WordPress for Beginners

Get Started

If you are just getting into the world of websites and online marketing, you need to be careful. There are a lot of big companies out there that will try to sell you a Yugo for the price of a Mercedes.

The first thing I recommend you do is go to wordpress.com and set up a free blog. You can get started today, and wordpress is very scalable, meaning you can upgrade and transfer your content later on. The sign up process should take about 5 minutes or so, after you wait for the confirmation email and log in.  Once you have done that, you go to your dashboard, which is the interface you will use to make blog posts, create pages, and control everything else about your website. Some users may find it useful to view a detailed tutorial on wordpress , while others may prefer to jump right in.

There are 2 types of pages in wordpress, called posts and pages. Using the wordpress format, you can set up a full-on content management system website with different pages, or you can just use your wordpress website to blog, or both. The format is very flexible, and will allow for any upgrades and modifications you can imagine. Click here to check out some of my favorite templates.

Lay out your pages just like you want to see them on the internet. WordPress actually functions as a what you see is what you get (WYSWYG) text and media editor. Learn how to make a wordpress post in following the video.
For posts, start with commonly asked questions about your field. You could also start off posting information from an older article you have written, or a newsletter. The idea is to make the information valuable, so people will read it, and follow links back to your site.  Make your writing as fresh as possible, always including your own ideas and content as opposed to content already published somewhere on the internet. Add links in your text to other relevant sites, as this helps your readers and increases the users experience on your blog. Always add a link to your own site! This is an instant search engine optimization strategy.

Upgrade- take it to the next level

Now that you have worked with your content- text, pictures, videos and other assets- move your website over to your own server, or hire a professional to do it for you. Now you will have access to many more resources within the wordpress framework, including plugins (software modules) and database-driven applications. Now is the time to hire a web designer, who can customize your website look and functionality.

Maybe you want your website to be found easily by google and other search engines- just download and implement the All-in-one-SEO plugin. Then download and activate the XML Sitemap plugin, so you can stay updated with google and the other major search engines.

Some Worpress Tutorials

I am putting together a collection of screencast videos that highlight important WordPress features.

How to Create a WordPress Post

Basic SEO for WordPress

Go Pro

Call me at 720-317-9652 or contact me here to learn how you can take your wordpress website to the next level!

 

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