Museum websites featuring the latest design (like this one!) run on a content management system called WordPress. The videos on this page will show you how to do most basic editing functions on WordPress so you can start creating your first posts and pages (and understand the difference between them).


Videos on this page:

(Looking for tutorials on working with images, documents and other media? That’s so important they have their own page!)


How to Log In

Learn how to log in to WordPress at the Museum. You will need to use the UF VPN client first if you are not plugged directly into the Museum’s wired network (e.g. off-site or on a wireless connection).

Topics covered:
0:00 – intro
0:27 – make sure to log into the correct area of the site
1:10 – logging in while using a computer connected to the network at museum
2:08 – how to log out
2:22 – using VPN client before logging in while away from museum or using wireless connection
4:40 – be sure to format your VPN client username like this: gatorlink@ufl.edu/flmnh
4:10 – behavior when VPN is not used first

Download step-by-step instructions for logging in/out of WordPress


Dashboard Overview

Take a short tour of the Dashboard, the “behind-the-scenes” administration area you will use to manage everything about your WordPress site.

Topics covered:
0:00 – intro
0:15 – how to log out
0:28 – left side upper menu
0:39 – My Sites
0:48 – Site name (toggle non-dashboard view)
1:25 – left side menu intro
1:50 – Posts
2:12 – Media library
2:36 – Pages
3:05 – Comments
3:20 – TablePress
3:35 – Appearance
3:57 – Profile
4:30 – Tools

Download a written overview of the WordPress dashboard


Posts vs. Pages

Posts and pages may look similar, but they serve different functions in WordPress. Posts are best for news updates or subjects that change frequently, while pages are best for static content that doesn’t change often.

Topics covered:

0:00 – intro
0:36 – post examples
1:25 – post features
1:47- page examples and features
2:52 – locating Posts menu in the dashboard
3:35 – locating Pages menu in the dashboard
3:40 – review of major differences

Download a chart comparing posts and pages


Create Your First Page or Post

Learn how easy it is to create and publish your very first page or post!

Topics covered:
0:00 – intro
0:20 – new page example
0:47 – page title
1:05 – permalink (URL)
1:38 – add text to content area
1:58 – toolbar
2:30 – copying content from Word
3:30 – publishing options (save draft, preview, publish date)
4:14 – featured image
4:30 – publishing your page
4:50 – view page
5:15 – new post example
5:30 – author to display option (override default author)
5:50 – publish date settings
6:36 – categories and tags
6:46 – featured image

Download step-by-step instructions for creating your first page/post-page


Editor Toolbar Overview

Learn about the different options available in the WordPress editing toolbar.

Topics covered:
0:00 – intro
0:24 – paragraph and heading formatting
1:05 – formatting headings correctly is important for accessibility
2:10 – Lede/intro paragraph and drop cap formats
3:00 – small text formatting
3:15 – links with no underlines (rarely used)
3:40 – hover over buttons to see what buttons do
3:55 – bold and italic
4:08 – bulleted or numbered lists
4:18 – text alignment
4:36 – links
5:25 – basic table
5:52 – undo/redo
5:55 – special characters
6:15 – toolbar toggle
6:40 – strikethrough
6:46 – horizontal line
6:58 – text color
7:05 – paste as plain text
7:55 – clear formatting
8:04 – text indent
8:15 – keyboard shortcuts menu
8:44 – remaining buttons are advanced options that will be covered in a different video


Categories and Tags (Posts Only)

Categories and tags organize your posts and help visitors find information. Categories generally cover broad topics (think book chapter titles) and tags are much more specific (think book index words). If you do not set up your own categories, all of your posts will be filed under the “Uncategorized” category. Using categories is recommended; using tags is completely optional.

Topics covered:
0:00 – intro
0:20 – what are categories?
1:22 – what are tags?
2:10 – editing categories while writing a post
3:17 – editing tags while writing a post
4:18 – finding in dashboard menu (under Posts)
4:28 – editing categories from Category menu
5:25 – editing tags from Tags menu
5:40 – review of difference

Download step-by-step instructions for managing categories and tags