Creating a Website Using WordPress

• Why You Need a Website (10 min)

  • A website is the most cost-effective method of promotion/marketing.

  • A website can supply basic information and a means of getting in contact.

  • A website can help your business increase profits and make it easier for potential customers to find you.

  • A website can help you collect users for an email marketing campaign.

  • A website can help you evaluate your marketing strategies by providing visitor stats.

  • A website for any business these days is a must; it is a great addition to all your marketing materials.

  • An Example: http://lincolnwellnessaz.com/

• What is Wordpress? (5 min)

  • In a standard website (.html based), a developer/designer creates a template shell, saves each individual page as a separate file, and uploads the content.  When an item needs to be changed, it has to be changed on the individual file and re-uploaded.  If you’re a small business with a small web-budget, you don’t have resources to have someone change a single word every time you need one changed.

    

    WordPress does things differently. Instead of storing the content in files, it stores the content in a database.  The database is either stored on a different part of the server, or sometimes on a different server altogether.  Whereas a static page contains both structure and content, the WordPress theme envelops and wraps the content in the theme files – meaning you can change, edit, delete, and add new content using one set of template files (Studio NashVegas).

• Wordpress.com vs. wordpress.org (10 min)

  • The distinction between WordPress.com and WordPress.org can cause some confusion for people. Let’s clear it up.  WordPress.com is brought to you by some of the same folks who work on WordPress, the open source blogging software.  WordPress.com utilizes the same WordPress software which you can download at WordPress.org.  With WordPress.com the hosting and managing of the software is taken care of by the team here at Automattic.  With WordPress.org you need to install the software on your own server or with a 3rd party provider (Wordpress.com).
  • Pros and Cons of Both: http://en.support.wordpress.com/com-vs-org/
  • Let's start with a free Wordpress.com site and you can switch it over to a paid Wordpress.org site later

• Obtaining a domain name and hosting space (15 min)

  • Buying Domain Names - I buy from GoDaddy, but some hosting sites (below) will sell a package (domain + hosting)
  • Wordpress Web Hosting - Average cost for hosting is anywhere from $5-$15 a month. The longer the plan the lower the monthly cost.
  • My Recommendations: and

  • SiteGround Special - $3.95 per month - 1 year = $47, 2 years = $95, 3 years = $142 <--Great deal

  • One Year SiteGround Deal - 1 year for only $9.95

• Installing Wordpress on Server (30 min)

  • Go to your hosting website and log in

• • Access Fantastico De Luxe in the CPanel

  • 

  • Inside choose Wordpress under Blogs on the left menu

  • Click New Install

  • Install Wordpress

  • 

  • If you want for Wordpress to be the main website for your domain (http://freshmancomp.com), choose the domain in the first box and skip the "Install in directory."

  • If you want for website to be installed in a subdirectory (http://blog.freshmancomp.com), then write the name (blog) in the "Install in directory."

  • For Admin access data, create a username and password for your website. Be sure to write this down. Make sure you use a good secure password.

  • Lastly, for Base configuration, add a nickname or your real name and an email address for your website. Site name and description can be changed later, so it doesn't really matter what you put here.

  • Click Install WordPress

• Break (5 min)

• Choosing an appropriate theme (10 min)

  • 20 Best WordPress Themes For Small Business - Not available at Wordpress.com

  • Limited with Wordpress.com themes: Let's practice with Vigilance
  • Need to consider columns, fixed or flexible width, custom header,

• Creating a Custom Header (depends on theme) (5 min)

  • You need an image manipulation program: Photoshop or Gimp
  • You can also crop and resize current images in Photoshop or Gimp, or online at: Flickr, PicResize or Picnik.
  • 
  • Header created using: LogoCreator ($30 program)

• Plugins? What plugins do you need? (10 min)

  • With Wordpress.com sites, you don't have access to plugins. The site will maintain what they think is necessary
  • With self hosted Wordpress.org sites, you can add lots of plugins.
  • Optimize your Wordpress blog for Search Engines (Search Engine Optimization) - All in One SEO Pack

  • Ultimate List Of 15 Necessary Wordpress Plugins For Any Installation

  • Basic HTML:  http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/tut/

• Widgets? Adding and Using Widgets (20 min)

  • Widgets are a simple way to arrange the various elements of your sidebar content without having to change any code.
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• Break (5 min)

• Building pages for website (15 min)

  • Create a page to be a Static Front Page. Set it as the Front Page. (Settings/Reading)
  • Create another page to be your blog Post Page. Set it as the Post Page. (Settings/Reading)
  • Create as many pages as you need: products, contact, services, about us, and more

• Adding content to website (30 min)

  • Add content to pages or create a blog (news) post.
  • Add photos and videos to pages or blog posts.
  • Add a podcast - Use this file to play with (http://drcoop.pbworks.com/f/Briana.mp3)
  • Add a Contact Form to a page

• Creating Categories and Tags (10 min)

  • Organizing your site with tags and categories
  • Mostly important if you will be blogging on your website
  • Categories vs Tags - What's the difference?