(This site has been set up specifically to help libraries in the CEF system take advantage of the free hosting plan offered to not-for-profits. While the website can be used for any type of software or website building platform, these instructions cover the use of WordPress. Included are at least 5 free WordPress themes that have been slightly edited to better fit the needs of what most small public libraries wish to accomplish with their sites.)
Upload the Plug-Ins and Files Needed
Plug-ins are small programs or applications that are designed to do one specific thing in WordPress. Most plug-ins that you will need are included within the larger program. Most others are free. You will simply need to activate them.   There are a few others which I recommend. You can get these and upload them yourself or I will do it for you.
The ones that I suggest, at a minimum, are:
- Google Sitemap Generator – This helps get your site indexed and included in search engines.
- Akismet – This screens spam comments if you make a lot of posts or allow comments (comment spam is a huge probelm). You need to set up a free account with Akismet.
- Google analytics – This allows you to track all sorts of traffic patterns and site usage. You need to set up a Google account, which is easy and free.
Another good plug-in is called WP-Sticky, which let you put announcememts that stay at the top of your nes/posting slist if you want (instead of getting forced down as new posts are made).
The main files to be uploaded will be replacement images that are part of the template itsef. This is a bit more detailed than many people will be comfortabel with, but I will do it for you and show you how to do it yourself in the future.
Other images and files, those that are included in page lyout or new items will be uploaded simply as part of the editing and creation. This is very straightforward.