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Want to make a WordPress blog; what are the best resources and guides?

by Salman Ravoof
26 replies
After much thinking, I've decided to make the jump into a niche blog. It's going to be a small affair, but it's more of a learning challenge to me.

It's not just something I'm doing just for money, but also what I have an interest in. Hence, adding content will be handled by me. However, I need to setup a blog now with a good layout. I've already bought the domain and hosting is just a step away; I know the technical aspects of how they all work.

But I don't know web development. Except for a few basic HTML and C/C++ programming skills, my knowledge about coding for web is pretty much non-existent.

So, if I wanted to learn how to make a website from scratch, what will you guys suggest? I'm planning on using WordPress for the site as many websites built with it look good. Drupal looks a bit complex for my skills.

Books, resources, guides, etc... What worked out best for you when you just started?

Thanks
#blog #guides #learn #make #resources #wordpress
  • Profile picture of the author Jeremy Lacer
    Originally Posted by Salman Ravoof View Post

    After much thinking, I've decided to make the jump into a niche blog. It's going to be a small affair, but it's more of a learning challenge to me.

    It's not just something I'm doing just for money, but also what I have an interest in. Hence, adding content will be handled by me. However, I need to setup a blog now with a good layout. I've already bought the domain and hosting is just a step away; I know the technical aspects of how they all work.

    But I don't know web development. Except for a few basic HTML and C/C++ programming skills, my knowledge about coding for web is pretty much non-existent.

    So, if I wanted to learn how to make a website from scratch, what will you guys suggest? I'm planning on using WordPress for the site as many websites built with it look good. Drupal looks a bit complex for my skills.

    Books, resources, guides, etc... What worked out best for you when you just started?

    Thanks
    If you just typed in "Wordpress" in Youtube, you would have found this video:


    Not so difficult to find information these day .
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    • Profile picture of the author Edman15
      Originally Posted by Jeremy Lacer View Post

      If you just typed in "Wordpress" in Youtube, you would have found this video:

      How To Make a Wordpress Website - AMAZING! - YouTube

      Not so difficult to find information these day .
      This video is good enough to learn WordPress dashboard and basic.
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  • Profile picture of the author Salman Ravoof
    Thanks Jeremy, I've done my research on the subject too and have also bought one book to read. Just wanted to make sure what the Warriors recommend.
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  • Profile picture of the author troy23
    I'm a web developer also, but use Wordpress for most things these days.
    Just saves a lot of time and coding.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    There's tons of Wordpress tutorials at wordpress.org and other places on the Internet. Not hard to find info about setting up Wordpress.
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  • Profile picture of the author Salman Ravoof
    Also, which theme would you guys recommend?

    I am trying to make a tutorial + resources + review website. So, the theme should fit its intended use.

    For example, say I'm making a website about how to be a freelance web developer (which I'm now for myself), I'll have articles on how to learn web development, how to build websites on your own, which top external services to choose, how to get jobs, reviews about different products and freelancing websites, etc... You get the idea.
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  • Profile picture of the author Graham Maddison
    If you want something unique in terms of design etc, you can always design and build your own wordpress site from scratch using Artisteer .... I always enjoying making my own
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  • Profile picture of the author waynewalters
    There is a lot of stuff you can do with the basic WP platform. You could play around with that for a while. Then you can start playing around with different themes but be careful. Not all "free" themes are worth the trouble. Check for reviews on free themes before putting any of them on your site.
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  • Profile picture of the author Salman Ravoof
    Are the tutorials on Lynda.com worth it? Has anyone tried them and learnt the ins and outs of WordPress?

    I want to learn everything there is to WordPress and not just how to have a site up and running. That is the reason why I created this thread. It's more of a learning challenge to me than a money-making challenge.
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    • Profile picture of the author Shenpen
      Originally Posted by Salman Ravoof View Post

      Are the tutorials on Lynda.com worth it? Has anyone tried them and learnt the ins and outs of WordPress?

      I want to learn everything there is to WordPress and not just how to have a site up and running. That is the reason why I created this thread. It's more of a learning challenge to me than a money-making challenge.
      Watch the Online Video Course WordPress Essential Training

      I used this one to get started with WP and was very pleased with it. Goes though all the basic stuff. Even has a short guide on "giving WP its own directory", so that you can have a nice looking url for you wp-site.
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    • Profile picture of the author Prady N
      Originally Posted by Salman Ravoof View Post

      Are the tutorials on Lynda.com worth it? Has anyone tried them and learnt the ins and outs of WordPress?

      I want to learn everything there is to WordPress and not just how to have a site up and running. That is the reason why I created this thread. It's more of a learning challenge to me than a money-making challenge.
      Hello Salman,
      Lynda.com is worth 10 times more that it costs.
      I am using it from last few months & it has every
      thing we need to learn..not only wordpress.
      its addictive
      best luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author travelsoulja
    You do not need to pay anyone anything! Just go to Youtube and learn. Everything is available for free.
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    • Profile picture of the author LilBlackDress
      IThemes BackupBuddy offers some awesome free tutorials for WordPress.
      I always send newbies there. Free too.
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      Pen Name + 8 eBooks + social media sites 4 SALE - PM me (evergreen beauty niche)

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    • Profile picture of the author Salman Ravoof
      Thanks for the varied suggestions everyone. I've decided to learn HTML coding too now.

      Not sure about PHP and MySQL, but are they easy? HTML is just markup language and even a kid can understand it, but how much time will it take to learn PHP and MySQL for someone who is busy?

      Are they essential to make a custom WordPress site? I'm sure they would be helpful, but how how much helpful will they be?

      Thanks!
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      • Profile picture of the author veniceofnorth
        PHP is useful for dynamic website, by this I mean you need to respond to a user entering a name or number into a form or box. There are plugins for forms and boxes but if you want to write one from scratch you need to use PHP. I am learning PHP using this tutorial series (its quite easy to follow not painful at all)
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  • Profile picture of the author veniceofnorth
    The best way to learn Wordpress is using youtube videos, I have found a few good sites. I got a bit with stuck with SEO (search engine optimisation) I decided to follow , he sound's like he knows what he's talking about. There are so many videos, I went through this youtube video guide it saved a lot of time, and don't think its necessary to subscribe to a site. Learning PHP and HTML however is a different story, videos are useful, but you need a text book for sure.
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  • Profile picture of the author isadoregregory
    everyone started from scratch and has to learn everything they know, so just take it easy. a domain, a hosting and Wordpress ought to get you started. There are a number of free WP blog theme you can choose from without shelling a cent, so you might want check them out.

    it will also prove useful to learn a bit about html and coding, as this will go a long way in blogging. good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author GoldPro
    As most others have suggested, best place to start is with YouTube or Google. Just find a simple tutorial and follow it. The information is the super highway; practically everything and anything you've ever wanted to learn is at your fingertips.

    If I were to start all over, I'd probably just install a basic WordPress blog, play around with it, install some plugins, etc, and then repeat.
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  • Profile picture of the author ashloren
    I'm by no means a developer OR a coder, but I would say that if you are going to be using Wordpress, then learning PHP trumps developing your knowledge of HTML by a landslide. Wordpress is PHP-based, so that's the language I'd spend time learning more about if I were you.

    I am fairly competent with HTML/CSS, but I found that knowledge less than useful when working with Wordpress.
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    AshlyLorenzana@gmail.com
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  • Profile picture of the author VivekThakur
    Yes you can create a website using WordPress because you can find many build plug in and template, but you need to know about php codes.
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    Enjoy Life.

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  • Profile picture of the author Salman Ravoof
    Thanks for the advice everyone. I've already started learning HTML/CSS and WordPress.

    Meanwhile, I've also booked a domain and hosting service; just for experimenting.
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    • Profile picture of the author VinnyBock
      Http://chrisfarrellmembership.com

      On Cfm you'll learn to build a site, get traffic & build a list
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      • Profile picture of the author altitudemarketer
        I recommend elegant themes... they have lots of good looking flexible themes and a good support team to figure out and customization you want to do. I'ts also less expensive... like $39 / year for all the themes compared to twice that much for some of the other theme providers.
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  • Profile picture of the author Moneymaker2012
    There is a basic tutorial on wordpress itself. There are some good videos on youtube also. they almost explain every step from setting up a blog to mantaining your blog.
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