Extra: 50 Top blog tips feature preview

The latest issue of Web Designer boasts fifty of the best tips and techniques for leading blogging platforms, WordPress, Joomla, Drupal and Squarespace. For a taster of what can be expected here is a selection of exclusive online tips. If you love these we guranatee that the 50 Top blog tips feature in Web Designer 171 will not disappoint. Enjoy.

WordPress

Modify post date
By default, WordPress posts are assigned the current date and time. This means that if a post is time or date sensitive, eg the author forget to post on the correct date, it can look out of place at the top of the post pile. To change the date of a post first select the post by pressing Edit. In the Publish module click Edit next to Published on:. Change the date, click OK and press Update Post.

Schedule a post
Typically, posts are published the same time as they are created. However, if needed a post can be post dated to appear at a certain time in the future. First, create a new and head to the Publish module when complete. Click the Edit link after Publish immediately, add the desired date and time and press OK. Finally, click the Schedule button to finish.

Joomla

Essential free extensions
When you install Joomla you just get just he bare bones of a CMS. The next job is to ‘pimp’ your Joomla ‘ride’ by installing extensions. Here are a few ‘must haves’ which you really must download: JCE Editor (www.joomlacontenteditor.net/) is an essential content editor, JoomlaComment (http://joomlacode.org/gf/project/joomagecomment) puts comment boxes beneath all stories (don’t forget, unlike WordPress, Joomla does not include comment functionality by default), Foobla RSS Creator (http://foobla.com/) handles all your feed needs and JoomlaStats (http://www.joomlastats.org/) handles site traffic stats. These extensions are free and will really enhance your Joomla experience, so what are you waiting for?

Uninstall old extensions
Extensions can be a cause of security holes. Take a look at the vulnerable extensions list at http://docs.joomla.org/Vulnerable_Extensions_List for a rogues gallery of evil extensions. You may wish to patch  or even uninstall potential dodgy extensions. Before you do any of this back-up your database, so why not install Akeeba Backup (www.akeebabackup.com) a free component that allows you to restore your site easily. To properly remove an extension (rather than just disabling it) select Extensions – Install / Uninstall from the menu and then select the type of extension you wish to uninstall. You have the choice of removing any non-essential component, modules, plugin, languages or template.

Squarespace

URL Shortcuts
Squarespace includes URL Shortcuts to perform URL Rewrite, 301 Redirect, and 302 Redirect. This is an incredibly handy feature if you need to move a page in an SEO friendly way, but this feature has additional uses as well. Sites like Google, eBay, and Paypal often request that you point to a /root level ownership verification file within your site. Since all files within Squarespace exist at “/storage”, you’ll need to use the URL Shortcut feature to point “/file” to “/storage/file” within your site. You can access the URL Shortcut feature within the Website Manager under “Structure”.

Optimizing Squarespace sites for Search Engines
While Squarespace sites are setup automatically to use clean URL structure for modern SEO, there are a couple of additional tweaks you can make to ensure site visibility. Make sure that you’ve enabled search engines to index your site content. Go to Website Management>Website Settings>Search/Indexing. Add a “Description” for your site, and check the boxes to allow search engines to index and archive your site. If you’re using a Journal page within your site, open the Journal configuration menu and scroll to “XML-RPC Ping Options”. Click the listed sites to enable pings for new entries automatically.

Code Injection
Squarespace includes Code Injection Points within Website Management>Website Settings>Code Injection that you can use to add new regions of code at various points in the lower level markup. These points allow for the addition of Flash header code, Google ad banners, custom navigation, etc. However, a favourite trick is also to open a <div> tag within a top level injection point like “Pre Canvas” and close the </div> within a lower level injection point like “Post Canvas”. This way, you can add additional wrappers to your site as needed.

Total CSS Control
Deep within the underbelly of Squarespace lies a dark and powerful feature that only the most seasoned of developers dare to explore. Within Style Edit Mode > Advanced you’ll find a small check box for “Complete CSS Override”. This setting removes all Squarespace Core CSS and puts you in control. For advanced users, this setting is sure to be a CSS Edit, lights out, zen in the art, romp through a cavern of mystery – with only the markup to guide you. Novice users should expect to turn back fairly quickly.