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Getting Started with WordPress

Rachel Urbanowicz, M.A.

Assistant Professor, Department of�Mass Communications and Design

Misericordia University

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Welcome

  • Before digging in, let’s quickly look at few WordPress sites designed by:
    • Me
    • My students
    • My colleagues
    • Some big impressive organizations

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WordPress Dominates the ‘Net

  • 28% of all websites use WordPress
  • WordPress is an open-source solution
  • WordPress is free – sort of!
    • To understand costs, first it’s important to understand that first the decision has �to be made: �WordPress.com �or �WordPress.org?

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I’m Wapuu, the WordPress mascot!

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“Free” WordPress.com

  • WordPress.com is an online blogging/site creation platform that you can sign up for, create a site on, and publish on.
    • It is possible have a site up in 10 minutes, hosted by WordPress – at no cost to you. Really!

Visually distinguishable by the blue (slate/teal blue) icon. The default color scheme for the WP backend is also this color

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“Free” WordPress.org

  • WordPress.org operates similarly, but you pay for the website hosting.

Visually distinguishable by the dark gray (slate/almost-black) icon. The default color scheme for this WP backend is also this color

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So why would I ever want to use WordPress.org?

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There are compelling reasons (for both).

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WordPress.com

  • Free, but:
    • You may get ads you don’t want
    • Your web address (URL) will always and forever include “wordpress.com” – no customization
    • Extensive customization via plugins is not an option (plugins add functionality, such as calendars, specialized forms, custom icons, and much more)

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WordPress.org

  • Free, but:
    • You have to provide web hosting and a domain, both of which cost money
  • Free, and:
    • Extensive functionality available
    • Since you buy the domain, you pick the name! Resource: DomainSearch.com

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For more information:

http://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/self-hosted-wordpress-org-vs-free-wordpress-com-infograph/?display=wide

Comparison Chart Link

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Before we dig into the demo:

  • Some key terms and good-to-knows that will come up.

The demo will explore both backend interfaces: WP.org and WP.com.

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Themes

  • Both WordPress site options come with a default theme, and a set of free (and paid) themes you may choose from.
  • A theme is a visual “skin” for the website.

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Adding Imagery

  • WP themes are a little confusing because they come with a set of placeholder images, and the default pages are loaded with these images.
  • To replace and/or add imagery, use the “Add Media” function.

.com

.org

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Let’s dig in.

  • Take a tour of both interfaces with me…via my sites
    • prof-rachel.com which uses WordPress.org
    • Professorplumsite.wordpress.com which uses, you guessed it, WordPress.com