SELF-TASTIC.

COM SCRIPT
ACCESS PLUGINS
Download: [Link]/resources (free)(scroll down to reveal free plugins)
Download: [Link]/upgrade-now (pro version in case you wanted added features)
Download: [Link]/products (in case you need premium features)

ACCESS THEME (ASTRA)

[Link]/download-astra (free)(this link automatically downloads the Astra theme to your computer)
Starter Site = Cosmetics Store (free) (this is the complete starter site website we will customize for our needs)
ROYALTY FREE VIDEO CLIPS ROYALTY FREE IMAGES
[Link] (free) 123RF (professional images)
[Link] (free) [Link] (free)
[Link] (free) [Link] (free)
[Link]/en/videos (free) [Link] (free)
[Link] (free) [Link] (free)

SOCIAL CONTENT
Medium = [Link]
Instagram = [Link]
Facebook = [Link]
Twitter = [Link]
SELFTASTIC FONT AND COLORS
Self-tasic Font= [Link]
To find Hex colors, search Google for "color picker" or (Click This Link)
To find RGBA colors goto [Link] or (Click This Link)
Gray/Brown = #725F4D (Home Title)(Words Of Wisdom Title)
Charcoal = #473C31 (Call To Action All)(Practical Advice Content)(Footer)
Pewter = #9D9F90 (Call To Action Text)
Silver = #CECFC7 (Inspiration Section)
Light Gray = #F8FBFB
Yellow = #F9AE53 (Email base color)
Light Yellow = #E0DFA6 (Pepper Lowe)
Light Blue = #A8E0D9 (Background) (Call To Action Section)
Med Blue = #8DD7D6 (Inspiration Section)
Logo Red = #CA433F
Logo Orange = #F9AE53
Logo Green = #78C29E (Store Notice color as well)
GETTING STARTED
COURSE IN REVIEW
In this video you will learn how to create a complete website/blog then learn how to
add a shopping cart to that website. Alternatively you may already have your own
website and you want to add a shopping cart to your existing website. If that is the
case I will let you know when to jump ahead in the video.

Everything we will cover can be accomplished at no cost to you except for the very
reasonable hosting as mentioned earlier. At first glance many of the visual features of
your website might be only controllable with a paid version of a plugin or theme, but
throughout this video I will do my best to provide you the needed code and/or other
free solutions to ensure you can build everything you need at no cost.

Now, Admittedly I am no Bob Ross, but I will definitely do my best to keep things fun
and easy. (Bob Ross [Link]) Hopefully the tips I just provided you will insure your
experience building a website will be met with confidence and enjoyment.

ACCESS THE COURSE INDEX

Below each of my videos you will find a complete index for the video. Simply scroll
below the video, click "SHOW MORE", then scroll down again to the TIMESTAMPS.

ACCESS THE COURSE SCRIPT

In a previous video a subscriber noticed that I follow a script file that I created to use
as a guide to make it easier for me to have access to needed notes and content for
making my videos. They suggested that I make my video scripts available to everyone.
It was a great idea. To access the course script for this video, about a new browser tab,
then go to [Link]/script in your new browser tab.

THIS SCRIPT VS THE VIDEO

I do my best to follow this script to minimize the number of things that will go wrong
for you (and me) when building the website/blog/shopping cart. This script is "MY"
guide to making the video, whereas the video is "YOUR" guide to making things work
for you. That being said, use the script as a reference, but use the video as your guide.

wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwYODA YOU TALK TOO FAST

(I know you are saying to yourself, "Hey Yoda why all the extra w's below" IWTY)
Some of my subscribers point out that I tend to talk fast. This is unavoidable as my
processor runs a little faster like a child's processor, probably because I refuse to
completely grow up. Fortunately YouTube offers a feature to slow videos down to meet
your needs. Just click on the gear at the bottom of the video, then choose the desired
playback speed. Clearly 50% speed may be fun, however it is a little too slow, but most
people find 75% speed to do the trick just fine.

ALREADY HAVE A WEBSITE?

At this point, If you already have a website, proceed to the "ENABLE SSL" section

HOSTING & WORDPRESS

WEBSITE HOSTING
Choose the best website hosting (Follow the video)
Purchase website hosting (Follow the video)
Link = [Link]

INSTALL WORDPRESS
As a reminder, If you already have a website, proceed to the "ENABLE SSL" section
Login to your cPanel account
Install WordPress (Follow the video)
Choose Protocol = http:// (Do NOT choose https:// at this time)
Choose Domain = [Link]
Site Title = Selftastic
Tagline = Stories about life lessons, thoughts, and advice on self-improvement
Username = yodauser
Password = Strong Password
Admin Email = Your Email Address
Scroll to bottom, Set "Email installation details to : " = Your Email Address
Click "Install" , then scroll to the top to watch the progress

THEME & PLUGINS

DELETE ALL PAGES
Final reminder, If you already have a website, proceed to the "ENABLE SSL"
To delete pages goto Dashboard > Pages
Select all pages > Choose "Move To Trash" > Apply
Click on Trash > Select all pages > Permanently Delete trash

DELETE ALL PLUGINS

To delete plugins goto Dashboard > Plugins
Select all plugins > deactivate plugins
Select all plugins again > delete plugins

INSTALL ASTRA THEME

Yet another reminder, If you already have a website, proceed to the "ENABLE SSL"
Goto [Link]/resources, and download the "Astra Theme"
Goto Dashboard > Appearance > Themes > Add New > Upload Theme > Choose File
Choose [Link], click "Open", the theme will install, then click "activate"
Next click "Update Now" to Update the theme

DOWNLOAD NEEDED PLUGINS

All of the needed plugins are available for free via a [Link]/resources. Some of
you are saying to yourselves "But Yoda, why download plugins from their when my
WordPress admin has a library of plugins"? IWTY I can not assume that all hosting
companies have a complete collection of all the free plugins needed. By providing the
plugins I can guarantee all the needed plugins continue to be available and free. During
this video we will discuss some paid features that I prefer, but none of those features
will be required features.
Goto [Link]/resources
Scroll down to locate the plugins to download

INSTALL NEEDED PLUGINS

You will often see advertisements popup, and I dismiss them regularly
To minimize confusion, install plugins in the order listed below to match the video
Goto your wordpress Dashboard > Plugins
For each plugin choose "Add New", choose "Upload Plugin", install plugin & activate

1. [Link]
 2. [Link]
3. [Link]
4. [Link]
5. [Link] * (AKA Profile Press plugin)
6. [Link]
7. [Link] (DO NOT INSTALL AT THIS TIME)
8. [Link] (DO NOT INSTALL AT THIS TIME)
9. [Link] (DO NOT INSTALL AT THIS TIME)
10. [Link] (DO NOT INSTALL AT THIS TIME)

* The Profile Press plugin may want to create some pages, choose "No Thanks"

INSTALL WEBSITE
INSTALL ASTRA STARTER WEBSITE (FREE)
Goto Dashboard > Plugins
Now, Choose "See Library", Sometimes you might see this error:

Simply back up in your browser, then choose "See Library" again, and it will work
Next it will say "Select Page Builder", You choose "Elementor"
(Starter Sites explained in video)
Use the "All" pulldown to choose "eCommerce Templates"
Scroll down and click on the free site "Cosmetics Store"
Choose "Import Complete Site"
You will see "One Last Step.."
Set "I'm a WordPress" = Intermediate
Set "I'm building a website for:" = Myself/My Company
Click "Advanced", then confirm these are the settings ([Link])
[ ] Delete Previously Imported Site (This option may not always display)
[✓] Import Customizer Settings (This option may not always display)
[✓] Import Widgets (This option may not always display)
[✓] Import Content (This option may not always display)
Click "Next"
Again you will see "One Last Step.." asking for your name & email, just choose "skip"
You see "Your Selected Website is Being Imported."
Once the import is complete, close the notification window

DISABLE WOOCOMMERCE (FOR NOW)

Whether you plan to use a shopping cart on your website or not, we will disable it for
now to minimize confusion as we complete your regular website first. Once your
regular website is complete it will be super easy to reactivate the shopping cart and get
it all set up for use in your website.

Disable WooCommerce Plugin via Dashboard > Plugins > Deactivate WooCommerce
Remove "Shop" from menu via Dashboard > Appearance > Menu
Choose "Primary Menu", click select, remove "Shop", choose "Save Menu"

DOWNLOAD NEEDED CONTENT

All the content needed to build everything found in the course is included in this
content download. Simply go to [Link]/resources then choose the "Download
Content" button to download the content. Once downloaded you can right click the file
and extract the content to a new folder

PHOTOS FOR YOUR WEBSITE

Most of the photos in the website we will build are free to use. The main exceptions
are the ones of Bethany. The photo's of Bethany are copyright WebYoda, so please do
not use any of the photos of Bethany in your website without WebYoda's prior written
consent. For more free photos watch my video on "Best Free Stock Photos & Images"

WHEN THINGS GO WRONG

--- murphy-*.png ---
With most of the setup complete and out of the way, we are now ready to get started
making some real progress. But with progress there are always setbacks.
Murphy's law states that if things can go wrong they will go wrong.
It has been my experience plenty of times while building websites that random
unexplained things seem to go wrong, for example once my update theme button
would not allow me to update, or my widget page was blank at one point, or my
customize options got limited more than once, or my review stars vanished within my
shopping cart for no reason whatsoever.

So about now you are saying to yourself "Hey Yoda, what do I do when things go
wrong?" IWTY In most cases the problem can be resolved in Windows by holding
down CTRL and SHIFT at the same time, then hitting the reload icon at the top left of
my chrome browser. This solution should be effective regardless of the computer or
browser you use. In fact I find myself hitting CTRL/SHIFT/Reload a lot to refresh a
page and possibly fix something. So in your case go to the page that is not showing
the desired features and try CTRL/SHIFT/Reload and see if it fixes the problem, then
repeat if you see problems elsewhere. You might also try clearing your browser cache
and/or restarting your browser. You can also try viewing your website in incognito
mode to see what the rest of the world sees. If you still have troubles, just leave a
message under this video so I can help.

As a last resort you can always restore your website from a backup if things really go
wrong. If you do not have a reliable backup solution in place for your website and
something goes wrong, you could lose everything. I personally use Backup Buddy
which has saved me many times over the years, either way you will want to consider a
backup solution that meets your needs. (Backup Buddy Promo) You will see me
backup my work regularly during this video.

HEADER/MENU
Dashboard > Appearance > Customize > Header Builder > Site Identity & Logo
Move "Site Identity & Logo" option from the center to the left
Move "Primary Menu" option up and to the right side of the "Site Identity & Logo"
Remove "Cart" option (if exists), then Publish
Choose the "Site Identity & Logo" button
Set Logo = [Link]
Set Retinal Logo = [Link]
Scroll down, then set Logo Width = 230px
Change view to Tablet mode, then set Logo Width = 200px
Change view to Phone mode, then set Logo Width = 180px
Scroll down, make sure "Display Site Title" and "Display Site Tagline" are turned off
Scroll to bottom, Set Favicon Logo ([Link])
Scroll to the top, then click the "Customize Transparent Header"
Set Logo = [Link]
Set Retinal Logo = [Link]
Scroll down, then set Logo Width = 230px
Change view to Tablet mode, then set Logo Width = 200px
Change view to Phone mode, then set Logo Width = 180px, then Publish
Dashboard > Appearance > Customize > Header Builder > Primary Menu > Design
Scroll down and choose the "Menu Font" edit icon
Set Font = Open Sans Condensed, Set Font Size = 24px, then Publish
Dashboard > Appearance > Customize > Global > Base Colors
Set Background=#A8E0D9, then Publish
Dashboard > Settings > Permalinks, choose "Post Name", then choose "Save"

HOME CONTENT
COVER SECTION
Goto Dashboard > Pages > Home > Edit With Elementor
Select top section, choose style tab
Set background image = [Link], Update and review
[Link] search = cheerful caucasian european girl with blond hair in a day dress
Line 1 = WELCOME TO (Open Sans Condensed, 23px, Weight=100)
Line 2 = SELF<br>TASTIC (Londrina Shadow, 122px,Line Height=100px,Margin=0)
Line 3 = Be The Best You (Open Sans, 30px, Weight=100, Line Height=19px)
Change "View More" to "Learn More", Link = /about/

ADD INTRO VIDEO

Goto Dashboard > Media, Add intro-selftastic.mp4 to the Media Library
Select intro-selftastic.mp4 so you can copy the "File URL"
Go back to Dashboard > Pages > Home > Edit with Elementor
Select top section, choose style tab, choose the video option
Paste in video link for intro-selftastic.mp4, set Play Once = Yes
Set background fall back to [Link], Update and review
Select the column, choose advanced tab, set motion = Fade In Left, Delay 8000
Update and review

CART ITEMS SHORTCODE

Hide or remove the widget that holds
Shortcode = [products limit="4" columns="4" order="desc"]

CATEGORIES SECTION
Delete "A Brush of Perfection" widget
Set Heading > Title = Advice and encouragement on improving yourself
Heading settings > color=#725F4D, Open Sans Condensed, Padding Bottom=20px
Delete 2 text widgets (you might choose to save the product short code for later use)
Add Inner Section
Add Image, [Link]
Duplicate Title, move under image widget
Set text=Personal Development , Font=Work Sans, Size=22
Duplicate column twice for [Link] & [Link]
Duplicate Inner section for [Link],[Link],[Link]

#1 Personal Development Column #1 Animation=Slide In Right, Delay 1000

#2 Life Lessons Column #2 Animation=Zoom In, Delay None
#3 Family Matters Column #3 Animation=Slide In Left, Delay 1000
#4 Relationships Column #4 Copy Column #1 Style
#5 Business Column #5 Copy Column #2 Style
#6 Mental Health Column #6 Copy Column #3 Style

Set z-axis=1 on Column #2 Life Lessons

Set z-axis=1 on Column #5 Business

INSPIRATION SECTION
Goto [Link] > search = girl umbrella yellow > download image
Goto [Link] > Create new design > Upload image > Crop Image > Save Image
Goto [Link] > Upload Image > Save Image
Select Inspiration Inner Section
Image = [Link], Pos = Center Center, Size = Contained
Drag column ratio to roughly left column 40%, right column 60%
Add Image to left column, image = [Link]
Image margin top=200, motion=fade left,delay=1000
Inspiration Section > background=#8DD7D6, padding top 35px, padding bottom 0px
Categories Section > Style > Bottom Divider = Brush Waves, Color #8DD7D6, 60px
Categories Section > Advanced > Padding = 80, 30, 100, 30
Within Inspiration Section, move large header above small header
Large header = Be Inspired
Large header = Color=#FFFFFF, Font=Montserrat, Size=80, Weight=700
Large header = Margin 0 0 29 0px
Small header = to live your best life
Small header = Color=#FFFFFF, Font=Lora,Size=40,Weight=500
Delete Text Editor
Drag Button to Call to action section to use later
Add Image Carousel, then add images
Image Carousel Settings > Size=Large, 1 Slide, Stretch=Yes, Navigation=None
Image Carousel Advanced Settings > Pause On Hover=No, Effect=Fade
Drag the "Call To Actions" Inner Section to the light blue section

CALL TO ACTIONS
Delete the logo image carousel
Top Divider = Brush Waves, #8DD7D6, 60px
Content Background = Color #A8E0D9
Column 1 Formatting:
Padding = 0 20 0 20, Icon color=#473C31
Heading > Color=#473C31, Font=Montserrat, Size=32, Weight=300
Text > Alignment=Justified, Color=#473C31, Font=Raleway, Size=21, Weight=200
Copy column 1 styles to columns 2 and 3
Set button color=#333333, then duplicate button twice, then distribute
Inner Section Margin Top 100px, Margin Bottom 25px
ABOUT ME
Icon = "Heart" icon #2
Header = About Me
Content = I'm a lifelong learner who loves reading, sci-fi, traveling, riding my horse, and
spending time with my husband and kids. I also write for Quora and Medium.
Button = Learn More, Link=/about/,Hover=Grow
Motion = Fade In Left (column motion)

COMMENTS
Icon = "Comment" icon #3
Header = Comments
Content = Follow me on Medium, Quora, and Twitter. Writers who would like to to write
for my publication or this website can send me a request via my contact form or email.
Button = Contact Me, Link=/contact/,Hover=Grow
Motion = Zoom In (column motion)

NEED ADVICE
Icon = "Question" icon #1
Header = Need advice?
Content = Need advice about relationships, family issues, or social etiquette? Send me
an email and I'll do my best to help. My advice is free, but tips are always appreciated!
Button = Tips Here, link= Your Link Here, Hover=Grow
Motion = Fade In Right (column motion)

WORDS OF WISDOM CAROUSEL SECTION

Create new section above testimonials, one column, background=#FFFFFF
Copy Header widget from top of page then paste in new section
Set Title=Words Of Wisdom
Add Image Carousel widget and add 14 images
Settings > image size=fill, slides show=5, slides scroll=1, Navigation=None, Link=None
Advanced Settings > Pause on hover=No, autoplay speed=500,animation speed=2000
Top Divider = Waves Brush, color=#A8E0D9, Height=60px
Set "Words Of Wisdom" margin=70 0 -25 0
Save Section as Template for later name=Selftastic - Words of Wisdom

TESTIMONIALS
You could keep this section and repurpose to meet your needs, maybe you copy past a
button to say "More Testimonials". In our case Bethany did not need a Testimonials
section for this website so we will remove this section.

Q&A PRACTICAL ADVICE SECTION

Create new section above latest products, two columns, content="full width"
Set column sizes to 55% and 45%, then add image widget to both cells
Background image=[Link], Position=Top Center, Size=Cover
Left column image = [Link], Left column padding = 90 0 40 0
Copy "Words Of Wisdom" widget, then paste below QandA image
Title=Practical Advice,color=#000000,Size=50px
Add Testimonial widget
Image=[Link], Content=Questions and answers from Quora
Name=Pepper Lowe,Title-None, Link=/Contact/, Image Position=Top
Image Style > width=115
Content Style > Font=Droid Arabic Kufi,#473C31,24px
Name Style > Font=Open Sans Cond,#FFFFC0,30px
Right column > Vertical Alignment=Bottom, Margin & Padding 0 0 0 0
image=[Link], size=full, align=left,width=400px
Bethany Image > Advanced > Motion Effects > Slide In Right, Slow, Delay=1000
Top Divider = Waves Brush, color=#FFFFFF, Height=60px

LATEST PRODUCTS SECTION

You could keep this section and repurpose it to meet your needs. In our case Bethany
did not want a latest products section on her home page so we will remove this
section.

JOIN EMAIL
Text = Sign-up For<br>Club Selftastic, Align=Right, Color=#000000
Notice that a short code is used for the email form. We will do this the correct way
Add WPforms widget, Choose form to display, it is that simple, delete short code
You can play any form he you choose, and the forms we will use are free
We will learn how to configure our forms later

CREATE FOOTER
REMOVE DEFAULT FOOTER
Dashboard > Appearance > Customize > Footer Builder
Remove All Widgets

CREATE WEBSITE FOOTER

Dashboard > Appearance > Elementor Header & Footer Builder > Choose "Add New"
Header name = Website Footer
Type of Template = Footer
Display On = Entire Website (Not All Pages)
User Roles = All
Enable Layout for Elementor Canvas Template? = Checked [✓]
Choose Publish
Edit with Elementor
Import [Link]
Rename About /about/ to Shop /shop/
Update to meet your needs, then choose "Update"

DEVICE COMPATIBILITY
HOME PAGE MOBILE ADJUSTMENTS
Set SELF-TASTIC font size = 100
Advice and encouragement on improving yourself column padding = 40 20 40 20
Advice and encouragement on improving yourself font = 26,
Set Wave Divider heights = 30
Umbrella Girl Padding = 60 30 0 30
BE INSPIRED column padding = 30 10 10 10, font size = 38, margin 0 0 0 0
to live your best life font size = 28
Carousel Padding left 10% (if needed)
Comment Icon Margin top = 60
WORD OF WISDOM font size = 40
Hide PRACTICAL ADVICE section on mobile
Sign-up For<br>Club Selftastic align = center
ABOUT US CONTENT
PAGE HEADER
Goto Dashboard > Pages > Hover over About page > Edit with Elementor
New Header image = [Link]
Background overlay Color 1=#000000B3, Location #1=0
Background overlay Color 2=#033B3F00, Location #2=24
Type=Linear, Angle=180
About Title Settings > Align=left, Color=#FFFFFF, Font=Londrina Shadow, Size=90
About Title Padding = 150 0 0 0`
Save top section as Template = Selftastic About Header
Section > Style > Shape Divider Bottom > Type=Tilt Opacity, Color=#A8E0D9, Height=60

ABOUT ME
Section > Style > Color=#A8E0D9
Section > Style > Background Overlay > image=[Link]
Position=Top Left, Attachment=Fixed, Repeat=No Repeat, Size=Cover, Opacity=.05
Section > Advanced > Padding=100 0 100 0
Delete extra Sections, then create new Section one column
Add Header, Title=About Me, Color=#, Font=Montserrat, Size 32, Weight 300
Add Text Editor, Color=#473C31, Font=Raleway, Size 21, Weight 400

Paste Content:
I created this blog website to inspire and encourage others. I've been a writer for some
time but never took my writing seriously enough to have anything published until 2020,
when I started writing on online platforms such as Medium and Quora. People
appreciated my advice and willingness to open up about my own life.

Despite a relatively privileged upbringing, I endured some difficult life experiences as

an adult. I've been homeless. I've had to get groceries at food pantries. I've had my car
repossessed and had to walk an hour to my job because it wasn't on the bus route. I've
had to sell almost all of my belongings to pay rent. I've had to live with some serious
consequences from terrible decisions I made out of naiveté, desperation, and
otherwise bad judgment.

That was well over a decade ago. Since then, starting with my exit from an abusive
relationship, I've made a slow but pretty steady improvement in my life. It has been
anything but easy. I had burned a lot of bridges, some of which could not be rebuilt. But
experience can sometimes be the best teacher, and sometimes picking yourself up
after falling, or tripping, or being pushed, is the best way to learn something. Even if
you have to keep picking yourself up over and over and over. Like me.

I've told many people my story, or at least parts of my story, to let them know that
they're not a failure, and to look at failure as more of an opportunity to get up and get
back in that saddle. After all, I tell them, one doesn't become a good rider until they've
fallen off and gotten back on the horse, over and over, so they can learn what they're
doing wrong and how to do it correctly to get the results they need in order to develop
their riding skills. The same applies to life and its lessons.

For this blog I combined the words "self" and "fantastic" to make my own sort of play-
on word to describe the goal of being, basically, your best self. And our best self now
may be different from our best self five years from now. In order to be "selftastic," one
has to be, at least by my definition, a lifelong learner. Someone who is malleable and
willing to grow and learn from others, as well as from their own past mistakes, can
become their best self.

Here's to being selftastic!

Cheers,

Bethany

Put the cursor at the top of the content.

Choose "Add Media", image=[Link]
Click on image, Choose Align=Right, Choose Edit, Choose Size=Full Size

WORDS OF WISDOM
Insert new Section at bottom, click the Folder icon, choose "My Templates"
Insert "Seltastic - Words Of Wisdom" Template, "Import Document Settings"=No
Section > Style > Shape Divider > Bottom, Type=Waves Brush, Color=#000000, Size=60
Section > Advanced > Padding=0 0 50 0
Goto Dashboard > Pages > Hover over About page > Edit with Elementor

SAVE SECTION TEMPLATE

* This was do above for the video
We are going to want to use the header as a template for the Contact page
Right click the section icon for the Header sections (the top section)
Choose "Save as Template"
Template Name = Selftastic - About Header

CLONE PAGES/UPDATE MENU

DUPLICATE WORDPRESS PAGES
Duplicating pages is a great way to make new pages without having to make
everything from scratch each time. Thus the reason we use the Duplicate plugin
Pages > About > Duplicate, Quick Edit, Name=Gallery, Slug=gallery, Publish
Pages > About > Duplicate, Quick Edit, Name=Blog, Slug=blog, Publish
Note: Services is not actually part of Bethany's website, but you may need one.
Pages > About > Duplicate, Quick Edit, Name=Services, Slug=services, Publish
Note: If you needed extra pages, you could add them the same way
There also exists a Testimonials page (in case you need one) that you code repurpose
using what you learn in this video. Bethany does not need one so I will delete it
Dashboard > Pages > Testimonials > Delete Page

EDIT/UPDATE MAIN MENU

Dashboard > Appearance > Menus
Delete Testimonial from menu (You might keep this for your website)
Add Services to Menu (Only if you need a Services on your website)
Add Gallery to Menu
Add Blog to Menu (Only if you need a Blog on your website)
Note: modern websites no longer need a home button, the logo is the home button
Reorganize menu items. Ex: About | Services | Gallery | Blog | Testimonials | Contact

SERVICES CONTENT
UPDATE SERVICES PAGE
The services page is very briefly covered in the video as it is not needed for Bethany's
website, but provided in case you need one. Updates to services page not covered.
Dashboard > Pages > Services > Edit with Elementor
Delete all widgets leaving only the logo and menu at the top and footer at the bottom
Click the "Folder" icon , choose "My Templates", choose "Import Template"
Select File = [Link]
Insert "Selftastic Services Page"
"Important Document Settings"=No
Choose "Update"

GALLERY CONTENT
UPDATE GALLERY PAGE
Dashboard > Pages > Gallery > Edit with Elementor
Set Title=`, Set Header image=[Link]
Delete Header widget, Delete Text Editor widget
Free Gallery > Add "Basic Gallery", Add 32 pictures, Image Size=Medium, Columns=4
Pro Gallery > Add "Gallery", Add 32 pictures, Layout=Masonry, Columns=4

BLOG/POSTS CONTENT
DON'T WANT A BLOG?
If your website does not need a blog, then you can remove blog from your menu then
jump to the "CONTACT US" section. The following removes "Blog" from the menu
Dashboard > Appearance > Menu > Remove "Blog" from menu > Click "Save Menu"

ADDING A BLOG?
If you have an existing website and want to add a blog, you need to create a new page
called "Blog" with the slug name "blog" then publish. Next add it to your menu bar.
Dashboard > Appearance > Menu > Add "Blog" to menu > Click "Save Menu". Next just
proceed with the rest of this section.
CREATE BLOG PAGE HEADER
Dashboard > Appearance > Elementor Header & Footer Builder > Choose "Add New"
Header name = Blog Page Header
Type of Template = Header
Display On = Blog/Posts Page
User Roles = All
Enable Layout for Elementor Canvas Template? = Checked [✓]
Choose Publish
Edit with Elementor
Import [Link]
Update to meet your needs, then choose "Update"

CREATE BLOG POST HEADER

Dashboard > Appearance > Elementor Header & Footer Builder > Choose "Add New"
Header name = Blog Post Header
Type of Template = Header
Display On = All Posts
User Roles = All
Enable Layout for Elementor Canvas Template? = Checked [✓]
Choose Publish
Edit with Elementor
Import [Link]
Update to meet your needs, then choose "Update"

REMOVE OLD POSTS

First, Delete any existing posts via Dashboard > Posts > Delete All Posts
Then add new posts via Dashboard > Posts > Add New

BLOG POST #1
TITLE = What Our Kids Learned After Fostering a Puppy for a Weekend
Categories = Life Lessons
Tags = Pets, Dogs, Life Lessons, Life, Personal Development
(Mention options [Link] and [Link])
Featured Image = [Link] (800x450)
Blog Content =
Experience is the best teacher.
Since they were little, my kids have wanted a puppy. They have a dog at their dad’s
house, by the way. They wanted one at each house.

Like them, and probably every other kid in the history of civilization, I remember
assuring my parents that if they let me have a puppy, I’d feed it and take it for walks
and make sure it had enough water, and then of course after getting one, my mom
ended up taking care of it more than I did. So I knew the hustle.

It’s just not the right time for a dog, I’d tell our kids. It was true. It still is, for now at least.
My husband and I have been working on our separate businesses for some time and
don’t have the time that must be dedicated to training and caring for a new family
member. One day we will probably add a dog to our household, but for now, we have a
cat in the house and a horse in a pasture one town over, and that’s enough for now.
The kids are now in high school and — before the schools closed and the country
largely shut down — had social lives and work schedules that afforded them little time
to spend time with a dog anyway, not to mention caring for it.

I did wish that they knew the responsibilities of dog ownership and the why behind the
no. There’s nothing like firsthand knowledge based on personal experience when it
comes to making a decision on something as important as getting a dog.

Last week my wish came true. I got a text from my daughter informing me that her
older brother had found a puppy out in the country. The kids — who are currently
staying at my parents’ house because I’ve got an immune deficiency and am under
quarantine — decided that they had to at least take the puppy to the house and go from
there. They floated the idea of maybe keeping the puppy, but that got shut down
immediately. The grandparents, who went through this song and dance with their own
three kids back in the 80s, knew the hustle.

She sent me a photo of their new ward, who was black with white-tipped paws and
perky little ears. Since my son was busy working and toying with his new Jeep that he’d
gotten as a graduation gift, my daughter and her cousin took it upon themselves to
take care of this puppy until they found a proper home for her. It probably wouldn’t be
that hard. Right?

Not surprisingly, the Wonder Twins had their work cut out for them. For starters, the
puppy — they named her Winnie — was covered in fleas and her swollen little baby belly
was full of worms. When she wasn’t sleeping, she was whimpering or pooping or
peeing. They bathed her and bought puppy chow and filled her water bowl over and
over. They fussed over her and made sure she was as comfortable as possible. One
would puppysit while the other drove to the store to get flea shampoo and dewormer or
run other puppy-related errands.

Their first night as puppy foster parents was done in shifts in the bathroom, with
Winnie and a heating pad in a box placed into the bathtub to keep any remaining fleas
from hopping onto my parents’ bathroom floor and causing an invasion. Going outside
involved tiptoeing downstairs and hoping that Winnie stayed quiet so as not to wake
my parents. The girls camped out on the bathroom floor when Winnie was sleeping.

The next day, my daughter told me that this was way more work than she’d expected.
That’s what I was trying to tell her and her brothers all along, I told her. She was
stressed out and frustrated. Her cousin had gotten maybe two hours of sleep. Winnie
still had fleas and my parents were not thrilled to find out that the source of the fleas,
cute as she was, had spent a good bit of time in their guest bathroom.

The following day, the girls had already had it with puppy fostering. They posted about
Winnie on Instagram and Facebook, hoping to find a good home for her. They’d talked
with friends who wanted her, but the friends’ parents knew the hustle. So as they
prepared for the next night shift, they hoped that a solution would present itself. Soon.

As luck would have it, my daughter ended up talking with a woman who owned a
rescue in a town located about an hour away. I have a friend who adopted two dogs
from this same rescue a couple of years ago, so I assured the girls that Winnie was
going into good hands.

The next afternoon, I got a text from my daughter that read, “Winnie is gone.” She was
a little sad, but she was also ready for some sleep. And she was relieved. She had to
get back to focusing on studying for her AP exams.

My relief probably outweighs hers, at least in the long run. Because of this experience
that she and her cousin had, I’m pretty confident that, once out on their own, they’re not
likely to ever decide to get a puppy on a whim. The decision to add a dog to the
household will be made only after careful consideration based on the crash course
they unwittingly took when they were in high school.

And that dog will be going into good hands.

BLOG POST #2
TITLE = Am I Really a Secret Hoarder?
Categories = Life Lessons, Business, Mental Health, Personal Development
Tags = Mental Health, Life Lessons, Life, Self Improvement, Money
Featured Image = [Link] (800x450)
Blog Content =
Selling online may have uncovered a part of me I didn’t know I had
The line between order and chaos is a tad blurry when it comes to selling things out of
your house. I’ve been an online seller since the early 2000s when I started selling on
eBay, and over time I’ve added more online sales platforms and it’s now basically my
full-time job.

This is a good thing. I’ve built a brand for myself by selling handmade hair ties out of
my Etsy shop, and sales of used clothes and vintage items on eBay and Poshmark
have been pretty steady.

Here’s the problem. Actually, I’ve got two problems.

I have a history of impulse buying. My inventory is taking over my house.

I can’t remember not having a habit of buying too many things. I have ADHD and
Generalized Anxiety Disorder, as well as Bipolar Disorder, so the odds are kind of
stacked against me when it comes to impulse spending. It also doesn’t help that I am
an online seller, because I’m almost never out of excuses to buy inventory. Before the
coronavirus lockdown, I was dipping in every thrift store I could find, squeezing in time
between doctor appointments and trips to the gym to look through racks of denim
shorts and dresses. I’d drop a hundred bucks in an hour and bring in bags of awesome
finds to flip, sometimes several times a week.

It’s hard to resist looking in thrift stores and vintage shops, especially since I’ve got an
eye for what people like and have gotten some great returns on my investments.

I once found a Ralph Lauren comforter for $15 and sold it for $300. It was in a vintage
pattern that I knew was both rare and coveted. All that happened because I happened
to be in that thrift store on that particular day. I’ve also found a vintage Burberry cap for
$1 that sold for $100, an $800 Vince lambskin leather jacket with the tags on that I sold
for $300, and an Alice + Olivia dress for $4 that I sold for $140.
I’m not making thousands off my finds, but the possibility of the win, of finding
something amazing to flip on eBay, is too much for me to resist. It’s like a slot
machine. There’s enough of a chance to win to give me a reason to keep going to
these stores, as often as I can. There are all kinds of reasons my brain can come up
with to keep doing what I’m doing. The dopamine rush that comes with the possibility
of a reward — finding that one treasure — is the only drug I need when I’m in spending
mode.

Besides, you gotta spend money to make money, right?

My one saving grace regarding impulse buying is that my spending ability is limited,
because I don’t use credit cards (anymore — that’s another story for another day). If I
don’t have cash or money in my bank account, I don’t buy it.

In addition to the thrifting habit, I have a history of impulse buying loads of stuff that I
thought was a good idea at the time. I went through a phase of buying hundreds of
dollars’ worth of beads so I could make necklaces and bracelets to sell on Etsy along
with my handmade hair ties. And then I had a phase of buying huge 12x12" packs of
printed card stock (they were on sale for $5 each at Michael’s!) so I could make
handmade display cards for my hair ties.

These days, because people have been buying yardage of fold over elastic from my
Etsy shop, I’ve been buying more elastic by the yard to help meet the demand. And
when I say “more” I mean maybe a thousand yards more.

As a result, I’ve got inventory and supplies in just about every room and closet in my
house.

Half my bedroom is filled with stuff I’m selling. The dresser is filled with elastic hair tie
sets. The floor in front of the dresser has boxes and bags of elastic. The corner by the
dresser is a stack of eight clear storage boxes with hair ties. I have a huge armoire that
is packed with hanging clothes, shoes, and purses.

My living room has rolls of elastic in every drawer. Our home office has a large dresser
with bigger rolls of elastic, headbands, and all of the card stock I haven’t used yet.

Half of my closet is filled with clear storage boxes containing inventory. I have floor-to-
ceiling inventory in the hallway closet. I have storage boxes of Disney VHS tapes in one
of the bedroom closets.
My kitchen has antique china and vintage Pyrex and collectible Starbucks coffee cups
tucked away in cabinets.

In addition to all of the inventory throughout the house, I have boxes of ready-to-
assemble boxes from eBay and USPS in my utility room, along with shipping paper,
bubble wrap, boxes of shipping tape, postage scales, and empty boxes of all sizes from
Amazon. My dining room has stacks of larger boxes, stacked into each other like
Russian dolls, that I’m setting aside for shipping.

A friend came over one time, saw all of the boxes stacked in the dining room, and
asked if we were moving.

This is one of the challenges of having an online sales business in a not-very-big house
that also has an open floor plan. I’ve hidden what I can, but there are only so many
places that I can store things, so I’ve had to line walls and fill corners with boxes of
inventory and supplies when I run out of closet and drawer space.

The good thing is that things are, for the most part, organized. My elastic is organized
according to color and print. Clothing is sorted and folded and bagged or hanging by
color and style. Hair ties are neatly arranged by color and style. VHS tapes are stacked
and sorted alphabetically. Things aren’t just thrown in boxes or closets. They aren’t in
piles on the floor. I know where things are and how to get what I need. For the most
part.

The bad thing is that there are times when I get overwhelmed by all the boxes and bags
and shipping supplies that are everywhere I can see, and I get to where I just don’t want
to deal with it. Also, I have an immune deficiency that has kept me at home for months,
and because I can feel run down pretty easily, I might get a project started and then
have to quit halfway and tell myself that I’ll put everything away later. And then “later”
becomes a week later. By then I’ve got more inventory showing up at the door that I’d
forgotten I’d ordered weeks before. As all this is happening, more boxes from whatever
Amazon delivered end up in the utility room or dining room.

I tell myself it could be worse, but anyone can say that about anything. I can just flip on
the TV and watch 30 seconds of Hoarders and feel better about myself for a little
while. But I don’t think that comparing my own struggles with those of someone whose
life has been completely absorbed by a debilitating and misunderstood mental illness
is helpful. I haven’t lost relationships with people over the stuff in my house. I am not in
living conditions that cause neighbors to call for help on my behalf.
To me, watching or reading about someone whose struggles are worse than mine in
order to feel superior about myself only results in more excuses for me to use to
continue my behavior. It also fosters an unhealthy attitude towards people whose
problems cannot be hidden so easily because in order for me to feel superior to
someone else, I have to suppress compassion and sympathy.

I don’t know exactly what drives me to keep stocking up on things to sell despite
having so much inventory that I’m having trouble keeping up. It could be the fear of
missing out (on something to sell) or the fear of selling out (because it happens). It
could be the thrill of finding new ways to make money. It could be because I just enjoy
the challenge of selling things, particularly things that I either curated or made myself.

Maybe I’m just growing a business and this is just part of it, and everything will sort
itself out over time.

Whatever this behavior is, wherever it stems from, is mine to own. Maybe it’s a form of
hoarding. Maybe it doesn’t have an official label. Humans have had to deal with all
kinds of frustrating aspects about themselves that didn’t have names. So I’m going to
tackle this aspect of myself by focusing more on selling than on buying, in order to get
remaining inventory properly stored and out of sight.

If nothing else, the resulting absence of chaos in my field of vision will help create a bit
of order in my otherwise turbulent mind.

I look forward to tomorrow.

BLOG POST #3
TITLE = The Day I Found Out my Ex-Husband was Dying
Categories = Family Matters, Life Lessons, Relationships
Tags = Life Lessons, Family, Life, Relationships, Love
Featured Image = [Link] (800x450)
Blog Content =
The heart can break even when you’re no longer in love.
The worst day of my life was October 26, 2011, when the man I was no longer in love
with was dying.
 • • •

Less than a week before, I was at a tailgate with some friends when my father called
me and told me that my ex-husband, Jody, had gone to the emergency room with
terrible abdominal pain. It was his weekend to have our two children, and my parents
had picked them up from their dad’s house before his girlfriend took him to the
hospital.

I got another call after the kids were in bed. Their father had been admitted. No one
was sure what was going on yet. I tried not to worry. Maybe it was appendicitis, I
thought.

It wasn’t. He had a case of acute pancreatitis, and things didn’t look good.

The next day, I told my son and daughter, ages 10 and 8, that their dad was pretty sick
and needed to be in the hospital for a while. They were concerned but took it in stride,
as kids tend to do. I looked up acute pancreatitis online and tried not to worry. My ex-
husband had been healthy for most of his life, so this diagnosis had come as a shock
to everyone.

My parents were still friends with my former in-laws, so I was able to get updates from
my dad throughout the day and into the next. Jody’s condition became critical, and he
was quickly moved to the intensive care unit.

I was told to pray. That was all I could really do.

I was as honest with our children as I could be without alarming them. I found myself
saying generic things like, “The doctors are doing their very best to help Daddy get
better,” and “He’s still sick but hopefully he’ll start getting better soon.” I tried to believe
my own words.

My son, who has always asked bold questions, asked me, “Is Daddy going to die?”

I couldn’t lie. So I told him the truth: “I don’t know.”

The next morning, not even a week after my ex had staggered into the ER, my father
called. I sat down on the edge of my bed.

It was bad, my dad told me. Jody’s kidneys had crashed and his other organs had
followed. His pancreas, according to the doctor, was “eating itself alive.” He had maybe
a 10% chance of making it. If I was going to go to the hospital, I had better go
immediately.

I don’t remember grabbing my bag and keys and telling my fiancé that I was leaving for
the hospital to say goodbye, making the twenty-minute drive to the hospital, finding a
parking spot, and walking into the ICU. I floated somewhere in space until I landed in
the waiting room reserved for families only. Jody’s family were good people and didn’t
question why I, the ex-wife, was among them. The air was thick with fear and sorrow
and disbelief.

Suddenly the air was sucked out of the room as Jody’s mother entered. She was
supported on either side by her sisters.

There is no sorrow that can compare to the sorrow of a mother whose child is slipping
away.

Someone asked me if I wanted to see my ex-husband. I had less than five minutes to
basically wrap up my relationship with him and tell him goodbye.

This was someone I had known nearly all my life. He had been my first boyfriend. We
had dated almost exclusively through high school and college, gotten married a month
after college graduation, and had been married for over ten years before our divorce.
Even though we’d fallen out of love with each other and in love with other people, we
still had a connection because of the two children we shared.

He now lay unconscious in a hospital bed, a ventilator close by. I walked over to him
and stroked his hair for the first time in over three years. Even though I was pretty sure
he couldn’t hear me, I told him that I would always love him and that I would make sure
that our children were going to be okay. Or something like that. Autopilot had taken
over by then.

I found myself back in the room with the family who had forgiven me and allowed me
into this intimate and terrible time. All they could do was comfort one another as they
sobbed and listened to the pastor’s prayers for their son, their brother, their nephew,
their grandson. Everyone waited for the doctor to come in with the news that everyone
dreads.

An hour went by and he was still alive. Then another hour, and another.
He hung on for the rest of the day and through the night as we all prayed for a miracle.
His survival rate was in the single digits, but somehow he was hanging on.

For weeks it was touch and go as he had surgeries and procedures to fix the damage
from multiple organ failure, but his condition finally became stable enough to be
moved out of ICU into a regular room. After three months, he was discharged, just in
time to make it to the annual Daddy-Daughter Dance with our daughter.

Three years later he married the girlfriend who had been in the waiting room, and they
now have a 4-year-old son.

• • •

This is the first time I’ve written about those events, now almost nine years ago. As I
allowed my mind to revisit that terrible day, I remembered the physical pain I had felt. It
was like hot lead in my chest. Because there was nowhere for my mind to put the
information I was receiving, I could only look at the book of Psalms and stare at the
words as the blackness descended.

It was ironic. I was heartbroken but was no longer in love with my ex-husband. How
was this possible? It wasn’t really my loss. Not anymore.

The grief I felt as he was dying was not for me.

It was for my children, who were losing their daddy and didn’t know it yet. It was for his
parents, who were going to lose their only son, and for his sister, whose little brother
was dying. It was for his girlfriend, whose world was shattering.

The searing pain became unbearable as I thought of my ex and the times he’d miss
with his children if he left this planet. Watching his son graduate high school. Walking
his daughter down the aisle. Having the chance to marry again and to live a life beyond
40 years.

I’d hurt for others before, many times. My heart went out to people I had never known.
I’ve often cried for people I know only through the news or books or social media. But
this hurt seemed to be on a different plane of existence. I felt it down to my core. My
soul.

For the first time in my life I was able to see love from this vantage point. As I looked
into an unfamiliar lens, I was able to take sorrow beyond myself and feel it for the
people who loved him most.
 • • •

As I write this, I think about the families and loved ones who prayed as hard as we did
and still lost. I don’t know why we were spared the deeper and unending grief that
comes with death of a child, husband, or parent. There is no known explanation. I do
know that I’m incredibly thankful that my ex was given a very rare second chance, and
that his children and their grandparents and extended family dodged a bullet that had
been fired right at them. At his girlfriend. At me.

As selfish with love as I’ve been in the past, and as angry and resentful as I was when
my marriage ended, I’m thankful that I was somehow able to drop it all and experience
love from an angle that I didn’t know existed.

It was an exercise in compassion that I will never forget.

BLOG POST #4
TITLE = The Roommate Road Test
Categories = Life Lessons, Relationships
Tags = Life, Travel, Friendship, Life Lessons, Relationships
Featured Image = [Link] (800x450)
Blog Content =
Want to see someone’s true colors? Travel with them.
Most people who have traveled with any regularity know that things can go from zero
to complicated in under a minute. Traveling with a friend is one of the fastest ways to
find out if they would make a good roommate or not. It’s not a guarantee, but you can
at least get an idea of how you’d get along under one roof.

• • •

Travel is, by nature, an activity that pushes people out of their comfort zones. If
someone is out of their comfort zone and they have a personality trait that doesn’t
mesh well with your own, you will know pretty quickly. Even a short weekend trip can
test someone’s patience. Traffic, decisions on where to eat and stay and who brings
what all come into play when you travel with someone, and you can get an opportunity
to see if you’re compatible with that person. If at any point they get irritated with you
(or you’re annoyed with them), make note of that. People are usually on their best
behavior when the journey starts, so you can observe how they act around you.
Based on my one positive experience and a lot of negative ones, I’d plan a weekend
road trip with any friend I was looking to share an apartment with so I’d know if we
were compatible to live together in order to speed up the process and see if they were
really someone I wanted to share a lease with. It’s easy to assume that since you’ve
always gotten along well, you’d make great roommates.

My sister and a good friend of hers decided to live together once they started college.
They had known each other since elementary school but had never traveled together
before, so my sister had no idea how picky and passive-aggressive this friend of hers
was until they started sharing the same apartment. Within a few months, her friend
would get mad at her for something trivial and would leave Post-It notes here and there
— on the kitchen counter or on my sister’s bedroom door — with whatever grievance
she had that day.

Or my sister would come home and her friend would give her the silent treatment. In
the end, they broke the lease because they couldn’t stand living together. My sister was
tired of getting tickets for whatever rules she had broken, and her friend was tired of
being mad at whatever pissed her off, so they called it quits. Unfortunately, their
friendship was never the same after that. If they had done some traveling together
beforehand, they probably would have found out that they weren’t compatible as
roommates.

By contrast, I had a friend I had accidentally road tested when I went on a spontaneous
trip with her and some friends. We shared a hotel room and got along great. She was
positive and easygoing in spite of some of the pains that come along with any road
trip. She was incredibly thoughtful and just went with the flow. She didn’t boss me or
anyone else around or try to dominate conversations. It was great. We had zero fights
or disagreements during the entire two years we were roommates. It was about time. I
had been through a few roommates by then who were either unpredictable and moody
or terrible at remembering to pay rent on time and clean up after themselves. I’ve got a
bad habit of being a doormat so I’d avoid them or not say anything when I’d find out
that my roommate had borrowed my clothes — and sometimes, my car — or that my
leftover Kung Pao had mysteriously disappeared. If I had road tested roommates-to-be
before I agreed to live with them, I would have spared myself about four years of being
annoyed.

• • •
This method can also be used if you’re looking for dependable travel buddies. My
husband and I have done this a lot over the years by going on short cruises with
friends. Sometimes we’d go with a group, and other times we’d travel with one or two
people. Even though we don’t share a room with anyone, we can find out if we want to
travel regularly with them. It’s pretty easy to know who’s not a good fit.

For example, a few years ago we went on a cruise with six other people, all couples.
One of the couples seemed to be really fun and upbeat like everyone else, but after the
day, we noticed a pattern that made us uncomfortable. We’d only just met the
boyfriend, and he was really pleasant to be around, but his girlfriend — someone we
were pretty good friends with before this trip — would get drunk and then annoyed with
him over petty things and then get loud. She was rude and belligerent not only with her
boyfriend, but with the server and other staff. She made at least four scenes during
that trip. Once was when we were all walking around one of the islands, but the rest
were when we were all at dinner. She kept ordering drinks and yelling at her boyfriend,
especially when he tried to cut her off. Everyone was embarrassed by her and felt
terrible for her boyfriend, and by the 4th day we knew we would never ask them to go
with us on a trip again. It was a shame, because we really liked our friend’s boyfriend,
to the point where we totally would have traveled with him in the future. In the end he
dumped her and so did we.

On the flip side, we’ve traveled at least six times with a friend of ours who gambles so
much on cruise ships that the cruise line comps him a trip and gives him a $500 credit
every time he cruises. We’ve done the 5-hour road trip down to the port city the night
before and stayed in a hotel suite with him, and once we were onboard we’d see him
here and there when he wasn’t at the blackjack table.

He’s laid back and would do his own thing, and we would do ours. No one has ever felt
obligated to meet for dinner or see a show, and there is no itinerary because we all left
our scheduled lives and are just fine doing what we want. That first road test years
before turned out to be a good friendship and guaranteed good travel experiences.

Because our travel usually involves airports and navigating around other countries, we
don’t want to risk going with people who easily freak out, spend most of their time
drunk, make it glaringly obvious that they are tourists, or only eat American-style food.
Travel is unpredictable as it is, so we don’t want to add one more challenge. We like to
go with the flow and try new things while not being drunk, so we’d rather travel with
friends who are more like-minded, and for us, the only way to find out is using this
method.

• • •

If you want to do a road trip with a potential roommate, housemate, or travel buddy, I’d
recommend that you start small — even a short weekend stay at an Airbnb or a day trip
to the beach— because the last thing you want to do is to sign a lease with somebody
who turns out to be a jerk. Or a drug dealer. Or a really loud snorer. Or a complainer. Or
a really messy person. Or a cheapskate who always has excuses when it’s time to pay
the tab. Because every annoying trait you find will come with them as soon as you
move in together.

The road test method is not foolproof (is anything really foolproof?) but it should give
you some idea of what to expect if you decide to sign a lease with your friend.
Hopefully you’ll get enough of an idea to be able to make an informed decision. If
you’re still on the fence after one trip, you can always take another. And another. At
some point you’ll know.

Or they will. Because they might be road testing you too.

BLOG POST #5
TITLE = Are You Selling Yourself Short?
Categories = Life Lessons, Personal Development
Tags = Self Improvement, Professional Development, Life Lessons, Psychology
Featured Image = [Link] (800x450)
Blog Content =
The more you give your time or services away, the less likely you’ll be appreciated.
During dinner at Cracker Barrel not too long ago, my husband David, a programmer and
web developer, was telling his father about the deals he was giving his clients. After a
while, my father-in-law leaned forward and asked him, “Son, don’t you think you’re
selling yourself short?”

Yep.

• • •
I will never forget walking into a local boutique with David, who had built up a few
hundred dollars’ worth of trade in exchange for his monthly website services. After an
hour of picking out and trying on clothes, we went to the front with our finds, and with a
sour face, the store owner informed us that she felt like she was giving away her
clothes. David explained that he’d been paying for her website’s hosting and that he’d
maintained her customized shopping cart in addition to making website updates all
year. She rolled her eyes. He added that the cable company charges a monthly fee
whether you watch TV or not. She kept acting like we wanted her clothes for free. I
stormed out and sat fuming in the car until he came back, empty handed of course.
That person had been a client of his for years and knew exactly what the trade
agreement had been. She’d been fine with him paying for hosting and updating her
website — until he dared ask for compensation.

On another occasion, we took the kids to the restaurant of another long-term client.
After we got our food, one of the owners came up to us and yelled that he wasn’t giving
away this amount of food to us. My husband told him that we hadn’t been to his place
in over three months and that he had provided services to them that was worth way
more than the food we’d ordered. It didn’t help that the owner was drunk, but he’d tried
to embarrass us in front of other customers.

We got the food to go and left. Since that guy had made it clear that he didn’t want
David’s services, David waited until the month was over and then deleted the
restaurant’s website. Then, since he owned the domain name, he sold it to a place over
in California who was happy to pay the hefty price tag he’d put on it.

• • •

My husband has been a programmer and web designer since websites made their
debut a long time ago, and because he’s a nice guy who likes a good deal himself, he
has had a history of charging clients for his website services and consulting work for
next to nothing compared to the average going rates. He felt like his cheap prices
would give his clients a reason to stay with him. Yet in spite of these good deals, he’s
lost many clients over the years.

What’s interesting was that some of those clients left him in favor of companies who
did similar work for a big monthly fee. They’d rather pay $1000 a month than to stick
with him in exchange for trade or $100 per month or some other ridiculously small fee
for his hours and hours of work. After a while, it dawned on me that even though my
husband’s services were top-notch, those former clients had not seen their value
because he wasn’t charging enough.

The whole thing drove me crazy. I knew how hard he worked for his clients — on
Sundays, at night, on holidays. What really irritated me was the way he devalued his
own work by stating that he was getting “free food” from his restaurant clients. After
hearing this for a long time, I told him, “This isn’t free food. This is your payment in
exchange for your services. You either get food in exchange, or you invoice them.”

Several years ago, a mentor of mine, who is in sales, told me, “People don’t value things
they got for free.” At the time, it made no sense to me. But that was before I was
married to a man who routinely gave his valuable services away and saw for myself
how people tend to devalue the things they got for free — or for a ridiculously good
deal. Some clients bend over backwards for us, but others, like that boutique owner,
forget that they aren’t paying him when they withhold their payment — in those cases,
payment in the form of products— for services rendered.

Why do people tend to devalue services from others that cost them little to nothing?

In many cases, cheap or free = disposable. Those former clients ended up paying
serious money for similar web services because they saw the value in those other
companies. All other things being equal, the other web design companies let people
know that they were worth the investment.

In her article Why Free Is Too Expensive, Lisa Larter says, “When your time is free, the
other person’s time will always be more important and more valuable than your time.”

In a Forbes article, author Selena Rezvani argues that when we say yes to free (or
greatly reduced) services, “we say to people that our time, energy, and discretionary
effort are worth-less.”

Of course, the “people don’t value free or low-cost work” is not an unyielding rule. David
does work in trade for restaurant owners who appreciate his work and pay for it in the
form of whatever trade they agreed upon when they signed their contract with him.
There are always exceptions, and we are grateful for them.
One of those exceptional clients is named Jim, who owns an audio-video company. He
and David met for lunch a few months ago and talked shop. David asked Jim how he
manages to keep his clients. His reply: “I charge a premium, and they pay for it because
they value my services.” He explained that his prices, which he has gradually raised
over the years, naturally weed out the people who don’t want to pay for his services, so
he ends up with quality clients who don’t bat an eye at paying what he charges for his
quality services. That really got David’s attention.

• • •

I feel that in order to get others to value your work that you do for them, you must value
it yourself. You must value yourself.

I have a friend who was so good at his work that his boss started giving him more
responsibilities, but after a while, he was doing the work of three people. He went to
the boss’ office and pointed this out, and then he asked for a raise to compensate for
all this extra work. The boss declined.

So he quit.

Actually, he gave his two weeks’ notice. He spent those two weeks training his
replacement. After his job officially ended, the guy who took his place still needed
training, so his former boss called to ask him if he could come back and continue
training. He knew that his job had required some serious technical training because
he’d held it for 11 years. He knew that he was the only one who could really train the
new guy. So he said sure, as long as they paid him $100 an hour for consulting fees.

Because he’d excelled at his former job, my friend knew his worth, and that if that
company wanted him as a consultant, they were going to pay for it.

• • •

I strongly believe that when you think a certain way, your actions are likely to follow. In
order to get out of the “I want to give them a deal so they will continue to be my client”
or “I have to take on these extra responsibilities with no additional compensation”
mindset, you must actively tell yourself that your time has value. But you also have to
already be doing a really good job at what you’re doing.
Many people can’t quit like my friend — who was able to quit only because he’d been
developing a business in his spare time. If you’re interning for a small paycheck (or no
paycheck), you have to put in the required work and gain some experience. If you’re
just starting out, it’s probably not a good idea to demand a pay raise or try to charge a
premium for your services until you’ve proven yourself. The people I used as examples
have been doing their jobs long enough to know what’s fair and what’s not. They are
confident in what they do, but they don’t set their sights unrealistically high. There’s a
balance, and it can sometimes be hard to know what that is.

I’d advise to do what my husband did — he talked to people and researched going
prices for the web services he offered, taking into consideration that different regions
in the country may charge more or less for the same services, depending on factors
such as cost of living. He picked people’s brains. He asked questions to people he
considered to be mentors. Through them, he figured out what was realistic and what
wasn’t.

After he got the information he needed to make an informed decision, he changed his
posture for new clients. He now charges the going rates for building and hosting
websites, providing backlinks, and doing updates when they’re needed. He also vets
potential trade clients to make sure that they understand up front that trade is a form
of payment, and that they can change that form of payment to a check if they’d like to
retain his services. So far, these methods have worked.

• • •

You are worth the time it takes to climb that hill towards success. Until you define your
own worth for your skills, other people are likely to tell you what they think you’re worth.
Check your mindset, because your actions will most likely be determined by the way
you think about yourself. If you need practice or more experience, that’s okay. Nearly all
of us need that.

Know. Your. Worth.

BLOG POST #6
TITLE = 7 Free Books on Blogging for Beginners
Categories = Personal Development
Tags = Marketing, Business, Blogging, Self Improvement, Writing
Featured Image = [Link] (800x450)
Blog Content =
How to get started, build an audience, and make money

Starting a blog when you have no experience can be daunting, especially when you’re
looking at making your first website. Because there is so much involved in building a
successful blog — picking the right name, finding a domain name that hasn’t already
been taken by someone else, finding a way to get your blog seen, and making money
on your blog — it’s easy to get overwhelmed and frustrated.

Below is a list of 7 free ebooks on Amazon that address all of these aspects — and
more — to help newbies get started. Almost all of them are under 100 pages and
include external links, and sometimes free courses, that point to further blog-related
resources.

• • •

How to Start a Blog Today

This 48-page ebook (2017) by author and blogger Scott Chan will help you get your
blog started in under half an hour. You’ll learn how to:

Get a domain name and hosting for your blog

Use WordPress to create and customize your blog

Market your blog

Monetize your blog.

The author includes links to more tutorials so you can expand your knowledge on the
ins and outs of blogging, and he also gives his contact information if you have any
questions.

Starting a Successful Blog when you have NO CLUE!

This ebook (2020) by Gundi Gabrielle is a little over 100 pages and covers:

How to get started from scratch

How to avoid making “rookie mistakes”

Going about getting a domain name and hosting

The steps to getting a WordPress website for your blog

Secrets to making your blog successful

This book also provides links to a free course and more free ebooks on marketing and
making a business out of your blog.

How to Start a Blog — Free Step-by-Step Beginners Guide to Building a Blog for Those
Interested in Making Money and Having Fun!

This blog guide (2018) by Lauren McManus and Alex Nurney gives beginners the tools
to build a blog with little to no experience in just 82 pages. You will learn:

All the reasons that having a blog is a good idea

How to conquer fear of blogging

Steps on exactly how to create the perfect blog using WordPress

How to get traffic to your blog

Monetize your blog

As with the other ebooks, this has various links that point to other free resources for
bloggers.
5,000 Words Per Hour: Write Faster, Write Smarter

This 73-page ebook by Chris Fox will show you how to be efficient and more productive
with your writing. It’s geared toward authors who are writing books, but I’ve been using
it to learn how to get faster at writing content in general. You will learn:

Writing exercises in order to “train your brain” to write faster

Editing skills

The importance of being track of your progress

How to avoid burnout and create incentives to write more

There is one section (chapter 5) that is geared specifically toward people who are
writing books, which may not be relevant to your needs.

Also, this ebook was published in 2015, but it’s on the list because as a blogger, you’ll
need to develop skills that will enable you to write a regular stream of blog posts.

How to Make Money Blogging — How We Made $103,457.98 Our First Year and How
Our Students Are Earning an Extra $100, $1000, or Even $10,000 Per Month!

Also written by Lauren McManus and Alex Nurney, this 87-page ebook (2018) has
similar material to their book above, but it provides more details on:

Creating content for your blog

Utilizing social media to get a fan base

Building an email list of subscribers

Finding the right audience for your blog

Making money, which includes affiliate marketing

Building your brand

What worked (and didn’t work) for the authors

The book provides inspiration and encouragement to bloggers by using examples from
their own experiences as well as those of others.

Follow this link for more tips and updated information from the authors.

Blogging: How To Start A Profitable Blog: A Guide To Create Content That Rocks,
Build Traffic, And Turn Your Blogging Passion Into Profit

Written by David Lim, this 36-page ebook focuses on blogging aspects such as:

Creating quality content that makes your readers want to keep reading

Brainstorming that results in success

Making sure your blog has a good look and is easy to navigate

Getting your blog out there with social media, emails, and word of mouth

Making money with affiliates, AdSense, sponsorships, and more

Even though this ebook was published in 2015, it has detailed tips on writing content,
brainstorming, and other aspects that are helpful to new bloggers.

How to Work for Yourself: 100 Ways to Make the Time, Energy and Priorities to Start
a Business, Book or Blog

This ebook by Bryan Cohen is just 47 pages long and is a companion book to his online
course. His advice includes a guide on:

Time management and tips on marketing so you get results

Steps on how to get into the right mindset that frees up your mind

How to be more creative

Setting specific goals and challenging yourself

How to brainstorm more effectively so you can succeed at projects

Working at meeting financial goals (crowdfunding is one of them)

Note: the tips in this ebook are more general and not specifically about blogging. It
definitely focuses on how to work for yourself.

Another note: this book was published in 2013, but because it mainly discusses things
like time management, creativity, and where to focus your energy, it’s not a book that
necessarily needs to be updated for 2020.

All of these books offer some great advice for beginners, but keep in mind there may
be a learning curve. It’s necessary to be thoughtful when making choices that can
affect your blog’s performance. It takes time to determine the essentials such as
having the right domain name and an appealing blog design that is also easy for your
readers to navigate. After getting your blog made, it takes time to get into the groove of
creating quality content so that your blog will be successful going forward.

Also, keep in mind that most of the books on this list were published prior to 2020.
Some of the links may not work, and there will likely be some outdated information
regarding WordPress. For instructions on getting your blog using WordPress in 2021,
here is a YouTube step-by-step video tutorial on how to create a blog in as little as 30
minutes.

UPDATE AVATAR AND PEN NAME

View Blog post and notice the Avatar and pen name are yodauser
(Profile Press example:[Link] & -[Link])
Dashboard > Plugins > Profile Press (AKA WP User Avatar) > Settings
Choose "Profile & Cover Photo" Tab
[✓] Disable Gravatar and use only local avatars
Set "Default Profile Picture" to [Link], then Choose "Save Changes"
Goto Dashboard > Users
Set "Nickname (required)" = Pepper Lowe
Set "Display name publicly as" = Pepper Lowe
Set Biographical Info =
I created this blog website to inspire and encourage others. I’ve been a writer for some
time but never took my writing seriously enough to have anything published until 2020,
when I started writing on online platforms such as Medium and Quora. People
appreciated my advice and willingness to open up about my own life.

Scroll down and choose "Update Profile"

ACTIVATE BLOG POST SIDEBAR

Goto Dashboard > Appearance > Customize
Choose Sidebar option
Set Blog Posts = Right Sidebar
Choose "Publish"
Goto Dashboard > Appearance > Widgets
Locate the "Main Sidebar"
It will likely have a duplicate and unwanted widgets
Remove all "Block" items within sidebar
Remove all unwanted items within sidebar
Make sidebar match image to the right
Note: There is no save button on in this section

ADJUST BLOG POST FONT AND SPACING `

Notice how the blog post spacing is very large and the font is boring. However, blog
post formatting is not a free feature offered by Astra. So you are saying to yourself,
Hey Yoda, how can I fix the blog post spacing for free? IWSY
Goto Dashboard > Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS > Add this code:
/* Adjust Blog Posts */
.ast-separate-container .ast-article-single {
padding: 20px;
color:#595959;
font-family: 'Open Sans Condensed';
}
.[Link]-two-container #secondary .widget {
padding: 20px;
margin-bottom: 20px;
margin-left: -10px;
font-family: 'Open Sans Condensed';
}
Then click "Publish"

ACTIVATE BLOG PAGE

View Blog page and notice that it looks like your About Us page
Dashboard > Pages > Blog > Edit with Elementor
Delete Header widget and Text edit widget leaving "Word of Wisdom", Publish
View Blog page now and notice that the Blog is now empty
Goto Dashboard > Appearance > Customize > Home Page Settings
Set Posts Page = Blog, then Publish
View Blog page now and notice that the Blog now displays your first post
New posts will be added to the top of this page

MAKE ELEMENTOR PRO BLOG PAGE

Just as a comparison, Elementor Pro can produce a much more professional result.
Dashboard > Pages > Blog > Notice that you can not "Edit with Elementor"
Goto Dashboard > Appearance > Customize > Home Page Settings
Set Posts Page = "--Select--", then Publish
View Blog page now and notice that the Blog is now empty
Dashboard > Pages > Blog > Now you can "Edit with Elementor"
Create new section at the top, choose Folder > My Templates
Insert Blog Page Header
Remove inner widget containing Logo and Menu as we will not need them
Set Blog Header top padding = 300
Create new section at the top (one column)
Add "Posts" widget, Set Skin=Cards
Style > Content > Title = Open Sans Cond, 24px
Style > Content > Excerpt = Open Sans Cond, 21px
Style > Content > Read More = Open Sans Cond, 16px
Publish
View Blog page now and notice that the Blog is populate without Home Page Settings

CONTACT US CONTENT
REPLACE CONTACT HEADER SECTION
Delete the original "About" Header section so we can insert a new one
Click the "+" on the new top section, choose Folder icon, choose "My Templates"
Insert Template name = Selftastic - About Header, "Import Document Settings"=No
Set header background image = [Link], Set Title = Contact

UPDATE GET IN TOUCH SECTION

Change "Message Us", font=Open Sans Cond, Size=30px
Set background image = [Link]
Position = Center Right
Size = Contain

UPDATE CONTACT US COLUMN 1

Text = Thanks so much for visiting my site. Please be sure to send me your comments
and suggestions. I look forward to hearing from you.
Set color=#222222, font=Open Sans Cond, Size=21px, weight=400
Insert Profile image=[Link], max width=75px (Already in Library)
Adjust "Follow Us" margin = 70 0 0 0, font=Open Sans Cond, size=30px
Adjust Social Icons, Remove YouTube, Size=23px, move Instagram to last
Twitter = [Link]
Facebook = [Link]
Instagram = [Link]
Medium = [Link]

UPDATE CONTACT US COLUMN 2

Notice the unwanted image in the background, it is actually in the section
Choose the Section icon, then Style, then Background Overlay, Delete image
Address = 1859 Winery Way, Tallahassee, FL, 32317
Phone = +1 850-321-0688
Hours = Hours 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri
Set color=#222222, font=Open Sans Cond, Size=21px, weight=400

Map = 1859 Winery Way, Tallahassee, FL, 32317, Zoom = 15, Height = 500

FORMS SETTINGS
CUSTOMIZE CONTACT FORM
Goto Dashboard > WP Forms > Contact Form > Fields > Add Fields
Drag "Single Line Text" under "Name"
Choose "Field Options", then select "Single Line Text", Set Label="Subject"
Choose "Advance" tab, select "Subject", then set "Field Size"=Large
Choose "Add Fields" again
Notice that conveniently "Phone" is Pro feature,
You are like "Hey Yoda, how can I do this for free"? IWSY
Drag "Single Line Text" under "Subject"
Choose "Field Options", then select "Single Line Text", Label="Phone", Make Required
Choose "Advance" tab, select "Phone", then set "Field Size"=Large
The only difference is that this Phone field will not be verified as a phone number
Choose "Settings" Option on the Left, then choose "Notifications"
Set "Send To Email Address" = pepper@[Link]
Set "Email Subject Line" = Selftastic - Comments
Set "From Name" = [Link]
Choose "Save", Refresh Contact page then send test message to confirm it works

Note: I used three different emails for running my test. One for my WordPress admin,
one for my WPform "Send To", and one I entered into the form to test.

CUSTOMIZE SIGNUP FORM

Goto Dashboard > WP Forms > Signup Form
Choose "Settings" Option on the Left, then choose "Notifications"
Set "Send To Email Address" = pepper@[Link]
Set "Email Subject Line" = Selftastic - Join Club Selftastic
Set "From Name" = [Link]
Choose "Save", Refresh Contact page then send test message to confirm it works

WPFORMS LEARN MORE

WPforms will do lots and lots of extra stuff not covered here, so if you have special
needs for your forms or want to learn more about what WPforms can do, be sure to
watch my WPforms how-to video.
FORMAT YOUR FORMS
The formatting for the WPforms text is a WPforms Pro feature. Again I am providing
some code to keep this feature free to you.
Goto Dashboard > Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS > Add this code:
/* WPforms Font & Size */
.wpforms-field-label, input, textarea {
font-family: 'Open Sans Condensed' !important;
font-weight: 200 !important;
font-size: 22px !important;
}
.wpforms-field-sublabel {
font-family: 'Open Sans Condensed' !important;
font-weight: 200 !important;
font-size: 16px !important;
}

Then click "Publish"

ENABLE SSL
ENABLE YOUR WEBSITE SECURE KEY (SSL)
For many reasons, all websites should be secure so we will secure your website now.
You only need to do this step if SSL has not already been activated within your
WordPress website. All websites, particularly shopping carts, need a secure key to
protect user data and credit card information. Your customer’s credit card numbers
and security codes are never stored on your website, but they are entered via your
shopping cart and that must be secured.

First we need to install the SSL plugin "Really Simple SSL"

You should have already downloaded the "Really Simple SSL" plugin, If not, go to self-
[Link]/resources then scroll to download "Really Simple SSL"
Next, goto your wordpress Dashboard > Plugins
Choose "Add New", choose "Upload Plugin"
Choose [Link], install plugin & activate
Now goto Dashboard > Settings > SSL ([Link])
You should see "An SSL certificate was detected on your site"
If you DO NOT see this message, contact your host provider support to install SSL Cert
If you do see the message, then click the link "Go ahead, activate SSL!"
You may see a message stating you need to login again ([Link])
Goto Dashboard > Elementor > Tools > Replace URLs
"Update Site Address (URL)" using http:[Link] and https:[Link]
In my case [Link] and [Link]

SHOPPING CART VS NO SHOPPING CART

Now we are ready to add a shopping cart to your website. If you DO NOT plan to have a
shopping cart at this time, you are done, but be sure to watch the free SEO tips section
at the end of this video to improve your website search engine visibility.

SHOPPING CART REVIEW

ADDING A SHOPPING CART TO YOUR EXISTING WEBSITE
As you proceed, if you follow my video step by step, you should have no problem
adding a shopping cart to your website. That being said, if you are not using the Astra
theme and/or the Elementor page builder, some of the steps that follow may not line
up exactly with what you see in your WordPress admin. This is unavoidable, but should
not stop you from adding the shopping cart to your website.

WOOCOMMERCE SHOPPING CART IS FREE

Everything we need for a typical shopping cart will be totally free. The only few
exceptions are a few premium features, but it is highly unlikely any of these features
apply to your needs, which is remarkable seeing that if you paid a webmaster to create
your shopping cart it could cost 10,000+. If your site does require a premium feature it
can be added after you complete configuring the free shopping cart covered in this
course.

WOOCOMMERCE PREMIUM IN REVIEW

Let's visit [Link]/products to review. Premium features of
WooCommerce should not be a requirement for you unless you have a specific need
such as Memberships, Subscriptions, Ticket Sales, or Online Booking. Premium
features should not require annual renewal to continue to work. If you don't see
yourself needing any of those features, then everything you need should be free as we
proceed.

SHOPPING CART SETUP

It has been my experience after watching 100's of hours or other wordpress shopping
cart videos that most of them want to do the fun stuff exciting stuff first and worry
about the boring details later. This turns out to be a mistake as those videos quickly
get sidetracked to solve avoidable problems which disrupts the flow of the video.
Because of this we will deal with the boring stuff first.

THE DIRTY DOZEN --- Insert Dirty Dozen ---

The 12 steps that follow I refer to affectionately as the Dirty Dozen. They are not fun
and can be downright boring, but they are extremely important for your cart to function
correctly. Carefully follow these 12 steps to avoid mistakes. After this the fun begins :-)

1. INSTALL/ENABLE/UPDATE WOOCOMMERCE PLUGINS

You should have already downloaded the WooCommerce plugins, If not, go to self-
[Link]/resources then scroll to reveal the plugins. Click each of the three
WooCommerce plugin buttons to download

If you installed the starter site earlier in this video then the [Link] plugin
was installed automatically and only needs to be re-activated.

Install the following WooCommerce Plugins via Dashboard > Plugins

1. [Link]* (Just activate if it is already installed)
2. [Link] (Install and Activate)
3. [Link] ** (Install and Activate)

Next, make sure to update all three woocommerce plugins (if needed)
* Sometimes when you install the [Link] plugin, you will be ask to for
personal info, ignore this and manually go back to you /wp-admin > plugins

** Once you install the [Link] plugin, it will ask you to Install
Jetpack. This will connect your WordPress to Jetpack (Requires you to create a free
account) Once Jetpack is connected you can dismiss the message asking for personal
info by clicking the "X at the top right. You are saying to yourself "Hey Yoda the "X" is
not clickable, how do I dismiss? IWSY Clicking ABOVE the "X" at top right is the only
way to close it.

2. ADD THE SHOP AND CART OPTIONS TO THE MENU BAR

Add "Shop" to menu via Dashboard > Appearance > Menu
Choose "Primary Menu", Click select, Add "Shop", Save Menu
Dashboard > Appearance > Customize > Header Builder
Add "Cart" button to the right of the "Primary Menu", then "Publish"

3. UPDATE WOOCOMMERCE DATABASE & ACTIVATE JETPACK

Each time your WooCommerce plugin is updated, it may require that the
WooCommerce database be updated. To do this click on "Dashboard" in your
WordPress admin, and look for the following message:

Simply click the "Update WooCommerce Database" button

You might see "WooCommerce database update in progress", I clicked "View Progress"
For me it then said "WooCommerce database update done"
Either way you can proceed below if yours is still updating.

4. CREATE WOOCOMMERCE PAGES

For the sake of being completely thorough we want to make sure all the needed default
shopping cart pages have been created. They probably all exist, but this step is in case
you already attempted woo on your own and maybe something got deleted.
Goto Dashboard > WooCommerce > Status > Tools
Scroll down to Create "default WooCommerce pages", then hit "Create"
5. CLEAN OUT WOOCOMMERCE
This allows us to have a fresh start by removing and default or previous data
Delete all products: Goto Dashboard > Products, select all, then delete
Delete all categories: Goto Dashboard > Products > Categories, select all, then delete
Delete all categories: Goto Dashboard > Products > Tags, select all, then delete
Delete all categories: Goto Dashboard > Products > Attributes, select all, then delete

6. WOOCOMMERCE GENERAL SETTINGS

The settings below are needed to make WooCommerce work well for our needs
(Existing Site) Dashboard > Settings > Permalinks > "Post Name", then choose "Save"
Goto Dashboard > WooCommerce > and Ignore Woo's Online HQ [X]
WooCommerce > Settings > General
Complete "Store Address"
Set "Selling location(s)" = United States & Canada
Set "Shipping Locations" = Countries You Sell To
Set "Default Customer Location" = Shop base address
Though we are not working on tax options right now, it is clear that if you are using a
shopping cart on your website you will likely collect taxes. It is a common mistake
in woo that the "Tax" feature is missing and you won't know why it is missing. If you
scroll up you see we are missing a "Tax" Tab which is where the tax options would
be
found. The next step will activate the "Tax" tab once we "Save Changes"
Enable Taxes = Enable tax rates and calculations
Enable Coupons = [✓][ ]
Set Currency = Set for your country
Hit "Save Changes", you will notice that the "Tax" tab is now there.

7. WOOCOMMERCE PRODUCT SETTINGS

Goto Dashboard > Media
Upload your "Placeholder Image" (I suggest 700x700 for image size)
File = [Link]
Copy the URL for this file
WooCommerce > Settings > Products
Shop Page = Shop
Set "Placeholder image" = [Link] URL
Weight = Lbs, Dimensions = In
 Reviews [✓][✓][ ], Ratings[✓][✓]
Click "Save changes"
WooCommerce > Settings > Products> Inventory
Enable Stock Manager, Hold Stock=60 (how many minutes to reserve cart items)
Notifications=[✓] Enable low stock notifications [✓] Enable out of stock notifications
Notify recipient(s)=sales@[Link]
Low Stock Threshold=5
Stock display format=Only show in stock when low --- [Link] +5 ---
Click "Save changes"
WooCommerce > Settings > Products> Downloadable = Use Defaults

8. WOOCOMMERCE TAXES
Install Jetpack then Connect to Jetpack (You did this when you installed plugins)
WooCommerce > Settings > Products > Taxes
Automated taxes = "Enable Automated taxes"
Set "Prices entered with tax" = "No, I will enter prices exclusive of tax"
I used the defaults for the rest
Scroll down to the bottom, choose "Save Changes"

9. WOOCOMMERCE SHIPPING
WooCommerce > Settings > Products > Shipping
Choose "Add Shipping Zone"
Zone Name = "United States"
Zone Regions = "United States"
Set Flat Rate Shipping Method
Title = Flat Rate
Tax Status = Taxable (Correct for Me)
Cost = 6.99
Save Changes
Set Free Shipping Method
Title = Free USA shipping with coupon or $50+ order
Free shipping requires... = A minimum order amount OR a coupon
Minimum order amount = 50
Coupons discounts = [ ] Unchecked (This limits coupon stacking)
Click "Save changes"
Choose Shipping Zones > "Add Shipping Zone"
 Zone Name = "Canada"
Zone Regions = "Canada"
Set Flat Rate Shipping Method
Title = Flat Rate
Tax Status = None
Cost = 23
Click "Save changes"
Set Free Shipping Method
Title = Free shipping on $100+ orders (CAN)
Free shipping requires... = A minimum order amount
Minimum order amount = 100
Coupons discounts = [ ] Unchecked (This limits coupon stacking)
Click "Save changes"

Note: We will skip payment methods for now and discuss after we enter our products

10. WOOCOMMERCE ACCOUNTS SETTINGS

The setting below insure it is as easy as possible to check out by not requiring an
account to checkout and make it easy as possible to create an account if desired
WooCommerce > Settings > Accounts & Privacy
Guest Checkout = Enable Both [✓][✓]

Account Creation = Enable All [✓][✓][✓][✓]

I use defaults for the rest
Click "Save changes"

11. WOOCOMMERCE EMAIL SETTINGS

Goto Dashboard > Media
Upload your logo to be used in email header (I suggest 400x100 for image size)
File = [Link]
Copy the URL for this file
Dashboard > WooCommerce > Settings > Email
then scroll to "Email sender options"
Preview current email template by clicking "Click here to preview your email template."
set "Header image" to your email header logo
Save changes, then preview your new email template again
Scroll to the bottom again
Set "From" name = [Link], then set "From" address" = sales@[Link]
Set Footer text = "Thank you for shopping with [Link]"
Set Base Color=#F9AE53
Save changes, then preview your new email template again
Goto Dashboard > WooCommerce > Settings > Email
At the top is all your Email notifications
Manage "New order", set the email = sales@[Link], click "Save Changes"
Manage "Cancelled order", set the email = sales@[Link], click "Save Changes"
Manage "Failed order", set the email = sales@[Link], click "Save Changes"
Manage "Processing order"
Additional content = We will email you once your order has been processed
Click "Save Changes"

12. WOOCOMMERCE MISC SETTINGS

We will use the defaults for both integration settings and advanced settings
WooCom > Settings > Products > Integration > No change needed
WooCom > Settings > Products > Advanced > No change needed

SHOPPING CART PRODUCTS

Now it is time to have some unimpeded fun. I want to show you how to create 5
different types of products within WooCommerce. Let's start with the first product
called a simple product

SIMPLE PRODUCT #1
Goto Dashboard > Products > Add New (First time it might say Create Product)
(Mention Product Data & Product Short Description menu hide/reveal options)
Product = Selftastic White Cap
Long Desc =
Represent with confidence with your selftastic cap. It will serve as a daily reminder of
how selftastic you are.
● OFFICIALLY LICENSED SELFTASTIC: Unisex baseball cap; Our unique blend of
style and performance makes us a global benchmark for performance in and
out of the water
 ● Buckle closure for exact fit
● Made of breathable, 100% high quality cotton, six panels and eyelets, 4 rows of
stitching on pre-curved [Link] is the perfect companion for your active lifestyle.
● Use the convenient metal buckle closure to great fit to your head and ensure
maximum comfort, One size fits for most people.
● This hat is suitable for everyone. great for softball, outdoors, hiking, running,
baseball, tennis, golf, hunting, cycling, camping, fishing, trekking, traveling and
more.
● Perfect gift for Christmas, Weddings, Engagement, Anniversary Gift, Valentines
Day, Newlyweds, Bridal Shower, Any Special Celebration!
● Produced in the USA

Price = 25.99
Sale = 22.99
Tax = Taxable
Choose "Inventory" link
SKU = A0001
So SKU stands for Stock Keeping Unit, but you're saying to yourself "Hey Yoda what is
a SKU and why does it matter? IWTY --- Inventory How-To & Invalid SKU ---
Note: Not providing your own SKU can cause cart errors (I have seen it)
Manage Stock = [✓]
Stock Qty = 50
Allow backorders? = Do Not Allow
Low stock threshold = Default
Sold individually = [ ]
Choose "Shipping" link (I avoid all this complicated by using Flat Rate shipping)
We will learn about Linked Products, Attributes, and Advanced later

Short Desc =
OFFICIALLY LICENSED SELFTASTIC: Unisex baseball white cap; Our unique blend of
style and performance makes us a global benchmark for performance in and out of the
water. Buckle closure for exact fit. Produced in the USA.

Categories = Apparel, Hats,Men,Women

Tags = Hat, Cap, Adjustable, White
(Mention options [Link] and [Link])
Pictures = 4 ([Link])(recommend image size 1000x1000)
(Explain SEO Tip with Title and Alt Text)
Alt Text = Selftastic White Cap
Title = Selftastic White Cap

SIMPLE PRODUCT #2
Product = Selftastic Gray Cap
Long Desc =
Represent with confidence with your selftastic cap. It will serve as a daily reminder of
how selftastic you are.
● OFFICIALLY LICENSED SELFTASTIC: Unisex baseball cap; Our unique blend of
style and performance makes us a global benchmark for performance in and
out of the water
● Buckle closure for exact fit
● Made of breathable, 100% high quality cotton, six panels and eyelets, 4 rows of
stitching on pre-curved [Link] is the perfect companion for your active lifestyle.
● Use the convenient metal buckle closure to great fit to your head and ensure
maximum comfort, One size fits for most people.
● This hat is suitable for everyone. great for softball, outdoors, hiking, running,
baseball, tennis, golf, hunting, cycling, camping, fishing, trekking, traveling and
more.
● Perfect gift for Christmas, Weddings, Engagement, Anniversary Gift, Valentines
Day, Newlyweds, Bridal Shower, Any Special Celebration!
● Produced in the USA

Price = 25.99
Sale = 22.99
Tax = Taxable
SKU = A0002
Stock Qty = 50

Short Desc =
OFFICIALLY LICENSED SELFTASTIC: Unisex baseball gray cap; Our unique blend of
style and performance makes us a global benchmark for performance in and out of the
water. Buckle closure for exact fit. Produced in the USA.
Categories = Apparel,Hats,Men,Women
Tags = Hat, Cap, Adjustable, Gray
Pictures = 4 ([Link])
Alt Text = Selftastic Gray Cap
Title = Selftastic Gray Cap

SIMPLE PRODUCT #3
Product = Maya Ceramic Mug 11 oz
Long Desc =
Warm-up your mornings with a hot cup of coffee in the Maya 11-Ounce ceramic mug
with matte black mug. It will serve as a daily reminder of how selftastic you are.
● OFFICIALLY LICENSED SELFTASTIC: Maya ceramic black mug
● 11 Ounces / Coffee mug size: 3.1" Wide x 3.8" Tall
● Matte exterior finish with interior color accent
● Made of high quality ceramic
● Dishwasher and microwave safe
● Ideal for your latte, cappuccino, tea, hot cocoa and apple cider drinks
● 30-day No-Chip warranty - We will offer a free replacement or refund if anything
goes wrong with the product.
● Produced in the USA

Price = 24.99
Sale = N/A
Tax = Taxable
SKU = C0006
Stock Qty = 50

Short Desc =
OFFICIALLY LICENSED SELFTASTIC: Selftastic Maya 11 oz ceramic mug with matte
black exterior finish with interior color accent. Hand-wash only. Produced in the USA.

Categories = Drinkware, Mugs

Tags = Coffee, Cup, Mug, Black
Pictures = 1 ([Link])
Alt Text = Maya Ceramic Mug 11 oz
Title = Maya Ceramic Mug 11 oz

SIMPLE PRODUCT #4
Product = Bistro Ceramic Mug 15 oz
Long Desc =
Warm-up your mornings with a hot cup of coffee in the 15 oz Bistro matte gray ceramic
mug. It will serve as a daily reminder of how selftastic you are.
● OFFICIALLY LICENSED SELFTASTIC: Bistro matte gray ceramic mug
● 15 Ounces / Coffee mug size: 3.54" Wide x 4.25" Tall
● Matte exterior finish with interior color accent
● Made of high quality ceramic
● Hand wash recommended
● Ideal for your latte, cappuccino, tea, hot cocoa and apple cider drinks
● 30-day No-Chip warranty - We will offer a free replacement or refund if anything
goes wrong with the product.
● Produced in the USA

Price = 29.99
Sale = N/A
Tax = Taxable
SKU = C0007
Stock Qty = 50

Short Desc =
OFFICIALLY LICENSED SELFTASTIC: Selftastic 15 oz Bistro ceramic mug with matte
gray exterior finish with interior color accent. Hand-wash only. Produced in the USA.

Categories = Drinkware, Mugs

Tags = Coffee, Cup, Mug, Gray
Pictures = 1 ([Link])
Alt Text = Bistro Ceramic Mug 15 oz
Title = Bistro Ceramic Mug 15 oz
SIMPLE PRODUCT #5
Product = Stainless Steel Tumbler 30 oz
Long Desc =
Travel with confidence with your selftastic 30 oz stainless steel tumbler. It will serve
as a daily reminder of how selftastic you are.
● OFFICIALLY LICENSED SELFTASTIC: Stainless steel travel mug
● Double wall insulation: Features double wall insulation to ensure that your
drink stays cold and hot for eighteen and six hours respectively. With the
vacuum insulated design, the bottle will not form condensation on the outside,
reducing the potential to damage electronics
● Quality stainless steel: Using non-reactive, and lightweight 18/8 stainless steel
which is anti-rusting, easy to clean and BPA-free
● Easy to carry: Designed with a tapered shape which fits most automobile cup
holders without tipping over. This slim bottle will fit comfortably in your hand
and is compatible with most car cup holders. Polishing treatment surface
ensures comfortable hand feel
● BPA-Free lid: Tumbler lid bubbler on the top is able to let you sip easily, a straw
is allowed to insert in the tumbler lid bubbler
● The 3 inch mouth is enough to fit full-size cubes. And with the wide mouth it’s
easy for you to refill and clean your bottle
● Lid with slide function for easy access
● Fits in most standard cup holders
● 7.48" H x 3.15" D, 30-oz. capacity
● Produced in the USA

Price = 26.49
Sale = N/A
Tax = Taxable
SKU = C0008
Stock Qty = 50

Short Desc =
OFFICIALLY LICENSED SELFTASTIC: Selftastic 30 oz stainless steel tumbler features
double wall insulation to ensure that your drink stays cold and hot for eighteen and six
hours respectively.
Categories = Drinkware, Tumbler
Tags = Stainless Steel, Travel Mug, Tumbler, Insolated
Pictures = 1 ([Link])
Alt Text = Stainless Steel Tumbler 30 oz
Title = Stainless Steel Tumbler 30 oz

VARIABLE PRODUCT #1
Product = Men's White Long Sleeve Shirt
Long Desc =
Represent with confidence with your selftastic white long sleeve t-shirt. It will serve as
a daily reminder of how selftastic you are.
● 100% Cotton
● Machine Wash, Do not Bleach, Non High Temperature Ironing
● A ribbed knit collar and satin neck tape make for a comfortable shirt
● 100% lightweight preshrunk ComfortSoft cotton
● Tag-free neck label for ultimate comfort
● Double-needle cover seamed neck
● Taped shoulder-to-shoulder with ribbed knit cuffs
● Produced in the USA

Skip General, Skip Inventory, Skip Shipping, Skip Link Products

Choose "Attributes" > Custom product attribute > Add
Size = Small | Medium | Large | X-Large --- Featured Image Pipe Key ---
[✓] Visible on the product page (Pipe symbol "|" is
SHIFT+Backlash)

[✓] Used for variations

Click "Save attributes"
Choose "Variations" > Create variations from all attributes > Go, then click "OK", "OK"
Choose "Expand" to expand all variations
SKU = B0003S, B0003M, B0003L, B0003X
Price = 21.99 SML 23.99 XL
Sale = 19.99 SML 21.99 XL
Stock Qty = 50
Tax = Taxable
Short Desc =
OFFICIALLY LICENSED SELFTASTIC: White long sleeve t-shirt. A ribbed knit collar and
satin neck tape make for a comfortable shirt. 100% lightweight preshrunk ComfortSoft
cotton.

Categories = Apparel, Shirts, Men

Tags = Long Sleeved, T-Shirt, White, Pre-shrunk
Pictures = 3 ([Link])
Alt Text = Men's White Long Sleeve Shirt
Title = Men's White Long Sleeve Shirt
Last step is to scroll to bottom, "Save Changes", scroll up, Choose "Publish"

VARIABLE PRODUCT #2
Product = Women's Short Sleeve Shirt
Long Desc =
Represent with confidence with your selftastic white short sleeve t-shirt. It will serve
as a daily reminder of how selftastic you are.
● 100% Cotton
● Machine Wash, Do not Bleach, Non High Temperature Ironing
● A ribbed knit collar and satin neck tape make for a comfortable shirt
● All-Match with your Skinny Jeans, Leggings, Shorts and Tights etc.
● 100% lightweight preshrunk ComfortSoft cotton
● Tag-free neck label for ultimate comfort
● Double-needle cover seamed neck
● Taped shoulder-to-shoulder with ribbed knit cuffs
● Produced in the USA

Note: List the most relevant attribute first (Ex: "Color" would come before "Size")
Choose "Attributes" > Custom product attribute > Add
Color = White | Gray
[✓] Visible on the product page
[✓] Used for variations
Click "Save attributes"
Choose "Attributes" > Custom product attribute > Add
Size = Small | Medium | Large | X-Large
[✓] Visible on the product page

[✓] Used for variations

Click "Save attributes"
Choose "Variations" > Create variations from all attributes > Go, then click "OK", "OK"
Choose "Expand" to expand all variations
SKU = B0004S, B0004M, B0004L, B0004X,B0005S, B0005M, B0005L, B0005X
Price = 21.99 SML 23.99 XL
Sale = 19.99 SML 21.99 XL
Stock Qty = 50
Tax = Taxable

Short Desc =
OFFICIALLY LICENSED SELFTASTIC: White short sleeve t-shirt. A ribbed knit collar and
satin neck tape make for a comfortable shirt. 100% lightweight preshrunk ComfortSoft
cotton.

Categories = Apparel, Shirts, Women

Tags = Short Sleeved, T-Shirt, White, Fitted, Pre-shrunk
Pictures = 3 ([Link])
Alt Text = Women's Short Sleeve Shirt
Title = Women's Short Sleeve Shirt
Last step is to scroll to bottom, "Save Changes", scroll up, Choose "Publish"

SIMPLE VIRTUAL PRODUCT #1

Note: Choosing virtual makes the shipping option go away
Product = Selftastic Wellness Consultation
Long Desc =
Improve your well being with confidence with your own personalized Selftastic
Wellness consultation. Our 120 minute Wellness Consultation is great for those
seeking to:
● Improve immune function, energy and vitality levels
● Hormonal balance, cognitive health
 ● Digestive health, quality of sleep, etc...
● Reduce stress and inflammation in the body
● Learn more about positive lifestyle changes, and how to improve health
● Obtain a Strategic Health Plan to enhance their health and wellbeing
How does it work?
Our wellness program identifies imbalances that are at the root of what is keeping you
from being your best self. Your skilled practitioner will recognize patterns in these
imbalances and develop a personalized Strategic Health Plan just for you using her
vast education and experience. Within your Strategic Health Plan, she will address your
specific imbalances which may include nutrition, supplementation, detoxification, and
lifestyle adjustments to facilitate your body’s self-healing process.

Price = 299
Sale = N/A
Tax = None
SKU = D0009
Stock Qty = Unlimited
Sold individually [✓] Only allow one of this item to be bought in a single order
Advanced = Purchase Note:
We will contact you via email to schedule your zoom consultation.

Short Desc =
Improve your well being with confidence with your own personalized 120 minute
Selftastic Wellness consultation. Our Selftastic Wellness program identifies wellness
imbalances that are at the root of what is keeping you from being your best self.

Categories = Services, Consultation

Tags = Consultation, Wellness, Zoom, Advice
Pictures = 1 ([Link])
Alt Text = Wellness Consultation
Title = Wellness Consultation

VIRTUAL PRODUCT #2
Product = Selftastic Fitness Consultation
Long Desc =
Improve your health and fitness with confidence with your own personalized Selftastic
Fitness consultation. Our 120 minute Fitness Consultation is great for those seeking to
improve some common fitness goals including:
● Strength, stamina, endurance
● Blood pressure, chronic pain
● Energy level, self-esteem, confidence
● Loss weight, Injury recovery, manage physical disability
● Sleep disorders, stress management

How does it work?

Our fitness program identifies imbalances that are at the root of what is keeping you
from being your best self. Your skilled practitioner will recognize patterns in these
imbalances and develop a personalized Strategic Fitness Plan just for you using her
vast education and experience. Within your Strategic Fitness Plan, she will address
your specific imbalances which may include workouts, meal plans, nutrition,
supplementation, detoxification, and lifestyle adjustments to facilitate your body’s self-
building process.
This service is only for people who have stable health conditions. It is not
conventional physical therapy services or acute cardiac rehabilitation.

Price = 299
Sale = N/A
Tax = None
SKU = D0010
Stock Qty = Unlimited
Sold individually [✓] Only allow one of this item to be bought in a single order
Advanced = Purchase Note:
We will contact you via email to schedule your zoom consultation.

Short Desc =
Improve your health and fitness with confidence with your own personalized 120
minute Selftastic Fitness consultation. Our Selftastic Fitness program identifies fitness
imbalances that are at the root of what is keeping you from being your best self.

Categories = Services, Consultation

Tags = Consultation, Fitness, Zoom, Advice
Pictures = 1 ([Link])
Alt Text = Fitness Consultation
Title = Fitness Consultation

VIRTUAL PRODUCT #3
Product = Selftastic Travel Consultation
Long Desc =
Plan your next travel destination with confidence with your own personalized Selftastic
Travel consultation. Our 120 minute Travel Consultation is great for those seeking to
push the limits of their travel experiences because a mind that is stretched by a new
experience can never go back to its old dimensions.
How does it work?
During your travel consultation we’ll talk about what you’re dreaming of for your next
great escape—destinations, timing, budget. We’ll explore beyond logistics, to tap into
your travel desires, dreams, and passions.
And if you’re looking for a long-term partner for your travel planning, we’ll dive deeper
into your bucket list. That way, we can start carving out a future filled with new travel
discoveries, on a schedule that works for you and your family.

Price = 299
Sale = N/A
Tax = None
SKU = D0011
Stock Qty = Unlimited
Sold individually [✓] Only allow one of this item to be bought in a single order
Advanced = Purchase Note:
We will contact you via email to schedule your zoom consultation.

Short Desc =
Plan your next travel destination with confidence with your own personalized Selftastic
Travel consultation. Our 120 minute Travel Consultation is great for those seeking to
push the limits of their travel experiences because a mind that is stretched by a new
experience can never go back to its old dimensions.
Categories = Services, Consultation
Tags = Consultation, Travel, Zoom, Advice
Pictures = 1 ([Link])
Alt Text = Travel Consultation
Title = Travel Consultation

DIGITAL PRODUCT #1
Product = Selftastic: The Complete Collection
Long Desc =
This is your chance to own the complete collection of selftastic writings by Pepper
Lowe. Dive into the mind of Pepper Lowe as she shares some of her innermost
thoughts. In the end you will find that it is not how her writings add to your life, but
instead what the takeaways were. Writings include:
● 7 Free Books on Blogging for Beginners
● Are You Selling Yourself Short?
● The Roommate Road Test
● The Day I Found Out my Ex-Husband was Dying
● Am I Really a Secret Hoarder?
● What Our Kids Learned After Fostering a Puppy for a Weekend

Note: This is a digital download only.

Price = 20.00
Sale = 15.99
Tax = Taxable
SKU = E0012
Stock Qty = Unlimited
Sold individually [✓] Only allow one of this item to be bought in a single order
Advanced = Purchase Note:
You will be able to download your digital purchase 5 times.

Short Desc =
This is your chance to own the complete collection of selftastic writings by Pepper
Lowe. Dive into the mind of Pepper Lowe as she shares some of her innermost
thoughts. In the end you will find that it is not how her writings add to your life, but
instead what the takeaways were. This is a digital download only.

Categories = Ebooks
Tags = Ebook, Blog, Real Stories, Personal Experiences
Pictures = 1 ([Link]) ([Link]
Alt Text = Selftastic: The Complete Collection
Title = Selftastic: The Complete Collection

AFFILIATE PRODUCT #1
Product = Pink Rose Headband
Long Desc =
Handmade floral headband with pink silk / fabric roses. Perfect for weddings and
festivals. Flowers are arranged on a white satin-covered headband so you can wear it
on top of your head or in front like a flower crown.

Each headband takes hours to make and put together (more for my handmade paper
rose headbands), and no two are alike! Custom orders are available at an additional
price.

Actual colors may vary slightly from what you see due to lighting and screen settings.
Pics taken in various lighting so you can get an idea of the color / shade.

Link = [Link]
Button = Buy Product
Price = 69.00
Sale = 51.75
Tax = Taxable
SKU = F0013
Stock Qty = N/A

Short Desc =
Handmade floral headband with pink silk / fabric roses. Perfect for weddings and
festivals. Flowers are arranged on a white satin-covered headband so you can wear it
on top of your head or in front like a flower crown.
Categories = Accessories, Headbands, Women
Tags = Headband, Flowers, Handmade, Custom
Pictures = 4 ([Link])
Alt Text = Pink Rose Headband
Title = Pink Rose Headband

AFFILIATE PRODUCT #2
Product = Jumbo Floral Clothespins
Long Desc =
Set of 3 hand painted boho clothespins. Painted on both sides, designs on front. Each
of my clothespins are one of a kind. These are large clothespins (approximately 4
inches long and just over 3/8 inches wide).

** These do not come with magnets, but message me if you'd like me to add magnets
to the backs **

The possibilities are endless!

● Keep papers and mail organized

● Use as party favors for bridesmaid or baby shower, birthday or teacher gifts
● Clip onto snack bags
● Hold coupons together when you grocery shop
● Use as a page holder in cookbooks or magazines
● Give as teacher or neighbor gifts
● Clip onto gift bags
● Hang twine or ribbon and clip photos, notes, and memos

Link = [Link]
Button = Buy Product
Price = 18.00
Sale = 14.40
Tax = Taxable
SKU = F0014
Stock Qty = N/A
Short Desc =
Set of 3 hand painted boho clothespins. Painted on both sides, designs on front. Each
of my clothespins are one of a kind. These are large clothespins (approximately 4
inches long and just over 3/8 inches wide).

Categories = Accessories, Clothes Pins, Women

Tags = Clothes Pins, Flowers, Handmade, Custom
Pictures = 2 ([Link])
Alt Text = Jumbo Floral Clothespins
Title = Jumbo Floral Clothespins

AFFILIATE PRODUCT #3
Product = 10 Boho Paisley Hair Ties
Long Desc =
Gorgeous paisley bulk set of 10 hair ties made from soft fold over elastic. Colors
include burgundy, olive green, aqua blue, and yellow. White background. Floral style
paisley print.

These beautiful hair ties are perfect as:

● party favors
● bridesmaid gift bag stuffers
● wedding favors
● or little gifts to have on hand.

Actual color may vary slightly from what you see due to lighting and screen settings.
Need more of these in bulk or want a more customized bulk listing? Message me! We
have hundreds of prints and combinations of hair ties for the perfect set for you!

Link = [Link]
Button = Buy Product
Price = 15.00
Sale = 12.00
Tax = Taxable
SKU = F0015
Stock Qty = N/A

Short Desc =
10 Boho Paisley Hair Ties | Floral Paisley Hair Tie, Bridesmaid Hair Tie, Burgundy Olive
Aqua Paisley Hair Tie, Festival Hair Tie Favor. Actual color may vary slightly from what
you see due to lighting and screen settings.

Categories = Accessories, Hair Ties, Women

Tags = Hair Ties, Paisley, Handmade, Custom
Pictures = 4 ([Link])
Alt Text = 10 Boho Paisley Hair Ties
Title = 10 Boho Paisley Hair Ties

AFFILIATE PRODUCT #4
Product = 3 Boho Charm Bracelets
Long Desc =
Set of 3 handmade boho striped charm bracelets. Bracelets made from recycled
rubber.

● Red stripes with hand charm

● Blue stripes with peace sign charm
● Green stripes with tree of life charm

Bracelets approximately 2 3/4 - 3" in diameter (slightly varied sizes due to them being
handmade). Bracelets made in Mali using recycled colored flip flops. Fair trade.
Shipped with USPS First Class Package.

Each bracelet and necklace made in this manner is unique in pattern/design. There are
slight imperfections in the stripes which make each bracelet one of a kind.

Note: charms are loose and will hang when bracelets are worn.

Link = [Link]
Button = Buy Product
Price = 20.00
Sale = 16.00
Tax = Taxable
SKU = F0016
Stock Qty = N/A

Short Desc =
Set of 3 Boho Charm Bracelets- Tree Hand Peace Sign - Red Aqua Green White Blue -
Striped Bangles. Actual color may vary slightly from what you see due to lighting and
screen settings.

Categories = Accessories, Bracelets, Women

Tags = Bracelets Boho, Charms, Handmade, Custom
Pictures = 4 ([Link])
Alt Text = 3 Boho Charm Bracelets
Title = 3 Boho Charm Bracelets

ABOUT LINKED PRODUCTS

First I will say that I rely on the "Related Items" feature in most cases because it is
automatic whereas using linked products can be cumbersome to set up. However the
linked products feature has value and is worth exploring.

There are two types of linked products, Upsells which are listed near the bottom of
product pages (view shirt) and cross sells which pitches additional products on the
cart page (view cart) . Linked products promote additional product purchase options to
increase profits.

UPSELL PRODUCTS
Let's upsell hats to those viewing both men and women shirts.
Goto Dashboard > Products > Women's Short Sleeve Shirt > Linked Products
Upsell = Selftastic Gray Cap, Upsell = Selftastic White Cap , Update
Goto Dashboard > Products > Men's Long Sleeve Shirt > Linked Products
Upsell = Selftastic Gray Cap, Upsell = Selftastic White Cap , Update
View each shirt item to see the Upsell items

CROSS SELL PRODUCTS

Now cross sell the Selftastic Complete Collection to anyone purchasing apparel. There
currently is no bulk edit feature in woocommerce, so each product must be edited
Goto Dashboard > Products > Women's Short Sleeve Shirt > Linked Products
Cross-sells = Selftastic: The Complete Collection, the Update
Goto Dashboard > Products > Men's Long Sleeve Shirt > Linked Products
Cross-sells = Selftastic: The Complete Collection, the Update
View cart page to see the Cross-sell item

SHOPPING CART MODS

SHOP PAGE SETTINGS
Dashboard > Appearance > Customize > WooCommerce > Product Catalog
Shop Column = 4 (Default is fine for me mainly because it makes a buttons 2 lines)
Products Per Page = 24 (12 was just too few for me personally)
Shop Product Structure = Turn on "Add To Cart" button
Shop Product Structure = Turn off "Category" option
Shop Product Structure = Add To Cart / Title / Price / Ratings (personal preference)

ABOUT SHOPPING CART CSS MODS

As you look around your nearly complete shopping cart you start to notice that many
things about the formating could use improvement. And you are thinking to yourself,
wow I have a lot of time into watching this guy's video(s), I think maybe I am entitled to
a little additional formatting help for all my hard work. The little voice in your head says
"Hey Yoda, how about a little something, you know, for the effort"... and of course IWSY

First, I looked around relentlessly for a free plugin for formatting WooCommerce.
without Elementor Pro and/or Astra Pro, our formatting options are limited. This
section has all the free CSS solutions I have been able to figure out thus far for the
WooCommerce shopping cart. That being said, Nothing is expensive when it’s worth
what you pay for it. If you are serious about making your shopping cart a professional
looking profitable revenue stream, you should consider both Elementor Pro and/or
Astra Pro and try them both risk free for 30 days with a no questions asked refund
policy. To get the best possible prices go to [Link]/upgrade-now and/or
[Link]/get-pro-theme, once there look for any coupons they may have to offer.
You can also join their email list to possibly get a coupon as well. The pricing is very
reasonable for the first year, and both products continue to work after the first year if
you decide not to renew.

On to the free stuff. The WooCommerce shopping cart CSS mods that follow assume
you are using the Astra Theme. Most of them should still work fine, but, if you are using
a theme other than Astra, then your success with some of these mods may be limited.

ADJUST MENU BACKGROUND CSS

Goto Dashboard > Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS, then click "Shop"
Notice that the menu background and page colors don't match. To fix, add the yellow
code below, adjust settings as needed, then Publish

/* Cart Menu Background */

.woocommerce-shop
.main-header-bar,
.woocommerce-cart
.main-header-bar,
.woocommerce-checkout
.main-header-bar,
.single-product
.main-header-bar { background: #A8E0D9 !important;
}

I am showing you each css section separately in case you want/need adjustments.

ADJUST SALE ICON COLORS CSS

Goto Dashboard > Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS, then click "Shop"
Notice that the Sale icon colors make it hard to read. To fix, add the yellow code below,
adjust settings as needed, then Publish

/* Cart Sale Colors */

.woocommerce [Link], .wc-block-grid__product .wc-block-grid__product-onsale {
background-color: rgba(230, 230, 128, .80);
color: #000000;
}

SET SHOP ALIGNMENT AND SPACING CSS

Viewing the "Shop", Notice that all text and stars are aligned left
Goto Dashboard > Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS >
Add the yellow code below, adjust settings as needed, then Publish
/* Shop Align & Spacing */
.products * {
text-align:center;
margin: 10px auto !important;
}
.ast-woocommerce-container {
padding: 10px !important;
}

SET SHOPPING CART FONT CSS

Viewing any product page. The code below allows you to change the cart font.
Add the yellow code below, adjust settings as needed, then Publish
/* Change Cart Font */
.ast-woocommerce-container, .woocommerce-billing-fields__field-wrapper,
.woocommerce-checkout-review-order, .sidebar-main, .product-name {
font-family: 'Open Sans Condensed';
}

SET COLOR FOR (X) REMOVE ICON CSS

View the "Cart", Notice how hard it can be to delete items
Goto Dashboard > Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS >
Add the yellow code below, adjust settings as needed, then Publish
/* Set Color Remove Icon */
.woocommerce [Link] {
color: #ff3333;
border: 1px solid #ff3333;
}

SHOPPING CART SIDEBAR

Goto Appearance > Customize > Sidebar
Set WooCommerce = Right Sidebar,
Set Single Product = Right Sidebar
Publish
Notice that there is still no sidebar, that is because the sidebar is currently empty
Exit to dashboard
Goto Appearance > Widgets
Add "Product Search" widget to WooCommerce Sidebar & Product Sider
Add "Filter Products By Price" widget to WooCommerce Sidebar & Product Sider
Add "Product Categories" widget to WooCommerce Sidebar & Product Sider
Enable "Hide empty categories", then click save for both Sidebars
Add "Recently Viewed Products" widget to WooCommerce Sidebar & Product Sidebar
Set "Number of products to show" = 4 in both widgets
Set Title = "Recently Viewed", in both widgets, then save both

After finding yourself pleased with your sidebar improvements to your cart, at some
point you will notice that your "Shop" page has no sidebar where you might want one,
and that your checkout page has a sidebar and is an unwanted distraction during the
checkout process. At that point you find yourself saying "Hey Yoda, how do I enable the
shop sidebar and disable checkout sidebar? IWSY
Goto Dashboard > Pages > Edit Shop, Set Sidebar = Right Sidebar, Choose "Update"
Goto Dashboard > Pages > Edit Checkout, Set Sidebar = No Sidebar, Choose "Update"
View shop and to view the sidebar

LEGAL STUFF
PRIVACY POLICY SETUP
If you already have a website you will need to improvise based on what you see here
Goto Dashboard > Pages > Duplicate "Contact Us" page
Set name="Privacy Policy", slug="privacy-policy", status="Published", save
Edit "Privacy Policy" page with Elementor
Set Title = Privacy
Set "Get In Touch" section via Section > Layout > Width = 1000
Delete "Message Us" widget, Delete email form, delete "Contact Us" section
Set "Get In Touch" to "Our Privacy Policy"
Insert Text Editor widget below "Our Privacy Policy", Set top padding = 20
For policy inspiration visit : [Link]
Open [Link], paste content (You will want your own content)
Set Font=Open Sans Cond, Size=21px
Choose Update, exit to dashboard

TERMS OF CONDITIONS SETUP

Goto Dashboard > Pages > Duplicate "Privacy Policy" page
Set name="Terms and Conditions", slug="terms-conditions", status="Published", save
Edit page with Elementor
Title = Terms, Set "Our Privacy Policy" to "Our Terms and Conditions"
For terms inspiration visit : [Link]
Open [Link], paste content (You will want your own content)
Choose Update, exit to dashboard

REFUNDS AND RETURNS POLICY SETUP

Goto Dashboard > Pages > Delete "Refund and Returns Policy" page
Goto Dashboard > Pages > Duplicate "Privacy Policy" page
Set name="Refund and Returns Policy", slug="refunds", status="Published", save
Edit page with Elementor
Title = Refunds, Set "Our Privacy Policy" to "Refund and Returns Policy"
Open [Link], paste content (You will want to adjust content)
Choose Update, exit to dashboard

MAKE THE LEGAL STUFF VISIBLE

Goto Appearance > Customize > WooCommerce > Checkout
Set Privacy Policy page = Privacy Policy
Set Terms and Conditions page = Terms Conditions
Under "Privacy policy" add the following content :
Please review our <a href="/refunds">refund&nbsp;policy</a>.
Choose Publish
Goto your cart checkout page and see these features in action

COUPONS
PERCENTAGE OFF COUPONS
Goto Dashboard > Marketing > Coupons > Add Coupon (generate random code option)
Set code="summer15" (note:coupons are not case sensitive)
Set comment="15% off entire order"
Choose Discount="Percentage Discount", coupon amount=15
Usage Restrictions > No Min, No Max, Individual use only [✓]
Usage limits > None
Choose "Publish"

FIXED AMOUNT OFF COUPONS

Goto Dashboard > Marketing > Coupons > Add Coupon
Set code="SAVE10" (note:coupons are not case sensitive)
Set comment="Save $10 off $50 order"
Choose Discount="Fixed Cart Discount", coupon amount=10
Usage Restrictions > Min=50, No Max, Individual use only [✓]
Usage limits > None
Choose "Publish"

FREE SHIPPING COUPONS

Goto Dashboard > Marketing > Coupons > Add Coupon
Set code="FREESHIPPING" (note:coupons are not case sensitive)
Set comment="Free Shipping within the USA"
Choose Discount="Fixed Cart Discount", coupon amount=0
Allow Free Shipping [✓]
Usage Restrictions > No Min, No Max, Individual use only [✓]
Usage limits > None
Test = Canada, British Columbia, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, V8M 1J8

CUSTOMER USE ONCE COUPONS

Goto Dashboard > Marketing > Coupons > Add Coupon > Click generate coupon
Set comment="50% off your next order"
Choose Discount="Percentage Discount", coupon amount=50
Usage Restrictions > No Min, No Max, Individual use only [✓]
Usage limits > Usage limit per coupon=1, Usage limit per user=1

BLACK FRIDAY COUPON

Goto Dashboard > Marketing > Coupons > Add Coupon
Set code="BlackFriday" (note:coupons are not case sensitive)
Set comment="Black Friday Deal - Save 60% off your order"
Choose Discount="Percentage Discount", coupon amount=60
Usage Restrictions > No Min, No Max, Individual use only [✓], Excluding sale items [✓]
Usage limits > None

BLACK FRIDAY STORE NOTICE

Goto Dashboard > Appearance > Customize > WooCommerce > Store Notice
Store Notice = "Save 60% off your order with the code BLACKFRIDAY thru 11/27"
[✓] Enable store notice, then Publish
As you review your "Store Notice" you find that both the size and colors are wrong and
can not be adjusted with our free versions. Once again you are like "Hey Yoda, the
Black Friday notice colors suck and it covers my menu, a little help?" IWSY

Adjust Store Notice Settings

Goto Dashboard > Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS >
Add the yellow code below, adjust settings as needed, then Publish
/* Store Notice */
.woocommerce-store-notice, p.demo_store {
width:50%; margin:auto;
padding:3px;
font-family: 'Open Sans Condensed';
background-color: #000000;
color: #FFF2AA;
}

PAYMENT METHODS
ESTABLISH PAYPAL & STRIPE ACCOUNTS (FREE)
To capture the most sales you will want to accept both PayPal payments and credit
card payments via Stripe. This means you will need to set up accounts via [Link]
and [Link]. Once you have established your PayPal and Stripe accounts you will be
able to complete the following steps to enable order processing on your shopping cart.
ADD PAYPAL PAYMENT METHOD
Goto Dashboard > WooCommerce > Settings > Payments
If Method = PayPal does not show in the list
Scroll to bottom to PayPal [Get Started], then choose "Connect to PayPal"
Enable "PayPal Standard – PayPal", then choose "Setup" that is to the right
Set Title=PayPal
Set Description=Pay via PayPal, you can pay with your credit card
Set PayPal email = sales@[Link] (This will be your paypal email address)
Scroll to the bottom and choose "Save Changes"
Go back to Dashboard > WooCommerce > Settings > Payments
Make sure that the PayPal toggle switch is enabled
Goto Checkout page to see PayPal payment has been added

ADD STRIPE PAYMENT METHOD

Goto Dashboard > WooCommerce > Settings > Payments
Note: If you are missing Stripe, you need to install the WooCommerce Stripe Plugin
Enable "Stripe – Credit Card (Stripe)", then choose "Setup" that is to the right
Set Title=Credit Card
Set Description=Pay with your credit card
Set Test Mode = [✓] (For now we will use test mode to test our payment method)
Login to your Stripe account
From the Stripe Dashboard goto Developers > API Keys >
Enable "Viewing Test Data" near the top right
(Example: [Link] vs [Link])
Get API Test Keys and paste into WooCommerce
Copy the Webhook Endpoints URL [Link]
From Stripe Dashboard goto Developers > Webhooks, then choose "+ Add Endpoint"
Paste Endpoint URL
Set Version = Latest Version (YYYY,-MM-DD)
Set Events to Send = "Charge", then click "Add Endpoint"
Scroll down and reveal Signing secret
Copy Signing secret to clipboard, paste into WooCommerce at "Test Webhook Secret"
Set Statement Descriptor=Shop Selftastic
Capture = [✓]
Payment Request Buttons = [ ] (UNCHECKED)(I suggest leaving this off)
Saved Cards = [✓] (Credit cards are save in Stripe servers not in your website)
Scroll down, choose "Save Changes"

Place a test order....Test successful!! You are ready to take your Shopping Cart live

GO LIVE WITH STRIPE PAYMENT METHOD

Goto Dashboard > WooCommerce > Settings > Payments
To the right of "Stripe – Credit Card (Stripe)" payment method, choose "Setup"
Set Test Mode = [ ] (Turn this OFF, we are ready to go live with Stripe)
From the Stripe Dashboard goto Developers > API Keys >
Disable "Viewing Test Data" near the top right
Your live "Publishable key" will already be visible, copy/paste to WooCommerce
Next we need to get your secret key which is only shown once so copy/save it securely
On new accounts you might have a button to reveal your "Secret Key"
For me, delete my old secret key and create a new one.
I choose "Create secret key" button, then named the key "secret key"
Go back to WooCommerce and paste your secret key
Copy the Webhook Endpoints URL [Link]
From Stripe Dashboard goto Developers > Webhooks, then choose "+ Add Endpoint"
Paste Endpoint URL
Set Version = Latest Version (YYYY,-MM-DD)
Set Events to Send = "Charge", then click "Add Endpoint"
Scroll down and reveal Signing secret
Copy Signing secret to clipboard, paste into WooCommerce at "Webhook Secret"
Set Statement Descriptor=Self Tastic Shop
Capture = [✓]
Payment Request Buttons = [ ] (UNCHECKED)(I suggest leaving this off)
Saved Cards = [✓]
Scroll down, choose "Save Changes"
Your shopping cart is officially live!!

ALTERNATE PAYMENT METHODS

For international clients where PayPal and Stripe are not available many choose
[Link] ([Link])
PROCESSING ORDERS
FULFILLING ORDERS
Fulfilling orders is pretty straight forward
Goto Dashboard > Orders, then click on any order to process that order
You will find a "Create Shipping Label" button for discount shipping options
Next, the order details section has a "Status:" option
Once you have shipped an order, Set Status=Completed, then choose "Update"
For Bethany it was important for her to provide her customers with tracking
information to her customers. Because of this she chose to purchase the
WooCommerce Tracking plugin. (Show Order and Email Examples)
To learn more visit [Link]/products, then choose "WooCommerce
Tracking"

SEO OPTIMIZATION
Outside of a visually amazing website with great content, there are four other factors
that insure you are listed above your competition in the search engines.

1. When WordPress installs the default settings discourage search engines from indexing your
website. This is good when your website is under construction, but many webmasters fail to
disable this feature once their website goes live. Go to dashboard > settings > Reading, then
under "Search Engine Visibility" turn off "Discourage search engines from indexing this site"
2. The easiest way to make your website search engine friend is to Install Yoast SEO Plugin, it's
free, and there are lots of how videos that explain Yoast in detail in case you want to use more
than just the default settings.
3. As secure website is a search engine happy website. A secure website has the lock to the left
of your website name in the browser. Google ranks secure websites above non-secure
websites. The SSL secure website feature is included for free with you HostGator hosting. This
video shows you how to activate your free SSL Secure Pages
4. Finally, adding quality unique domain backlinks to your website, (also free), if you don't mind
putting in the time. A backlink is any website that points to yours, the more backlinks your
website has the higher you rank. The more backlinks the websites that point to you have, the
higher they rank, thus the higher your website ranks and so on. A great source for information
about backlinks can be found at [Link] where SEO is literally their middle name
[Link]. [Link] will teach you everything you need to know about backlinks at no
cost to you. If you decide to have them build your backlinks, they can do that as well.