It’s a Blog. It’s a Website. It’s a Marketing Tool … It’s WordPress! How to use the Free Wordpress.org Software as part of Your Complete Web Solution UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271

What we will be discussing Do you really need a Site AND a Blog for your business? The difference between Blogs and Sites Wordpress.org (not Wordpress.com) It’s Free software (all you need is a hosting service provider) Maintain your own site/blog Built in Marketing Advantages A glance at how it works Steps to get started UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271

Do you really need a Site AND a Blog for your business?

The difference between Blogs and Sites

Wordpress.org (not Wordpress.com)

It’s Free software (all you need is a hosting service provider)

Maintain your own site/blog

Built in Marketing Advantages

A glance at how it works

Steps to get started

It’s A Blog: Examples UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271 Sample Category Section A Standard Post

Why to use a blog for business Communicate your meaningful difference More insights about why your company exists and what they do Allows your customers to give feedback Learn more about their wants/needs Provides ideas for new products and services UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271

Communicate your meaningful difference

More insights about why your company exists and what they do

Allows your customers to give feedback

Learn more about their wants/needs

Provides ideas for new products and services

It’s A Website UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271

Why Your Business Needs a Site People will ask you if you have a site Shows you are a professional Proves you take your company seriously Allows them to learn more about you, on their terms Allows you to share info with prospective clients Instead of walking around with a stack of brochures, you can direct them to your site New opportunities may find you online, without you seeking them out UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271

People will ask you if you have a site

Shows you are a professional

Proves you take your company seriously

Allows them to learn more about you, on their terms

Allows you to share info with prospective clients

Instead of walking around with a stack of brochures, you can direct them to your site

New opportunities may find you online, without you seeking them out

How does a Website differ from a Blog? Traditional Websites: A set of ‘static’ pages Content does not change often (or at all) Tends to be more sales oriented Typically does not offer a way to interact with its visitors Often needs a web designer to make even minor changes or additions Traditional Blog: Fresh Content, changes often Newest posts appear highest on the page Tends to share insights and ideas Typically offers a space to post comments and continue the conversation Offers ability to add content quickly UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271

Traditional Websites:

A set of ‘static’ pages

Content does not change often (or at all)

Tends to be more sales oriented

Typically does not offer a way to interact with its visitors

Often needs a web designer to make even minor changes or additions

Traditional Blog:

Fresh Content, changes often

Newest posts appear highest on the page

Tends to share insights and ideas

Typically offers a space to post comments and continue the conversation

Offers ability to add content quickly

Wouldn’t it be great to combine the benefits of both a site and a blog into one full featured solution? Each offers valuable information and compliments the other UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271

It’s Wordpress UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271 WORDPRESS.ORG Free Software for use On Your own Hosted Account

One Look for Your Whole Site Example of Post Example of a Page UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271 Notice the comment Box Notice the Navigation Bar

Example of Post

Example of a Page

What is Wordpress.org? Created as a Blog Software, in 2003 Open Source (free) application Lots of developers came together and volunteered their experience Lots of folks continue to create additional tools and add-ons (i.e. themes and plugins) Anyone can use this software free of charge The Hidden Advantages: Wordpress.org is a powerful tool for your overall site needs UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271

Created as a Blog Software, in 2003

Open Source (free) application

Lots of developers came together and volunteered their experience

Lots of folks continue to create additional tools and add-ons (i.e. themes and plugins)

Anyone can use this software free of charge

The Hidden Advantages: Wordpress.org is a powerful tool for your overall site needs

Uncovering the Hidden Advantages Wordpress let’s you add web pages, not just blog posts This allows you to build your site and blog with one toolset You can maintain your site, yourself, without a designer Easy to add new pages, video, images… Search Engines (like Google) love Blogs Fresh, relevant, original content is important UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271

Wordpress let’s you add web pages, not just blog posts

This allows you to build your site and blog with one toolset

You can maintain your site, yourself, without a designer

Easy to add new pages, video, images…

Search Engines (like Google) love Blogs

Fresh, relevant, original content is important

It’s a Marketing Tool Gets the word out: Distribution/Syndication Your posts are instantly sent to the world with RSS Allows search engines to receive notice of new content Gets you ranked higher, quicker People find you easier Allows visitors to receive future posts automatically Offers interaction with your community People can post comments Helps you understand what they want and gives ideas for future posts Provides more exposure for your E-newsletters Feature articles can be referenced in emails and linked to a post online Brings email readers to your site Allows new site visitors to see what you’ve written about And articles are syndicated for you with RSS UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271

Gets the word out: Distribution/Syndication

Your posts are instantly sent to the world with RSS

Allows search engines to receive notice of new content

Gets you ranked higher, quicker

People find you easier

Allows visitors to receive future posts automatically

Offers interaction with your community

People can post comments

Helps you understand what they want and gives ideas for future posts

Provides more exposure for your E-newsletters

Feature articles can be referenced in emails and linked to a post online

Brings email readers to your site

Allows new site visitors to see what you’ve written about

And articles are syndicated for you with RSS

Extending Reach of Email Marketing UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271 Example A: Email Newsletter Example B: Feature Article Teaser in email Example C: Full Feature Article As it appears on site Example D: RSS Feed Reader

A Look at the Software’s Backend: WP-Admin and The Dashboard UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271 Example A : > WP-Admin Login Screen Version 2.7.1 ^ Example B: Dashboard Overview - Content Management < Example C: Write a Post – Visual Editor

A look at Writing Content The administrative section is where the pages and posts are prepared UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271 Preparation of Page Wordpress V2.7.1 Page Presentation to Visitors

The administrative section is where the pages and posts are prepared

Overview: Why Use Wordpress? Changing Your Content is easy: Visual Editor Page and posts can be written without HTML It’s easier than creating a Word Document Managing Your Content is a snap: Content Management System (CMS) Finds pages or images quickly and easily UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271

Changing Your Content is easy: Visual Editor

Page and posts can be written without HTML

It’s easier than creating a Word Document

Managing Your Content is a snap: Content Management System (CMS)

Finds pages or images quickly and easily

How to start using Wordpress.Org? Pick a Hosting Service Provider Think of it like a cell phone provider T-mobile, ATT, Sprint provide service for your phone Hostmonster and HostGator are examples of hosting service providers for your site Pick your own domain name If you already own a domain name, you can forward it, just like you do with your cell phone # Or transfer it into your new hosting package 1 Free domain name hosting comes with most hosting solutions Add Wordpress Software Download the software from Wordpress.org and upload it to your hosting service Or use the 1-click method provided with hosting service (Fantastico automates Wordpress’s set up for you) Pick a pre-made Template Design for your site layout (known as Themes) Endless possibilities Thousands of Free themes Hundreds of premium themes (priced from $20 to $300) *Suggested Theme Developer and Hosting Providers are listed at the end of the presentation UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271

Pick a Hosting Service Provider

Think of it like a cell phone provider

T-mobile, ATT, Sprint provide service for your phone

Hostmonster and HostGator are examples of hosting service providers for your site

Pick your own domain name

If you already own a domain name, you can forward it, just like you do with your cell phone #

Or transfer it into your new hosting package

1 Free domain name hosting comes with most hosting solutions

Add Wordpress Software

Download the software from Wordpress.org and upload it to your hosting service

Or use the 1-click method provided with hosting service (Fantastico automates Wordpress’s set up for you)

Pick a pre-made Template Design for your site layout (known as Themes)

Endless possibilities

Thousands of Free themes

Hundreds of premium themes (priced from $20 to $300)

*Suggested Theme Developer and Hosting Providers are listed at the end of the presentation

A Look at Themes: Effecting the layout and look of your site Example A : MistyLook Theme – as it was designed by Sadish of WPRocks.com, used on the MarketingAndWriting.com blog. Already looks good without any design changes, doesn’t it? Example B: Same theme – MistyLook – with customization by UniqueThink, a new color palette and more for ApproachableNutrition.com UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271

Example A : MistyLook Theme – as it was designed by Sadish of WPRocks.com, used on the MarketingAndWriting.com blog. Already looks good without any design changes, doesn’t it?

Example B: Same theme – MistyLook – with customization by UniqueThink, a new color palette and more for ApproachableNutrition.com

More great things about Wordpress.org Plugins: Tons of free plugins are available Think of mini-applications that automate an action Sell from your site with the wp-commerce plugin Get site stats with the Google Analytics plugin Show your most read posts with the popularity plugin Easily add Scripts and 3 rd party applications Amazon.com affiliate program scripts Constant Contact Sign Up boxes Customization You are free to customize away You may need to hire someone to create a truly custom look or if you don’t want to try to figure it out yourself UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271

Plugins: Tons of free plugins are available

Think of mini-applications that automate an action

Sell from your site with the wp-commerce plugin

Get site stats with the Google Analytics plugin

Show your most read posts with the popularity plugin

Easily add Scripts and 3 rd party applications

Amazon.com affiliate program scripts

Constant Contact Sign Up boxes

Customization

You are free to customize away

You may need to hire someone to create a truly custom look or if you don’t want to try to figure it out yourself

Before and After: Major customization of a magazine style blog site UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271 Before After Goal of redesign: New look and color scheme, feature Video Blogs, set up ad management system, show most viewed posts

Summary Advantages of Wordpress.org: Let’s you maintain your site/blog yourself Let’s you customize your look Allows for continuity between blog/site Helps people stay on your site longer Helps you get more exposure Let’s you interact with your visitors Helps you rank better (if you are adding fresh, relevant, original posts…which is easy with this tool) Lots of automation tools to make your job easier UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271

Advantages of Wordpress.org:

Let’s you maintain your site/blog yourself

Let’s you customize your look

Allows for continuity between blog/site

Helps people stay on your site longer

Helps you get more exposure

Let’s you interact with your visitors

Helps you rank better (if you are adding fresh, relevant, original posts…which is easy with this tool)

Lots of automation tools to make your job easier

Resources Wordpress.org: http://wordpress.org/ Recommended HOSTING SOLUTIONS (I do get a referral fee, but only recommend them because they are easy to use and affordable – about $8.99 a month): Hostmonster: http://www.hostmonster.com/track/uniquethink/ BlueHost (sister company of HostMonster): http://www.bluehost.com/track/unqiuethink/ HostGator: http://secure.hostgator.com/cgi-bin/affiliates/clickthru.cgi?id=bethink Must Have Plugins : http://uniquethink.com/wordpress-plugins/ My Favorite Theme Developer: Sadish of http://wprocks.com/free-themes/ Video to help you Understand RSS Feeds: http://uniquethink.com/category/rss/ UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271

Wordpress.org: http://wordpress.org/

Recommended HOSTING SOLUTIONS (I do get a referral fee, but only recommend them because they are easy to use and affordable – about $8.99 a month):

Hostmonster: http://www.hostmonster.com/track/uniquethink/

BlueHost (sister company of HostMonster): http://www.bluehost.com/track/unqiuethink/

HostGator: http://secure.hostgator.com/cgi-bin/affiliates/clickthru.cgi?id=bethink

Must Have Plugins : http://uniquethink.com/wordpress-plugins/

My Favorite Theme Developer: Sadish of http://wprocks.com/free-themes/

Video to help you Understand RSS Feeds: http://uniquethink.com/category/rss/

UniqueThink.com offers a 1-hour Free Consultation to teach you to: Communicate Your Meaningful Difference Build Your Online Presence Address Your Biggest Marketing Challenge Create Easy Cost-Effective Solutions Bethany Siegler can be reached at 720.771.3271 or email at Bethany@UniqueThink.com UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271

UniqueThink.com offers a 1-hour Free Consultation to teach you to:

Communicate Your Meaningful Difference

Build Your Online Presence

Address Your Biggest Marketing Challenge

Create Easy Cost-Effective Solutions

Bethany Siegler can be reached at 720.771.3271 or email at Bethany@UniqueThink.com

Bonus information I have attached a couple of additional slides from my 3-hour workshop, to help you understand more about hosting the site yourself If you have any questions on this or the overall presentation, please contact me. UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271

I have attached a couple of additional slides from my 3-hour workshop, to help you understand more about hosting the site yourself

If you have any questions on this or the overall presentation, please contact me.

What You Need to Know About Hosting Wordpress.org If using one of my preferred hosting services: 1-click install is available to automate setting up Wordpress.org Go into the Cpanel Click on Fantastico and it will set it up for you! That’s it! It’s that easy UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271

If using one of my preferred hosting services:

1-click install is available to automate setting up Wordpress.org

Go into the Cpanel

Click on Fantastico and it will set it up for you!

That’s it! It’s that easy

Example HostMonster’s CPanel UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271

UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271 Use the Fantastico (smiley face) icon!

Using a Hosting Service Provider without CPanel If using another hosting service that doesn’t have a cPanel, below are some notes to make sure you can use the Wordpress.org software: Must have a Linux server Must have access to PHP and MySql Don’t use their server-side version, if it doesn’t allow for access into the wp-content folder (or you can’t add themes and plugins) Will require setting up the database, can use Wordpress’s Famous 5-min install (will take longer the first time you try it – took me an hour, the first time. Still can take 15 minutes or longer) May need someone to set it up for you, unless you are ambitious or technically inclined MUST READ: http://codex.wordpress.org/Installing_WordPress UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271

If using another hosting service that doesn’t have a cPanel, below are some notes to make sure you can use the Wordpress.org software:

Must have a Linux server

Must have access to PHP and MySql

Don’t use their server-side version, if it doesn’t allow for access into the wp-content folder (or you can’t add themes and plugins)

Will require setting up the database, can use Wordpress’s Famous 5-min install (will take longer the first time you try it – took me an hour, the first time. Still can take 15 minutes or longer)

May need someone to set it up for you, unless you are ambitious or technically inclined

MUST READ: http://codex.wordpress.org/Installing_WordPress

Important Notes: Wordpress is constantly making the software better To take advantage of new features, you may need to upgrade your version of Wordpress.org You may decide not to upgrade every time, if your site is working well (think of it like your computer, do you buy the new version of Microsoft Word the day it is released?) NOTE: It is up to you to make the final decision on when to upgrade, but it is important to do it correctly Sometimes there are important security upgrades, and there may be new features that you may want: If and when you do upgrade, you must follow these instructions: http://codex.wordpress.org/Upgrading_WordPress_Extended You must check to make sure your theme and plugins are compatible with the new version Check minimum hosting requirements, too Backup Everything before you begin! Do not use the automatic upgrade plugin if you customize your site, or you could loose changes You can always hire someone, like UniqueThink, to do the upgrade for you, if you prefer For more insights, feel free to contact UniqueThink or visit Wordpress.Org UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271

To take advantage of new features, you may need to upgrade your version of Wordpress.org

You may decide not to upgrade every time, if your site is working well (think of it like your computer, do you buy the new version of Microsoft Word the day it is released?) NOTE: It is up to you to make the final decision on when to upgrade, but it is important to do it correctly

Sometimes there are important security upgrades, and there may be new features that you may want:

If and when you do upgrade, you must follow these instructions:

http://codex.wordpress.org/Upgrading_WordPress_Extended

You must check to make sure your theme and plugins are compatible with the new version

Check minimum hosting requirements, too

Backup Everything before you begin!

Do not use the automatic upgrade plugin if you customize your site, or you could loose changes

You can always hire someone, like UniqueThink, to do the upgrade for you, if you prefer

For more insights, feel free to contact UniqueThink or visit Wordpress.Org

UniqueThink.com offers a 1-hour Free Consultation to teach you to: Communicate Your Meaningful Difference Build Your Online Presence Address Your Biggest Marketing Challenge Create Easy Cost-Effective Solutions Bethany Siegler can be reached at 720.771.3271 or email at [email_address] http://UniqueThink.com UniqueThink.com (720) 771-3271

UniqueThink.com offers a 1-hour Free Consultation to teach you to:

Communicate Your Meaningful Difference

Build Your Online Presence

Address Your Biggest Marketing Challenge

Create Easy Cost-Effective Solutions

Bethany Siegler can be reached at 720.771.3271 or email at [email_address] http://UniqueThink.com