Welcome to part four in this series.
If you’re still with me you should be aware, there is a method to these steps. They are in order simply because it can’t be done any other way. You must first have a domain name, find a host and as shown in the this part, install WordPress.
By now you should also have a personal or business plan in mind. There is no point in all this unless you have at least some idea of a destination. It does not have to be lofty; you don’t need to compete with Amazon. Or maybe you do. Either way, most people will fall somewhere in the middle as far as having a goal in mind.
This part is completely mechanical. Just follow the steps and install WordPress. Then, make a few necessary first step settings, and you’re done.
Do play with the Dashboard by clicking around and having a look at things. I don’t recommend making drastic changes just yet, but even if you manage to dump it, you can remove the whole thing and start over.
Do the playing around part now. In the next section, you will start working with themes, posts, pages and other permanent settings.
{ 15 comments }
That's a terrific primer, Hal.
WP gives the impression of being very easy to set up (and it is), but the flexibility can be daunting. Your tutorial covers all of the critical points and should save new installers some real headaches.
Randy
Thanks Randy. I almost always FTP the files to the server and install it myself. But for newbies this is, I believe the best way to get it done.
I just started using Wordpress for my MGMT website. This write-up is extremely useful for me, thanks!
Thanks. I appreciate the comment.
one of the best things about wordpress now is their automagic update feature – for the program and for the plug-ins. that's been a lifesaver and a time-saver. :)
Yes, in fact Wordpress, as you know, continues to be more user friendly (Do we still say that?) with each version. You can now even edit pictures, at least to a small degree. One of the best things is installing themes and plugins from the dashboard.
yes they've really come a long way with their dashboard. i'm very happy with wordpress. i've been using it for six years now.
Everyone keeps telling me that I need to switch to Wordpress but my biggest hurdle is that I don't want to lose all the “google juice” that I have built up on Blogger. Is this hurdle real or false?
P.S. I Dugg, Stumbled and RT'ed this post!
Egads – I'm now two behind. Still can't pull the trigger on names. I came up with a new one. I'll run it by Go Daddy if I have time today. I'm referring people to this series tomorrow.
Thanks for the promotion help. I truly appreciate that.
About the 'Google juice'. What you mean is (correct me if this is wrong) is SEO, followers etc.
I don't think you can do this with a free site like Blogger, but…
With a site that you own this would not be a problem at all. You can write (and this is easy) a 301 redirect that will automatically redirect your old domain to the new domain. And maintain (the best way I know) the SEO, followers etc. you've made.
What I would do with a free site is, first see if there is a way to automatically redirect. If that is not possible, then simply have a single page with nothing but an explanation (We've moved to ??) and the URL to your new site. Check this site about redirects:
http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/an...
I hope this helps. Here is yet another reason to have control over your on domain.
Thanks Missy. Don't hurry with the name. Ya may have to live with it for years. And thank you for the reference.
I will be making this into an e-book and a PDF book as soon as I get time. It will be available for download. Call me old fashioned (Hell, call me old) but I work better when I can print something like this and work with it from paper.
Thank you for your simple yet informational instructions. I have followed them with great success-keep on posting.
Thanks for the helpful information Hal! I appreciate it. I will have to look into this a lot more.
Thanks Karen. Any questions, just ask.
You can call me old-fashioned AND old (at 38), but I completely prefer hard copies. I'll probably carry the ebook everywhere!
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