Using WordPress to Blog

Posted on January 25, 2008
Filed Under Blogging |

The blogging platform to use is definitely WordPress. It’s extremely easy to use, has a myriad of features and plug-ins and it’s FREE. You’ll find everything you need to install WordPress, learn how to use it, download plug-ins and get technical support at WordPress.org. There are literally thousands of blogging themes available also…and for free. I’m really amazed at how easy it is to use and Google loves it. A WordPress blog attracts traffic like a magnet.

To install WordPress, just download the .zip file, upload it to the root of your domain or subfolder if you like and then type the following URL in a web browser. http://www.yourdomainname.com/wp-admin/install.php. You will then be walked through the install process. It takes a total of 5 minutes. After the install is complete, you can login. To login from a new browser just type http://www.yourdomainanme.com/wp-admin.

Plug-ins are very easy to install. Basically you just download the plugin, unzip it and then upload it to the plug-in folder in your WordPress install. It’s located in wp-admin/content/plug-ins. Now you login to WordPress, go to the Plug-ins menu and activate the plug-in listed below. I love the All-in-one-SEO plug-in. It helps you optimize your blog for search engines. It works really well too. There are hundreds of plug-ins available.

When selecting a theme, consider the Widget ready themes. These themes have widgets in the side bars that enable you to add scripts or code such as for advertising. You can add up to 9 widgets. You can put them in any order too. This makes customizing your blog very easy. You can move around the navigation widgets too or remove some of them. Make sure your blog is easy to navigate and read or surfers will leave quickly.

There is a wealth of information at WordPress.org. It would be extremely beneficial to read and understand as much as possible about the WordPress blog. This will make you a more effective blogger and assist you in earning money with your blog $$$$$.