Introduction to WordPress

WordPress is one of the most popular blogging tools on the web, making it easy for anybody to post their ideas, pictures, and audio/video. WordPress can be used for not only blogging posts but also to store static information that can be easily updated like a content management system (CMS).

This class teaches the new user how to get their blog up and started quickly while teaching students to fully understand the right way to install, administer, customize and market their blog.

One of the main advantages of WordPress is the use of themes and plugins which can dramatically change the look and functionality of your blog website. Students will learn how to find and install various themes and plugins as well as learn how themes work behind the scenes using template tags with PHP.

Each weekly lecture will give explanations, illustrations, resources, and practical scenarios of setting up your own Wordpress blog.
Outline
Week 1 - Getting Started with WordPress
  • Blogging Basics
  • Types of blogs
  • Manual installation on a web server
Week 2 - Administration
  • Understanding the Dashboard
  • Setting up user accounts
  • Elements of a Post
  • Managing Posts, Categories and tags
  • Adding an About page
  • Adding your links
Week 3 - Site Design: Themes
  • How to find and install new themes
  • The basics components and files of a theme
  • How to use widgets
  • Quick PHP Overview
  • Review of basics template tags
Week 4 - Adding Functionality and Interactivity to your Blog
  • What is a Plugin?
  • How to find and install plugins
  • Popular and useful plugins
Week 5 - Marketing your Blog
  • Adding Analytics and RSS Feeds
  • SEO Optimization
  • Integrating social media sites
  • How to monetize your blog
Week 6 - Themes: 'Under the Hood'
  • Blog design considerations
  • Dissecting how a theme works
  • Creating a basic theme from scratch
Prerequisites
Good understanding of HTML. CSS and PHP knowledge would be helpful but not required.
Requirements
You must have an online web host account that is UNIX based (not Windows server) that supports PHP and a MySQL database.

Books:
Suggested Book WordPress: Visual QuickStart Guide

Additional information:

Your place in the course is confirmed by your payment. Introductory courses are intended for students with no experience in the subject matter and are seeking beginner level training.

Refund Policy: Please read our Terms and Refund Policy before registering for this course.

Additional Cost: Book and software might be required for the course. Read the Requirements and Book section for more information. Course fee does not include the book and software cost .

How eClasses Work:Instructors post lectures (text-based, no video or audio), reading selections, and hands-on assignments once a week in the online classroom. Students can discuss the assignments with the instructor and amongst themselves in the classroom area. This format has no set meeting time, which allows students to attend class at a time most convenient to them, yet still provides logically organized communication between class participants. Students can apply for the completion certificate after finishing the class.

1996
Price: $200.00
IWA-HWG Price: $100.00
Course No.: B129
Instructor: Frank Stepanski
Co-instructor/TA:
CEUs: 3
Duration: 6 weeks
Open Courses:
Start Date: Sep 27, 2010
Register by: Sep 30, 2010

Testimonials

Instructor's Profile:
InstructorFrank Stepanski has over nine years experience in the IT field ranging from Senior Analyst, Designer and Web Developer. Frank has worked with technologies such as PHP, MySQL, ASP.NET, SQL Server as well as HTML, CSS and JavaScript. He has also taught web programming classes over five years at a local community college as well as online classes.
Before you register for this class, please read the Outline, Prerequisites, Requirements, Books, and Refund Policy sections carefully.
 

 Testimonials

Ratings
"Prior to taking this eclasses WordPress course I had not been able to get WordPress to behave on a windows server. After the week one lesson, I was up and running and doing well. Frank's patience and knowledge are extensive, so I would recommend this class to anyone looking to learn more about WordPress. If you are very new to WordPress, this course in invaluable. Our class had many discussions on an intermediate and advanced course expanding further with the customization options available, so we are hoping eclasses considers adding it to the options. EXCELLENT class!" - Susan Shindle
"Frank provided very clear, step-by-step instructions. I know I will refer back to his materials again. I also very much appreciated that he was very quick to thoroughly respond to all questions. I really liked this personal touch, as it is hard for me to just learn from a book without any guidance. In particular, I very much appreciated Frank's clearly outlined explanation of how to create a custom WordPress theme." - Mara Levy
"Great class! In just a few weeks I was able to create a blog that looks professional and takes advantage of the latest plug-ins." - Paul Spingola
"The class was very instructional and I really enjoyed the forums and learned a lot from both. It was exciting to start my own blog from the beginning and be able to watch it grow. It was well worth it and I am sorry to see it end. Kathy" - Kathy Hjorth
"The class was a very good introduction to Wordpress. I thank you for having it! It gave me the basis of WP so I can now understand what is going on, and do quite a few things." - Linda Baldwin