client-friendly wordpress websites
DESCRIPTION
My lightning talk from the #wpmelb September 2013 Meetup.TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Client-friendly WordPress Websites](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022051608/5455838baf79592b448b497c/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
@AaronRutley
Client-friendly WordPress websites
![Page 2: Client-friendly WordPress Websites](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022051608/5455838baf79592b448b497c/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
About me
‣ Co-founder of ‘eleven media’ a small web design agency
‣ I’m a full time WordPress Theme Developer
‣ Coding WP themes for 5+ years
‣ 1 free WP plugin (1k downloads)
‣ 2 free WP themes (100k downloads)
![Page 3: Client-friendly WordPress Websites](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022051608/5455838baf79592b448b497c/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Why Client-friendly ?
‣ Less training / support / documentation
‣ Happy clients
‣ Happy developer
“Aim to make the client’s wp-admin experience as intuitive as possible.”
![Page 4: Client-friendly WordPress Websites](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022051608/5455838baf79592b448b497c/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
How I create Client-friendly sites:
‣ I customise the wp-admin area to suit the project
‣ I use Pages instead of 3.0 Menus
‣ I use code instead of Widgets
‣ I use CPTs sparingly
‣ I use Custom Fields for everything
* I have a completely different mindset if I’m developing a theme for distribution* You might not agree & that’s cool !
![Page 5: Client-friendly WordPress Websites](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022051608/5455838baf79592b448b497c/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Customising the wp-admin area
‣ Restrict the client to “editor” role
‣ Clean up the wp-admin (Minimal Admin, Adminimize & Functions)
‣ Tailor the admin experience (Admin Columns, White Label CMS & Functions)
“I give clients everything they need to manage content & hide everything they don't.”
![Page 6: Client-friendly WordPress Websites](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022051608/5455838baf79592b448b497c/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Powering navigation with pages
‣ Pages are easy to understand
‣ 3.0 Menus can get confusing
‣ Plugin : Simple Page Ordering
‣ Plugin : Admin Collapse Sub Pages
‣ Plugin : Exclude Pages from Navigation
![Page 7: Client-friendly WordPress Websites](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022051608/5455838baf79592b448b497c/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Custom solutions over Widgets
Eg : Twitter Feed
‣ Is the functionality even needed / what’s this solving ?
‣ Which widget / plugin to use ? do you need a plugin ?
‣ Can a widget be styled to suit the business / brand ?
![Page 8: Client-friendly WordPress Websites](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022051608/5455838baf79592b448b497c/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Use CPTs sparingly
‣ I use Custom Post Types for content that would typically be shown multiple times & likely have a ‘single’ page: (Products, Staff Profiles, Testimonials)
‣ I don’t use Custom Post Types for content that is shown once(Sliders, FAQ’s, Galleries)
‣ I’m guilty of overusing CPT’s in the past ; )
![Page 9: Client-friendly WordPress Websites](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022051608/5455838baf79592b448b497c/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Use Custom Fields for everything
‣ Custom Fields / Post Meta is Ideal for complex layouts(Advanced Custom Fields, Pods, Types & Functions)
‣ I use ACFs to replace ‘post type’ plugins (faqs, sliders etc)
‣ ACF with the ‘Flexible Content Field’ add-on is awesome for responsive design
‣ Very client friendly (no shortcodes etc)
![Page 10: Client-friendly WordPress Websites](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022051608/5455838baf79592b448b497c/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Quick Demo
![Page 11: Client-friendly WordPress Websites](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022051608/5455838baf79592b448b497c/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Thanks!
@AaronRutleywww.elevenmedia.com.au