Wordpress for beginner

**DanLar75** · Jul 30, 2007 17:55

Im looking to start a wordpress blog in the simplest way possible. Im currently using blogger.com but think that wordpress gives better graphics and design options so im wanting to switch.

What i need is a VERY simple wordpress solution. Preferably a host where i can just join and set up the blog as easy as possible.

Anyone got advice?

**einsteinsboi** · Jul 31, 2007 00:17

Most hosting accounts that feature cpanel will have Fantastico, a script installer, which allows a fast easy install of wordpress. After that you just need to find a theme that works for you, and start creating content. I can suggest Hosting Zoom, which is what I use, but I know that others like Hostgator and more have the same too in terms of fantastico and wordpress.

**DanLar75** · Jul 31, 2007 00:35

Superthanks! Is it hard to install a custom theme? (like the ones sold here on sitepoint).

**ses5909** · Jul 31, 2007 00:49

If they are already coded it is VERY easy. You simply drop them into your themes folder and from the wordpress admin, you turn it on. That's it!

**DanLar75** · Jul 31, 2007 00:51

Niiice! Thank you again both! I promise to dump my new design in the review section when its done!

**ewomack** · Aug 1, 2007 11:06

I've so far had great luck with a hosting company called "A Small Orange." Cheap, unlimited MySQL DBs, and lots of controls and metrics. It took me about 3 minutes to set up a wordpress blog (though I haven't made it public).

**RetroNetro** · Aug 1, 2007 11:19

Try http://wordpress.com/ for a fully hosted version of Wordpress.

It does not offer all of the features of an installed hosted on your own server version, but it is close and great for a beginner.

Plus after you get the hang of it if you want to switch to a self hosted version this will make it easy to move the posts to the new blog.

**LJK** · Aug 1, 2007 16:19

Hi -
I'd suggest getting XAMPP and practice with a local install -
it's wonderful for testing your own themes ;-)

Have fun,
El

**rcj662** · Aug 1, 2007 16:45

I agree with jonny gulag try wordpress and then get own hosting when your ready.

This way you get used to wordpress and then you can move up to your own site and add plugins.

**fonzerelli_79** · Aug 2, 2007 00:46

I actually think DanLar75 would be as well getting hosting sooner rather than later. By the sounds of it he is going to go with the non developer hosted version of wordpress at one point so theres no harm in just jumping right in. Any problems he has with new blog will probably be with setting up a new site and ftp and whatnot, eg general problems which someone faces when getting a host for the first time rather than being unsure about using wordpress which is in my opinion very straight forward

**Pennywise** · Aug 2, 2007 12:24

While I am waiting for my design and stuff for my blog I will be starting I thought Id sign upto wordpress.com and give that a whirl for a bit, how does it do in the search engines? Also now ive signed up is there anything I should do, like a 'must do' thing that you always do when you start a new blog?

Not sure how I am gonna get traffic to it tho, with the blog I am gonna be doing I will obviously advertise but dont wan too for this one as its more of a test (But with some nice content too so would still like it to be read)

**Pennywise** · Aug 2, 2007 12:38

Also is there a way to see stats like referrers/keywords etc?

**einsteinsboi** · Aug 2, 2007 13:52

Originally Posted by Ross19821982

While I am waiting for my design and stuff for my blog I will be starting I thought Id sign upto wordpress.com and give that a whirl for a bit, how does it do in the search engines? Also now ive signed up is there anything I should do, like a 'must do' thing that you always do when you start a new blog?

Not sure how I am gonna get traffic to it tho, with the blog I am gonna be doing I will obviously advertise but dont wan too for this one as its more of a test (But with some nice content too so would still like it to be read)

Well, the first thing is that you cannot put ads on Wordpress.com free blogs. If you want to do ads, you'll be better setting Wordpress on your own hosting plan. Blogger allows ads though so that might be a good one to play with.

The must thing to do when you start a blog is add content. You need good quality content to attract and keep traffic, and it's good when you update the content frequently. Search engines like to see new content when they come crawling by.

But first consider changing from wordpress.com if putting ads up is something you want to do.

**einsteinsboi** · Aug 2, 2007 13:56

Originally Posted by Ross19821982

Also is there a way to see stats like referrers/keywords etc?

I use Google Analytics for this, but there are many tools out there. Once you have a hosting plan your hosting account may offer some kind of stats too. Analytics shows you referrers and keywords and a lot of other stuff.

Another good one is to submit your blog to mybloglog.com and set up their stats. But if you want to see present stats you would need to pay after their trial period, so it may not be the best choice. I personally prefer analytics and it's free.

**Pennywise** · Aug 2, 2007 13:58

Well I am not really looking to earn money from this, just learn the ropes and also add some content, its more like a test, my *proper* blog I will be launching soon I will be hosting myself.

**Pennywise** · Aug 2, 2007 13:59

Originally Posted by einsteinsboi

I use Google Analytics for this, but there are many tools out there. Once you have a hosting plan your hosting account may offer some kind of stats too. Analytics shows you referrers and keywords and a lot of other stuff.

Another good one is to submit your blog to mybloglog.com and set up their stats. But if you want to see present stats you would need to pay after their trial period, so it may not be the best choice. I personally prefer analytics and it's free.

I am talking about on wordpress.com

**DanLar75** · Aug 2, 2007 14:02

Soo cool that so many is eager to help me!

I am going to need Ads on my blog (in the process of setting up a whole blog-ring), since I'm allready hovering at 30k views a month, and 12k unique with crappy design.

My blogs are centered around TV Shows, and doing amazingly well for being online less than two weeks.

Thank you ALL for the great suggestions! I'm currently waiting for some incoming cash (invoices) to be delivered before i can set my plan into action.

Daniel

**DanLar75** · Aug 2, 2007 14:03

Also,
does anyone have any idea if there is any value in a high-visitor blog-ring (10 blogs with the same design, and content type) or is it purely based on advertising income?

Im projecting having about 250k pageviews a month and 150k unique.

**einsteinsboi** · Aug 2, 2007 15:23

Originally Posted by Ross19821982

Well I am not really looking to earn money from this, just learn the ropes and also add some content, its more like a test, my *proper* blog I will be launching soon I will be hosting myself.

Ah I see.. my mistake... I missed that when I read your post the first time... sorry about that.

**hilton** · Aug 8, 2007 04:41

yeah you are absolutely right.wordpress interface is easy to work.and it is more powerful than others.it provides more facilities than others

**mridout196** · Aug 8, 2007 08:49

agreed wordpress is very easy to install and manage

**kean_** · Aug 9, 2007 15:28

Yeap, you are lucky, you pick the best blogging platform.

I'm using Lunarpages.com and they have fantastico to walk you through the wordpress installation.

To find out more guide about wordpress, check out their documentation, it's pretty comprehensive, except maybe you need advise on which plugin to use.

**savagepriest** · Aug 13, 2007 21:04

can i put ads on my wordpress blog www.neeshu.wordpress.com

**savagepriest** · Aug 13, 2007 21:06

Originally Posted by kean_

Yeap, you are lucky, you pick the best blogging platform.

I'm using Lunarpages.com and they have fantastico to walk you through the wordpress installation.

To find out more guide about wordpress, check out their documentation, it's pretty comprehensive, except maybe you need advise on which plugin to use.

yup the what you see is what you get plugin is the must and wordpress blogs on wordpress lag the css editor and other options I dont think i will be able to put ads