wordcamp toronto 2013 magazine website development
DESCRIPTION
This presentation will discuss the development of a magazine site with over 4,000 posts actively updated daily by a large team of writers and editors. We will discuss migrating a multisite install of a very old version of WordPress into a modern day single install. Discuss providing a solution where the client can redesign page layouts in-house with no coding knowledge through the use of a premium theme and a multitude of plugins.TRANSCRIPT
Magazine Website DevelopmentCase Study
Formally the ridiculously titled Dr. WordPress or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Template
Presented by:Sean Nilsson
Site development by S. Nilsson & S. Rasmussen
[email protected] | ncreative.ca
Agenda•Introduction•Project Overview•Custom vs. Template Solution•Plugins & Service Providers•Migration & Design Issues•Launch & Results
Introduction
•WordPress fan•Website “maker” since Netscape•Member of N Creative•Musician
Sean with WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg
Project OverviewWebsite redesign of Running Magazine. Original site a WordPress Multisite. Years since last core update.
Client looking for:-Affordable Solution-Flexible for updates-Quick customer service
Custom vs. Template SolutionChoice was made early to develop site from a premium theme to keep costs down and keep flexible for non-developers to manage.-Actual Hybrid Solution-Good base with GoodLayers theme-Foundations framework-Odd issues/adaptations needed-Flattened UI-Document Revisions
Client Enabled Page Builder
Template SolutionProsFaster development (cost)Page building toolsPrepackaged solution
ConsRelying on other developer’s code (scary!)Generic feel
Customization of TemplateCustom size 728 x 90 + responsive
Custom placement
Custom slider
Custom Author Widget
Widgetized
Widgetized
CSS revisions
300px sidebar
Early Wireframe Comparison
Early Wireframe Comparison
Plugins & Service Providers
Decisions on plugins and service providers have long lasting consequences. Care was taken to work with good code.
GoodlayersDisqusAdpressAddthisImage Widget
Fancy Author BoxWP EngineYoast
Migration Issues
•Giant databases in multisite•Very old WordPress install•No working export function•Highly customized original theme•URL structure update•No Featured Image support•Actively updated site
Old installation of Multisite. Databases inflated to 200mb+ sql files.
Transfer relevant tables from Multisite
Launch & Results
Site launched without much issue. N Creative continuing to support in training and fixing bugs.
Thanks for listening.Enjoy the rest of WordCamp 2013.
Sean [email protected] | ncreative.ca