Best Basic WordPress Tutorial Resources For Advisors

When I started my business, in 1998 (20 years ago!), I had few coaching clients, but many more web design clients.  You see, I’m a bit of a geek, having used my first computer, at work on Wall Street, in the mid 1970’s.  Then in the late 1990’s, I taught basic computer and internet classes at a local business incubator sponsored by Sanford CC.

It was while living in North Carolina that I attended NC State and Wake Technical College to continue learning.  I took advanced classes, learning how to build a computer from scratch, updating my MS Office Skills and learning how to create a website from scratch, meaning I didn’t do it using software, I did it writing the code.  Why did I learn about website design? I didn’t have the $5,000 to pay for a very basic 5 page website.

I started my first blog, using WordPress in 2002 because it saved me time.  Instead of listing my articles on , I copied and pasted them from MS Word to WordPress.  You’re reading this post on my WordPress blog.   But it wasn’t till 2014 that I stopped coding and now just use my coding knowledge to “fix” what WordPress doesn’t want to get right.

I’m working on adding a shopping cart to this site to highlight the many resources I offer as well as making it easier for clients to pay me as their consultant-coach.

In doing so, I realize that there are certain websites I go to for basic website information (not necessarily social networking).  I’d like to share those WordPress resources with you*.

I enjoy learning about and test plugins.  So much so, that each year, I volunteer, for 3 days, at Give Camp, where hundreds of geeks volunteer to help nonprofits update or create their websites, learning from each other along the way.  I’m a “plugin” expert, helping nonprofits save time by adding plugins that do (most of) the work for them.

Basic WordPress Explanation

WordPress is a free content management system (CMS).   Plugins are an additional piece of software, in this case, that you add to WordPress to make it better.  Example: Let’s say you’re conducting in person seminars, webinars, or teleseminars.  You’d want your viewer to see your upcoming events calendar.  You can add a calendar plugin such as the All-In-One Calendar or The Events Calendar.  Then place all your events on it.  Some calendars also offer a “pro” version that will take registrations and send out reminder emails!

YouTube

Darrel Wilson provides step-by-step tutorials on pretty much anything “WordPress.”  Let’s say you’re looking to learn WooCommerce (shopping cart).  I love that he goes through each tab in each section of WooCommerce to give you his take on each of the check boxes or fill in the blanks.  I watched his all-encompassing tutorials on WooCommerce, which he goes through quickly.  But then was able to find individual tutorials on the sections of WooCommerce I was working on.   I’ve watched many of his tutorials because I’ve been adding important plug-ins and tested new themes on my WordPress site(s).  Here’s more about his YouTube Channel

Kori Ashton adds a new YouTube video, on something “WordPress”, to her offerings every Wednesday. Like Darrel, her tutorials are step-by-step resources to get you moving in the direction you’re looking to move.  She offers practical training on an eclectic mix of what you can do using WordPress.   Here’s more about her YouTube Channel

Email Notices

The reason I get the emails of these companies is to expand my knowledge of WordPress.  There is a saying “you don’t know what you don’t know”.. and I don’t know all there is about WordPress.  Plus new features are added daily.  Of course, I don’t test them all, but it’s interesting learning what new things I “could” use in the future — or now!

WPBeginner

Shout It Loud 

* The links I’m providing are not going to make me any money/commission.  However, how the owners of these websites make some of their income or all of their income is through affiliate marketing.   The sites provide you with the links to free or paid resources (like hosting, professional plug-ins, etc.).   In those links, should you buy what they recommend, is a code that helps them make a commission on your sale.   None of the products are marked-up before the commission is paid.  Instead, they are paid the commission by the company whose link they went you to and purchased.   Learn more about affiliate marketing here.

What are your favorite WordPress design tutorial resources and why? (Self-promotion will be removed.)