The document provides an introduction to WordPress, a free publishing tool for managing blogs and websites without needing technical support. It describes the different versions of WordPress (com, premium, org), key terminology such as pages, posts, and themes, and outlines the steps to set up a blog along with functionalities like widgets and custom menus. Additionally, it highlights the costs involved for premium features and hosting options.

1. WordPress:
An Introduction
Miko Coffey
Web Consultant
www.usingmyhead.com
miko@usingmyhead.com
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2. WordPress is...
• A free publishing tool which allows
people to manage blogs or websites
without the need for a web team /
technical team.
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3. WordPress has 3 flavours
• WordPress.com Free
• WordPress.com Premium
• WordPress.org
• WordPress MU = no longer
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4. WP.com
WP.com WP.org
Premium
Free to use/install -
Cost Totally free Varies (see below) costs are your hosting +
web address (domain name)
You buy hosting & someone
Included & no set up Included & no set up needed must install WP on your server -
Hosting needed from you from you but many hosts offer
‘1-click installer’ tools
Any - $15/yr from WP Any - buy from any domain name
Web Address http://you.wordpress.com
or $10/yr if your own registrar, aprox $5-10/yr
Varies depending on host - some
Storage 3GB free $20-$90/yr for extra 5-25GB
have unlimited storage
Design A designer (or tech person) can Unlimited - any you like, many
Limited choice
Templates customise it for $15/yr free readymade ones available
None, unless you choose to run
WP shows their own on
Ads Turn ads off for $30/yr your own ad space - you choose
your blog to new visitors
who advertises
Extra None - you get only what None - you get only what is Unlimited - you can add functions
Functions is included included with ‘plugins’
Users Max 35 registered users Upgrade to unlimited for $30/yr Unlimited
No upload but can embed For $60/yr, upload HD videos Depends on host - usually able
Video from YouTube, Vimeo etc directly to your WP site to upload, def can embed
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5. Sign up at
www.wordpress.com
• Choose your username carefully as it
will become part of your web address:
http://username.wordpress.com
• While we wait for your signup email to
arrive...
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6. WordPress Terminology
• WordPress has 2 main types of
‘containers’ for your content:
• Pages
A Page is a single standalone web page,
for example About Us, Contact Us etc.
• Posts
A Post is an article that forms a part of a
blog, journal or news section.
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7. WordPress Terminology
• Blog
All WordPress websites are technically
blogs, even if you never use the blog
functions.
• Blog = web log
A blog is simply a way of displaying
content online, in journal format...
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8. WordPress / Blog Terminology
• Blogs are displayed in reverse
chronological order (newest article
appears at the top)
• Each post can be filed into 1 or more
Categories (like a filing system)
• Each post can be labeled with Tags, or
key words associated with that article
• Visitors can add their Comments to the
post, and you can respond.
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9. WordPress Terminology
• Widgets
A widget is a little chunk of functionality.
Usually widgets sit in the sidebar of the
page and offer such functions as a
Search box, a snippet of info about the
author, a list of links, a calendar, etc.
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10. Anatomy of a WP Page/Post
Header / Banner
Sidebar
Main Content Widget
Widget
Comments Widget
Footer (may have Widgets)
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11. WordPress Terminology
• Theme (WordPress Theme)
A design template that determines the
overall look of your site: columns, colour
schemes, fonts, Widget placement,
width of main area, etc
• Themes can be free, or ‘Premium’(you
pay for the ability to use it on your site).
WP.com comes with a choice of themes
but you can’t use one that isn’t included
(no Premium themes).
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12. Today you will learn...
• How to set up your blog and user profile
• How to create pages and posts
• How to add images and links
• How to choose the design theme
• How to use widgets
• How to create a custom menu
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13. Let’s do it!
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14. Thank You
Miko Coffey
www.usingmyhead.com
miko@usingmyhead.com
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