This document provides an introduction to WordPress, including why it is a popular content management system, how it differs from traditional flat file websites by separating content from design, and the basics of getting started with both self-hosted and cloud-hosted WordPress installations using WordPress.com or WordPress.org. Key WordPress concepts are defined such as themes, plugins, and the dashboard. Steps for creating a new WordPress site include planning content, selecting a theme, adding pages and posts, and asking questions. Resources for additional help are also listed.

1. Wordpress 101

2. Why Wordpress?
• Simple to Use
• Expandable
• Good Looking
• Free
• Fast

3. How is WordPress
Different From “Old
Fashion” Flat File
Websites?

4. Flat HTML Website
•Files and Directories
•Content and Function
Intertwined
•Requires skill to add and modify
•Size of Code = Speed of Page
Loading

5. Wordpress Website
•Based on Files and a Database
•Content and Function Are
Separated
•No technical skills required
•Pages are Built “On the Fly”

6. Wordpress has Two
Flavors

7. Cloud Hosted
&
Self Hosted

8. Wordpress.com
•Cloud Hosted
•Free (plus Premium features)
•Hosted
•Many Visual Styles
•Many Built-In Functions -
Limited Expansion

9. Wordpress.org
•Self Hosted
•Free (Open Source)
•Installed on Your Own Server
•Thousands of Visual Styles
(Themes)
•Thousands of Ways to Add
Functions (Plug-ins)

10. Wordpress Vocabulary
•Themes: visual styles - free and
paid
•Plug-ins: functional expansion
•Dashboard: Where you do your
work
•Posts: Time based content items
(blog)
•Pages: “Static” content
•Widgets: Special content chunks

11. Getting Started
•Ask Who and Why - Audience
•Plan with an Outline or Diagram
•Sign up for Wordpress
•Make a Website!

12. Questions So Far?

13. •Create a Wordpress.com Account
•Log-in
•Create a Great Title and Description
•Select a Theme
•Create some Pages
•Home, About, Contact
•Create a Post
Hands On Plan

14. Helpful Stuff
• WordPress Codex - The Official “Manual”
• WordPress.tv - Video tutorials created by the
community
• WordCamp Nashville - Local mini-conference
• WordPress Nashville - 3rd Monday of Every Month
• Smashing Magazine - Wordpress section - http://
wp.smashingmagazine.com
• Lynda.com -
• WordPress Essential Training