WordPress is a free, open-source blogging platform that allows users to create and maintain blogs. Users can choose between WordPress.com, which provides free hosting and software management, or WordPress.org, which requires installing and managing the software through a third-party provider or own server. The document provides step-by-step instructions for setting up an account on WordPress.com, customizing settings and appearance, adding posts and pages, and tracking comments.

1. Ge#ng Started with
Created by Mitzi Lewis
Inspired by Barbara Nixon

2. What is WordPress?
• WordPress is a free, open‐source publishing
plaEorm originally developed for creaHng and
maintaining blogs.

3. What’s the difference between
WordPress.com and WordPress.org?
• WordPress.com provides hosHng and soLware
management (i.e., FREE)
• WordPress.org requires you to install and
manage the soLware using a 3rd party
provider (or your own server) (i.e., $$)
• More info about the pros and cons of each
opHon can be found at
hUp://en.support.wordpress.com/com‐vs‐org
• The following steps focus on Wordpress.com

4. Create an Account (1 of 3)
• Go to wordpress.com
• Click the “Sign up now” buUon

5. Create an Account (2 of 3)
1. Fill out
this form

6. Create an Account (3 of 3)
2. Choose your domain
name wisely – you
cannot change it later!
3. Choose a blog 4tle –
you can change it later.

7. Complete RegistraHon
While you wait for
the acHvaHon
e‐mail, you can
update your profile

8. Now What?
Log In!

9. Go to “My Dashboard”

10. Go to “Se#ngs”

11. 1. Change your tagline
(or delete it)
2. Pick your Hme zone

12. Select
“Appearance
”

13. Pick a Theme You Like: 1. Preview
2. AcHvate

14. Select
“Widgets”

15. Add Widgets: Search, Categories,
Calendar, Links, Recent Posts
(these are required – you may add others if you like)
To add a widget, click and
drag to the Sidebar

16. Select
“Categories”

17. Add Categories
• MCOM 2523
• Current Issue of the Week
• Blog Comments
• Personal (if you have any personal posts)
• AddiHonal categories of your choosing
• Note: do not use the “Uncategorized”
category – this is like saying “Reader, I don’t
care enough about you to organize my blog”

18. Blogroll (a list of
your favorite blogs)
Select “Add New”
(under “Links”)

19. 1
2
3
4

20. To View Your
Blog Stats
Select “Blog Stats”
(under “Dashboard”)

21. What’s the Difference Between
Posts and Pages?
Posts Pages
Many WordPress posts can be on One WordPress page at a Hme can
a single page can be on a single page
For dynamic content For sta4c content
Can be categorized (posts can Cannot be categorized
appear in mulHple places on a
website)
Newest post shows at top (as info Accessible from anywhere in your
is added, older posts “sink down”) blog (oLen shows up in header or
sidebar)

22. Add/Edit a Post

23. Tips for Adding/EdiHng a Post
• Click “Save DraL” oLen
• Click “Publish” when you are ready for the
post to “go live”
• If copying text from Word, use “Paste from
Word” icon on toolbar – this prevents it from
ge#ng very messy

24. Adding a Link
SECOND: Click
link buUon
FIRST: Highlight text
for hyperlink

25. 1
2
3

26. Add/Edit a Page

27. Tips for Adding/EdiHng a Page
(same as Hps for adding/ediHng a post)
• Click “Save DraL” oLen
• Click “Publish” when you are ready for the
page to “go live”
• If copying text from Word, use “Paste from
Word” icon on toolbar – this prevents it from
ge#ng very messy

28. Tips for Your “About Me” Page
• Stay professional
• Include
– Name
– Photo (opHonal)
– University affiliaHon
– Major
– Career goals
– Links to other places you can be found online
(opHonal)

29. Tracking Comments for
Your Blog PorEolio
• Create one post with
– Comment # (keep a running list)
– Title of blog post your commented on followed by
author’s name
– Hyperlink to the blog post
– Date of your comment
– Your complete comment
– Example: