Start a New Blog Using Wordpress in 6 Simple Steps
After deciding to breathe new life into my several-years-old HTML portfolio website, I changed to a better host and installed Wordpress after hearing so many people raving about it. After a little experimentation, I realized how powerful the engine really is. I use the technology to power my blog, as well as my portfolio website (less uncommonly used just as a CMS). It can be customized however you want it to look–there are so many great examples of this (see below).
For those hosting their blog on a site like blogger.com, seriously consider switching it to a domain of your own. I use Dreamhost as an inexpensive and reliable host, after many horrors attempting to use GoDaddy. Wordpress is so flexible and fast, it’s actually fun to work on. Follow these 6 simple steps and give it a try for yourself:
1. Set up a subdomain or folder on your server
2. On the Dreamhost left-hand menu, click on “Goodies,” then “One-Click Installs”
3. Choose “Install new website software (advanced mode).”
4. Make sure the Wordpress button is checked, and the subdomain or folder is shown in the install window.
5. Enter a name under “Database Name” field, and choose the correct subdomain under the “Hostname” field.
6. Click on the “Install” button at the bottom, and follow (and bookmark) the login link sent to you in the welcome email.
That’s it! Choose a theme and you’re off and running. Take a look at these helpful links toward great Wordpress theme templates:
- 100 Excellent Free WordPress Themes
- 83 Beautiful Wordpress Themes You (Probably) Haven’t Seen
- Best Wordpress Themes
- wPsnap: The Very Best of Wordpress
- ThemeForest
Hi.
I am planning to start using Wordpress on irishviews.com once I get my hosting sorted out. I have heard a lot of good things about it..
I think I’ll keep the blogspot blog as well though…
NB your portfolio site turned out well – did it take long to get it all set up with wordpress?
Setting up Wordpress for the first time was actually much easier than I thought, and so much more powerful than my old Blogspot blog.
Also, after doing a lot of research on hosting, I highly recommend going with Dreamhost. They’re reliable, inexpensive, and have great tech support, which is pretty rare to find these days.