Wordpress Blogging - Wordpress How To - Getting Started

Wordpress blogging is currently a hot topic.  I decided to write a Wordpress how to article on ways to get started and approaches that might work for your personal blog, business blog or community site.

The Wordpress blog platform or engine is free to use.  There are also many plugins that allow for customizing functions, such as including a contact form or photo gallery in addition to the base functions of the blogging software.  People blog make blogging sites either to showcase articles on topics that they are an expert, to add to an existing site or to blog for money (share their expertise while collecting revenues on ads or by selling their products).

Wordpress.org, the main Wordpress website offers a free blog to anyone that registers that is hosted on a subdomain.  Most serious writers and publishers however will seek out hosting and development as they wish to take advantage of the benefits of search engines, which requires the site to be hosted independently, typically on a seperate domain name that the user registers.

Many cPanel hosting control panels will offer an auto install, however, it is typically not the most current version, and still further, many users have trouble with the configuration and end up with a broken Wordpress.  Although the product is free, hiring a professional company that specializes in the platform can be a decision that can save time and money while resulting in an end product that has benefits of customization (ie: custom banners inserted, design changes, the correct plugins for the site owner’s needs and a design that is tweaked to route traffic wisely according to the desired end result or action of the visitor.

Below are some resources to get started on your own (or get assistance and escape the obstacles)

What you will need:

Hosting Account - Most hosting accounts will work for blog hosting.  The hard concept to understand is that cheap is not necessarily good.  The account does not have to be just for blogs.  It is suggested to get a hosting account with cPanel, which allows access to setting up the required SQL databases (so yes, your account will also have to allow for MySQL databases).  It should also allow FTP access (explained below).

FTP Software (suggested to use Filezilla or CoreFTP, however any FTP software should work) - The FTP software allows you to upload the core files of Wordpress to your hosting account.  This also allows you to edit key files once they are on the server.  This is where some of the compexity comes in as there are hundreds of files located in many directories.

Download Most Current Wordpress Version - Features are constantly added to make using the platform easier and more robust.  All of the files are zipped up and must be unpacked to your computer prior to uploading to your hosting server.

Zip Software - To unpack files (theme, engine, plugins)

Theme - Wordpress themes are what change the look and function from the standard that is installed when you begin.  It is what takes the look and makes it match your needs or the needs of your business.  Many of the components of these themes can also be further customized by a professional Wordpress webmaster.  Just like the other files, these are typically zipped and must be unpacked and uploaded to the correct location, then activated in the WP admin panel.

Time and Patience - The entire process has been designed to be as easy as possible given the complexity of what is considered by most to be the strongest system when you are ready to say “create blog!, ” due to the search engine results obtained and the positive effect on your net results.

Too Confusing?  Have a Pro Do It. - It can be confusing and things can break if even one item is not configured properly…many opt to hire a professional blog webmaster for the base install, SQL setup, theme install, theme customization and installation and configuration of desired plugins.  It is the same process as making a regular website with the advantages of WP, yet due to being professionals with the engine and having some base to start with, the setup is usually more cost effective than a regular website.  Once the setup is done, the user (publisher) just has to login and begin writing and submitting their content to the World!

What to Watch Out for With Pro Installs - Just like anything, there are always cheap options being thrown at you via ads on search results or websites.  You might see a super cheap price for the setup and hosting.  When it comes to customization, these companies may either not do it at all or charge prices that then escalate what seemed to be cheap to a price that is not.  Highly suggested to get an all inclusive quote based on your needs once they are reviewed by a professional specializing in blogging or website and blog integration.  This way, there are not any “gotchas.”

Request a Free All Inclusive Setup Quote for Your Needs