Help, I am a WordPress virgin!

[anthony]

Looking for the simplist/easiest/quickest way to learn how to use WordPress, whether it's hosting, constructing pages, making money, storing user data, etc. I have completely no idea about this, and was wondering how to approach it.

As a starting point, I'm considering using Krystal hosting.

Any pointers from you guys would be much appreciated!

 

[fish]

There's loads of youtube tutorials for all aspects of setting up, using WP so you could try that approach.

Best way though is to get your feet wet, set up a trial site and play around with it.
Also depending on what the site's focus will be you'll find 100s of plugins that will enhance your offering.

Enjoy! WP is a great CMS (depending on your view

Some examples in sig:

 

[Aiden Roberts]

To be honest I picked up using WP quite easily, I am crap at design and no matter how good WP is you still need a bit of flair to make it work. Most hosts have the 1 click install; Evo Hosting have been great with me and there are plenty of tutorials available on WP site and You Tube.

On the surface WP is great but it's only as good as the user.

Good luck.

Aiden

 

[AuthorityDomain]

I'd download wampserver, which basically installs a local webserver (Apache2, PHP and MySQL - all required for wordpress to run).

Then download Wordpress

Set it up and get to grips with the basics. I can send over some basic instructions if you need.

Then download some wordpress themes, these are like templates for the layout and design etc. You can modify the theme files and php/html/css code at a later stage to change the design.

Wordpress also has plugins you can download too, these are like extras such as contact forms, seo plugins, spam protection etc.

Then once you want to setup on hosting, you will understand how it all works. Most web hosting companies offer a 1 step install, but its good to understand anyway.

 

[Jamie101]

Might sound stupid, but I'd recommend buying a cheap wordpress site from someone.

I always wanted to start using Wordpress but never got around to it, but when I bought a Wordpress site and messed about with it I learned a lot. Now I can set up a decent site within a few hours

 

[anthony]

Thanks for the advice guys, I imagine it's like a lot of things really, they often appear more difficult until you dip your toe in the water, at which point you realise it was never as hard to do as you first thought!

 

[damion]

Here is something you may benefit from Anthony: http://www.wp101.com/

 

[Admin]

Thanks for the advice guys, I imagine it's like a lot of things really, they often appear more difficult until you dip your toe in the water, at which point you realise it was never as hard to do as you first thought!

If need some help getting your first site up give a shout.

Admin

 

[peacock]

If you don't want to spend anything register a wordpress.com blog and that will enable you to see the backend.

For the hosted version, go with a cPanel host which has either installatron or softalicious - then you can install in a couple of minutes. Just to throw some names into the hat - ezpz, krystal, native space, clook, evo .... All good.

 

[anthony]

Cheers. I've just opened an account with Vidahost, but I'm at that point where I don't think I want to be bogged down anymore with the Dreamweaver/self coding approach, I find it far too tedious and long winded for how the sites need to evolve.

Plus of course I'd like to have a more interactive experience with the visitors, from selling, to databases, to forms etc, I'm hoping that together with the WordPress route, it'll change my approach to sites, from the mini-site point, upwards!

 

[Drago1986]

I am still verry new to all this but the only thing I can say is, learn by doing!

Seriously, you can watch all the videos you want and I do watch as much as I can, but nothing beats trial and error. Don't worry no one will be looking at you in the beginning so cock it up, make mistales and learn from it.

 

[pinman]

You could always give 'Instant Wordpress' - http://www.instantwp.com/ - a go, its free and straightforward to use.

It lets you install a complete Wordpress installation locally on a PC with the added bonus of being able to 'package' all of the Wordpress site you've done locally to upload onto your hosting when you're ready.

Another bonus is that (after the initial install) there is no need for a net connection either - you can just play to your hearts content with Wordpress.

Hope that helps and good luck