Neil Matthews

Blog

  • How To Create A Multi Lingual WordPress Site

    I recently had the chance to work on a multi lingual WordPress  site for a client in Canada, and I want to tell you about an excellent plugin which will help you to keep multiple versions of your content in different languages.

    My client is based in Canada, so he needed a site which was accessible to English and French speakers, I got my first chance to use an excellent plugin I had seen in passing.

    Update Sep 2012

    Feel free to read the full post, but I’ve developed a video training to show you how to use WPML

    Links & Code

    WPML (AFF)

    Google Translate

    Widget Logic

    WPML Approved Contactor List

    ICL_LANGUAGE_CODE='en'

    Introducing WPML

    The plugin I used is WPML, this allows you to create content, and then to add a translation of that content. Then when the language is selected on the front end of your site the appropriate translation is provided. Very neat and very easy to implement.

    The plugin can be downloaded from wpml.org, it also supports multiple languages as you would expect so you can see the plugin in action.

    Installing The Plugin

    The installation is just like any other install, add the plugin and activate it.

    Once activated you need to add your language support.  This involves setting the base or default language, in my example this was english, then you need to add your additional languages.

    You can select multiple additional languages, and there are many to choose from.

    The Language Switcher

    There is a widget which can be added to your sidebar which provides a drop down to select your desired language.  There are a couple of styling options to add flags to represent languages.

    Adding Translated Content

    Here is the function I thought was really handy.  Instead of adding additional blog posts, you add a translation to an existing post.  This keeps the management of your content very neat. When someone switches language, then that version of the content is displayed.

    There is also a switch on your dashboard which switches the admin languages excellent if you have site contributors working in different languages.

    Translation Services

    The company behind WPML Icanlocalize also provides professional translation services, so if you want to provide multi language support but do not have the expertise to create the content, there is a service for this.

    It’s A Big Old Plugin

    I’ve only scratched the surface of WPML, there are many other features such as supporting themes, and plugins in multiple languages, if you have a requirement for multiple languages, I highly recommend this plugin.

    Here’s the link again wpml.org

    Plugin Price

    WPML recently went premium, you will have to pay $29-$79 for this plugin

    Still Need Help?

    My team and I are available to help you build a WPML multi language  site, get a no obligation quote from my WordPress Technical Support Page.

  • How To Create A Multi Lingual WordPress Site

    I recently had the chance to work on a multi lingual WordPress  site for a client in Canada, and I want to tell you about an excellent plugin which will help you to keep multiple versions of your content in different languages.

    My client is based in Canada, so he needed a site which was accessible to English and French speakers, I got my first chance to use an excellent plugin I had seen in passing.

    Introducing WPML

    The plugin I used is WPML, this allows you to create content, and then to add a translation of that content. Then when the language is selected on the front end of your site the appropriate translation is provided. Very neat and very easy to implement.

    The plugin can be downloaded from wpml.org, it also supports multiple languages as you would expect so you can see the plugin in action.

    Installing The Plugin

    The installation is just like any other install, add the plugin and activate it.

    Once activated you need to add your language support.  This involves setting the base or default language, in my example this was english, then you need to add your additional languages.

    You can select multiple additional languages, and there are many to choose from.

    The Language Switcher

    There is a widget which can be added to your sidebar which provides a drop down to select your desired language.  There are a couple of styling options to add flags to represent languages.

    Adding Translated Content

    Here is the function I thought was really handy.  Instead of adding additional blog posts, you add a translation to an existing post.  This keeps the management of your content very neat. When someone switches language, then that version of the content is displayed.

    There is also a switch on your dashboard which switches the admin languages excellent if you have site contributors working in different languages.

    Translation Services

    The company behind WPML Icanlocalize also provides professional translation services, so if you want to provide multi language support but do not have the expertise to create the content, there is a service for this.

    It’s A Big Old Plugin

    I’ve only scratched the surface of WPML, there are many other features such as supporting themes, and plugins in multiple languages, if you have a requirement for multiple languages, I highly recommend this plugin.

    Here’s the link again wpml.org

    Plugin Price

    WPML recently went premium, you will have to pay $29-$79 for this plugin

    Still Need Help?

    My team and I are available to help you build a WPML multi language  site, get a no obligation quote from my WordPress Technical Support Page.

  • WordPress Training: Understanding wp-config.php

    WordPress Training: Understanding wp-config.php

    I’m running a live training event this week on Thursday called “Understanding wp-config.php”.  If you would like to learn more about this small but powerful configuration file read on.

    What Is wp-config.php?

    wp-config.php is the configuration file central to WordPress which tells your site how it should behave.

    Most of us know that is contains database information, but there are a multitude of other uses such as securing your site, changing domain names, setting debug options the list goes on.

    This training is to teach you more about this incredibly useful little text file and how it can help your WordPress site.

    When & Where Is The Training

    The training is on Thursday 15th September at the following times:

    11am-12pm Pacific, 2pm-3pm Eastern and 7pm-8pm UK Time

    The session is held online using a webinar format, so you can view the training from the comfort of your own computer, no travel or accommodation costs and limited time away from your day job.

    What Will I Learn?

    You will come away from the session with a deep understanding of what wp-config can do to your site including:

    • What is wp-config
    • Database settings
    • Language settings
    • Debugging with wp-config
    • Changing domain names
    • Security settings
    • Memory settings
    • Autosave and revisions
    • Other advanced settings
    • Securing wp-config

    Cost

    The session costs $29.00, for that you get access to the live event, and a recording of the event and pdf downloads of all the associated materials and links.

    So the choice is yours, join live or get the recording to view at a time convenient to you.

    Sign up For The Training

    To join the training, click on the link below to go to Paypal IMPORTANT, after paypal has confirmed your payment, you will be redirected to another page to register for the event.

    Seats are limited by the webinar software I use so join now to reserve your slot.

  • Why I Use Mailchimp As My Email Provider

    Why I Use Mailchimp As My Email Provider

    I use Mailchimp to send out my weekly newsletter and numerous one-off email messages (I can hear you groaning already he’s on the sell again :)) I thought I would write a quick blog post saying why I use this over other systems such as Aweber or Contant Contact,

    Free For First 2000 Signups

    I bet that caught your attention, yes Mailchimp is completely free for the first 1000 subscribers you have.  You can send out 6000 emails per month, with a cap on 1000 emails in any 24 hour period.

    This is great if you are just building your list and don’t want to be hit by the fees other email providers impose.

    RSS Integration

    One of the great featured of Mailchimp is the ability to create a recurring campaign based upon the RSS feed of a site.  I use this for my weekly newsletter.  I publish my content at my blog, then once a week, my RSS feed is automatically packaged up as a newsletter and sent to everyone on my list.

    Easy Integration With WordPress

    There are an array of plugins out there to integrate WordPress and Mailchimp.  I use a combination of Gravity forms and the Mailchimp integration, but I have also used this excellent one from Mailchimp themselves http://www.mailchimp.com/plugins/mailchimp-wordpress-plugin/ which allows you to create an easily customisable widget in your sidebar.  There is also a function to call which allows you to place the code anywhere in your theme files.

    Integration With Other Systems

    Mailchimp and a lot of the other software as a service supplies are working together to make integration very easy, for example I used Freshbooks for my invoicing, this integrates with Mailchimp so I could export data from one system into another

    There is a big old list of integration providers, check out this page http://www.mailchimp.com/features/extras/

    Ease Of Use

    I’ve tried systems like Aweber, Constant contact and found them to be pretty un-intuitive, Mailchimp has none of those problems, I found it very easy to use, and they have some very good online training and documentation.

    CAVEAT: I found it pretty difficult to get my head around the concept of groups within a mailing list, watch the videos before segmenting your list with groups.

    It Does Everything You Would Expect

    It has all the other good things you would expect from an email provider, autoresponders, list segmenting, reporting on your campaigns, import lists etc etc.

    Give It A Go

    I cannot stress how important my email list is to my business, it is the most important way to contact your clients or followers (if you are a pure blog) in a manner that they will give you their attention.  The sooner you start an email list the sooner you will see real growth in your business because of the offers you can make.

    Sign up for a free account

    Disclosure

    If you sign up for Mailchimp I will receive something called monkey rewards, these entitle me to free upgraded on my Mailchimp account.  I can exchange monkey rewards for things such as spam checks, and an increased number of daily sends.

  • Andrew Mann – TropicalImaging.com

    Short version
    I don’t want to tell you about the wpdude because then he will get too busy  -if I have a WP problem – he is now my gotoguy..he’s simply that good at what he does.

    Longer version
    Our website was hacked.
    It took a week for the hosting company to “scale it up” to the senior support staff and then two days to say our site was ‘all clear”.
    Except it wasn’t – it was slow, buggy, but the hosting company didn’t want to help. The three other security and “WP” experts I googled, either didn’t get back to me or could not solve the problem.
    WPDude found the problem and sorted it out in 24 hours….
    Andy

  • A Video Tells A Million Words

    A Video Tells A Million Words

    If a picture tells a thousand words, then I think a video comes in at well over a million.

    Adding video content into your WordPress posts and pages adds huge impact.  We are visual creatures, we take clues from body language to help communication something missing from text only posts.  Information can be tightly packaged into video, something that would require a huge amounts of copy to convey.

    Would you like to learn more about adding video into your site?

    WordPress Video Training Session

    I am running a live training event for my training community the WP Owners Club all about using video with your WordPress site. I’m offering a 14 day free trial of the WP Owners Club so people can join this training at no cost and test drive the other club benefits.

    When & Where?

    The training will be held as an online webinar on Thursday 1st September at the following times

    11am-12pm Pacific, 1pm – 2pm Eastern and 7pm-8pm UK (Please note there is an option to select your local time when you register)

    What You Will Learn

    I will be teaching the following during the live training session:

    • The benefits of video
    • Type of video you can use
    • Video hosting options
    • Embedding video in WordPress
    • Video analytics
    • Video SEO
    • A Note on mobile devices
    • Demo
    • Q & A

    Here’s What You Need To Do Next

    If you would like to take me up on my offer, here’s what you need to do:

    1. Go to wpownersclub.com/sign-up (click on the big orange button at the bottom)
    2. Create your free trial account by creating a Paypal subscription
    3. Go to http://wpownersclub.com/live-events and signup for the webinar.

    The trial is no cost, but seats are limited so join up now to reserve your spot.  I hope to “see” you on the call.

     

  • Build Your Own Custom Theme: Hello Headway Course

    Build Your Own Custom Theme: Hello Headway Course

    Jonathan and Lea Woodward are running a five day course to teach people how to build a custom WordPress theme using Headway.  If you have always wanted a custom look and feel for your site but cannot afford a custom design costing several thousand dollars this course is for you.

    Who Are Jonathan and Lea?

    I’ve worked with this dynamic duo on a number of projects as client, as their contractor and as business partner on a couple of joint ventures and they are a great team, Jonathan is a design guru ( he did the custom design for my site) and Lea is a marketing and tech side of the partnership.

    Between them they have an excellent set of skills which makes this course sound so interesting.

    Why A Custom Theme

    Headway is the theme framework I use for all of my sites and clients sites, it allows you to create a custom theme using drag and drop designer.  You get a custom look and feel without the need for coding skills, this course will teach you how to do that.

    I Was Looking Into This Option

    I was planning to build my own Headway course like this but I felt I lacked the design skills to pull it off, I’ve shelved that idea and now I’m going to direct everyone to Jonathan and Lea’s course if they want to learn Headway.  Jonathan’s design skills and Lea’s tech coaching skills will make this a great course.

    What On Offer

    A five day live training course which will step you through the process of building a custom theme with headway. I’ve swiped this copy from their sign-up page

    Day 1: Today we’ll be making sure your site structure is “just so” with the right pages, basic page designs and layouts all set up and ready to style on day 2. We’ll be making sure you have WordPress configured for maximum effect and installing any additional plug-ins which will really power up your site. And of course, we’ll be formally introducing you to Headway :)

    Day 2: Today we’ll dive right in and learn how to apply your site colours and the design to your site, including how to style all the text on your site and use custom fonts to really give your site some personality.

    Day 3: Today we’ll show you how to set up custom page layouts with Headway – you’ll learn how to set up your pages exactly how you want them (yes, each page could be completely different if you wanted it to be), including stuff like pages with no headers or navigation bars (ideal for landing pages), pages with several columns, pages with a different sidebar on each page and more.

    Day 4: Today we’ll be showing you how to add and style the content and other bells & whistles on your site such as sidebar widgets, footers, sign-up boxes and more to get your site exactly how you want it.

    Day 5: Today it’s all about making the final tweaks and learning some nifty tricks and advanced skills to help you take your Headway powers to the next level.

    Book Your Slot

    To get more details about the course including times/dates and cost visit their Hello Headway Page (affiliate link)

  • Troubleshooting WordPress

    Troubleshooting WordPress

    Course Details

    This WordPress training course will teach you how to troubleshoot and isolate problems with your WordPress site.

    I will teach you a methodology to move through the various layers of your WordPress site to isolate, diagnose and fix problems with WordPress.

    (more…)

  • Top 5 (free) Mobile-Builders For WordPress

    Top 5 (free) Mobile-Builders For WordPress

    This is a guest post by Carol Wilson of http://www.businessinsurance.org/

    According to the most recent statistics available, more than 35 percent of the U.S. populations owns asmartphone—a majority of which heavily depend on their device for immediate internet access. Thus it’s important that your WordPress blog has a mobile version as well—if not, you can be missing out on a
    huge pool of readers and costumers. If you’re worried because you don’t have the slightest clue about how to build a mobile-friendly version of your blog however, don’t be. There are tons of mobile-builders and plug-ins that can do all of the hard work for you. And the best part? All of the ones listed below are free.

    That said, to learn some of the top free mobile-builders in the biz, continue reading below.

    1. WordPress Mobile Edition.

    This free mobile plug-in allows users to choose from four different Carrington “themes” in order to select the best one that will correlate with your desktop version. In either case, all four selections are specifically designed to present your mobile WordPress in a clear and crisp way. The plug-in works with all major smartphones, including the iPhone, Blackberry and Android operating systems.

    http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wordpress-mobile-edition/

    MobilePress

    This mobile-builder, which also allows users to choose from customized themes (or create their own), works hand-in-hand with Aduity so that users can post ads on their mobile version from some of the biggest ad agencies on the web including Admob, Quattro Wireless, Buzzcity and InMobi.

    Of course, users can also post their own managed ads. Just be careful with the ones that use Flash as they slow up mobile-uploading time and may not appear at all. This plug-in also allows its users to keep track of analytics.

    http://mobilepress.co.za/

    WordPress Mobile Pack.

    This crafty plug-in, in addition to offering an array of mobile themes that can specifically correlate with each unique visitor, also allows users to add widgets and a “mobile switcher.” This switcher will give mobile browsers the option of viewing the mobile, compacted version or the desktop version of your site. If the user chooses the mobile version, the plug-in will automatically rescale all of the images and articles to fit the tiny screen of a smartphone and will remove any media that cannot be supported on the mobile version.

    http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wordpress-mobile-pack/

     

    Mobify

    While this mobile-builder typically charges for its services, it does offer a “Studio Basic” package at no cost. The free basic version will easily send mobile users to the correct site for an easy and pleasant browsing experience—and the interfaces are exceptionally sleek and professional-looking.
    But in exchange, the company will place their logo on the footer (no worries it is tastefully done and isn’t distracting). The only downside is that the free version will not give you access to information regarding analytics or statistics, so you’ll never know how many people view your mobile-site. This mobile-builder works with all major operating systems, including Android, Blackberry and the iPhone.

    http://mobify.com/

     

    Zinadoo

    This mobile-builder is only available for free for a 14-day-trial period, but that might be all the time you need to get hooked and purchase the real thing. This service allows its users to create widgets, keep track of analytics, have an unlimited number of pages and as a bonus users can optimize their site for Google Mobile with keywords and tags.

    http://www.zinadoo.com/

     

    Byline:

    This is a guest post from Carol Wilson who writes for business insurance guide. She contributes articles about a variety of marketing, business, stock market, small business topics. She can be contacted at: wilson.carol24 @ gmail.com.

    Neil’s Two Pennies Worth

    Two things I have found when using mobile devices & mobile theme plugins

    1. Can I just add a nugget of wisdom if you are planning to use a mobile theme and use a performance cache plugin such as wp-supercache or w3-total-cache, they don’t work too well, so reject the user agents of mobile devices http://www.user-agents.org/
    2. iPhone and Ipad DO NOT SUPPORT flash video, so if you use WordTube or one of the many video plugins that use flash, they will not display on those devices, go for jetpack to dispaly video or some other html5 compliant video plugin
  • WEBINAR: Integrating WordPress With Social Media

    WEBINAR: Integrating WordPress With Social Media

    I am running a webinar on Thursday to teach people how to integrate their WordPress site with the main social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and the Upstart Google+.

    Social media can be a real time suck, but if you follow my simple step by step plan you can push blog posts out to the social media sites automatically.

    In this webinar I will be teaching:

    • Why you should integrate WordPress & the social media platforms.
    • Integrating WordPress & Twitter.
    • Integrating WordPress & Facebook.
    • Integrating WordPress & LinkedIn.
    • Automating the process.
    • Setting up your sidebar for follows
    • Getting people to favourite your posts
    • Q & A session
    This webinar is the content I normally ONLY deliver to the members of my training community WP Owners Club. I would like to offer you a 14 day free trial of the WP Owners Club so you  can attend the social media integration webinar and test drive the rest of the members benefits at no cost.
    For full details of the WP Owners Club including how to sign up for your free trial go to https://dev.neilmatthews.com/wp-owners-club
    I hope to see you in the club house.
  • WordPress How To:Disable Comments

    WordPress How To:Disable Comments

    WordPress How To Disable Comments

    In this post I want to teach you the two ways to disable comments on your site.  You can disable comments site wide or you can disable comments on a post by post (or page) basis.

    What Are My WordPress How To Posts?

    I am building a library of small how to tutorials to solve common WordPress issues, check out the library of how to tutorials.

    If you need a particular how to just drop me a line using the contact form above

    Site Wide

    To disable comments across your entire site you need to make two changes go to settings -> discussion and uncheck “

    Click to see full size image

    Post by Post

    If you would rather disable comments on a post by post (or page) basis you can do this too.

    Open up your post in the visual editor and scroll down to the discussion box and uncheck “Allow comments.”  See screen dump for full details

    Click for full size image

    Image by hmk

  • neil-matthews.com Launched

    neil-matthews.com Launched

    I’m going a little off topic in this newsletter, apologies if this is of no interest.

    I have launched a new project that may be of interest to some readers of wpdude.com and I want to let you know all about it.

    My new blog is called neil-matthews.com and, as the name suggests it is a much more personal project where I can step out from behind the wpdude brand and talk about things none-WordPress.

    I will be writing about the the tools. tips and techniques you need to employ to market, grow and run an online service business.  I will be drawing upon the experience I have gained building wpdude.com and my WordPress technical support and coaching services.

    I’ve got a lot of information I want to share that just doesn’t sit under a WordPress umbrella, so if you are looking for information to help you grow your business please check out my new site.

    I am also starting an “Inner Circle” group coaching program to help people who want to go deeper with me and find out how build and grow their own online services business.

    Please take a visit at: neil-matthews.com