Getting Started with

Created by Mitzi LewisInspired by Barbara Nixon

What is WordPress?

• WordPress is a free, open-source publishing platform originally developed for creating and maintaining blogs.

What’s the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?

• WordPress.com provides hosting and software management (i.e., FREE)

• WordPress.org requires you to install and manage the software using a 3rd party provider (or your own server) (i.e., $$)

• More info about the pros and cons of each option can be found at http://en.support.wordpress.com/com-vs-org

• The following steps focus on Wordpress.com

Create an Account (1 of 3)

• Go to wordpress.com• Click the “Sign up now” button

Create an Account (2 of 3)

1. Fill out this form

Create an Account (3 of 3)

2. Choose your domain name wisely – you cannot change it later!

3. Choose a blog title – you can change it later.

Complete Registration

While you wait for the activation e-mail, you can update your profile

Now What?

Log In!

Go to “My Dashboard”

Go to “Settings”

1. Change your tagline (or delete it)

2. Pick your time zone

3. Save your changes

Select “Appearance”

Pick a Theme You Like: 1. Preview2. Activate

Select “Widgets”

Add Widgets: Search, Categories, Calendar, Links, Recent Posts(these are required – you may add others if you like)

To add a widget, click and drag to the Sidebar

Select “Categories”

Add Categories

• Multimedia Class• Audio• Photo• Audio Slideshow• Graphics• Personal (if you have any personal posts)• Additional categories of your choosing• Note: do not use the “Uncategorized” category – this is

like saying “Reader, I don’t care enough about you to organize my blog”

Select “Add New”

(under “Links”)

Blogroll (a list of your favorite blogs)

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Select “Blog Stats”

(under “Dashboard”)

To View Your Blog Stats

Posts PagesMany WordPress posts can be on a single page

One WordPress page at a time can can be on a single page

For dynamic content For static content

Can be categorized (posts can appear in multiple places on a website)

Cannot be categorized

Newest post shows at top (as info is added, older posts “sink down”)

Accessible from anywhere in your blog (often shows up in header or sidebar)

What’s the Difference Between Posts and Pages?

Add/Edit a Post

Tips for Adding/Editing a Post

• Click “Save Draft” often• Click “Publish” when you are ready for the

post to “go live”• If copying text from Word, use “Paste from

Word” icon on toolbar – this prevents it from getting very messy

Adding a Link

FIRST: Highlight text for hyperlink

SECOND: Click link button

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Add/Edit a Page

Tips for Adding/Editing a Page(same as tips for adding/editing a post)

• Click “Save Draft” often• Click “Publish” when you are ready for the

page to “go live”• If copying text from Word, use “Paste from

Word” icon on toolbar – this prevents it from getting very messy

Tips for Your “About Me” Page

• Stay professional• Include– Name– Photo (optional)– University affiliation– Major– Career goals– Links to other places you can be found online

(optional)