I'm not that computer savvy. How easy is it to set-up a blog with WordPress?
How difficult is it to set-up a blog?
(7 posts) (7 voices)
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Well, it depends. I started with WordPress.com (FREE) and it was relatively easy. They have free templates (could use better designs) and you basically point and click to choose a template. However, if you would like to expand your blog to include Google Adsense or affiliate marketing techniques such as banner ads, you would need WordPress.org (FREE).
Let me caution you with WordPress.org because you may or may not like the pre-designed templates that are Google Adsense ready. I'm a graphic designer so I LOOK at the LAYOUTS very carefully. I'm usually not thrilled with them because of spacing issues, the use of white space, the entire layout, graphic that is chosen, etc...Unless you are very skilled with web coding, you may find it difficult to change the layouts. I have tried numerous times to tweak a layout -- sometimes it worked, other times it didn't. But this is just me
Posted 1 year ago # -
Richard
MemberI agree that WordPress.com is easy to use. The layouts have improved and there are many to choose from. I hear what you're saying Rebecca. If you're a graphic designer then your "eye" will notice things like spacing, layout, etc...For the rest of us, we just want to get a blog up and running, design and layout are not that important at that time.
Posted 1 year ago # -
MetroCity1
MemberRebecca I understand where you're coming from. When you're an artist, you can't help but notice things on a website such as colors, spacing, graphics, and all of that good stuff. It drives me crazy when a web designer puts waaay too much spacing between lines or paragraphs. I've had to "tweak" many a design. I'm grateful that I know how to do this...haven't had time to build my website from scratch with WordPress. It's on my list! Cheers!
Posted 1 year ago # -
Curly
MemberHowdy folks! I've been away from the forum for some time, just been plain busy.
I appreciate WordPress.com because it's easy to use. Some of us were born way before the technology craze. It takes us a bit longer to catch on to things. Glad for my grandkids because I can put them to work on my website. Gosh, these kids sure know a lot about web design, coding, and everything that has to do with technology. I've learned a lot from them. Wishing you success with your blog...
Posted 1 year ago # -
Hi everyone - I've been working with WordPress for a number of years, since it was first introduced, so I know quite a lot about it - always feel free to ask questions and I'll do my best to jump in and answer. But even with as much as I know, there are a lot of people out there on the web who know a LOT more than I do, so I'll post some resources for you too......
First it's important to understand the difference between WordPress.COM and WordPress.ORG - the ".COM" is their free hosted version, which is not a bad solution but you are limited to whatever themes they offer, and there is NO "commerce" allowed, which includes any advertising by you (although THEY can have ads on your site that make THEM money but not YOU)....
Which is why we recommend going to Wordpress.ORG and getting the free application of WordPress that you host at your own site. OR you can find a website hosting company that offers the "1-click installation" (sometimes called automatic installation") of WordPress -- most web hosting companies offer this, so if you don't see it in your cPanel call them to ask about it. By going this route you have the freedom and flexibility to do what you want to with your site.
After it's installed just pick a Theme (layout) that you like (there are many sources for free WordPress themes, but a good place to start is at http://themes.wordpress.org/) and then just start writing your content. Many, many people do this everyday to produce beautiful websites with no web design or coding skills whatsoever.
Rebecca is right that there are some themes that are "Google AdSense Ready" and you may not like the look of them - but adding Google AdSense isn't hard - just be sure to choose a Theme that has "widget-ready" sidebars (and most of them do), then copy & paste your Google AdSense code into a Text Widget and put it in your sidebar where ever you want it to be, or use one of the many Google AdSense plugins that also make it easy to do.
Good luck!
Posted 1 year ago #
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