Course Code: tsoscs
Duration: 14 hours
Course Outline:

Day 1（3小时）

1. Introduction to WordPress

  • What is WordPress
  • Definition: WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) that allows users to easily create and manage websites. It is known for its user-friendly interface, flexibility, and a wide range of customization options.
  • Functionality: WordPress can be used to create various types of websites, such as blogs, corporate websites, personal sites, e-commerce sites, forums, and more.
  • Usability: It is particularly popular because it allows building and managing websites without the need for programming skills.
  • History of WordPress
  • Origin: WordPress was founded in 2003 by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little, initially as a blogging platform.
  • Development: Over time, WordPress evolved into a comprehensive content management system, supporting a variety of plugins, themes, and widgets.
  • Popularity: It quickly became one of the most popular CMSs globally, with a large number of websites (including some well-known ones) built on WordPress.
  • Difference Between WordPress.com and WordPress.org
  • WordPress.com:
  • Nature: A hosted service platform, operated by Automattic, the company of WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg.
  • Usability: Offers free and paid hosting plans, suitable for beginners and those who do not want to deal with hosting issues.
  • Limitations: Some features and customization options are restricted in the free plan.
  • WordPress.org:
  • Nature: Provides a self-hosted solution with free WordPress software.
  • Autonomy: Users need to find their own web hosting service, offering greater autonomy and full customization control.
  • Applicability: Suitable for intermediate to advanced users who want complete control over their website.
  • Introducing the Programming Languages and Tools Used by WordPress
  • CSS
  • HTML
  • JavaScript
  • PHP
  • Web browser developer mode (F12)
  • Notepad++

2. Basic Setup and Installation

  • Purchasing Domain and Hosting Services
  • Domain: A domain name is the address of the website, like example.com. Choose a short, memorable, and content-relevant domain name.
  • Hosting Services: Hosting services are servers where website files are stored. Choose a reliable hosting provider considering factors like price, speed, reliability, customer service, and WordPress support.
  • Recommendation: For beginners, many hosting service providers offer an option to install WordPress with one click, simplifying the installation process.
  • Installing WordPress by Using XAMPP
  • One-Click Installation: Many hosting services offer the feature to install WordPress with one click, the simplest installation method.
  • Manual Installation: If manual installation is needed, download the WordPress software package, upload it to the server, create a database, and then run the installation script.
  • Understanding the WordPress Dashboard
  • Overview: The WordPress dashboard is the control center for managing the website, providing quick links to various settings and functions.
  • Components: Includes options like Posts, Pages, Appearance, Plugins, etc., for managing the content and appearance of the website.
  • Navigation: Learn how to use the dashboard for basic website management and content publishing.
  • Overview of WordPress Settings
  • General Settings: Include site title, tagline, URL, email address, etc.
  • Writing Settings: Set the default post category and format, as well as options related to post editing.
  • Reading Settings: Set the content displayed on the homepage, such as blog posts or a static page, and the number of posts to show on the blog page.
  • Discussion Settings: Manage comment functionality, including comment moderation, fields that commenters must fill out, etc.
  • Media Settings: Set image sizes and file handling methods.
  • Permalinks Settings: Set up URL structures, with SEO-friendly URL structures beneficial for search engine optimization.

3. Themes and Customization

  • Choosing the Theme
  • Purpose: The theme determines the appearance and layout of the WordPress website.
  • Considerations: When choosing a theme, consider the type of website, ease of use, responsive design (how it displays on different devices), loading speed, and compatibility with necessary plugins.
  • Resources: A wide range of themes are available from the WordPress theme library, third-party developers, and marketplaces.
  • Installing and Activating Themes
  • Installation: In the WordPress dashboard, go to "Appearance" > "Themes" > "Add New Theme", search or upload a theme.
  • Activation: After installation, click the "Activate" button to apply the new theme.
  • Customizing Themes Using the Customizer
  • Accessing the Customizer: Open the theme customizer in "Appearance" > "Customize".
  • Functionality: The customizer allows modifying the website title, background, color scheme, fonts, etc. Some themes offer more advanced customization options.
  • Live Preview: Changes are displayed in real time, facilitating adjustments.

Day 2（3小时）

4. Using Plugins

  • Introduction to Plugins
  • Definition: Plugins are additional components that extend the functionality of WordPress.
  • How They Work: They can add new features, improve existing functions, or integrate third-party services.
  • Types: Plugins range from simple social media share buttons to complex e-commerce solutions.
  • Installing and Managing Plugins
  • Installation: In the WordPress dashboard, go to "Plugins" > "Add New", search or upload a plugin.
  • Management: Activate, configure settings, and update plugins.
  • Recommended Essential Plugins List
  • Security Plugins
  • SEO Plugins
  • Backup Plugins
  • Caching Plugins
  • Form Plugins
  • Social Media Integration
  • Plugin Security and Updates
  • Security: Choose well-reputed plugins, regularly check reviews and update history.
  • Updates: Keep plugins updated to ensure functionality and security.
  • Compatibility: Ensure that plugins are compatible with the WordPress version and other plugins.

5. Creating Content

  • Creating and Editing Posts
  • Creating Posts: In the WordPress dashboard, select "Posts" > "Add New" to start writing.
  • Editor: Use WordPress's editor to add text, media, and format content.
  • Save and Publish: Posts can be saved as drafts, previewed, or published directly.
  • Creating and Managing Pages
  • Pages vs. Posts: Pages are for static content, like "About Us" or "Contact".
  • Creating Pages: Select "Pages" > "Add New".
  • Management: Organize and manage pages, including setting parent pages and templates.
  • Using Categories and Tags
  • Categories: The primary way to organize posts, like "News", "Blog", etc.
  • Tags: Offer another method to organize posts, more specific and detailed.
  • Usage: Proper use of categories and tags helps improve website structure and SEO.
  • Adding Media: Images, Videos, Audio
  • Adding Media: Upload and insert images, videos, and audio via the "Add Media" button.
  • Media Library: All uploaded media files are stored in the media library for management and reuse.
  • Format and Size: Pay attention to file format and size to ensure website loading speed.
  • Advanced Features of WordPress Editor
  • Block Editor: From WordPress 5.0, the default block editor (Gutenberg) offers more advanced layout and design options.
  • Custom HTML: For advanced users, direct HTML code editing provides more customization options.
  • Plugin Extensions: Many plugins offer additional editing functionalities, such as SEO optimization, content analysis, etc.

6. Menus and Widgets

  • Creating and Customizing Menus
  • Location: Menus are typically located at the top, bottom, or sidebar of the website.
  • Creation: Create and customize menus via "Appearance" > "Menus".
  • Functionality: Add pages, categories, custom links, etc., to menus and adjust order and hierarchy.
  • Understanding and Using Widgets
  • Widgets: Widgets in WordPress are small blocks used to add specific functions or content, like calendars, recent posts lists, text boxes, etc.
  • Usage: Add and configure widgets in "Appearance" > "Widgets".
  • Customizing Sidebars and Footers
  • Sidebars and Footers: Important components of a website, used to display information and links.
  • Customization: Customize the content of sidebars and footers by adding widgets.

Day 3（3小时）

7. User and Permission Management

  • User Roles and Permissions
  • Roles: WordPress has different user roles like Administrator, Editor, Author, Contributor, and Subscriber, each with different permissions.
  • Permissions: Understanding the permissions of each role is crucial for managing the website and users.
  • Adding and Managing Users
  • Adding Users: Add new users in "Users" > "Add New".
  • Managing Users: Manage user profiles, adjust roles and permissions.
  • User Security and Password Management
  • Password Security: Enforce strong passwords to protect user accounts and website security.
  • User Security: Use plugins or additional security measures, like two-factor authentication, to enhance user account security.

8. WordPress Security

  • Basic Security Best Practices
  • Strong Passwords: Use strong and unique passwords.
  • Limit Login Attempts: Limit the number of failed login attempts to prevent brute force attacks.
  • Security Plugins
  • SSL Certificate: Use an SSL certificate (HTTPS) to encrypt data.
  • Preventing Spam Comments and Emails
  • Comment Settings: Adjust in discussion settings, such as requiring comment approval, closing comments on older articles, etc.
  • Anti-Spam Plugins
  • Backup and Restore Website
  • Regular Backups
  • Recovery Plan: Ensure you understand how to restore the website when needed.
  • Updating WordPress, Themes, and Plugins
  • Regular Updates: Regularly update the WordPress core, themes, and plugins to maintain security and functionality.

9. SEO and Social Media Integration

  • SEO Basics
  • Keywords: Research and use target keywords.
  • Content Quality: Publish high-quality, original, and relevant content.
  • Meta Tags: Optimize title and description meta tags.
  • Using SEO Plugins
  • Recommended Plugins: Like Yoast SEO or All in One SEO Pack, which offer page analysis, XML sitemaps, etc.
  • Configuration: Configure the SEO plugin according to the website's needs.
  • Social Media Integration and Share Buttons
  • Social Media: Integrate social media links on the website.
  • Share Buttons: Use plugins to add social sharing buttons to encourage content sharing.

Day 4（3小时）

10. Maintenance and Troubleshooting

  • Common Problems and Solutions
  • Speed Optimization: Use caching plugins, optimize images.
  • Update Issues: Backup before updating, check plugin and theme compatibility when problems arise.
  • Error Troubleshooting: Use WordPress's debug mode to troubleshoot errors.
  • WordPress Community and Resources
  • Official Forum: The WordPress.org forum is a great place to seek help.
  • Online Resources: Blogs, tutorials, and video tutorials provide useful information.
  • How to Seek Help
  • Detailed Problem Description: Provide as detailed a problem description as possible when seeking help.
  • Professional Support: Consider using paid support if the problem is complex.

11. Advanced Techniques and Extensions

  • Custom CSS and HTML
  • Customizing Appearance: Use custom CSS and HTML to adjust the website's appearance.
  • Child Themes: Make changes in a child theme to preserve modifications.
  • Introduction to PHP and WordPress Theme Files
  • Understanding PHP: PHP is the core language of WordPress, and understanding the basics can help with deeper customization.
  • Theme Files: Learn how to edit theme files to change functionality and design.
  • Using Page Builders
  • Page Builder Plugins: Like Elementor or Divi, offering drag-and-drop interfaces for designing complex layouts.
  • No Coding Needed: These tools enable non-technical users to create professional page designs.

12.Practise and Questions

  • Building a Your First Website
  • Using the local toolkit, XAMPP
  • Install a Theme
  • Choose a theme that similar to your target such as GPpremium
  • Install Necessary Plugins
  • Configure page layout plugin, image displaying plugin, etc.
  • Customize the Website layout
  • Configure the front page
  • Add Content
  • Add product introduction page, menus, etc.