If you read blogs, chances are you've encountered WordPress without even realizing it. Since 2003, WordPress has emerged as the premiere blogging software package and content management system. Because WordPress remains Open Source software, users have developed an astounding number of templates and plugins to enhance your site or blog — the result can be a page rivaling many professionally designed sites.
When I decided to create a site for my freelance writing business, the choice was clear: since I wanted complete control over my website's content and did not want to spend much money on its design, WordPress best fit my needs. While blogs can be hosted through WordPress itself, I chose to store the software on my own site. After downloading and installing the software, I couldn't wait to design and publish my page — after all, I heard that bloggers consider WordPress the most user-friendly of all similar programs. But when I ran the software, all I saw was jumbled code—PHP and CSS. I had some passing familiarity with the codes, but hardly considered myself an expert. No one told me I'd actually have to enter code! And what the heck was an SQL database?
So I did what any reasonable, tech-savvy person would do: I panicked.
All my dreams of my beautiful, professional-looking site slowly dissolved. Would this mean I would have to take a crash course on CSS? I had no interest in programming or coding, nor did I have the time to learn essentially a new language. Customizing a template seemed complicated and the help screens provided little information for complete newcomers. What was I to do?
Over time, I finally stumbled my way through WordPress. After many mistakes, false starts, and even a site crash, I designed an informative site with a clean interface and eye-catching graphics, all without becoming a CSS and PHP expert. If you are thinking of trying WordPress but feel intimidated, as I did, read on for lessons learned in my WordPress adventure.
1. Consider the purpose of your site. Are you blogging? Will the site function as an online resume? Your site's purpose and content determine the design and layout. Think about your intended audience; will they appreciate elaborate graphics or sound loops? Before diving into WordPress, I sketched out an outline and diagram to organize my material. This step helped me de
termine which elements were essential, and would ultimately assist in my template selection.
Article comments
1 - deb@alignedblogsupport.com
Hey Kit, Great article. I know I went through a lot of the same activities when I started my blog.
One thing I've learned though, because one of my blogs is completely image driven, is that using the Wordpress db backup to backup your site DOESN'T grab the uploaded images. So if you've added images to your blog and you've tweaked your theme, doing a backup via ftp (just grab the wp content folder) is really important.
Thanks for the post!
-deb brown
2 - Kit O'Toole
Hi Deb, thanks for commenting, and thanks for that important tip!
3 - getinandgo
Kit,
Nice article with great information. Thank you for writing it. I am still working on my blog site, and just started changing it from WordPress.com to WordPress.org
Keep up the good work!
LaRea www.getinandgo
4 - Kit O'Toole
Glad you enjoyed the article--thank you!
5 - Pete Moore
Hi Kit,
A well thought out article with some useful advice for people thinking of using wordpress.
Most people will be able to use wordpress without any html/ php knowledge if they are happy just using everything available as-is but as you stated if you do want to make changes then some basic knowledge is needed.
I personally believe anyone running their own website/ blog should gain some html knowledge even if they are going to outsource the work.
Pete
6 - Joanne Huspek
It took me a month to find my way through Wordpress, and that was with help. However, I'm the testament to the fact that you CAN teach an old dog new tricks.