The Genesis Framework is the most stable, secure, and extendable theme for WordPress I’ve used. It can also be a little intimidating to modify.
Archives for March 2012
Creating Navigation Menu with StudioPress
Adding navigation to a StudioPress child theme is a simple process when you know the steps. In version 1.8, you will need to use the WordPress Menu creator to generate your Primary and Secondary navigation menus. But first, you have to make sure Genesis is setup.
Setting Up Genesis
In the Dashboard, go to Genesis>Settings>Theme Settings. This will take you to the Genesis setup window for you to set all the defaults.
Scroll down to the Navigation Settings meta box. Here you will see two check boxes, one for Primary Navigation and the other for Secondary Navigation. Check the box for the navigation menu you want to use.
By checking one or both of these boxes, Genesis will add the necessary code to the site to render the navigation menus.
Setting up the Menu
Now that Genesis is ready for the menu, WordPress can create the menu and populate the navigation. In the dashboard, go to Appearance>Menus.
Click the plus sign, [+], at the top of the page. In the Menu Name field, type ‘Primary Navigation’ and click ‘Create Menu.’
You will now have access to three new metaboxes, the Theme Locations, Custom Links, Pages and Categories. If you have other plugins or software installed, you may have additional options.
- The Theme Locations is your Primary and Secondary navigation that is activated by Genesis Settings.
- The Custom Links allows you to create links to external pages or sites by adding the URL and a Menu Label (name).
- The Pages box lists all the pages you’ve created. They will be sorted by ‘Most Recent’, but you can ‘View All’ or ‘Search’ for specific pages.
- The Category box list all the categories that you’ve created for your posts.
In the Theme Locations metabox, select the Primary Navigation from the drop down. Now go to the Pages metabox and select all of the pages that you want included in your Primary Navigation. Place a check in the check boxes and then click ‘Add to Menu.’
All the pages will populate the menu field to the right of the metaboxes.
You can then drag the boxes around to get the navigation in the order you want it to appear on your site. Move them up and down to arrange the order, move them under and indented to make them a submenu. You can move them around to fit your desired navigation structure.
Onc you have the menu the way you want it, click ‘Save Menu’ and you menu will be live on the site. Go to a page on the site and you will see the Primary Navigation displayed the way you set it up in the dashboard.
You can add pages or remove pages as often as you need. When you create a new page, if you want it to be included in the navigation, you will have to manually add it in the Menu.
If you have any questions, leave them in comments below.
Four Ways Pinterest Can Work for Your Business
Pinterest is a very fast growing social network that has a lot of people talking. It is a bit unique in how you share content. If your not using Pinterest and do not have an idea what all the fuss is about, go check it out. If you need an invite, let me know and I’ll send you one.
Source: mashable.com via Alan on Pinterest
4 Ways to Make Pinterest Work for You
1. Add a Pin It Button
You can add a Pin It button to your website. If your on WordPress, use a plugin that adds the social media icons to your Posts or Pages. Check the plugins that are available and make sure that Pinterest is included.
Having the simple “Pin It” button can get more people connecting with your site.
2. Become Visual
Pinterst pins images and videos to users walls. Not text or excerpts from your page or post. The way to encourage Pinterest sharing is to have plenty of graphics or video on your site that users can share. They can be simple images that are interesting or captivating to expanded Infographics. Become more visual if you want Pinterest traffic.
3. Promote MORE than Products
It will be tempting to just load your Pinterest boards with your own products and images. But if your going to be on Pinterst, you need to participate. And participation is about sharing information, news, tips, and products from other companies. You need to promote the social community by engaging the community. Definately post your content, but don’t be an island. Share!
4. Learn from the Heavyweights
There are several larger companies that are doing an excellent job using Pinterest, follow them. Get an idea of how they are using the network? Look at the kind of content they are sharing. Observe the kind of content that is getting a lot of re-pinning. Find the trends and then begin to develop strategies that work for you.
To Join or Not to Join, that is the Question
Whether you take the time to become part of the Pinterest world is up to you. I have just recently joined the community. I will keep you posted on what I think and how effective it is for me. I really think that it can become a great traffic source. But I want to spend where I get a return and that return is translated into revenue. I’m going to give a few months and see how it goes.
How are you using Pinterest for your business? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
13 Pinteresting facts about Pinterest users
Have you heard of Pinterest? It’s only the “hottest” new social network on the planet. Yes, Facebook is the largest and Twitter is the “coolest,” but Pinterest is the new up and comer who will challenge both of these social rivals.
Its unique position is how you share information. Instead of posting updates or information about you life, you “pin” images from the web to your “pinboard.” It’s a virtual pin board for all the cool and interesting things you see on the web.
It has potential for being a traffic driver to your website. The current data suggest that it referres more traffic than YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter combined.
It is growing in numbers and the cool factor is obvious.
Here are 13 “Pinteresting” facts about Pinterest. If these demographic data fit your target audience, you might consider becoming active in the Pinterest world.