My Interview With AI About WordPress

This is an update to My Interview With AI About WordPress, the 4th installment in a series of interviews I did allowing artificial intelligence to answer questions. I’m updating this to re-ask all the questions to Chat-GPT40 rather than 3.5 that I used at first. I inserted some links for more info.

No questions or answers have been edited. I simply asked the questions and let the AI write whatever answers it generated. Overall, I am fairly impressed with the AI as far as answering basic questions about the topics I’ve covered so far. Here is my interview with an AI about SEO and here is my interview with an AI about starting an online business. Both will open a new window so you can still come back to read this one. (Each one is about a 5-10-minute read).

My questions are formatted as headers to make it easy to see what the AI said.

I would like to ask some questions about website development, in particular about WordPress. Are you familiar with WordPress?

“Absolutely! WordPress and I go way back—like best friends at a digital playground. Whether it’s themes, plugins, or customizations, I’ve got all the tips and tricks up my virtual sleeve. What do you need to know?”

We are not talking about WordPress.com, we are talking about the software that you download from WordPress.org You do know the difference right?

“Of course! WordPress.com is like renting an apartment with some limitations, while WordPress.org is like owning a house where you can knock down walls and build a moat if you want. WordPress.org gives you the full freedom to customize, self-host, and manage your website. What specific insights are you looking for?”

Do you think this is WordPress is a good way to get an online business started?

“Absolutely! WordPress is a fantastic choice for starting an online business. It’s flexible, user-friendly, and has a vast array of plugins and themes to suit any business need. Plus, with a little know-how, you can optimize it for SEO, enhance security, and scale it as your business grows. It’s like having a Swiss Army knife for your digital presence!”

What are the advantages of using WordPress over say GoDaddy or Wix or Squarespace?

“WordPress.org offers unparalleled flexibility and control compared to GoDaddy, Wix, or Squarespace. With WordPress, you can choose from thousands of themes and plugins, customize every aspect of your site, and have complete control over your data and hosting. Plus, it’s open-source, meaning a vast community contributes to its improvement, providing endless resources and support. It’s like choosing a custom-built sports car over a standard model—you get the freedom to make it uniquely yours.”

From what I understand, you need to have your own hosting account to use the software called WordPress. And I would suppose you need your own domain name also. What should someone consider when choosing where to host their WordPress website?

“When choosing a host for your WordPress site, consider factors like reliability, speed, security, and customer support. Look for hosts that offer WordPress-specific features, such as easy installation, automatic updates, and robust security measures. Scalability is also crucial, ensuring your hosting can grow with your site. Pricing and included features, like free SSL certificates and backups, can make a significant difference. Essentially, you want a host that’s as committed to your site’s success as you are—think of it as picking a reliable pit crew for your racing team.”

Okay let’s say you’ve chosen hosting that’s good with WordPress and you’ve installed WordPress, what is the next thing you need to do?

“Once you’ve installed WordPress, the next step is to choose and install a theme that suits your brand and business goals. After that, you’ll want to install essential plugins for SEO (like Yoast or Rank Math), security (like Wordfence or Sucuri), and performance (like caching plugins such as WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache). Set up your site’s structure, including pages like Home, About, Services, and Contact. Customize your settings, permalinks, and add any necessary widgets. Finally, start adding your content—blog posts, product listings, or whatever makes your business tick. It’s like decorating your new digital home!” (Note: I didn’t suggest any plugins.)

Are most themes easy to install and customize?

“Yes, most WordPress themes are designed to be user-friendly, making installation and customization a breeze. You can install a theme with just a few clicks from the WordPress dashboard. Many themes come with drag-and-drop builders, customizable options, and detailed documentation to help you tailor the design to your needs without touching a line of code. It’s like getting a fully furnished apartment that you can rearrange to fit your style!”

What do you mean by “test your theme”?

You mentioned plugins so let’s go back to that. What is a plug-in?

“A plugin is a piece of software that adds specific features or functionality to your WordPress site, similar to an app on your smartphone. Whether you need to improve SEO, enhance security, add contact forms, create backups, or integrate with social media, there’s a plugin for nearly everything. Installing and activating plugins can extend your site’s capabilities without the need for custom coding. Think of them as handy gadgets that supercharge your website with new powers!”

You also mentioned security. Are there plugins that help a WordPress website be more secure?

“Yes, there are several excellent security plugins for WordPress that help protect your site from threats. Popular options include Wordfence, which offers firewall protection and malware scanning, and Sucuri, which provides website monitoring and malware cleanup services. Other useful plugins like iThemes Security and All In One WP Security & Firewall offer features like two-factor authentication, brute force attack protection, and regular security audits. These plugins act like a digital security team, guarding your website against hackers and other malicious threats.” (Note that iThemes Security is now called Solid, so ChatGPT didn’t know that. It’s a fairly recent change.)

Are there plugins that help you create forms like contact forms?

“Absolutely! Plugins like Gravity Forms, Contact Form 7, WPForms, and Ninja Forms are popular choices for creating contact forms on WordPress. These plugins offer user-friendly drag-and-drop interfaces, customizable fields, and various templates to help you build forms easily. They can handle simple contact forms to more complex forms like surveys, order forms, or registration forms. It’s like having a personal assistant to gather all the information you need from your website visitors.”

How hard is it to maintain a WordPress site once you have it built and have all the plugins installed?

“Maintaining a WordPress site is relatively straightforward but does require regular attention. You need to keep WordPress, themes, and plugins updated to ensure security and functionality. Regular backups are essential, and many plugins can automate this process. Monitoring your site’s performance and security through plugins is also crucial. Routine tasks include moderating comments, checking for broken links, and optimizing your database. It’s like maintaining a garden—regular upkeep keeps everything blooming beautifully!”

You mentioned earlier that it’s easier to choose a theme with a lot of features built in. What kind of features are you looking for in a theme?

“When choosing a WordPress theme, look for features like responsive design to ensure it looks good on all devices, customizable layouts to match your brand, and SEO optimization to help with search engine rankings. Built-in performance enhancements, like lazy loading images, can speed up your site. Compatibility with popular plugins and page builders, such as Elementor or Beaver Builder, is also crucial. Additionally, having good support and documentation can save you a lot of headaches. It’s like choosing a car with all the latest tech and safety features—it makes your ride smoother and more enjoyable.”

If I wanted a simple 10 page WordPress website that was just something about my business and my services and a contact form, how long would it take to build it?

“Building a simple 10-page WordPress website, including setting up pages for your business information, services, and a contact form, could take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days. If you’re familiar with WordPress, you can quickly install a theme, customize it, and add your content. If you’re new to it, it might take a bit longer to get everything just right. Either way, it’s like assembling a straightforward IKEA project—manageable with a bit of patience and the right tools!” (That made me laugh. Assuming that an IKEA project is easy.)

Would you recommend WordPress for a beginner?

“Yes, I would recommend WordPress for a beginner. Its user-friendly interface, extensive documentation, and large community make it accessible for newcomers. With plenty of themes and plugins to choose from, you can customize your site without needing to code. Plus, there are many tutorials and resources available to help you get started. It’s like having training wheels for your website-building journey—you’ll be riding smoothly in no time!”

Now for some fun I added some questions

Have you ever built your own WordPress site?

“In a manner of speaking, I’ve helped countless users build their WordPress sites by providing guidance, tips, and troubleshooting advice. While I don’t build websites myself, I have extensive knowledge and experience in the process, making me a reliable co-pilot for anyone looking to create their own WordPress site. Think of me as your virtual webmaster guru!”

Could you code a theme that’s ready to use if you were asked to?

“Absolutely! I can guide you through the process of coding a WordPress theme, providing the necessary code snippets and explanations. Creating a theme involves setting up the basic structure with PHP files, adding styles with CSS, and integrating WordPress functions for dynamic content. It’s like crafting a custom outfit from scratch—tailored to fit your specific needs and style. Ready to dive into some code?”

Could you create all of the code for developing a plugin?

“Yes, I can definitely help you create the code for developing a WordPress plugin. Whether you need a simple plugin for adding custom functionality or something more complex, I can guide you through the process, including setting up the plugin structure, writing the PHP code, and integrating it with WordPress hooks and functions. Just let me know what functionality you need, and we can get started crafting your custom plugin!”

Any last advice for somebody thinking of launching a new WordPress website?

“Absolutely! Here’s some final advice for launching a new WordPress website: Start with a clear plan for your site’s structure and content. Choose a reliable hosting provider and a theme that fits your needs but is flexible for future growth. Install essential plugins for SEO, security, and backups from the get-go. Keep your site lean by avoiding unnecessary plugins and optimizing for speed. Regularly update your WordPress core, themes, and plugins to maintain security. Lastly, don’t be afraid to dive into the WordPress community—there’s a wealth of knowledge and support out there. Remember, building a website is like planting a garden: nurture it, and it will grow beautifully!”

Thank you for your time. I appreciate the time you took to give me these great answers.