LPSites

LPSites.org is as WordPress multisite, which means that all sites on this platform are WordPress sites with a limited set of themes and plugins that you, as a subsite admin, can configure however you like.

Managing Expectations

Different sites and services allow us to automatically import different types and amounts of content into LPSites.org.

If your current website is built with WordPress, it’ll be easy for us to import your page, post, menu, media (pictures/files) and comment into an LPSites.org. If you’re using the All-in-One Event Calendar by Time.ly plugin for events, then we’ll also be able to import your events.

We will not be able to import your plugins or themes, which means that some functionality and design elements will not be able to be migrated. That said, it’s possible for us to add themes and plugins to the system so feel free to post plugins and themes you’d like us to include in the system to the Community Support Forum.

Create an Export

If you’re site is in one of the following formats, we can automate the migration of some (maybe all) of your content:

• WordPress
• Blogger
• Blogroll
• LiveJournal
• Moveable Type and TypePag
• RSS
• Tumblr

If you’re using a different service, google “service’s name to WordPress’ (ex. “Wix to WordPress”).

Instructions for:

• Wix to WordPress
• Squarespace to WordPress

Find useful instructions? Post them to our Community Support Forum!

Okay so now you have to create an importable file. If you’re using WordPress here’s how. If you’re using one of the systems above, or a system that can output RSS (which is very likely) then Search to find how to create an export.

Perform the Import

Now that you have an exported file, follow these instructions to import it into your LPSites.org website. If you don’t have an LPSites.org admin account yet, fill out this form. 

Once you’ve become familiar with the basic functionality of WordPress, the next step is to start building a site for your affiliate.

Websites are easy to change and update, so our general recommendation is to get something simple up FAST and then improve on it over time.

Here are a few ideas for how to do that:

• Most affiliate serve similar purposes, so don’t be afraid to copy and pages and menus of other affiliate sites. Common pages for your menu include: (1) News, (2) Events, (3) About, (4) Join, (5) Contact.
• If you’re more comfortable using a Word processor to write content, do that. Use Google Docs and you can collaborate with other people in your chapter on site content. Then, when your content is ready, simply copy/paste it into WordPress. The formatting should transfer automatically and you’ll be ready to go.
• Good websites have nice pictures, and lots of them! So collect a bunch of pictures from your community, the internet, etc and put them all in a shared folder using Google Drive or Dropbox. Then pick a few of your favorites for your website. But keep adding photos to the folder – you’ll be happy you did when you’re looking for more posts and pages to publish.
• Embedding HTML code is easy with WordPress via the text editor.  That means you can embed Mailchimp forms, Facebook and Twitter Widgets, YouTube videos and Google Forms in your sites pages and in it’s sidebar and footer widgets. Give it a try!

That’s an easy one. Fill out this form.

WordPress is the world’s most popular Content Management System (CMS) with over 25% of all websites using it. It is open source software, which means once we put it on our server we own it completely. No liscensing fees. No restrictions in how we use it.

Since it’s very popular there are lots of resource out there for learning WordPress. Here are a few:

WordPress.org Official Guides

WPBeginner Guide

Libertarian Party IT Help Desk

You need to associate your domain name (internet address/URL) with our servers so that your new website can be accessed with your domain name. This requires logging into your “registrar” and pointing the “DNS” to our hosting account’s “name server”. This might sound intimidating but it’s actually really easy.

If you’re using NameCheap.com as your registrar you can follow the instruction here. If you’re using a different registrar, search their knowledge base for “DNS to NameServer” or chat with their support people.

Tip: If you’re using your domain to host email accounts (ex. myname@countylp.org), those email accounts will stop working when you change your nameserver.

Point your nameservers to:

NS1: dns1.namecheaphosting.com

NS2: dns2.namecheaphosting.com

Let us know when you’ve finished pointing your nameservers so we know you’re ready to move forward with a site.

Buying a domain name is as easy as online shopping. People buy domain names from “registrars” who will sell you yearly access to that domain name for a fee: usually between $10-$12.

We recommend Namecheap.com is a good registrar.

Pick a domain name that is short, easy to remember and hard to misspell.  Don’t buy a name with dashes in it.

We recommend making your name countynamelp.org. For example: brooklynlp.org

Domain names are brands. People can become passionate about them. Don’t let that passion get in the way of acting quickly. It’s important to get up your own website up ASAP as buy one now.