Internet Marketing - Matt Bailey [207]
The default setting in WordPress creates the URL that is typically seen in database-driven sites, with the ?p=123 parameter, where 123 is a variable. This means the post equals record 123 in the database. To build the page, the template pulls the article based on the record number and displays that to the visitor.
The permalink changes the address of the URL from the record number assigned to the post (for example, ?p=123) from the database to more understandable, contextual information, such as the post title, the post date, the post category, the month, or a customized structure. Creating a URL simply based on post title, as shown in Figure 17-10, can be done as long as there are no duplicated post titles, because that would cause an error. To avoid duplicated post titles in the URL, use another parameter, such as the post number, month, or day, in order to ensure that all post URLs are unique.
Widgets
Widgets are a method of extending the functionality of the blog and customizing sidebar areas specific to your business needs. From the administration side of the blog, widgets allow you to add content and functionality to areas of the page. For example, the administrator can add advertising, links, related content links, and other navigation items to the page simply by dragging and dropping the widget, rather than making changes to the code of the website.
The widget contains the code necessary to display the appropriate content but comes in a portable format. Widgets can be activated by adding them to the page or inactivated by taking them out of the page. They can contain graphics, text links, advertisements, and many other functions (see Figure 17-11).
The advantage is that pages can be changed with a simple drag-and-drop interface, rather than getting a programmer to make these changes to the site. In addition, the widgets are completely transparent to the visitor of the website. The functions allowed in the widgets provide a better user experience by allowing the site owner to provide relevant navigation, call to action messages, and functions specific to their business, rather than getting locked into a template and dealing with programming restrictions based on how most other businesses would use the template. Widgets create a high level of customization, allowing you to develop the look and feel of the blog specific to your business goals.
Widgets are a way to extend the customization of your site and the functionality you require. For example, a blog for a corporate site may want to incorporate links to white papers and content contained on the formal website. To add this as a regular part of the blog’s design, a widget would allow that customization. By creating a “text” widget and dragging it into the preferred toolbar, you can create content similar to adding content into a post (see Figure 17-12).
Figure 17-11: Widget functions can be added into sidebars for additional customization, as on the two sites shown here.
Figure 17-12: Adding links into the Text widget, which allows customized sidebar content for your blog
Wednesday: Develop Your Blogging Style
So, you are ready to start blogging. Well, be patient. That is the first word of advice. There are millions of blogs out there already. Getting noticed and drawing visitors is going to take some time, so the first four to six months are going to be the least rewarding. Having a plan will get you through those first few months of few visitors and find motivation to keep working and writing.
Build a Content Plan
The first thing is developing a content plan for the first six months to a year. Your posts don’t have to be a complete novel; in fact, it is best if they aren’t. Posts should be easy and fast to read. If you want to write a long educational and informational post, that is fine, and at times it is necessary to show the capabilities of your business. However, start with some simple, “bite-sized” articles that allow you to showcase your company and information.
A schedule of content will help