using the self-hosted version WordPress. Starting with an introduction to WordPress and its capabilities as a website & blogging platform, this step-by-step hands-on course will provide you with the skills to build a WordPress website from scratch, without coding.

This course will take you through the entire process and provide you with the skills to build a site, along with a thorough understanding of how to customise, edit, update, publish and manage a WordPress website in a small business setting. You’ll learn to avoid common mistakes made by many DIYers, saving you time, money and sanity. You will learn how to plan, build and configure your website/blog and publish it to the internet.

It includes a brief overview with additional learning resources covering the importance of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), WordPress website maintenance, how to integrate Google Analytics, social media, contact forms, maps and the essential foundations to building and managing a fully-functioning small business website, along with the critical measures to take to ensure your website is backed up, up to date and secured against hackers.

Agenda

Session One

• What is and why choose WordPress
• An overview of the two WordPress platforms
• WordPress concepts and terminology
• Installing and configuring WordPress
• A deep dive into the WordPress dashboard including:
• Logging into WordPress
• Updating basic site settings
• Managing users – add, remove, roles
• Adding and managing pages, posts and, media
• Working with the Gutenberg editor
• Inserting images, galleries, and inline links
• Building and managing a menu system
• Manage the blog – location, categories, tags, and comments
• Customise widget areas – footer

Session Two

• Understanding plugins
• The difference between plugin and widgets
• Finding and choosing plugins (free vs premium)
• Installing and working with plugins
• Recommended plugins
• Experimenting with plugins specifically:
• Coming soon page
• Image sliders and lightbox popups
• Contact forms
• Google fonts
• Social media sharing

Session Three

• Understanding themes
• Finding and choosing themes (free vs premium)
• Installing a theme
• Where to start
• Before you buy tips
• Working with themes – theme customiser
• 2017 WordPress theme demo
• Free time to create/build your own theme
• Google analytics integration
• WordPress security and maintenance tips
• Debugging WordPress tips
• Search engine optimisation tips
• Further site customisation using CSS

Class Details

This class will be scheduled to run at Waverley Library which is located at 32-48 Denison Street, Bondi Junction NSW. There is onsite parking available which is free for the first 2 hours. If commuting via public transport, the library is a short 5 minute walk from Bondi Junction train station and bus interchange. Please register your interest if you would like to attend this workshop.

Prerequisites & Preparation

This is an introductory level workshop so, therefore, no prior knowledge, experience or exposure to WordPress is required. Students should, however, be confident internet users with basic computer skills. Before attending this workshop please ensure that you have

1. A fully charged and functioning laptop
2. Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome web browser