Website Tech

Tag: The SEO Framework

  • Plugins and Tools to Install for Every WordPress Site

    Here is the wp-cli command to install my list of “always install” plugins (see below for “in WordPress” installing):

    wp plugin install --activate --skip-plugins --skip-themes accessibility-checker ai-engine akismet autodescription flamingo google-site-kit instant-images media-library-assistant redirection relevanssi svg-support the-seo-framework-extension-manager ultimate-addons-for-gutenberg updraftplus wpforms-lite wp-mail-smtp ws-form

    If you edit themes, child themes, theme.json

    wp plugin install --activate --skip-plugins --skip-themes wppusher

    WPPusher loads your theme from your GitHub account, if you don’t want to use Git to load it.

    For most online stores

    wp plugin install --activate --skip-plugins --skip-themes cartflows surecart

    CartFlows is for tracking how people use your site, “flow” from page to page during the shopping process. You can find out if something in the shopping process isn’t working, or can be improved. You can send reminders when people have something in their shopping cart but don’t purchase.

    SureCart is a simpler, faster online store than WooCommerce is. You will likely find SureCart is much easier to set up, unless you have a more complex store than most people would need.

    For online courses

    Install the plugins for online stores and:

    wp plugin install --activate --skip-plugins --skip-themes lifterlms

    For complex online stores

    If you run a store needing product variations, multiple currencies, multiple shipping options, multiple sales tax zones, use WooCommerce instead of SureCart.

    wp plugin install --activate --skip-plugins --skip-themes woocommerce woocommerce-payments woocommerce-paypal-payments

    For site security, use WordFence and a password manager.

    A password manager aka password keeper, can store any information you want to keep encrypted and want to access online, with structured fields for things like FTP connections, SSH keys, credit cards, software licenses.

    Password keeper is probably included with your Windows anti-virus software.

    For OS/X and Linux, any of the free password keepers will work. (And install a free anti-virus program, to scan occasionally for files with Windows viruses; you don’t want to give those files to anyone else.)

    The Best Antivirus Software for 2023 | PCMag
    The Best Free Antivirus Software for 2023 | PCMag

    The password keeper I use is LastPass. LastPass is cross-platform, free version probably has everything you need, paid version is inexpensive and has access from multiple devices (e.g. desktop computer and mobile phone). I rarely need it on my phone, so I use phone’s web browser instead of the phone app.

    For Manual Installing in WordPress

    These are the plugins I install on almost every WordPress site.

    accessibility-checkerAccessibility CheckerAudit and check your website for accessibility before you hit publish.
    In-post accessibility scanner and guidance.
    ai-engineAI Engine: Chatbots, Generators, Assistants, GPT 4 and more!Add AI into WordPress! Chatbot (ChatGPT), content and images generators, copilot, model training and much more! Highly customizable, sleek UI. You will love it!
    akismetAkismet Anti-spam: Spam ProtectionUsed by millions, Akismet is quite possibly the best way in the world to
    protect your blog from spam. Your site is fully configured and being protected, even while you sleep.
    cartflowsCartFlowsCreate beautiful checkout pages & sales flows for WooCommerce.
    flamingoFlamingoA trustworthy message storage plugin designed for Contact Form 7. But it works great with most form plugins or forms in page builders.
    instant-imagesInstant ImagesOne click image uploads directly to your media library from Unsplash,
    Openverse, Pixabay and Pexels.
    lifterlmsLifterLMSComplete e-learning platform to sell online courses, protect lessons, offer
    memberships, and quiz students.
    media-library-assistantMedia Library AssistantEnhances the Media Library; powerful mla_gallery, mla_tag_cloud, mla_term_list, taxonomy support, IPTC/EXIF/XMP/PDF processing, bulk/quick edit.
    media-syncMedia SyncSimple plugin to scan uploads directory and bring files to Media Library.
    phoenix-media-renamePhoenix Media RenameThe Phoenix Media Rename plugin allows you to simply rename your media files, once uploaded.
    redirectionRedirectionManage all your 301 redirects and monitor 404 errors
    regenerate-thumbnailsRegenerate ThumbnailsRegenerate the thumbnails for one or more of your image uploads. Useful
    when changing their sizes or your theme.
    relevanssiRelevanssiThis plugin replaces WordPress search with a relevance-sorting search.
    google-site-kitSite Kit by GoogleSite Kit is a one-stop solution for WordPress users to use everything
    Google has to offer to make them successful on the web.
    ultimate-addons-for-gutenbergSpectraThe Spectra extends the Gutenberg functionality with several unique and
    feature-rich blocks that help build websites faster.
    surecartSureCartA simple yet powerful headless e-commerce platform designed to grow your business with effortlessly selling online.
    I prefer it over WooCommerce for all but the most complex stores.
    svg-supportSVG SupportUpload SVG files to the Media Library and render SVG files inline for
    direct styling/animation of an SVG’s internal elements using CSS/JS.
    autodescriptionThe SEO FrameworkAn automated, advanced, accessible, unbranded and extremely fast SEO
    solution for your WordPress website.
    the-seo-framework-extension-managerThe SEO Framework – Extension ManagerAdd more powerful SEO features to The SEO Framework. Right from your
    WordPress dashboard.
    updraftplusUpdraftPlus – Backup/RestoreBackup and restore: take backups locally, or backup to Amazon S3, Dropbox, Google Drive, Rackspace, (S)FTP, WebDAV & email, on automatic schedules.
    woocommerceWooCommerceAn eCommerce toolkit that helps you sell anything. Beautifully.
    (I prefer SureCart for all but the most complex stores.)
    woocommerce-paypal-paymentsWooCommerce PayPal PaymentsPayPal’s latest complete payments processing solution. Accept PayPal, Pay
    Later, credit/debit cards, alternative digital wallets local payment types
    and bank accounts. Turn on only PayPal options or process a full suite of
    payment methods. Enable global transaction with extensive currency and country coverage.
    woocommerce-paymentsWooPaymentsAccept payments via credit card. Manage transactions within WordPress.
    wpforms-liteWPForms LiteBeginner-friendly WordPress contact form plugin. Use our Drag & Drop form
    builder to create your WordPress forms.
    I usually use WS Form LITE.
    wp-mail-smtpWP Mail SMTPReconfigures the wp_mail() function to use Gmail/Mailgun/SendGrid/Brevo/SMTP instead of the default mail() and
    creates an options page to manage the settings. Those email hosts will get your emails delivered better than any website host will, with full validation that you are the authorized sender.
    wppusherWP PusherPain-free deployment of WordPress themes and plugins directly from GitHub.
    ws-formWS Form LITEBuild Better WordPress Forms. Designed for low resource use, at enterprise-level demands.
    wordpress-seoYoast SEOThe first true all-in-one SEO solution for WordPress, including on-page
    content analysis, XML sitemaps and much more. (I prefer The SEO Framework)
    The plugins I use, with their wp-cli name, title, and description.
  • Using SEO Plugins: A Basic Guide for Busy Entrepreneurs

    Using SEO Plugins: A Basic Guide for Busy Entrepreneurs

    Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an integral component of any successful online business. But if you’re an entrepreneur overwhelmed by the technical intricacies of website design and internet marketing, you might find SEO a bit daunting. Fear not! With the right tools and knowledge, it becomes significantly more manageable.

    Understanding the Basics: How Search Engines Work

    Search engines, like Google, Brave and Bing, use algorithms to crawl the web, indexing content to serve it to users. These algorithms consider multiple factors to rank sites. Keywords play a pivotal role, as they help search engines understand your content. SEO plugins for WordPress streamline this process, making it easy even for non-technical users to optimize their content.

    Why Title Tags and Meta Descriptions Matter

    When your site appears in search results, the title and snippet below it can greatly influence whether someone clicks on your link. Title tags define the title of a document, while meta descriptions offer a brief summary. Crafting compelling title tags and meta descriptions can significantly improve click-through rates, driving more organic traffic to your site.

    Keyword Research: Finding the Right Phrases for Your Content

    Keywords aren’t just about SEO; they’re about your audience. Understanding the terms that your ideal clients use can help you tailor content to their needs. There are various tools, like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest, which offer insights into popular search terms. Embrace long-tail keywords – these are more specific phrases that are less competitive and can drive more qualified traffic. However, remember to incorporate keywords naturally into your content. Keyword stuffing can harm your rankings and user experience.

    Write Well for Your Best Customer, without keyword stuffing

    Writing effectively for your ideal customer means understanding their needs, values, and language. Craft content that speaks directly to them, offering genuine value and solutions to their problems. Prioritize clarity and relevance over trying to “game” search engines.

    While keywords are important for SEO, they should be woven naturally into your content. Overloading your text with keywords, a tactic known as “keyword stuffing,” can harm readability and may even result in search engine penalties.

    Always prioritize authentic communication over short-term SEO tricks.

    Harnessing the Power of SEO Plugins

    My top recommendation for an SEO plugin is “The SEO Framework – Fast, Automated, Effortless“. It offers an intuitive interface, automating most of the optimization tasks. Paired with the Redirection plugin, it can tackle most challenges thrown its way that the paid version of Yoast can handle. You can even import search engine metadata from Yoast if you have been using it.

    One of its standout features is the ability to let you tailor images for various social media platforms. The SEO Framework seamlessly supports and enables further customization of the Open Graph, Facebook, and Twitter Cards protocols. (Basically all social media sites use either the Facebook or Twitter extensions to OpenGraph, so you only need to set the image and description for those two.)

    This means when you share your posts on social media platforms, you can specify text and images that align with each platform’s preferred dimensions.

    If you don’t set a custom image, the plugin will default to using the post’s Featured Image (each social media site will crop or resize how it thinks is best) or a fallback image you set.

    If you don’t set a custom description, each social media site will use your page’s Excerpt.

    Whether you select an image and text specific for search engines + Facebook + Twitter, or use the default for the page, your content always looks its best wherever it’s shared.

    Testing Your Google, Facebook, Twitter descriptions

    To get a sense of how Google perceives your site, search for “site:yourdomain.com” on Google. This will display all indexed pages of your site. For a deeper dive, Google Search Console provides comprehensive analytics and insights.

    Test with Facebook’s Open Graph Debugger

    Test with Twitter Card Validator

    Google Webmaster’s Cached HTML Improvements Report

    Final Thoughts

    Optimizing your WordPress site for search engines doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right plugin and a bit of guidance, you can effectively enhance your site’s visibility.

    Focus on delivering value to your audience, understand their needs, and let the tools handle the technical side of things. Your vision of making a positive impact within your community through your online platform is not only achievable but also commendable.

    Happy optimizing!