New To WordPress-Where To Start-A Complete Guide

Recently I wrote an article about blogging. It's includes all the steps needed to get a blog up and running. In the article I talk about the importance of choosing Wordpress as your platform. I highly suggest you use this platform and here I want to show you how to set up WordPress.

I want you to use Wordpress because it's a free software made specifically to create a website or blog. It was developed by hundreds of community volunteers from around the globe. And, it's the most adaptable and expandable blog technology available, yet it's still very easy to use.

Building your blog with Wordpress is far more resourceful than using the old skills of manual HTML site-building. Wordpress makes adding posts, pages and links so easy that even a newbie can do it.

You could start a personal blog at wordpress.com, or use the Wordpress software to create a blog about any subject on your own hosted website. If you create a blog within wordpress.com your website address (domain name) will look like this; www.myblog.wordpress.com. To look more professional I recommend you get your own domain name and hosting account. Now it will look like this: www.myblog.com.

It's very easy to register a domain name. Godaddy.com is a fantastic site to register with, just go to the website and search for a domain name you prefer. Once you've found one that is not already taken go to checkout and the rest is simple.

I recommend HostGator.com to host your blog site. They have a tool called 'Fantastico' that installs WordPress for you automatically. You will only need the Hatchling Plan when you start out. Once you've signed up with Hostgator they will email you your account information and DNS Namesevers. You will need to enter the nameservers in your Godaddy account under domain management. If you need help with this their support is fantastic (both Godaddy and Hostgator can help).

Once Wordpress is set up you will be given a website address to edit your Wordpress site. It typically looks like this: www.myblog.com/wp-admin. This is your blog "hub", everything to do with your blog is done here. Go ahead and create a post but don't publish it yet. First you want to customize your site by selecting a theme. With WordPress it's not necessary to know any html computer language or have any design skills. There are thousands of free "Themes" available, and you can install them to your blog in seconds.

To install a theme:

1. Log in to the Dashboard of your WordPress (this is your "hub" www.myblog.com/wp-admin)
2. Within Appearance select on Themes
3. Choose the tab Install Themes
4. Use the filter to select the kind of site you want. For instance, a particular sidebar, number of columns, etc.
5. Install any theme that you think is eye catching
6. Preview it by activating each theme, to see what looks best

What makes Wordpress such an effective tool is the Plugins. A plugin is an addon that brings extra features and capabilities to your blog. You may be able to get higher search rankings or automatically post your blog to several sites. The extra features the plugins bring to your site are endless.

Here are some plugins I use:

* All in One SEO Pack
* TweetMeme Retweet Button
* Advanced Text Widget
* Sociable
* Akismet
* Google XML Sitemaps
* OnlyWire for WordPress
* FeedBurner Widget
* MyBlogLog
* DiggDigg
* TanTanNoodles Simple Spam Filter
* Date Exclusion SEO
* WP Super Cache

To add a plugin just click the Add Plugins link in the Plugins menus. The process is very similar to adding a theme. Type the name of the plugin, hit Search, Install, then Activate.

Running your own blog will let you be in charge of what people discover when they search for your name, or for questions about your company. If you want to start generating your own leads don't just pay for more advertising, build your own Virtual Real Estate!

Install Wordpress. Get Blogging!



You too can have dramatic success in your business just by starting a blog. For a free video presentation on blogging, watch Ty Tribble's MLM Blog Secrets.