Author: Darryl Bartlett
Publisher: In Easy Steps
Pages: 192
ISBN: 978-1840788532
Print: 1840788534
Kindle:  B07WD95M2B
Audience: Non programmers interested in WordPress
Rating: 3
Reviewer: Kay Ewbank

This is a book aimed firmly at non-programmers who know nothing about web development, so will be of limited interest to most of you. What I've tried to work out is whether it would be useful to someone who isn't a programmer and wants to create websites.

The book starts with an introduction to WordPress, including WordPress Hosting, and the difference between a blog and a website. That pretty much sets the level of knowledge expected of the reader.

The next chapter introduces the WordPress dashboard and how to create users to work on a WordPress publication, followed by a look at appearances and themes. 

Adding content is the next topic, with instructions on how to add pages and posts, images, videos, custom HTML, shortcodes, audio and categories.

From here onwards the book covers more advanced topics - using plugins and setting up an online store both seem a bit advanced given the earlier chapters, and some basic information (such as what a plugin is and what advantages it offers) isn't covered. I have the same criticism of the chapter on settings and tools; the approach is more about a rewording of the online help than any attempt to add context.

A chapter on SEO and social concentrates on using the Yoast WordPress SEO plugin, and also has brief discussions of Twitter, and Instagram. This is followed by a look at user interaction in the form of comments, forums, and contact form.

A chapter on tips and tricks such as using Google Analytics, Google Maps, is at the level of 'this exists', while the section on signing people up for newsletters has very inadequate mention of data protection regulations. The book ends with a chapter on advanced WordPress with a lightning tour or PHP, setting up FTP, and backup.

I started reading this book trying hard not to be negative; it's not aimed at programmers, so it's unfair to mark it down for not meeting the needs of that audience. However, as I read the coverage of different topics, I increasingly felt it wasn't meeting the needs of someone starting out. There's a lot of 'click this option' with too little of what the advantages or drawbacks of using that option offer. If you're thinking of recommending this book to avoid having to be a free consultant to someone starting out with a website or blog, it might help a bit, but you're still going to have to explain a lot.

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