Welcome to the first in a series of weekly posts we will be writing, on Wednesdays, about WordPress called Wicked WordPress Wednesdays. I hope you will join in on the conversations, find the information useful and possibly subscribe for regular updates.

For those of you that use WordPress, you know there are thousands of plugins to chose from that can be added to your site to boost its functionality. One plugin that I often use for my own sites and my clients is the Google XML-Sitemap. This is an easy to use tool that will generate an XML sitemap for your site and streamline the process of getting your site index by the popular search engines such as Google, Bing, Yahoo and Ask.com.

Once you have installed the plugin, the set up process is pretty straight forward, however lately it seems as though a number of people I’ve talked to have been stumped by this step. Not to worry, I’m happy to help guide them/you through it.

Selecting the search engines you want notified when changes are made to your site is as simple as checking the appropriate box under “Basic Options” of the XML Sitemap settings screen. This isn’t exactly the case for Yahoo. Although there are a couple of extra steps involved, it’s also pretty easy. Keep reading for instructions.

While in your WordPress dashboard, scroll down to the “Settings” section in the sidebar and select “XML Sitemap”. You will see the “Basic Options” box.

Step #1 – Check the box that reads Notify Yahoo about updates for your blog

Step #2 – To get a Yahoo application id, click on Request one here!

To proceed with the request for a Yahoo application id, you will need a Yahoo account. If you don’t have one, you will need to register for one in order to continue.

You should now be at the Yahoo login screen. Go ahead and log in!

After logging in, you will be taken to the Yahoo Developer Registration page. Your Yahoo ID will auto populate in the first field. Proceed with filling in the rest of the required fields:

Authentication method: Select Generic, No user authentication required
Developer/Company Name: I recommend just using your name
Product name: I would reference the sitemap so it’s easy to remember what this id is for
Contact email: Your email address
Description of Application: A short description of what the application id will be doing (feel free to use my description)

Click “Continue” and you will be taken to your Yahoo application id. Copy the code and paste it into the box titled “Your Application ID” in your XML Sitemap “Basic Options” settings screen. Save your XML Sitemap options and you’re all set to ping Yahoo when you make the next change to your blog/website.

Click “Finished”, accept the Yahoo Terms of Service and Voila! Your done!

The great thing about the XML Sitemap plugin is that it automatically regenerates the sitemap any time you edit, publish or delete a post so there is no need to manually rebuild it when you make changes.

I hope this was helpful.

The gang at Automattic are at it again. Who better to help protect your WordPress blogs, posts, comments, plugins and themes than the ones behind the scenes at WordPress.com.

What is VaultPress?

According the VaultPress site:

VaultPress is a subscription-based protection, security and backup service for WordPress blogs and sites. It’s built on the same Automattic grid that reliably serves over 11 million WordPress.com blogs and 250 million monthly visitors.

The VaultPress security and backup service allows for an easy set-up in 3 steps, real time, continuous backup and synchronization and simple restoration of files when necessary.

Who is VaultPress for?

The answer to this question is one simple word…everyone. VaultPress covers everyone from the personal blogger to large corporate companies and IT managers running a single site or multiple sites using the WordPress platform. Visit the links below for detailed information

• Personal Bloggers
• Professional Bloggers
• Small & Medium Businesses
• IT Managers

VaultPress Video Introduction

Don’t miss out. VaultPress has now begun handing out Golden Tickets. Sign up now and get your name on the list to protect your blogs with VaultPress.

Yesterday, WordPress announced the release of WordPress 3.0 “Thelonious”. This has been a highly anticipated release for WordPress users with a ton of new features, and 1,217 bug fixes, to make WordPress a more powerful, easy and exciting user experience.

WordPress 3.0 New Features

• A new default theme called Twenty Ten
• New API’s allowing for easy customization of backgrounds, headers, shortlinks, menus, post types and taxonomies (taxonomies are are a way of grouping things together).
• Merging of MU and WordPress
• Ability to run bulk updates (I love this one!)
• and many more…

WordPress 3.0 “Thelonious” Video

Watch the video below for a complete run down of the new WordPress 3.0.

You can also visit the 3.0′s Codex page for a more detailed look at the improvements and the WordPress Trac for known issues.

Have you already upgraded to WordPress 3.0? I’d love to hear what you think about the new changes and how they’ve benefited your site(s)…or not.

I am always on the lookout for great new WordPress themes to use on client sites, and the ability to customize them is really important. I am by no means a coding expert, although I continue to learn and enjoy the process.

StudioPress offers a whole line of premium WordPress themes, that I love, and are easily customizable. Brian Gardner of StudioPress recently announced that they are taking their line of themes one step further and launching a new WordPress theme framework called Genesis.

Genesis was developed with the new and veteran WordPress users in mind and they have packed this framework full of widgets, hooks, layouts and first rate SEO optimization for ease of use and expandability.

Brian also mentioned that the Genesis theme will not only be the framework for all future StudioPress themes, it will also be used for the current themes as well.

According to the StudioPress blog, some of the widgets included in Genesis are:

• My Tweets – displays an unordered list of your latest Tweets (view widget)
• User Profile – displays the Gravatar of a user, as well as their biography and a link to an about page (view widget)
• eNews & Updates – displays an opt-in box for users to sign up for delivery of your posts by email (view widget)
• Featured Posts – displays post excerpts and a thumbnail to be used in a homepage featured section (view widget)
• Featured Page – displays page excerpts and a thumbnail to be used in a homepage featured section (view widget)

An added feature that I am excited about in the Genesis framework are the 30 plus hooks they have incorporated. This might not mean much to the new WordPress user, however developers and advanced users love these. My site, this one, is run on the Thesis platform which also uses hooks to make adding content to the site easier and flexible (once you get the hang of them).

In a nutshell, hooks are like “positions” of various content on your site. I’ll leave a more in depth explanation of hooks for a future post.

The Genesis theme platform will also include 3 layout options, BuddyPress compatibility, custom thumbnail image sizing and a Child Theme Marketplace (by invite only). I personally can’t wait to get my hands on this theme and look forward to hearing feedback from all you beta testers out there.

Sneak peak of the Mocha Child Theme for Genesis.

For more information about the StudioPress Genesis theme framework visit the StudioPress blog or click Demo to see it in action.

StudioPress does it again. What a great way to start the new year.

As a fan of Brian Gardner and the theme development work he does at StudioPress, I am really excited about their newest premium WordPress theme.

Brian partnered with the crew at MyTechOpinion (Nicole Nicolay, Reggie Nicolay and Chad Johnson) to put together the AgentPress Real Estate WordPress theme for agents and brokers.

The AgentPress theme offers all the same great code, sleek design and features as the other StudioPress themes with a couple of added features for the real estate professional.

AgentPress has incorporated a custom property template that enables you to display each listing as a separate post with all the property details and relevant information laid out in a professional, eye catching, easy to read format. The custom property template includes the following:

• Property Details – Square footage, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, MLS#, etc.
• Additional Features – A section to highlight the properties unique features.
• Additional Photos – Various interior and exterior photos.
• Property Map – A section to embed a Google map of the property.

In addition, the auto sizing thumbnail management does all the work for you. Upload your main property image once and AgentPress automatically resizes the image for you and sets you apart from the crowd with it’s incredible display.

As with all Brian’s StudioPress themes, AgentPress offers endless possibilities for a real estate website with its four different theme color options and a little customization.

For more information, visit the AgentPress site or go straight to the Demo and have a look.

As a Real Estate Professional, you probably spend a good part of your day, most days, concentrating on the revenue generating tasks of your business such as previewing homes, meeting with clients, showing homes, presenting offers and holding open houses, and if you’re not; you should be. The reality is that most Real Estate Professionals find themselves juggling time spent on day-to-day administrative duties, and time spent on the more important tasks of building relationships and generating revenue.

Let a Professional Real Estate Virtual Assistant (PREVA) eliminate the need to “juggle” and take care of the day-to-day administrative duties for you. These tasks, or business solutions as I like to call them, may include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Blogging
If you don’t already have one, a PREVA can set up a blog for you using your existing website set-up or one of the more popular blogging platforms such as WordPress (free and self hosted sites) and TypePad. Once set up, or using your existing blog, a PREVA can help maintain and update the blog, as well as brainstorm content ideas.

2. Contact Management
Keeping your contacts and leads up-to-date is key. Using a CRM (Contact Relationship Management) program such as Outlook, ACT, or my personal favorite, The Wise Agent, a PREVA can customize, organize, update and maintain all of your contacts, appointments and deadlines in such a way that flows with your own personal working style.

3. Drip Email Campaigns
We will create, customize, maintain and arrange distribution of email campaigns for your buyers and sellers which is key to keeping you in the forefront of your contacts minds.

4. Flyers
Let a PREVA create fabulous marketing tools such as Listing Presentations and CMA’s that will “wow” your clients and keep you one step ahead of your competition

5. Listing Management
As a PREVA, we will handle all aspects of your listings from submission to your local real estate board, email blasts to agents and brokerages and advertising, to the creation of all related marketing materials, submission to your own websites, blogs and popular real estate portals and even purchasing your buyer/seller closing gift. This is only the tip of the iceberg.

6. Postcards
Creation and distribution of Just Listed, Just Sold and Specialty postcards will keep you on track with consistent marketing efforts.

7. Single Property Websites
Without a doubt, Single Property Websites, such as MarketSites by MyMarketWare should be at that the top of the list in the marketing plan for your listings. Each listing will be assigned its own unique URL, and as your PREVA we will handle the creation, submission and maintenance of each single property website with statistical information, for each site, sent to you regularly.

8. Virtual Tours
Another great marketing tool is the virtual tour. What better way to show off all corners of the home than with fabulous images, descriptions and links to capture the attention of prospective buyers. As a PREVA I will set all this up for you with special attention to where the virtual tour will be posted, to give your listing maximum online exposure (i.e. your websites, blogs and numerous other real estate portals). My virtual tour platform of choice is Real Estate Shows for its flexibility and high quality presentation.

9. Website Maintenance
We will ensure that your website(s) are kept up-to-date with current listings, news and buyer and seller information.

Lastly and most important…

10. Time and Money
Time is something we can give you to spend with family and concentrate on those revenue generating tasks mentioned above. Money can also be saved by partnering with a Professional Real Estate Virtual Assistant. Contact Me for a cost comparison of using a PREVA as opposed to, or in conjunction with, an “on-site” assistant.

Photo by yoppy