Category: Wordpress

  • How to Add Facebook Pixel to WordPress

    Incorporating Facebook Pixel into your WordPress site is essential to track visitor interactions and enhance your advertising strategies.

    This comprehensive guide covers everything from generating and installing the Pixel using plugins or manual code insertion to optimizing its functionality through conversion tracking and custom audiences.

    Whether you’re looking to refine retargeting campaigns or troubleshoot installation issues, understanding and implementing Facebook Pixel correctly is critical to ensuring that your WordPress site fully harnesses Facebook’s advertising capabilities.

    Add Facebook Pixel to WordPress

    Benefits of Facebook Pixel

    The Facebook Pixel is a potent tool for gathering crucial data on visitor interactions with your website. This encompasses various events such as page views, form submissions, and purchases, all of which are defined as conversions. Tracking these actions is vital for accurately assessing the impact of your Facebook ads.

    To fully harness the potential of Facebook Pixel, a comprehensive understanding of its benefits is essential:


    • Conversions

    Achievements such as completed sign-ups or purchases that you aim to increase.


    • Custom audience

    Segmenting a group of visitors based on their onsite actions is helpful for retargeting purposes.


    • Events

    Specific actions that visitors take are crucial for tracking and optimizing ad performance.


    • Data sources

    Our website or app serves as the origin point where we track user interactions.


    • Retargeting

    The process involves displaying ads to users based on their previous website interactions.

    In WordPress, Setting up a Facebook pixel

    First, you must create your Facebook Pixel ID from your Ads Manager dashboard.

    Create a Meta/Facebook Pixel

    To create a Facebook Pixel, follow these simple steps to track visitor activity and optimize your advertising strategies effectively. Here’s how to set it up:

    • Log in to your Facebook account and navigate to the Events Manager from the main menu.
    • Press the Connect Data Sources tab in the Events Manager.

    Events Manager

    • Click on Web and press the Connect button.

    Choose Connect

    • Name your pixel and click on the Create Pixel button.

    Create Pixel

    • Insert your website URL and press Check.
    • Choose Meta Pixel only and press the Next button.

    Meta Pixel

    • Finally, go to the Install Code Manually option.

    Install Code Manually

    Once you obtain your Pixel ID, you can integrate it into your WordPress site. There are two standard methods for adding the Facebook Pixel to your WordPress site:

    • By using a plugin or
    • Manually add the code snippet to your theme.

    By Using a Plugin

    You’ll find that plugins such as PixelYourSite or Insert Headers and Footers can significantly simplify the process. Let me show you how to make the most of a plugin:

    • Go to your WordPress dashboard.
    • Navigate to Plugins and choose Add New.
    • Locate your preferred plugin. Here, we use PixelYourSite.
    • Install and activate the plugin. After activation, a new menu item will appear in the WP sidebar.
    • Navigate to PixelYourSite > Dashboard.
    • Press on the Click for Settings in front of the Facebook icon.

    Click For Settings Option

    • Write down your pixel ID in the Meta Pixel (formerly Facebook Pixel) ID field.
    • Scroll down and press the Save Settings option.

    Meta Pixel

    By Manually Adding The Code Snippet

    If you’d rather avoid using a plugin, you have the option to skillfully insert the code into your theme’s files manually.

    Adding code snippet

    Through the Appearance section, you can access your WordPress editor.

    • Find the header.php file.
    • Enter the Facebook Pixel code snippet—obtained from Facebook’s dashboard—just above the tag.

    Exercise caution when editing theme files. Always use a child theme to preserve changes during updates.

    After adding the pixel, the status updates on your Facebook dashboard will typically take up to 20 minutes to appear. When using tracking technologies, ensuring that your website respects user privacy and complies with data protection regulations such as GDPR is crucial.

    By Manually Adding The Code Snippet

    After installing the Pixel, it’s imperative to verify that it’s firing correctly. To do this

    • Install the Facebook Pixel Helper, a Google Chrome extension that validates your Pixel installation.
    • Go to your website, press the Pixel Helper icon in the Chrome toolbar, and confirm that the Pixel is active.
    • Thoroughly check for any errors and ensure that the Pixel is receiving data.

    Facebook Pixel Configuration Settings

    Once you’ve created your Facebook Pixel using your Facebook business account, it’s time to configure it for your WordPress site.

    To do so, navigate to Events Manager on your Facebook ads dashboard and take charge of your pixel settings.

    Follow this quick guide to assertively configure the pixel and leverage its features to the fullest:


    • Locate your Pixel ID

    In Events Manager, find the pixel you want to work with. Your Pixel ID is a unique identifier for your pixel. Keep it handy, as you’ll need it for integration with WordPress.


    • Set up conversions API

    The Conversions API operates with the Pixel to send events directly from your server. This step is optional but recommended for more accurate data tracking, mainly if you operate an e-commerce site such as WooCommerce.


    • Enable automatic advanced matching

    This feature significantly enhances the pixel’s ability to match conversion events with Facebook users by leveraging additional user-provided information, such as email addresses, during their visit.


    • Configure Events

    Track the actions on your site that you want, such as form submissions or product purchases, to optimize your Facebook ads for higher conversion rates.


    • Parameter tuning

    Customize the data sent with events by adding parameters to capture specific details like product IDs or categories in WooCommerce.

    You have recommended that Integrating Facebook Pixel with WordPress is easy. You can add a code snippet to your website’s header or use a plugin for an even more straightforward setup.

    With the help of plugins, you can also achieve detailed integrations and get support for features like WooCommerce.

    Conclusion

    Adding a Facebook Pixel to your WordPress site is crucial to enhancing your marketing efforts and accurately tracking user interactions. By meticulously following the outlined steps—creating your Pixel, installing it manually or using a plugin, and verifying its functionality—you will gain invaluable insights into your audience’s behavior. This data will enable you to optimize your ad campaigns and lead to a notable improvement in your overall conversion rates.

  • How to Create Mega Menu in WordPress

    Are you interested in adding a mega menu to your WordPress site?

    Mega Menus enables you to organize numerous links into user-friendly columns and rows. Additionally, you can incorporate rich content, such as images and videos, to enhance the user experience.

    Here, we will discuss how to seamlessly integrate a mega menu into your WordPress website. To create a mega menu for your WordPress site, you have two options:

    • Check if your theme supports mega menus
    • By using the WordPress mega menu plugin

    But you also have to know how important it is.

    Create Mega Menu in WordPress

    Why Create a Mega Menu in WordPress

    WordPress’s versatile drag-and-drop builder empowers you to craft various menus, including dropdown and header menus. Moreover, plugins are readily available to facilitate the creation of custom navigation menus in WordPress themes.

    However, opting for a mega menu is imperative if your website boasts substantial content.

    A mega menu enables you to seamlessly integrate multi-column dropdowns into the standard WordPress menu structure, thereby enhancing the organization of your content under distinct headings and subheadings, ultimately facilitating efficient visitor navigation.

    For example, in an online marketplace, leveraging a mega menu to categorize all product categories and subcategories is indispensable.

    Mega menus unequivocally showcase rich content to visitors, comprising videos, text, search, and recent posts. Moreover, the inclusion of images enhances the scannability of mega menus.

    Now, let’s discuss both options to create a mega menu for your WordPress site one by one:


    • Check if your theme supports mega menus

    Some themes have built-in support for mega menus. The Hestia theme, for example, includes a feature for creating a mega menu.

    We cannot confirm whether your theme supports a WordPress mega menu or provide a tutorial for setting one up because each theme is unique.

    However, it is essential to start by checking your theme’s documentation to see if it offers a method for creating a mega menu.


    • By using the WordPress mega menu plugin

    If your theme lacks mega menu functionality, or even if it already has it, you should use a WordPress mega menu plugin to add this feature to any WordPress theme.

    Consider using a mega menu plugin even if your theme already supports mega menus. Each approach has pros and cons.

    Using your theme’s mega menu functionality will instantly match your theme’s styling, which is convenient. However, you’ll lose your mega menu functionality if you ever switch themes.

    On the other hand, using a WordPress mega menu plugin means your mega menu will continue to work even if you switch themes, and you’ll likely get access to more functionality.

    The downside is that you might need to adjust the plugin’s styling options to match your theme.

    1. Creating Mega Menu with a Free Plugin in WordPress

    Numerous plugins are available that can add mega menu functionality to your site, but the most popular and highly rated one is Max Mega Menu. This free plugin allows you to create your mega menu using regular WordPress widgets, making it very user-friendly, especially for beginners.

    To begin, ensure that you install and activate the Max Mega Menu plugin. Once that’s done, you can proceed to follow the steps:

    Enable the mega menu functionality

    To enable mega menu functionality, navigate to Appearance >> Menus in your WordPress dashboard.

    Then, choose the menu location for your header. This is usually the default menu, which is already selected. It will have a “Display Location” area like “Primary Menu“, “Top Menu“, “Top“, etc.

    If you still need to create menus in WordPress, follow this guide to make your first menu. After selecting the menu location where you want to place your mega menu:

    • Find the new Max Mega Menu Settings box on the left,
    • Check the Enable box,
    • And then press the Save button.

    Enable Mega Menu

    Create Mega Menu Layout

    Once the mega menu functionality is enabled, follow these steps to open the mega menu:

    1. Hover over the menu item you want to use.

    2. Click the blue Mega Menu button.

    For example, the mega menu will appear when a user hovers over the Shop menu item.

    Mega Menu Layout

    For open the mega menu builder interface by pressing the Blue button.

    Select Display Mode and Add Widgets

    Select the display mode you want to use. Mega Menu—Grid Layout is the recommended choice for this tutorial due to its flexibility. Use the drop-down menu on the right to add a widget to your mega menu.

    You can use any of the standard WordPress widgets in your mega menu, which provides great flexibility. 

    Additionally, you should use the “+ Column” and “+ Row” buttons to structure the layout for your mega menu.

    Keep adding widgets for all the content you want to display in your mega menu.

    For Edit Widgets

    To edit widgets and add content, simply click the wrench icon. To move them around, just use simple drag and drop.

    Remember to save each widget after making any edits. Once you finish building your layout, it should look roughly like this:

    Edit Widgets

    You must explore the Settings and Icon areas. While configuring any settings is not mandatory, you now have a working mega menu.

    However, the menu styling isn’t quite right yet—the black background on the menu items doesn’t match the rest of the theme. If you experience a similar issue, you must modify some colors in the plugin’s settings to ensure everything fits together.

    Mega Menu Styling Configuration

    To set up the style of your mega menu, navigate to Mega Menu >> Menu Themes in your dashboard. Then, click on the Menu Bar tab.

    Here, you must adjust some colors to align with your theme. Typically, the most essential options to modify are the Menu Background and Menu Background Hover. You may also need to update the font color.

    Mega Menu Styling Configuration

    After completing that step, your mega menu will seamlessly harmonize with your theme’s unique design, creating a more polished and professional look for your website.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, creating a mega menu in WordPress is a powerful way to enhance your website’s navigation and improve user experience. Remembering usability and ensuring your mega menu is organized, easy to navigate, and responsive across devices is crucial. By following these steps, you will streamline your site’s navigation and make it more engaging for your visitors, ultimately contributing to a better overall user experience.

  • How to Add Custom PHP Code in WordPress

    WordPress is an exceptional content management system that operates seamlessly out of the box. It boasts thousands of themes and plugins to help you construct any website.

    However, there will be instances when you must customize the theme or plugin to suit your specific needs. For example, you may need to add additional functionality to your website or adjust the theme without overhauling the entire design.

    Using PHP code is essential when customizing WordPress themes and plugins. Instead of relying solely on plugins, consider enhancing WordPress with new functionality through PHP.

    However, avoiding making direct code adjustments in the parent theme’s files, especially in the functions.php file, is crucial. This approach may work initially but there are more effective solutions. Any changes made this way will be lost when you update your theme or plugin.

    Consequently, avoiding updates can have severe repercussions for your website. By neglecting updates, you risk missing critical security or bug fixes typically included in theme or plugin updates. Moreover, upgrading your WordPress version may lead to the loss of your changes.

    Add Custom PHP Code in WordPress

    There are 3 methods of adding PHP code in WordPress:

    1. Adding PHP code with Theme Editor
    2. To edit PHP files manually by Using the FTP client
    3. Convert PHP into WordPress shortcodes
    4. By Adding sitewide code snippets with a plugin

    It is recommended that you always back up your site before adding code to WordPress to avoid potential issues. Improper PHP syntax could trigger WordPress recovery mode.

    Syscality


    • Adding PHP code with Theme Editor

    In WordPress, the Theme Editor tool lets you edit your theme files directly from the dashboard. Using a child theme to retain modifications when updating the parent theme is crucial.

    To access the theme editor, navigate to Appearance >> Theme Editor, and you’ll find a simple text editor on the left and a list of files on the right.

    Theme Editor

    The Theme Files list provides direct access to your theme’s customizable files. Beneath each entry, you’ll also see its full filename. Most of the options here will be PHP files.

    You can switch which theme you edit using the “Select theme to edit” drop-down menu.

    Additionally, you can look up documentation for specific functions using the “Documentation” drop-down menu beneath the editor.

    Get Option

    When you look up a function, you will be directed to its WordPress Development Codex page if it’s available. Please note that if you’re editing a custom theme, you may not find documentation for specific functions.

    After making the desired changes, you can press “Update File” to save them. To add code snippets to your site, you must edit the functions.php file.


    • To edit PHP files manually by Using the FTP client

    The WordPress Theme Editor is extremely limited. If you’re accustomed to using a full code editor, you’re missing out on a lot of functionality when making changes from your dashboard.

    A superior approach is to connect to your website’s files via FTP and utilize your preferred text editor for updates. To accomplish this, you’ll need an FTP client like FileZilla. You must locate your website’s login details if you’re new to using an FTP client.

    Remember, your FTP credentials differ from the ones used to log into WordPress. Typically, your web host will create an FTP account for you upon plan signup, and you can find the details in your hosting control panel.

    FTP Account

    To connect to your website through FTP, you must have the host address, your FTP username and password, and specific port details, if available. Once you obtain this information, connect to your website using FileZilla or a different FTP client.

    After gaining access to your website, locate the WordPress root folder containing all your site’s files. Typically, this folder is named public or public_html or bears the name of your website.

    Root Folder

    Once you can access the root folder, you can modify your WordPress files and add custom PHP code. You are strongly advised against modifying files if uncertain of their function.

    A solid understanding of the root directory is structure is essential to edit files. Within the main folder, you will find site-wide configuration files, such as the .htaccess file, which you can modify to incorporate advanced functionality into WordPress.

    You can locate the theme and plugin files inside the wp-content folder. Navigate to wp-content/plugins or wp-content/themes to find individual folders for each theme and plugin. Upon opening a theme’s folder, you can edit all the files available through the WordPress Theme Editor tool.

    Right-click on a file and select the View/Edit option to edit it. This action will open the file using your local default text editor.

    Default Text Editor

    After making changes to a file, be sure to save it. Your FTP client will then promptly upload the new version to your server.


    • Convert PHP into WordPress shortcodes

    Plugins are a great way to solve specific problems in WordPress. Several plugins allow you to add custom code to your WordPress files without directly editing them. One option is to convert your PHP code snippets into shortcodes,

    which can be easily used in the WordPress editor or widget areas. This is helpful if you want to add PHP to a specific post or page on your site. You can achieve this by using the free “Insert PHP Code Snippet” plugin.

    This plugin allows you to create custom shortcodes for PHP code snippets. You can add these snippets using the plugin, and it will generate shortcodes that you can use anywhere on your website to execute those functions.

    After installing and activating the plugin, you will see a new tab in the dashboard labeled “XYZ PHP Code.” Select that tab and navigate to PHPCode Snippets >> Add New PHP Code Snippet.

    PHP Code Snippets

    The plugin will prompt you to provide a “name” for your snippet, which should describe its purpose, and to add its code within the PHP code field.

    PHP Code

    Note that Insert PHP Code Snippet does not validate your add code. If the code does not work, you must troubleshoot it independently.

    Once you add a code snippet using the plugin, it will appear under the PHP Code Snippets tab. You have options for pausing individual scripts, editing, deleting, and previewing them.

    Snippet Short Code

    The snippet shortcode is available under the “Snippet Short Code” column. After reviewing the code to ensure it works, you can add the shortcode anywhere on your site.


    • By Adding sitewide code snippets with a plugin

    To easily incorporate PHP into your WordPress website, utilize the free Code Snippets plugin.

    Access the “Add New” section under Code Snippets to seamlessly integrate general code snippets into your site. When adding your PHP code snippet, assert your choice to run it universally or exclusively on your site’s front or back end.

    Edit Snippet

    The plugin integrates PHP code into WordPress and facilitates the addition of custom JavaScript, CSS, or HTML.

    Conclusion

    Editing and adding PHP in WordPress is a straightforward process. If you’re comfortable with code or even just copying and pasting it, you can easily add snippets that will significantly enhance your site’s functionality.

  • How to Create Child Theme in WordPress

    Create child theme is a critical WordPress aspect that can perplex beginners. You may have encountered the term and opted to forgo creating them due to their perceived complexity.

    However, based on our experience, create child theme can effectively prevent numerous issues in the future. They safeguard valuable customizations, enable you to experiment without jeopardizing your site and streamline theme updates.

    Create Child Theme in WordPress

    Requirement of Create Child Theme and How Does It Work

    Create child theme in WordPress allows you to inherit the fantastic features, functions, and styles of another theme, the parent theme. By doing so, you can override or extend inherited properties through file additions or modifications.

    While it’s possible to customize your WordPress theme without a child theme, there are compelling reasons to consider using one.

    • Create Child themes can safeguard your customizations during theme updates, ensuring they remain intact and unaffected. Without a child theme, any tweaks made directly to the parent theme may vanish during updates.
    • Furthermore, child themes provide a secure platform for experimenting with new designs or features without impacting your site’s original theme. Using child themes can significantly streamline the development process if you possess coding skills.
    • Their more straightforward file structure allows you to focus solely on modifying the parts of the parent theme that you want to change or expand. Embrace the power of child themes to unleash your creativity and protect your customizations.

    Preparation Before Creating a WordPress Child Theme

    Many WordPress users experience excitement that quickly turns to frustration when they encounter errors while delving into the technical aspects. We understand the feeling. It’s crucial to have a solid grasp of what you’re getting into before creating a child theme.

    To set the stage for success, here are a few essential steps we recommend you take before diving into this comprehensive guide:

    • You must be aware that you will be working with code. It is crucial to understand HTML, CSS, PHP, and JavaScript to comprehend the necessary changes. Further information can be found in the WordPress theme handbook.
    • Select a parent theme with the exact website design and features you desire. Find one that requires minimal changes. If necessary, refer to our checklist of tasks to complete before switching WordPress themes.
    • When developing a theme, it is crucial to use a local or staging site to prevent unintentional errors on the live site.
    • It is essential to back up your website before making any changes. If you’re new to this, we strongly recommend using a backup plugin like Duplicator.

    There are multiple ways to create a child theme based on your current theme. One method involves writing code manually, while others involve using a plugin, which is more user-friendly, especially for beginners.

    The manual method might seem daunting if you’re not very technically inclined. However, we suggest reading through it to familiarize yourself with the process and the files involved, even if you use a plugin. Let’s go over how to create a child theme in WordPress.

    Create Child Theme in WordPress Manually

    You can access your WordPress installation folder by opening the /wp-content/themes/ directory. You can use your WordPress hosting’s file manager or an FTP client to do so. We strongly recommend using the file manager for simplicity.

    If you are a Bluehost client, log in to your hosting account dashboard, go to the ‘Websites‘ tab, and press ‘Settings.’

    Hosting Account Dashboard

    Navigate to the ‘Quick Links‘ section in the Overview tab and select ‘File Manager.’

    File Manager on Quick Links

    Once there, access your website’s public_html folder and open the /wp-content/themes/ directory. Then, click the ‘+ Folder‘ button in the top left corner to create a new folder for your child theme.

    File Manager Window

    You have the freedom to name the folder as you wish.

    Here, we will use the folder name “twentytwentyone-child” as we are going to use Twenty Twenty-One as our parent theme. Once finished, simply select ‘Create New Folder.’

    Create New Folder Option

    To create the first file for your child theme, open the folder you just made and press on ‘+ File.’ Using an FTP client, you can use a text editor like Notepad and upload the file later.

    Creating File

    Name this file ‘style.css‘ as it is your child theme’s main stylesheet and will contain information about the child theme. Then, navigate to ‘Create New File.’

    Create New File

    To change the style.css file, right-click on it and select ‘Edit‘ to open a new tab.

    Choose Edit Option

    In the new tab, paste the following text and make adjustments as needed.

    Enter Coding

    After making changes, click ‘Save Changes‘ to save the file.

    Press Save Changes

    Create a second file named functions.php and import or enqueue the stylesheets from the parent theme’s files.

    After creating the file, make sure to add the following wp_enqueue code.

    Add wp_enqueue Code

    After completing the steps, save the file as you did in the previous step. You have now successfully created a basic child theme. When you navigate to Appearance » Themes in your WordPress admin panel, you should be able to see the Twenty Twenty-One Child option.

    Press the ‘Activate‘ button to begin using the child theme on your site.

    Activate Child Theme

    Create Child Theme Classic in WordPress With a Plugin

    This method involves using the Child Theme Configurator plugin, which is easy to use and allows you to create and customize WordPress child themes without writing any code.

    It’s important to note that this plugin works best with classic (non-block) themes. To begin, you’ll need to install and activate the WordPress plugin.

    Once activated, go to Tools » Child Themes in your WordPress dashboard. Within the Parent/Child tab, you’ll be prompted to choose an action. Simply select ‘CREATE a new Child Theme‘ to start the process.

    Create a New Child Theme

    First, choose a parent theme from a dropdown menu, such as the Hestia theme. Then, press the ‘Analyze’ button to ensure the theme is suitable as a parent theme.

    Select The Hestia Theme

    First, you must name the folder where the child theme will be stored. You can choose any name for the folder. Below that, you must decide where to save the new styles: in the main stylesheet or in a separate one.

    The main stylesheet is the default stylesheet that comes with your child theme. Saving new custom styles to this file means you will directly modify the main styles of your child theme. Every modification will overwrite the original theme’s style.

    The separate option allows you to save new custom styles to a separate stylesheet file. This is useful for keeping the original theme’s style intact and not overwriting it. For this demonstration, we will choose the first option.

    However, as you become more creative with your child theme customizations, you can always go through this process again and select the second option.

    Select Primary Stylesheet

    When moving down, selecting how the parent theme’s stylesheet will be accessed is crucial. The default option, ‘Use the WordPress style queue,’ should be chosen as it enables the plugin to determine the appropriate actions automatically.

    Use The WordPress Style Queue

    Press the ‘Click to Edit Child Theme Attributes‘ button to fill in the details of your child theme.

    Click to Edit Child Theme Attributes

    When creating a child theme manually, you will lose the parent theme’s menus and widgets. However, with Child Theme Configurator, you can effortlessly copy them from the parent theme to the child theme. Simply check the box in step 8 if you’d like to do this.

    Press the ‘Create New Child Theme’ button to generate your new child theme.

    Create New Child Theme

    The plugin will generate a folder for your child theme and include the style.css and functions.php files that you can use to customize the theme later.

    Before activating the theme, it’s essential to click the link at the top of the screen to preview it and ensure that it looks good and doesn’t cause any issues on your site.

    Preview Child Theme

    If everything functions properly, click the ‘Activate & Publish’ button. Your child theme will now go live and look and behave exactly like the parent theme.

    Activate and Publish

    Create Child Theme Block in WordPress With a Plugin

    If you use a block theme in WordPress, you can easily create a child theme using the Create Block Theme plugin.

    First, you need to install and activate the WordPress plugin. Then, navigate to Appearance » Create Block Theme. Simply select ‘Create a Child of [current theme name]’, and you’re good to go.

    Create Block Theme Option

    Fill out your child theme’s information. If you’re using Twenty Twenty-Four, name it Twenty Twenty-Four Child. Include a description and author for the child theme. When you’re finished, press the ‘Create Child Theme‘ button.

    Create Child Theme Option

    The plugin will create and install the WordPress theme ZIP file in your admin area. Upon completion, your website will automatically activate the newly created child theme. You can verify this by navigating to Appearance » Themes.

    Activate Child Theme

    Conclusion

    Creating a child theme in WordPress is essential for anyone seeking to customize their website while maintaining the integrity of the parent theme. By utilizing child themes, developers and site owners can uphold a powerful and dynamic website that mirrors their distinct vision without compromising performance or security.

  • How to make a Background Slideshow in WordPress?

    A background Slide show is a feature on websites that displays a series of images that automatically change, creating a dynamic backdrop for your content.
    It adds visual interest and can draw visitors in with smooth transitions like fading or sliding.
    You can set the duration and order of appearance for your images based on your preferences. This feature is perfect for highlighting important information, displaying a portfolio, or promoting special events.

    How to make background slideshow in WordPress

    Ways to add Background Slide show in WordPress

    • Using Custom CSS
    • Using a Plugin
    • Using a Theme Feature
    • Using Elementor

    Using Custom CSS

    For those comfortable with coding, custom CSS has highly personalized designs.

    • It offers complete customization of styles and animations.
    • It keeps the site lightweight by avoiding extra plugins.
    • It can create a unique slideshow tailored to your design preferences.
    • It also gives you a chance to enhance your coding skills.
    • Also, one of the biggest qualities of CSS is that compared to other methods that we have mentioned, it is cheaper if you know coding.

    Using a Plugin

    Plugins provide a quick and easy way to implement features without much technical know-how in adding background slide show in WordPress.

    • User-friendly interfaces that simplify the slideshow creation process.
    • It often has advanced options like transitions, effects, and responsiveness without coding.
    • Regular updates and support from the developers.
    • Suitable for users without technical skills.

    Here are a few plugins that you can use: MetaSlider, Soliloquy & Smart Slider 3

    Using a Theme Feature

    Many themes come with built-in slideshow functionalities that simplify the process.

    • No need for extra plugins, as the feature is built into the theme.
    • Ensures design consistency with other theme elements.
    • Usually optimized for the theme, leading to better performance.
    • Often straightforward, especially for theme-specific customizations.
    • There are various Themes to choose from some of them are:

    Free: Astra, OceanWP, Sydney & Hestia

    Paid: Avada, Enfold, Divi & Salient

    Using Elementor

    Elementor free& Pro

    Using Page builder such as Elementor to make a background slideshow in your WordPress website will defiantly ease you out and give you options to customize. It has Free and Pro versions you can pick what suits you best. But it is obvious that pro version will be better than the free one. 

    Elementor Free

    • The drag-and-drop functions makes it easy for anyone to create layouts without coding.
    • Access to essential widgets like images, text, buttons, and basic galleries for creating simple slideshows.
    • Options to customize how elements look on mobile and tablet devices.
    • A library of pre-designed templates and sections to speed up the design process.

    Elementor Pro

    • Access a broader range of widgets, including sliders, carousels, and post widgets for more complex designs.
    • Ability to customize headers, footers, and other theme elements for a cohesive look across your site.
    • Support for dynamic content, allowing you to pull data from custom fields or posts for more personalized slideshows.
    • It has enhanced animation and motion effects that increase the interactivity and depth of your designs.
    • It also has options to add custom CSS directly in the Elementor interface for advanced styling.

    Conclusion

    Adding a slideshow to your WordPress website can enhance its visual appeal and engagement. It depends on you whether you choose custom CSS, a plugin, theme features, or a page builder like Elementor. Every method has unique advantages specific to your technical skills and design preferences. Eventually, a well-implemented slideshow showcases key content effectively and elevates the overall user experience, making your site more dynamic and inviting.

  • How to Find Plugins on WordPress Website

    Find Plugins on WordPress Website

    Are you looking to find plugins on WordPress?

    WordPress is a mighty Content Management System (CMS), but doesn’t cover all the bases. That’s where plugins come into play. WordPress relies on plugins to expand its capabilities and introduce new features.

    With an impressive array of thousands of plugins, WordPress users can unlock a world of possibilities to elevate their websites. Whether you’re looking to create a blog, set up an e-commerce store, showcase an image gallery, or pursue any other goal, there’s a WordPress plugin ideally suited to your needs.

    However, not all websites will have the same set of plugins. So, how can you uncover the WordPress plugins a specific site is using? Let’s dive into ways to Find Plugins on WordPress Website.

    By using a WordPress Plugin Detector to Find Plugins on WordPress Website

    Are you looking to uncover the plugins and themes powering a website?

    Look no further than WordPress plugin detectors like Scan WP. With its accurate scanning capabilities, Scan WP is a top choice for revealing the plugins and themes used by any website. Simply enter the website’s URL into the designated box at the top of the page and unveil the secrets behind its design.

    Scan WP Plugin

    Pressing the Detect button will show you a list of all the website’s plugins. This is the easiest way to Find Plugins on WordPress Website.

    Keep in mind that while Scan WP is highly effective, it may not always detect inactive plugins or provide information on back-end functions.

    By Using HTML Codes for Advanced Users

    Unfortunately, there are times when a WordPress plugin detector may not provide the information you need about the WordPress plugins a site is using.

    This could be due to customized plugins or CSS code that confuses the detector, resulting in no results.

    In such cases, you’ll have to examine the website’s source code. An easy way to do this is to right-click and select “View Source.” This will reveal all the code on the page, including the plugins used.

    Another option is to utilize a tool like Chrome DevTools to Find Plugins on WordPress Websites.

    For example, upon inspecting TechCrunch’s website, you’ll notice they use the popular Yoast SEO plugin, including the premium version.

    HTML Codes

    This method is fantastic because it provides a comprehensive view of all plugin activities, not just those currently active on the site.

    By analyzing their placement in the code, you can better understand their impact on different parts of the page.

    However, delving into the code can be time-consuming and requires some familiarity with HTML and common plugin names.

    By using Google Chrome extensions For Frequent users

    Are you looking to discover the plugins a website is using?

    Chrome’s got you covered with several trendy extensions. While Scan WP offers a Chrome extension, we’ve found that ThemesInfo’s WordPress Theme Detector and Plugin Detector are more reliable.

    Once you’ve installed the Chrome extension, simply head to the website you’re curious about and click the “W” WordPress icon in the address bar’s list.

    Wordpress Theme Detector and Chrome Extension

    This will trigger a pop-up displaying a comprehensive list of all the website’s active plugins, complete with descriptions and pricing details.

    Looking for a reliable way to detect plugins consistently? This method is a game-changer, especially for UX designers who frequently need to delve into site functionality.

    The best part is that It’s free and doesn’t slow down your Chrome browser. However, for security reasons, if you’re not regularly researching plugins, it’s wise to stick to previous methods.

    Gather More Information About Plugin

    You’ve stumbled upon a new plugin that perfectly fits your needs. But before diving in, it’s crucial to conduct some thorough research.

    Regarding WordPress security, vigilance is vital, and plugins can be a prime target for potential security threats. To guide you on what to do next, consider the following steps:

    1. Verify that your WordPress installation is up to date.

    2. Dive into the plugin documentation and conduct comprehensive testing after installation to preempt any potential issues.

    3. Confirm that your hosting has sufficient storage to accommodate the plugin, mainly if it’s extensive or intricate.

    4. Review the plugin vendor’s guidelines to ensure all dependencies are correctly installed.

    5. Should you encounter any challenges, follow the guidance provided by the plugin developers for effective testing and debugging.

    Conclusion

    In the end, you are familiar with finding plugins on the WordPress website by using the above methods.

  • How to Delete Plugin Data in WordPress

    Delete plugin data may seem simple at first. You click a few buttons, and the plugin disappears with data.

    However, the process is more complex. Despite appearances, leftover tables, files, and code snippets often cause issues in the future.

    So, how can you remove these remnants altogether?

    Stay tuned as I guide you through completely uninstalling / delete plugin data.

    Delete Plugin Data in WordPress

    The Reason Behind Uninstalling a WordPress Plugin

    WordPress plugins are small software applications that add new features or extend the base functionality of your site. Thousands of free and premium WordPress plugins are available to download and install. However, there are several reasons why you should uninstall a plugin.

    1. Not in Use or Don’t Like It

    Looking to add some new functionality? You’ll probably download similar plugins to test which suits you best. It’s all good, but remember to uninstall the ones you don’t like and won’t be using.

    2. No Longer Supported

    Developers must regularly update plugins to ensure compatibility with the latest version of WordPress. If developers abandon plugins, they can become incompatible.

    3. Want To Replace with Bigger and Better

    As your website expands, your requirements evolve, so a plugin you needed several months ago may need to be revised. When you no longer require it, you should uninstall it.

    4. Causing Problems

    A problematic plugin is likely causing issues on your site. Despite plugin developers’ efforts to adhere to standards, conflicts can occur between plugins or between a plugin and a theme. In such instances, it is imperative to remove the troublesome plugin.

    5. Contains Malicious Code

    Beware! Hackers and unscrupulous developers often create plugins containing malware and viruses. While it’s unlikely to download such a plugin from the official repository, you may accidentally download one from a third-party site.

    In such a case, you must uninstall the plugin immediately. If it has infected your site, seeking help from malware removal experts is non-negotiable.

    In the end, we must understand that leaving an unwanted WordPress plugin on your site is never a good idea.

    Do you know the difference between deactivating and deleting a WordPress plugin

    • When you deactivate a plugin, it’s like flicking off a light switch. The plugin files remain on your site, but WordPress puts them on hold until you decide to reactivate the plugin. It’s like giving your website a break without losing any of the important stuff!
    • When you delete plugin data, the plugin is removed from your list, and all associated files are uninstalled from your site. This helps keep your site clean and optimized for peak performance.

    When troubleshooting an issue on your site, it’s crucial to deactivate plugins one at a time to isolate potential conflicts. If you identify a rogue plugin, it’s imperative to delete a plugin data completely.

    Important Stapes to Uninstall a WordPress Plugin

    Uninstall a WordPress Plugin

    Before beginning the uninstallation process for any unwanted plugins in WordPress, it is crucial to have a current backup available. This will allow you to restore your site in case anything goes wrong.

    • Log in and navigate to Plugins – Installed plugins to view your site’s installed plugins.
    • To remove a plugin, scroll down to the plugin you want to remove and click “Deactivate.”
    • To uninstall the plugin, click “Delete.”

    When you delete plugin data in WordPress, it is usually removed immediately. However, some data may linger. To ensure a thorough cleanup, it’s essential to dive into the back end and manually delete plugin data for any remaining “leftovers.” 

    This extra step has a complete guarantee of delete plugin data, leaving your WordPress site running smoothly.

    Delete a WordPress Plugin

    After uninstalling a WordPress plugin, delete plugin data (any leftover files and folders)

    When you delete a WordPress plugin from your admin dashboard, it usually uninstalls any files and folders created in the /wp-content/plugins/ directory.

    However, in some cases, a plugin may create files, tables, and shortcodes in other folders that may not be deleted. In such situations, you must manually delete plugin data.

    Before you start, ensure that you have a current backup that you can use to restore your site if anything goes wrong.

    Important Stapes to Delete Plugin Data

    You can delete unnecessary files using FTP or SFTP with a program such as FileZilla or Cyberduck. Alternatively, some WordPress hosts, like WPX, provide a file manager, allowing you to bypass the FTP process. In either case, you can access the files and folders on your WordPress server.

    Remove Files and Folders

    When you install WordPress, it creates two subfolders within the “wp-content” folder:

    • plugins
    • themes

    Over time, additional subfolders may be added, such as:

    • cache
    • upgrade
    • uploads

    Some plugins also create their own folders. For example, W3 Total Cache creates a “w3tc-config” subfolder.

    Creating W3tc Config Subfolder

    Even if I successfully delete the W3 Total Cache plugin:

    W3 Total Cache Plugin Successfully

    Right-click on the folder and choose “Delete” to delete a plugin data

    In W3tc Config Subfolder Select Delete

    After selecting “Delete,” you will see a confirmation message. Choose “Delete” to confirm, and the “w3tc-config” folder will be removed. This is how to delete plugin data.

    Remove W3tc Config Folder

    Essential Steps to Delete Leftover Database Tables

    To eliminate unwanted database tables, utilize phpMyAdmin, a tool commonly included in the hosting admin dashboard by most WordPress hosts. This powerful feature allows you to take control and maintain a clean, efficient database for seamless website performance.

    Choose phpMyAdmin

    When WordPress is installed, it creates 12 standard database tables.

    • wp_commentmeta
    • wp_comments
    • wp_links
    • wp_options
    • wp_postmeta
    • wp_posts
    • wp_termmeta
    • wp_terms
    • wp_term_relationships
    • wp_term_taxonomy
    • wp_usermeta
    • wp_users

    The creation of additional tables is attributed to individual plugins. Notably, there are 22 tables encompassing entries from Yoast SEO and Thrive Architect.

    22 Tables

    When you uninstall a plugin, some developers intentionally keep settings in case you reinstall it, while others don’t clean up. In any case, you can remove any remaining elements.

    For example, choose the Drop option next to it if you want to delete the remaining “wp_socialsnap_stats” table from the Social Snap plugin.

    You will receive a message asking for confirmation to delete the table. Click OK to confirm and proceed with the deletion.

    Choose Drop Option From wp_socialsnap_stats

    Steps to Remove Leftover Shortcodes

    When you deactivate and delete a plugin that uses shortcodes, you may encounter the actual shortcode tag being displayed on your website.

    WP Form Shortcode

    If you have only a few shortcodes on one or two pages, editing and removing them is simple. However, some plugins, especially visual page builders like Divi, create numerous shortcodes across your site. In this case, there’s a faster way to locate and remove the remaining shortcodes.

    Firstly, install a plugin called Shortcodes Finder. Then, navigate to Tools – Shortcodes Finder and choose Settings. Check the box next to “Disable unused/orphan shortcodes” to find and remove unwanted tags and save your settings.

    Shortcodes Finder

    To remove any unused shortcodes, confidently choose the “Find unused shortcodes” tab and thoroughly search the Posts and Pages. In this example, take charge and remove the unused shortcodes from the Contact Page and Sample Page.

    Find Unused Shortcodes

    Great! You can see that the Contact Page no longer displays the shortcode.

    In this example, it’s crucial to note that you still need to edit the text on your page because it’s meaningless without a form to display.

    Conclusion

    WordPress makes installing and deleting plugin data directly from your admin dashboard a breeze. However, there’s a catch – when you delete a plugin, it often leaves behind a trail of files, folders, database tables, and shortcodes. If you want to thoroughly rid your site of any lingering remnants from an unwanted plugin, follow the above steps. It’s the ultimate way to ensure a clean and efficient WordPress experience. If the problem still persists, contact the developer of the plugin.

  • Schedule your WordPress Blogs for Auto Publish & Post

    In the fast-paced world of blogging, maintaining a consistent publishing schedule can be challenging.

    This is where the power of Auto-Schedule comes into play. Leveraging automatic scheduling tools is essential for optimizing your WordPress blog’s performance and ensuring a steady flow of fresh content.

    Auto-Schedule functionalities streamline the content management process, allowing you to organize, write, and schedule your posts with minimal effort.

    This approach not only saves time but also helps maintain regular updates, which is crucial for engaging your audience and improving your blog’s search engine rankings.

    In this guide, we’ll explore how Auto-Schedule can transform your WordPress blogging strategy and boost your site’s efficiency and visibility.

    Auto schedule wordpress blog posts

    Use of SEO in WordPress Blog Posts

    Search engine optimization is a practice of building your site visibility better in search engine results, which will lead to an increase in natural traffic to your blog. A crucial component of this process is utilizing Auto-Schedule features effectively.

    SEO in wordpress blog posts

    The key to creating an SEO-optimized blog is to arrange your content into categories and subcategories, make the site user-friendly, and incorporate a straightforward menu.

    By mastering these tactics and strategies, including the use of Auto-Schedule tools to automate your content publishing, you can produce high-quality, SEO-optimized content that enhances your blog’s authority, improves its search engine ranks, and increases the amount of organic traffic to your website. These strategies also include keyword research, appealing headlines, and meta descriptions.

    Use of WordPress blog post auto-schedule

    WordPress auto-schedule is a one-stop shop for organizing, writing, and scheduling blog articles for your WordPress website. It facilitates managing your content staff and content strategy with ease.

    WordPress blog post auto schedule

    WordPress blog post auto scheduling can help you stay organized and save time. Regularly publishing your articles is crucial for managing a news website or blog. Implementing Auto-Schedule helps maintain a steady material stream, improving the capability and usefulness of your content strategy.

    Advantages of Using Automatic Blog Post Scheduler Plugin in WordPress

    Using the Auto-Scheduler, you can publish or recycle new posts automatically. This can involve a number of specifics, such as identifying your target market, determining the ideal word count for your articles, and even locating qualified assistance. Part of this strategy is defining an editorial plan, and WordPress might offer tools to help.

    Post scheduler plugin in wordpress

    It provides several options for what happens to the post after it expires. Plan out your WordPress posts ahead of time and handle all of your authors in one location. Uploading a mass amount of content all at once and then allowing the system to publish posts according to timed intervals gives the site the appearance that it’s regularly maintained. Depending on how many posts you have planned in the queue, this code can enable you to deliver a steady stream of content. Your blog can reach your target audience at the most effective times on Twitter and Facebook in addition to the blog itself if it is integrated with an automatic social media post updater.

    Using an auto-schedule straightforward drag-and-drop tool, one can rapidly create, edit, and move posts.

    Publish Press Plugin

    PublishPress Plugin is one of the popular WordPress plugins for managing the Calendar. The plugin has all the features you need to manage WordPress content, including an editorial calendar to plan content. You can create custom status and notifications for content updates. You can install and activate it from the WordPress plugin directory for free. Using this plugin, you can publish high-quality content. Also, you can create a calendar to manage the WordPress content effectively.

    The capability to automatically share posts on social media is built into a number of the best WordPress post-scheduling plugins. Through coordinated social media updates, this connection guarantees that content goes live on the website and reaches a larger audience, increasing traffic and engagement.

    News and media publishers can arrange their WordPress material with PublishPress Planner’s all-inclusive tools, which include a content calendar, content overview, kanban board, and notifications.

    One of the main features of the PublishPress Planner content calendar is that it lets you see the scheduled and published content dates. The Calendar is a tool for adding fresh content. Additionally, you can drag and drop articles to a different release date. Similarly, you can explore information sorted by status, category, or user by diving into the information Overview panel.

    Ways to Boost Traffic to Your WordPress Blog

    aioseo plugin

    The Best WordPress SEO Plugin is All-In-One SEO, which was founded in 2007. More than 3 million website owners and SEO specialists utilize AIOSEO to improve SEO rankings.

    AIO SEO is known for its comprehensive SEO features and user-friendly interface, making it a crucial tool for agencies, freelancers, and website owners aiming to improve their site’s visibility on search engines.

    Schema generator

    Although WordPress offers All In One SEO-friendly customization, you can still make many significant tiny tweaks to enhance your SEO performance. You can, for instance, eliminate content duplication, add meta tags, and make an XML site. With the help of a robust WordPress headline analyzer, you can quickly assess the correctness, engagement, and search engine optimization (SEO) of the headlines on your blogs or articles.

    All-in-One SEO Pro offers entire support for schema markup so you can gain more clicks and traffic with rich snippets.

    Schema and its needs

    A website’s ranking on search engines is based on several components, but one of the most significant is its rich snippet schema. Adding schema markup to your WordPress site makes it easy to find your content in search engines. Schema markup is a collection of elements or structural data that you may add to your website’s HTML code to grant search engines more details about the page’s relevance, context, and content.

    Schema and its needs

    The name says it all – Schema means additional info. When search engine algorithms examine your content, They add that information to what they already know about your website to determine its relevance to the user’s query. Your website will rank higher for various content types using schema markup. Numerous distinct kinds of data are annotated with data, including:

    Articles,

    nearby companies, Restaurants

    ratings for TV shows,

    Reviews of books and movies

    Applications for software and

    Events.

    Schema Markup is becoming increasingly popular among companies; thus, using it might provide you with a competitive advantage. Users will find your material more engaging, enlightening, and reliable, and it will stand out in search results.

    Why is Schema necessary, and what does it entail?

    Rich snippets schema is one of the most significant elements affecting a website’s search engine ranking, although there are other aspects.

    Rich snippets on google

    Schema, which means “extra information,” says it all. It also applies when search engine algorithms assess content. To ascertain whether your website is relevant to the user’s query, they incorporate that information with what they already know.

    Conclusion

    WordPress is a top-notch CMS platform that helps you create a unique website. Moreover, it has many plugins that improve your website’s functionality, from SEO to commenting. Combining WordPress plugins can optimize your website, add helpful functionality, and make it enjoyable for you and your visitors.

  • Easy Method to Add a PDF Download for Posts in WordPress

    Transferring a file from a networked computer to your local device is called downloading, which involves getting data or a file from the Internet onto your computer.

    A file is downloaded when saved to your computer’s memory, usually from the Internet, allowing you to access it even when you are not online.

    A straightforward way to accomplish this is to use the Save as PDF option, which shows up when you try to print something from your computer or phone. One of the most popular file formats ever developed, PDF, is designed to facilitate the sharing and access of documents without compromising their contents.

    PDFs are an excellent method for formally distributing information, but sometimes, it is simpler to share content with website visitors by uploading an existing PDF directly to WordPress.

    To further enhance user experience, providing a “PDF Download” option can make accessing these documents even more convenient. Additionally, ensuring that your website offers a clear PDF Download link can help users easily obtain and save the document.

    Add a PDF Download option to Posts in WordPress

    To add a PDF download option to post on your WordPress site, you have to follow these instructions;

    First, you must install and activate the free PDF & Print by BestWebSoft plugin.

    Upon activation, you must visit the WordPress admin’s PDF & Print » Settings page to configure the plugin settings.

    Now, you can select the post types where you want to show PDF and Print buttons and the position of the buttons.

    Below that, you can pick the button icon, title, and which user roles can see the button.

    Select the ‘Save Changes‘ button to keep your settings.

    You can now visit a blog post or page on your WordPress site to see the button in action.

    Troubleshooting PDF Download Issue

    The plugin generates PDF files using a code library. However, older versions of that library are not compatible with newer versions of PHP.

    If your site is using a newer version of PHP, then trying to download the PDF may trigger a critical error.

    Luckily, the error does not prevent you from using the WordPress admin area.

    In your WordPress admin area, return to the PDF & Print » Settings page and switch to the ‘Misc’ tab.

    Click on the ‘Upgrade’ button next to the Upgrade the mPDF library option.

    The plugin will download and upgrade the mPDF library that it ships with.

    Download a few PDFs to ensure that everything is working. This is how a PDF  for a blog post looked on our test site.

    Easy Digital Downloads

    Easy Digital Downloads (EDD) is an excellent option for selling digital goods using WordPress. The WordPress plugin offers many functions and add-ons to help the selling process run smoothly.

    Next, you can choose Get Easy Digital Downloads from the File Downloads option. You can adjust the file download settings once the Easy Digital Downloads plugin is installed.

    Navigate to Downloads » Settings » Misc » Downloadable Files:

    You may utilize Easy Digital Downloads to send client files in two ways: forced and redirected. These options are located under the Download Method section. The default setting is forced. To cut a long story short, using this option, EDD splits the file into smaller parts using PHP. Then, without referring users to the actual file, it sends them to the browser.

    MemberPress: WordPress membership site plugin

    MemberPress is a popular and highly functional WordPress plugin for creating membership websites. Businesses may use MemberPress, an all-in-one plugin, to build membership websites, sell digital downloads, safely take credit card payments, and more. Users have fast access to information and can bill their clients with it. MemberPress is a very efficient tool for any size business looking to start an e-learning or membership website for its customers.

    Despite not having a free edition like many other plugins, it does have everything you need, including an integrated course builder, to let you set up a fully complete.

    What is a subscription platform?

    A subscription platform generates recurring revenue by charging clients weekly, monthly, or annually for goods or services. After a predetermined period, customers can renew their subscriptions. This strategy allows a digital business to use client relationships to generate a consistent revenue stream.

    Platforms for subscription services and goods offer the necessary infrastructure for managing such offerings. They include several tools and functions to maximize invoicing, customer relationship management (CRM), and subscription management. With subscriptions, customers may quickly receive goods and services without committing to a long-term payment plan or making total payments.

    Instead of purchasing goods one at a time, customers can subscribe to a service, receive regular deliveries, or access digital content regularly. Subscription models allow businesses to develop long-lasting client connections and a steady flow of recurring revenue.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, adding a PDF download to your WordPress posts is an effective way to boost engagement and provide valuable content. Using tools like Easy Digital Downloads or MemberPress, you can easily manage and offer PDF downloads. These plugins streamline the process and enhance user experience by integrating seamless PDF download options.

  • How do you send an email using WP Amazon Simple Email Service?

    It can be upsetting to find that some recipients of your email did not receive it due to an email delivery failure since you put a lot of effort into crafting emails that engage your audience or clients.

    Sending transactional emails, marketing messages, or any other kind of excellent content to your clients is possible using the Amazon Simple Email Service (Amazon SES).

    WordPress Amazon simple email service

    How does Amazon Simple Email Service work?

    Amazon Simple Email Service is a cloud-based email service that sends bulk and transactional emails.

    AWS for smooth interaction with your apps, email clients, and other software are just a few of the many integration options that Amazon SES offers.

    Why choose Amazon SES?

    Amazon Simple Email Service is an excellent choice for companies that wish to avoid the costs and inconveniences of creating a large-scale mail solution.

    You can start sending emails over Amazon Amazon Simple Email Service from your WordPress website by entering your Amazon SES SMTP credentials into Easy WP Mail SMTP.

    Read this guide to learn how to use Amazon Amazon Simple Email Service with the WP Mail SMTP plugin to set up SMTP on your WordPress website.

    1. Configure Amazon AWS Account

    First, you need to create an Amazon AWS account. Your credit card information is required for registration, but you must pay once you use paid services. Select a free plan to access all of Amazon’s services.

    • Now, log into your AWS Management account and search for Simple Email Service. Then, select Amazon Simple Email Service. Sign Up to AWS.

    Login to amazon aws account

    • Make an Identity and Access Management user to generate access keys for Amazon SES.
    • After creating an account or logging in to AWS, proceed to the Identity and Access Management dashboard.
    • Under “Access Management,” select Users from the sidebar.

    Open the amazon IAM user services

    • Next, select Add Users from the upper right corner. Enter your login and choose Next.

    Enter IAM user details

    • A panel allowing you to modify the IAM User’s permissions should appear now.
    • To filter the policies, select Attach policies directly and enter “AmazonSESFullAccess” in the search field.

    Select attach policies directly

    • To give the user full access, look for the “AmazonSESFullAccess” policy in the result list.
    • Proceed as before, but search for “AmazonSESFullAccess” this time. Additionally, check this box.
    • The user will then be able to access services linked to Amazon SES, the company’s notification system.

    Select check box against amazonsesfullaccess

    • After the user has both policies associated with them, click Next. Now, preview the user details.

    Preview the user details

    • Now, a user has been created for your Amazon SES account. After the user account creation, you will see the screen below.

    Create the IAM user

    • After creating the user, you have to make the access key, click on the user name, and then head towards the security credentials tab. 

    Click the security credentials tab

    • Then, click on the “Create Access Key” button to build a new access key for your account.

    Create access key

    • Afterward, choose the “Other” option in the access key list and click the Next, button.

    Select other and click next

    • You can skip the “Description Tag value” and then hit the “Create Access Key” button.

    Click create access key button

    • You will see a screen with your Access Key along with a Secret Access Key.

    Copy access key to text editor or safer place

    You have successfully, created the access key for your account. Now, you have to keep this key at a safe place and move further with the process.

    2. Moving from the Sandbox to Production

    Your experience with AWS probably started in the sandbox when you created your account.

    Sandboxes shield accounts from misuse, accidental sending, and unforeseen fees.

    If you expect to send emails to anyone, you must request to switch from Sandbox Mode to Production Mode.

    • To switch your Amazon account mode, you must first request more service quota. To do this, navigate to “Service Quotas” under the Account ID.

    Navigate to service quotas in amazon aws dashboard

    • Now, select the “AWS Services” option under the service quotas menu.

    Click on amazon aws services from the side bar

    • Now, select the Amazon ses services from the drop-down menu for which you can increase the quota.

    Select amazon simple email service

    • Press the “Sending Quota” button to request more quota for your account.

    Request for sending quota

    • Click on the “Request Quota Increase” button to enhance the email limit.

    Click on request sending quota

    • Enter the required quota value and hit the request button.

    Enter the quota value and hit the request button

    Now, you have increased the sending quota amount of your Amazon AWS account.

    3. WP Mail SMTP settings on WordPress

    Once you have created the Amazon SES account and increased its limit, you must configure your WP Mail SMTP settings in WordPress.

    • Log in to your WordPress dashboard and search for the WP Mail SMTP plugin in the left-hand side menu. Then, you have to check the license key

    WP mail SMTP license key

    • To allow authentication and fill in the mailbox details, leave the Authentication toggle on and configure the mail settings such as SMTP Password, SMTP Username, From Name, and From Email.

    Configure the mail settings

    • Now, you have to select the mailer option that you want to set up for your website. Choose “Amazon SES” in this option.

    Select amazon ses mailer for wordpress

    • Enter the access key and secret access key in this step to set up your mail delivirability.

    Enter the access key id and secret access key

    • Now, hit the “Save settings” button to save the changes that you have done in the WP Mail SMTP settings.

    Click the save settings button

    • Verify your SES identities through the domain and email address.

    Verify SES identity

    • Preview your SES identities and hit the save button.

    Preview SES identities and hit the save settings button

    You have successfully created the Amazon SES for your WordPress website using the WP Mail SMTP plugin to resolve the email deliverability issues.

    Conclusion

    Amazon Simple Email Service (SES) is a robust and dependable platform for sending transactional, marketing, and notification emails quickly. Setting up Amazon SES is easy: There are only a few easy steps.