When you buy a WordPress theme, it can be pretty disconcerting to realize that it doesn't always look awesome out of the box. In my talk at WordCamp Atlanta 2013, I explained a few ways to get the fabulous website you thought you were getting, along with some basics of web design and security for business users.

1. Get Outta My Head!!
(and Onto the Screen)
Dr. Lisa Richardson
Flow! Web Strategy & Design

2. Why We’re Here
• DIY shouldn’t mean “amateur” – your
business still needs to make a high
quality impression online
• Tips and Tricks for making your site look
polished and professionally done
• When to hire a pro

3. Security First!
• The first line of defense in protecting
your data is YOU. That means strong
passwords, a healthy skepticism of every
airline offer on Facebook and…
• Make sure you check out the details and
reviews of all themes and plugins that
you select to install on your site.

4. Dr. Lisa Recommends…
• Better WP Security
– Many features, very well designed, but not
exactly new-user-friendly
– Free
• WordFence
– Also great features, adds additional
functionality like remote scans
– Free and paid options

5. I also recommend…
• Spam Free WordPress
– Exactly what the name implies
– Free
• WP Control Copy
– Protect your text from copy/paste theives
– Free
• No Right Click Images
– Theft protection for your images
– Free

6. Why Doesn’t My Site Look Like
the Demo?!
• The demo is customized to show you
what you can do with the theme, and
ultimately to get you to buy it
• Your job:
– Learn what goes where
– Identify widget areas
– Find image sizes, quality, file types
– Color coding for your brand

7. Dealing with Too Many Choices
1. Develop a plan (offline, preferably)
2. Choose your color scheme
3. Decide on the overall style of your site
4. Get to work

8. The Right Stuff: Themes
• Choose based on:
– Customer needs
– Industry
– Style and brand
– Needed functionality
• Stalk your competition
– View source
– Make a wish list
• Sketch a rough draft (literally)

10. The Right Stuff: Plugins
• Decide what you need your website to
do:
– Sell products?
– Convert mailing list signups?
– Become a respected information resource?
• Choosing the right theme limits the # of
plugins you’ll need

11. Style That Sells
• Try to keep all elements on your site
uniform or closely related to truly promote a
professional look
• Avoid the standard PayPal “Buy Now” button
at all costs
• Newer themes come with customizable,
color-coded buttons
• Shopping cart plugins like WooCommerce
automatically adapt to the style of your site

12. What about graphics?
• Make sure stock photos actually enhance
the message of your site
• Go for quality over quantity
• In a pinch, there are some great items to
be had at Fiverr.com – be careful and
read the reviews
• If your budget permits, a pro is more
likely to give you exactly what you want
with the least hassle

13. Is there a plugin for…
What do you need?
Bring me your challenge!

14. Contact Me…
Dr. Lisa Richardson
LisaR@YouCanFlow.com
Tweet: @DrLisaWP
Facebook.com/YouCanFlow
Gplus.to/YouCanFlow
678-278-8421
YouCanFlow.com