Create your own reusable WordPress installation for each new project

box-cardboard-carton-1055712

I have to admit, I never took this idea to full implementation until my dear friend and colleague, Ann Marie Gill suggested it.  I had always installed WordPress, then loaded in my favorite themes and plugins one at a time.  I thought that connecting to WordPress.org and having my favorite plugins handy was all I needed.  Boy, was I wrong.

Ann Marie advised me to place every theme, plugin, and Beaver Builder template that I use into one installation and clone it for each site I start.  It took me over an hour to set it up the way I wanted, but I’m so excited to use it now!  I use BackupBuddy to install it on each new website mock up I’m working on.

Here’s what a WebCami standard WordPress installation includes:

Themes:

BB Plugins:

Premium Plugins:

BackupBuddy – The most complete WordPress solution for Backup, Restoration, Migration, and Deployment to the same host or a new domain. Backs up a customizable selection of files, settings, and content for a complete snapshot of your site.  I deactivate this after moving the site.  I have back ups running through ManageWP.

ManageWP – We help you efficiently manage all your WordPress websites. This I white label for all clients.

Gravity Forms – Easily create web forms and manage form entries within the WordPress admin.

Video User Manuals – A complete video manual for your clients – has Beaver Builder and Gravity Form tutorials.

White Label CMS – A plugin that allows you to brand WordPress CMS as your own.  This I use to add my own branding, blog feed and custom messaging to the client dashboard.  Just started using it and I love it.

WP Rocket – The best WordPress performance plugin.

WP101 – A complete set of WordPress video tutorials for beginners, delivered directly in the dashboard.  I upload my own videos when the client needs them here.  I like these tutorials for basic WordPress instruction and Yoast SEO.

Other Plugins:

Classic Editor – Enables the WordPress classic editor and the old-style Edit Post screen layout (TinyMCE, meta boxes, etc.). Supports the older plugins that extend this screen.

Coming Soon Page & Maintenance Mode by SeedProd – The #1 Coming Soon Page, Under Construction & Maintenance Mode plugin for WordPress.

Disable Comments – Allows administrators to globally disable comments on their site. Comments can be disabled according to post type.

EWWW Image Optimizer – Reduce file sizes for images within WordPress including NextGEN Gallery and GRAND FlAGallery. Uses jpegtran, optipng/pngout, and gifsicle.

Favicon by RealFaviconGenerator – Create and install your favicon for all platforms: PC/Mac of course, but also iPhone/iPad, Android devices, Windows 8 tablets, etc.

Widget Options – Additional Widget options for better widget control. Get Extended Widget Options for WordPress for complete widget controls. Thanks!

Wordfence Security – Anti-virus, Firewall and Malware Scan – I leave this deactivated on the mock up.

Yoast SEO – The first true all-in-one SEO solution for WordPress, including on-page content analysis, XML sitemaps and much more.  I leave this deactivated on the mock up.

In addition, with my Beaver Builder saved templates, I load what I call a prototype design that helps me get every client site started.

Taking the time to set this all up has been invaluable for the last few months.  I know I can always install, adjust and back up again when I need to make changes.

Do you have a basic installation for all the WordPress sites you build?  If you do, share the method to your madness!

RESOURCES:  WP Elevation – CREATING PROTOTYPES (I did the Blueprint training and loved it!)

 

Cami MacNamara

Cami MacNamara has 20+ years of experience running a small, profitable, one-person web design business, so she can walk her dog whenever she likes. WebCami.com / Twitter / Instagram