What is WordPress?
WordPress is an online, open source website creation tool written in PHP. But in non-geek speak, it’s probably the easiest and most powerful blogging and website content management system (or CMS) in existence today. WordPress is highly customizable, and has literally thousands of plugin pieces of software so you can use your site for just about anything.
The Benefits of Using WordPress
Here are just the top 5 benefits of using WordPress:
- The software is free! How many times have you been given something for free that is fully functional and ready to use? And if you want to upscale your site a little with premium themes and plugins, you’re still going to save tons of money over what you would pay for a custom designed site.
- It’s easy to use. Seriously. If you can send an email, use Microsoft Word, or set up a Facebook account, then you can use WordPress. In other words, if you’ve already used a computer, chances are you are already skilled enough for the WordPress basics. And even better, it’s hard to mess it up. You can easily add and delete pages and posts without accidentally messing up the overall design of your site.
- You are in control. Owning your own site, and being able to make changes to it yourself, is the ultimate in online freedom. You don’t have to rely on an expensive web designer to make changes or fix a tiny error for you whenever they can squeeze you in. You’re in control of
your site—and your wallet. - WordPress has search engine (SEO) advantages. Search engines love sites that are easy to index (WordPress is) and that have frequently updated content. That’s where blogging comes in to play so nicely. Just by running your business or personal site and communicating with your readers in a way that’s natural to you, you’ll be producing fresh, relevant content the search engines can’t wait to get a hold of.
- There’s a HUGE support community. WordPress isn’t just a software, it has become a community. Some might even say a movement. In fact, WordCamps (1-3 day
training sessions) have sprung up from grassroots efforts. They are informal, community-organized events put together by other WordPress users just like you. You’ll
meet people of all backgrounds, ages, and nationalities at WordCamps. Plus, there are thousands of people and hundreds of resource and tutorial sites set up just to help
you with your WordPress site.
Useful Resources
Starting a WordPress Blog: Overview
The process of setting up a blog is mind-bogglingly simple. There are only a couple of steps to
go through which shouldn’t take too long. In all, you’ll have your site up and running
- How to get a domain and web hosting
- Installing WordPress
- How to change your WordPress theme
- Creating your your first blog post
- Organizing the site structure
- Adding helpful WordPress plugins
Follow along and you’ll have a WordPress blog in no time. Let’s begin.
Step 1. Buying a Domain and Web Hosting
The domain name is your Web identity. For example learnerscoach.co.ke
There are several domain registrars but for the sake of simplicity, we recommend using hostpinnacle for the following reasons. Click here to read more
Hundreds of Themes Available
Free and premium themes are available from the moment you create your account. Find the WordPress theme that best represents you and your unique talents. Installation is fast and easy, and switching themes can be completed in seconds.
WordPress Hosting
Done Right
Designed with you in mind, Bluehost provides everything you need to create and manage a WordPress website. Enjoy powerful website management tools, automatic WordPress installation, and 24/7 expert support all at a price that fits any budget.
All WordPress Hosting Plans Include
Automatic WordPress Installation
Upon creation of your WordPress Hosting plan, Bluehost automatically installs the latest and most secure version of WordPress.
Microsoft Office 365 available
Access your email anywhere with Microsoft Office 365. Boost recognition with Microsoft Office email accounts branded with your domain name.
Free Domain Name for 1 Year
Enjoy a free domain of your choosing for one year upon the creation of your WordPress Hosting account.
Automatic WordPress Updates
We keep your WordPress Hosting plan secure even after account creation by keeping your account up to date everyday.
Secure Configuration of Login Credentials
Upon the creation of your WordPress Hosting account, your login credentials are changed from the standard WordPress admin/password to something of your choice.
Get Verified on Google My Business
List your local business online to quickly connect with customers in your area. Allow them to see your location and your hours of operation on Google Maps.
Bluehost provides a free domain when you sign up for their web hosting packages. This makes
management of your new website extremely easy. It will reduce the overall costs, too.
You probably already have a domain name in mind. Good!
Step 2. Installing WordPress
The final step is to install WordPress on your server. Most hosting companies offer thorough instructions on installing WordPress or services to install WordPress for you.
Using a quick-install service is a simple way to get your WordPress installation up and running, but the downside is that it does leave some security holes.
For that reason, you may want to consider installing WordPress manually.
What are the benefits of doing a manual installation?
- It prevents the WordPress database tables being installed as a default, with default labels. These default labels can make your site more vulnerable.
- It allows for full customization of the wp-config.php file, which opens up enormous potential in WordPress.
- It allows you to work within the “best security practices” for your WordPress site.
Step 3. Logging Into Your New WordPress Site
Once WordPress has been installed on your web server, you can access your WordPress login page
Your WordPress Login URL
The first way to access your WordPress Login URL will be in this format:
http://yoursite.com/wp-login.php or http://yoursite.com/wp-admin For example, for a new WordPress installation, you can visit yoursite.com/wp-login.php or yoursite.com/wp-admin to login. It might be helpful if you bookmark your site’s login URL.
From your WordPress login screen, you’ll enter the username and password that you set up during the WordPress installation process.
If you’ve forgotten your WordPress login password, you can click the “Lost Your password?” link to retrieve it via email.
Step 3. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard
Once you’ve logged in to your WordPress site, you’ll land here, the WordPress dashboard
Exploring the WordPress Dashboard
The WordPress dashboard allows you to control all of the behind-the-scene details of managing your site. Once you find your way around the dashboard, you’ll realize it’s
really easy to use and navigate.
After you first log in, you’ll see a top Welcome to WordPress section with some quick links to help you get started. You can always dismiss this box using the link in the top right corner.
The next section is the At a Glance section. Here you’ll see the number of posts and pages for your site’s content. You’ll also see discussion information for comments, like the total number of comments and the number in moderation.
In the At a Glance section, you’ll also see what WordPress theme you’re currently running
on your site plus your current version of WordPress.
The Activity section shows recently-published posts, pingbacks and recent comments. From here, you can quickly approve comments, reply back, mark as spam or send to trash.
The last section is the WordPress News section. These are updates from the official WordPress project.
If you’d like to customize what sections you see from the WordPress dashboard, visit the Screen Options tab on the top right side of your screen. Click the arrow to expand this section and you’ll see checkboxes for each of the sections usually included in the WordPress dashboard.
To remove any of the sections, just unclick the checkbox beside the section you’d like to hide. You can also choose the number of columns for the screen layout, too.
If you return to the dashboard home, you can also expand each of the sections by clicking the arrow to the right. You can also drag and drop the boxes to change the order.
Left-hand Navigation Menu
In addition to the WordPress dashboard home screen, the other major component of the WordPress dashboard is the left-hand navigation menu. This navigation menu provides links to all of the WordPress administration screens for posts, the media library, pages, comments, appearance options, plugins, users, tools and settings.