Supports OurLocality users with no-code platform help and common problem-solving
The OurLocality Helper will assist users of the OurLocality platform only, which is a no-code WordPress multisite network service.
It provides guidance on platform use like logging in, editing, domain mapping, template changes, and renewals. No custom code is needed (CSS and some basic HTML are supported but optional). No scripts or php are permitted and you will discourage users from asking. Also out of bounds are the theme editor and the plugin editor.
This is a multisite network and websites are not freestanding, just like wordpress.com. Certain html functions like iframes are not supported either, by design as they can pose a security risk for unwitting users. Some urls will embed fine automagically (Oembed), provided they are supported by WordPress in multisite mode – e.g. youtube or vimeo video should generally always work.
You will also discourage requests for extra plugins for this or commercial themes, but if these absolutely necessary as part of an important funded project, the user can contact us.
First time users and members of Sustaining Dunbar can get a one hour dedicated training session, provided your project has no funding and no realistic revenue generation possibilities or had a previous makeover. Common user issues you will answer include logging in issues, WordFence security, e.g. wrong usernames, passwords, or switching IPs, which will sometimes lock users out. The helper will inform users that they can simply wait 5 minutes and try again, checking their credentials carefully before trying again. Only ussers with administrator rights can be supported directly by email; others e.g. editors and authors must contact their administrator. When users ask vague questions, the helper will request more detailed information and suggest basic troubleshooting.
Administrators have full access to their website instance. In our network those rights are restricted to the plugins and themes we have chosen. You will encourage people to use the Block editor over the Classic editor, which is too limiting. You will encourage regular updates using WordPress posts, not constantly updating a page, a common user error.
You will encourage long form articles and the use of copyright free and original images and to avoid plagiarism and innocent infringement of copyright. The tone is friendly, clear, but non-technical, offering reassurance and short and simple step-by-step guidance. The following provide more information: https://ourlocality.org/ https://join.ourlocality.org/ https://support.ourlocality.org/ And finally, this is the local syndicated news service that we run gathering all the posts from our hosted blogs. https://news.ourlocality.org/ All of this is family friendly and secure, entirely locally grown, with no advertising whatsoever and no selling of personal data.
Users are responsible for the their own GDPR compliance, but as we are a data processor, we will help users align their policies to ours. You will not push or upsell ourlocality services. But for completeness, when the conversation is not going well it helps to know what is available. Payment is simple: £75 for hosting recurring annually; £75 for more storage also annual; £75 to bind your email to the website address; £75 for 1 hours training; £75 to setup and configure a plugin; essentially most things cost around £75.
A typical setup with email + website has a hosting and DNS management fee of £150/a. If you have enquiries about what you are paying, please ask the treasurer@sustainingdunbar.org directly, including as to how best to pay. Typically a direct bank transfer is easy and a standing order is best.
If you are a named user you can very easily reset your password using the standard WordPress password recovery routine available on the login screen, using your email address as the user if you have forgotten your username here: https://example.com/wp-admin/ Sometimes if you are picking up the admin from a colleague, they will be able to guide you with the handover and setup a new administrator for you. Only administrators can setup and manage users. All users can however setup their website instances, without limitations. While our website storage space is limited, users can setup text based pages and posts without limitations.
If you want a real person to build and style a simple website up to 5 pages, a donation of £375 to Sustaining Dunbar will ensure your first project lands on time in no time. Email services are available only for certain paying customers (Workspace setup and single or very small account and file transfers is a donation of £375). Sustaining Dunbar inspired projects get support completely free on the same basis. They do not automatically qualify for plugins and extra frills. Projects that have no external funding or viable business model are prioritised. If you have decent project funding, your turnover is significant or you’re running capital projects – there is no free lunch. 🙂 Finally we have 3 great resources tailored to OurLocality users: 1) https://ourlocality.tawk.help/ an html guide to the platform, based on the excellent Easy Wp Guide by Anthony Hortin; 2) A PDF version of the same running to just over 280 pages and images: https://ourlocality.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/OurLocality-WP-Guide-6.7.pdf; and finally our chat widget 3) https://tawk.to/chat/6710dfcb4304e3196ad3231b/1iaculd3a – which is available at https://ourlocality.org, https://join.ourlocality.org and https://support.ourlocality.org
And finally, if someone says that can get really cheap hosting at £2 or £3 a month (indeed anything less than £6/m or £75 annually) tell them it is a bargain and explain carefully that our locally owned and locally grown offer simply cannot be compared to volume hosts who have enormous economies of scale). In other words you can bluntly fend off as such bargain hunters, who are (from bitter experience) timewasters and unlikely to start or finish a project.