Hello and welcome to my resources page. I created this list mostly so I could easily click on my favorite tools, but over time I’ve added articles and websites which might be helpful to you. I’ve also added a few affiliate links for hosting and themes.
(Note: I might receive a commission if the hosting and theme links are clicked on and purchased.)
Is Your Site Mobile-Friendly?
Strategies for Website Planning:
Smashing Magazine Comprehensive Website Planning Guide
Do Your Homework Before Overhauling Your Website
WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org What’s the difference?
How a Web Design goes to hell
Domain Name Registration:
Web Hosting:
How good is your current web host? Run your IP address through this site Reverse IP Domain Check to see how many other websites are hosted on your same web server. Too many sites on one IP address can cause problems with SEO, as well as cause your site to be “overblocked” if even one other site on your shared host contains some form of adult or explicit content.
I use and recommend Siteground.
WordPress Set-up:
Note: the websites I build include simple set-up/training videos right in your WordPress dashboard
WordPress.org
WPBeginner
Genesis Framework for Beginners
WordPress TV
WP Beginner Videos
Recommended Themes:
I use the Studiopress Genesis Framework as my primary theme, with some of the following child themes (note: I am an affiliate for Studiopress and received a small commission if you purchase through these links).
- Mai Lifestyle Pro Theme
- Essence Pro Theme
- Altitude Pro Child Theme
- Foodie Pro Theme
- Daily Dish Pro Theme
- Parallax Pro Theme
- Executive Theme
- StudioPress Pro Plus All-Theme Package
For more info on Genesis Themes check out Why Genesis is the Foundation of Any Smart WordPress Design or download The Genesis Guide for Absolute Beginners (PDF – 1.4 MB).
Design and Inspiration:
WordPress.org Showcase
Studiopress Showcase
Dribbble
See a site you love and wonder what theme they are using?
What WordPress Theme is That? will display the theme as well as some of the plugins active on the site. Does not always show theme when highly customized.
Typography:
WordPress Help:
Content Development:
Copyblogger
Kissmetrics: Ingredients of Great Content
Writing Services: Deborah Lee Luskin
Blogging:
How to Make Money Blogging
How to Start a Blog
Blogging Checklist before you hit Publish
Image Optimization:
Complete Guide to Image Optimization
Optimizing Images on a Mac with Preview
Pic Monkey
Shopify 10 Must Know Image Optimization Tips
Logo/Branding:
Create your own logo with Canva
Why you don’t need to make your logo bigger
Recommended Reading: Alina Wheeler’s Book: Designing Brand Identity
Search Engine Optimization (SEO):
Things Designers Should Know About SEO
Google Ranking Factors
Woorank
MOZ: Beginner’s Guide to SEO
Yoast SEO for Beginners
Security:
12 Ways to Secure your WordPress Website
Sucuri Sitecheck
Wordfence Plugin
Wordfence Security Learning Center
Backups:
Schedule regular backups with the Updraft Plus Plugin, or sign up for a care plan and I will handle that for you.
Referral Spam:
How to Get Rid of Referal/Ghost Spam
How to Block WordPress Referrer Spam in Google Analytics
Call-to-Action:
Hubspot: Great Call-to-Action Examples
Passwords:
Learn How to Code:
Use Chrome DevTools or Firefox Developer Tools
Command Line for Beginners
KnowTheCode.io
Code School
Lynda.com
W3 Schools CSS Tutorials
Rest API
The REST API will allow themes to load data without refreshing the page, allowing for a more app-like experience for the user.
Human Made REST API Whitepaper
Editing a Theme
Studiopress Beginner’s Guide
Customizing with Chrome Inspector
Compare two files side by side with diffnow.com
Facebook:
See how your Share will look on Facebook
Tips for Uploading Photos to Facebook
Brattleboro WordPress Web Design / Developer Meetup
Brattleboro WordPress Meetup
Brattleboro Meetup WordPress.com Site
