Plugins
WordPress is a very robust, albeit simple, content management system. The WordPress install is like a starter kit. It comes with everything you need to set up a basic site. However, many of us need or desire additional functionality. Fortunately, WordPress allows third party developers to create add-ons called plugins to bring the user lots of options!
In part 1, A Glossary for Beginners, I touched on the subject of WordPress Plugins. Today we’ll revisit the subject of Plugins in a little more detail and we’ll talk about another wonderful WordPress feature, Widgets.
What they do:
There are thousands of plugins available for WordPress. In fact, there may be multiple plugins that provide the same basic functions to the user. These can range from tools to track and display your site’s traffic statistics, to creating a full-blown membership site or e-commerce store.
Where to find them:
WordPress.org has a directory of free plugins that have been tested and found to be reliable. This database can be searched and produces results with information on the plugin, the author, and user ratings. Visit the WordPress Plugin Directory.
There are also many third party sites that offer both free and premium plugins for WordPress. Many of these offer things specific to their brand or services. ie. Lijit offers a search function that incorporates networking with other sites, and also offers an ad network. Once you’ve signed up you can download and install a plugin to easily integrate the tools on on your WordPress site. If you’re looking for something in particular, try a Google search.
Also check out My Top 5 WordPress Plugin Recommendations
Widgets
Themes that are advertised as Widget Ready have built-in sidebars, or areas of content that allow the user to place any number of links, blogrolls, images or ads, video, or tools in these areas. They are re-arrangeable by dragging and dropping the boxes in the widget area and are easy to add or remove. If you’ve used Blogger in the past, you’d compare these to gadgets. However, widgets are much easier to manage!
Sometimes adding a Plugin will create a new Widget that you can add to your site’s sidebar. But, more often than not, you’ll be using the widgets included in your WordPress install. The Text Widget is the most popular of all, as it allows for the input of HTML code.
This post concludes my WordPress Glossary for Beginners. If you have questions that are not answered in this series, please ask in the comments! I’d be more than happy to answer them in person, and if there are enough, I may even add to this series!
And, don’t miss my series, A Beginner’s Guide to Posting on WordPress!
You are reading Wordpress Glossary for Beginners Read more from this series of articles.
- Defining Wordpress Terms, Part 1 - A Glossary for Beginners
- Defining Wordpress Terms, Part 2 – Categories vs. Tags
- Defining Wordpress Terms, Part 3 - Wordpress Author or User Roles Explained
- Defining Wordpress Terms, Part 4 - Publishing
- Defining Wordpress Terms, Part 5 - Plugins and Widgets
- Defining Wordpress Terms, Part 5 - Plugins and Widgets
Widgets are extremely important plugin one blogger must have. It has flexibility and multifunctional. Sidebar widget proves great.
They are great, aren't they?!?! So much more flexible than Blogger's gadgets.
WordPress is indeed a well-rounded blogging platform. I have lost count of how many bloggers I follow have recently made the move from Blogger to WordPress.
Same here. Lots of people are hearing how WordPress makes things easier and they're switching left and right. I get asked “how hard is it to switch” a couple times a week!
Not sure if you will understand what I'm asking but I will give it a try. Just downloaded a theme that already had widgets added. When I went to add another widget the one's that were build in disappeared. Do you know why this happened. I most than likely just don't understand how to do them.
Thanks
Louis
A lot of themes have a couple built-in widgets in the sidebar so something shows in their demo, and when you install the theme. However, they are coded so that these disappear when you start adding your own. Without this function, you'd be stuck with the widgets they choose. Most of the 'defaults' can be easily re-added from the widget area.
Hope that's helpful!!
Thanks for visiting and for all the lovely comments! If you have any more questions, be sure to ask! If I can't answer them, I'll find someone who can!!
Not sure if you will understand what I'm asking but I will give it a try. Just downloaded a theme that already had widgets added. When I went to add another widget the one's that were build in disappeared. Do you know why this happened. I most than likely just don't understand how to do them.
Thanks
Louis
A lot of themes have a couple built-in widgets in the sidebar so something shows in their demo, and when you install the theme. However, they are coded so that these disappear when you start adding your own. Without this function, you'd be stuck with the widgets they choose. Most of the 'defaults' can be easily re-added from the widget area.
Hope that's helpful!!
Thanks for visiting and for all the lovely comments! If you have any more questions, be sure to ask! If I can't answer them, I'll find someone who can!!