WordPress Basics - Website Services for Small Businesses

New Version of WordPress – Summary

December 11, 2012

I was wrong! Wrong, wrong, wrong. Yes, there's a new WordPress version. BUT those geeks geekier than I have advised to wait a week before upgrading! Genesis is good to go (the themes we build on) but some plugin authors are having trouble making their code comply with the new version. Lets give them a grace period, k? The new version of WordPress was dropped today. And it is entirely safe to upgrade NOW. If of course, you have a backup of your site. For everyone on DSWP hosting and/or Genesis themes, I am confident that you wont have any problems. For everyone else - this version has … [Read more...]

0 Comments Blog, Blog Maintenance, WordPress Basics

WordPress Geekery: add shortcodes for your clients

December 4, 2012

This scenario works perfectly if: 1 - some part of the post that should be hidden from printers for copyright reasons, 2 - or if you need a certain section styled differently 3 - AND your client doesn't want/need to use the HTML editor. Warning - for Developers only! The following is code that should be inserted into the functions file only by your website developer. ANY mistake at all (like a missing ";" ) will break the entire site! This goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway: never ever ever edit a site live. Goal: Simple Shortcode that adds div classes This code will … [Read more...]

0 Comments Advanced, Blog, WordPress Basics

FAQ: How do I break a post into several ‘slides’ in WordPress?

November 21, 2012

Many of us have noticed that the bigger sites and magazines are breaking up their posts into bite sized pieces when it makes sense. If we stop for a moment - this also makes great sense from an advertising standpoint too. Great idea, right? Although this is little used, it's a built-in function in WordPress and oh-so-easy to use. 1. Use a built in quick tag where you'd like the post to split.  2. Insert the function into your theme if it isn't there already. This must be used within the loop - usually on the post template: single.php. 3. If you'd like to … [Read more...]

0 Comments Blog, Featured, WordPress Basics

Two Important Problems You Likely Have and Dont Know It

November 19, 2012

These plugins solve two important problems: slow WordPress sites/ missing page views, and tracking feeds once you are no longer using Feedburner. Both of the solutions are available via plugin and are offered for free. A donation to the plugin's author would be appreciated, I'm sure! Here are our recommended solutions. Moving from Feedburner? Use Feed Statistics More and more of us are leaving feedburner in favor of the default WordPress feed. If you are using the default feeds, you need something to track your subscribers. This is it! Download and set up is very easy. Once its installed, … [Read more...]

0 Comments Blog, Featured, Plugins

A Swarm of Spam to Hit the Northern Hemisphere

November 16, 2012

We've been inundated with questions about the crazy influx of spam lately. Unfortunately it seems to be widespread between websites all over the USA and Canada. Here is what you can do about the nasty spam problem: Settings -> Discussions: close comments after a few days. You'll set this based on your community and how long they usually carry on discussions for Settings -> Discussions: Require a previously approved comment Settings -> Discussions: Require a moderator to approve each and every comment (obviously this is not ideal for a lot of you) Add a captcha plugin (those … [Read more...]

0 Comments Blog, Plugins, Q & A

How to Create a Nice Pop-Up Window in WordPress (& capture Email Addresses)

November 12, 2012

We're going to cover two easy yet powerful tools today. First, you'll learn how to add a pop-up window in WordPress. And its so easy, you can add it to any link in your posts, pages, or widgets. Secondly, you'll learn how to use either MailChimp sign-up code, or a Contact 7 (plugin) shortcode to fetch an email address and name from your visitor. Ready freddy? Step 1: Fetch your newsletter list code In MailChimp, you go to Lists->Tools Icon ->Forms -> For your website -> Embed Code and copy the code provided. To use the Contact 7 plugin, open the Contact tab -> Add … [Read more...]

0 Comments Blog, Plugins

WordPress Security in Laymens Terms

June 12, 2012

Do any of the following scenarios sound familiar to you? If so, I think we can eliminate the fear and maybe even the entire spectacle! "1. My readers have let me know that when they click on linkhere.com they get a message saying I have a virus. What can I do?" "2. [I've sent them a notice that our monitoring partner has alerted us to a problem and we're dealing with it.] What's wrong? Does this mean I have a virus?!?!" "3. Google has blasted my site with the big red warning screen - I'm panicking!! What do I do?" "4. How can this happen!?!?" WordPress Security vs. The Bad … [Read more...]