Maintaining the Content of your WordPress Site

WordPress makes it easy for you to maintain the content of your site. A custom site may have many custom feeds and features, but the basic things you need to know are the differences between Posts and Pages, how to paste in content from a Word file or alternate source, instructions for uploading photos & how to create a link. All of this happens from your WordPress Dashboard. On the left side, you will see links to the different sections (Pages, Posts, etc). Open those to reveal the site content.

Here is a short overview to help you get started:

Pages

Pages are generally used to present “static” information, for example, an “About Us” page. Pages are typically “timeless” in nature and are the links in the primary navigation. Pages do not use categories. As a general rule of thumb, you will not be adding Pages to your site, but you can freely edit the content of Pages. After editing, always check your content on the front end to ensure it looks as you intended.

Posts

Posts are frequently added content that is organized by category and normally displayed in blog , article or news sections in reverse sequential order by time (newest posts first). Posts are organized on an archive page, but are generally set up to feed to alternate areas of your site as well. For example, if you have a Latest News section on your home page, it is set to display your newest Post (in that category) at the top of the list. When you add a new Post, you must select the appropriate category or it will not display where you want it to on your site. Again, always check your content on the front end.

Pasting Content

If you paste content from program like Word or from another website, it will likely carry over formatting that can blow out the layout on the front end. You must paste content without formatting. To do this, select the Paste as Plain Text icon from your toolbar (pictured below), paste your text into that block, then insert. Format text with the WYSIWYG editor.

Inserting Photos

Place your cursor on the line where you want your image to appear and click on the Add Media button to launch the media uploader interface. You can upload an image or select from a previously uploaded image in the Media Library. Once you’ve selected an image, the Attachment Display Settings control how the image is displayed when viewed on the site. Alignment, Image Size & Image link. Link options explained in more detail here:

• Attachment Page: Do not use this option. Links image to separate unformatted attachment page
• Media File: Links your inserted image directly to the original, full-size version of the file. NOTE: If your images are set to display as a gallery, ALWAYS make sure the gallery settings are set to link to Media File.
• Custom URL: Allows you to set a custom link URL for your inserted image to link to when clicked.
• None: This setting will remove the link completely, rendering the image “un-clickable” — This is what you would use most of the time.

Important Note: Don’t upload super-large images to your website. Although the interface will allow you to do this (to a certain extent), your images will load incredibly slowly and it is a waste of bandwidth.

Here’s a tutorial from WordPress that will help you with adding photos to your pages & posts. 

Creating a Text Link

Highlight the text you want to link and select the Link icon. In the popup that appears, enter the URL you want to link to. Check “Open Link in a New Window” if you want your link to open up in a new window/tab. For example, links to other sites.

Custom Fields & Function

Many Laura Bowly Design custom websites feature Custom Fields, which allows specific text & info to be displayed on specific Post types, etc. If I have created a custom system to address your needs, and you are unsure how to manage that content, contact me. I’m happy to point you in the right direction, or can also create a custom tutorial to help you manage that content.

Remember, if there is something you want to do or change on your site that you don’t feel comfortable doing yourself, I am always available to make revisions on an hourly basis (with a half hour minimum).

I’ll leave you with some of the best advice I have ever received: Every single question you have, someone else has had and has asked online, so you can always search the internet for “how do I ….” and you will likely find the answer! Have fun & enjoy your new website!