A basic "how to" for first-time WordPress.com users

1. Getting Started with
Created by Mitzi Lewis
August 2015 Update
Inspired by Barbara Nixon

2. What is WordPress?
• WordPress is a free, open-source publishing
platform originally developed for creating and
maintaining blogs.

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

4. Create an Account
• Go to
https://signup.wordpress.com/start/en/start
• Choose a name for your site and put it in the
Site Address field
• Click on the
“Create Your
Site and Continue”
button

5. Create an Account (continued)
Fill out
this form

6. Custom address (you don’t need one)
Click “No Thanks”
unless you want to pay
for a custom address.
A custom address is
NOT required for class.

7. Pick a theme you like

8. Pick the FREE plan

9. Verify your email address

10. Now What?
Click on
“Settings”

11. FIRST: Update
your Site Title
SECOND: Save your Settings
1
2

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

13. Delete the “Hello world!” post
Click first
Click second
1 2

14. How to Add/Edit a Post

15. Tips for Adding/Editing a Post
• Click “Save Draft” often
• Click “Publish” when you are ready for the
post to “go live”
• The “Toolbar Toggle” gives you more
formatting options

16. Adding a Link
FIRST: Highlight text
for hyperlink
SECOND: Click
link button
1
2

17. 1
2
3

18. How to Add/Edit a Page

19. Tips for Adding/Editing a Page
(same as tips for adding/editing a post)
• Click “Save Draft” often
• Click “Publish” when you are ready for the
page to “go live”
• The “Toolbar Toggle” gives you more
formatting options

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

21. How to Track Comments
for Your Blog Portfolio