Building my own Site

SCMom · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 63

Hey ladies,

It's been awhile. I am sorry to have left and many of you probably have no clue who I am. I had come here a couple or more Confused

months ago to introduce myself because Anita told me how great of a board this is and well, I got carried away with work and the holidays.

But I have not forgotten this board. Very Happy

So now I am back and I am ready to tackle the world of building my own website. Smile

I have been researching and I think I have decided to go ahead and try to build one using Wordpress. But uh...that's as far as I have gotten Confused

So I guess my next step is to find get my domain and host. Can you help me out with that Anita? Very Happy

I also need help figuring out using Wordpress. I am not entirely clueness since I have created a blog type site but its too simple looking to me. I want something professional. So can anyone help steer me in the right direction? I have no idea about HTML so I am looking for building my site simply. LOL

Thanks everyone. I need to go and read some of your posts!!
_________________
~ Marcie

Freelance Writing Services
Blogging About Writing

Lauren · Posted: January 20, 2008, 12:51 am Post subject:

Hi Marcie!

Glad to see you back, and don't worry about being away - we all know what it's like to have life take over! LOL

Have you checked out the affordable domain names and hosting Anita has here? http://www.mommyshelperonline.com/web-hosting.html? Generally her basic hosting package is more than enough!

With the hosting it includes one click installation of WordPress through the Value Applications in your Control Panel - you just have it installed into the root directory for your domain name and generally within 10 minutes or less of "ordering" it it's up and ready to go.

Once installed - you can change the template, etc. We'll get into WrodPress more after you've gotten that far. LOL! For anyone who isn't, or doesn't want to become html savvy - WP is a good option. You can configure it to act almost like a website anyway.

Hope that helps!
_________________
Lauren
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SCMom · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 63

Hi Lauren!!!

Thank you so much. Okay, so I am taking the plunge. I will go ahead and get the domain name and hosting. How exciting!

Oh, here's another question. What if I want to build two sites... yes, I haven't even started with one and I already want another. LOL When hosting do you get to place two domain on it or do you have to pay to host two sites? Did that make sense? Very Happy

_________________
~ Marcie

Freelance Writing Services
Blogging About Writing

Lauren · Posted: January 20, 2008, 1:18 am Post subject:

The basic hosting only allows for one domain name per acct. but the Deluxe hosting allows for unlimited domains - you could start with the basic if you want to just get the one site up and running and then upgrade to the delux when you're ready to build the next site (buy as many domains as you like - they'll park them free for you). OR fi you're planning to do WP with each you could start with the Delux and have one as the main domain for the acct and add as many to the hosting as you want.

For example - I had the basic hosting when I was building Mom's Online Retreat - then when I became hooked on building websites (LOL) I upgraded to Deluxe and added 3 other domains to the acct that I'd purchased earlier. That's just a matter of going into your Domain Management and adding them to the acct.

Let me know if I'm starting to confuse you - I have that effect on people sometimes! Wink

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Lauren
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Anita · Posted: January 27, 2008, 7:36 am Post subject:

Hey Marcie!
I'm sooo sorry for taking so long to reply. I had been away all last weekend (a weekend that apparently everyone decided to be chatty, lol. Anyway, I was just getting caught up on all the posts and then we started having server/hosting and whatever else you can throw in there problems.

I know I had told you before that I would give discounted domain name and hosting services (a benefit of being a member of my "staff"). What I hadn't realized at first though, I had to have you set up an account first to do so.

So first of all, have you purchased anything yet? If not, don't do it quite yet. What I need you to do is go to http://www.mommyshelperonline.com/web-hosting.html and then click on My Account (up in the second line of tabs at the top of the page). On the next page, click on I need to set up a new account and follow the prompts from there. It doesn't cost anything to set up an account but by doing this, I will be able to give you discounted pricing. I will just need your last name and if you use another name other than Marcie for your first name.

Then I will let you know once that's finished and you can go ahead and purchase. The discounted pricing will only show up in your shopping cart. But, when you log in, you will see a red bar across the screen saying You are entitled to special pricing!

If you have already purchased, I can't do anything about what you've purchased but I can still set you up and everything else you buy (including renewals) will be discounted.

All that make sense?

Okay, with all that said ...
Where are you at right now with all this? What do you need help with at this point?

Let us know if you have any questions!

- Anita Razz

_________________

P.S. You have to check this out:
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SCMom · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 63

Thanks Anita!

See, I knew there was a reason why I was waiting, uh...not only because I have been so busy. Laughing

I will go ahead and set up that account right now! Very Happy

After that, I will wait like you mentioned.

Where I am right now is I want to go ahead and get the domain and then upload the wordpress template I found...I may actually look for a new one. I guess we will see.

Thanks again!
_________________
~ Marcie

Freelance Writing Services
Blogging About Writing

Anita · Posted: January 27, 2008, 9:44 am Post subject:

Great! Let us know when you need help and your discounted services are all set up and ready to go Wink

- Anita

_________________

P.S. You have to check this out:
COMPLETE Business For Sale - All Ready to Go!

SCMom · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 63

Thanks again Anita!

So I just looked through 150 pages of Wordpress themes and I just can't find the one I want.

I have this certain type of page in my mind and I can't find one that fits that image. I did find one but it had a man on it and well, I am a woman. Very Happy

I am just posting this to see if anyone has seen a business theme that has a professional looking lady or even a group at the top. OR a business theme with a woman at a laptop or just something that has to do with writing...hands on a laptop or something.

Don't go searching - don't want to take anyone's time. Just wondering if anyone has seen something like that so I can be pointed in the right direction.

Thanks so much ladies!!
_________________
~ Marcie

Freelance Writing Services
Blogging About Writing

BusyMomma · Posted: January 28, 2008, 1:04 am Post subject:

Have you done a direct search for what you are looking for? Try googleing for "woman laptop wordpress theme" or "business wordpress theme" or "laptop wordpress theme". I've had much better luck finding my themes this way. Otherwise there are just too many.

If you can't find what you are looking for my partner can come up with something for you for a decent price and also lara from designsbylara.com does a great job. Smile

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Val

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BusyMomma · Posted: January 28, 2008, 1:06 am Post subject:

Oh and BTW, you can always change the theme. One of the beauties of wordpress is the quick ability to change themes. So don't use it as an excuse not to get started. Grab something that fits at least a little and then get to working on it. {gentle kick in the butt Wink

}
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Val

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SCMom · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 63

Thanks so much for your tip!!

I think I have found one...but I have questions....

So the theme looks more like a blog (of course) will this be what my page will look like or is there a way to change it so it looks more like a webpage with tabs that take you to different subpages??

Or did I need to find a completely different template that has that on it?

Thanks again!
_________________
~ Marcie

Freelance Writing Services
Blogging About Writing

BusyMomma · Posted: January 28, 2008, 2:18 am Post subject:

The site will look like the theme you choose. So if you want it to look more like a website you need to choose a theme that looks that way.

Something like these for example? http://www.twigged.net/free-wordpress-themes-part-1-ezines/

BTW, if you find a template you like you can have a custom header created easily. You don't have to have a complete theme built.
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Val

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Lauren · Posted: January 28, 2008, 2:22 am Post subject:

Marcie-

You can add pages to your WordPress blog and then depending on how your theme is the pages will either show up as navingational links in tabs across the top, or as text across some part of the top of your blog - for instance in my scrappinwahm's journal blog theme the pages are at the top as tabs - http://www.scrappinwahm.com/journal AND at my cookbook blog http://www.momsonlineretreat.com/cookbook the pages will appear across the top as text - see where it says HOME top right?

You can also have the pages listed in your sidebar nivigation too if you set it up that way. A lot really does depend on your theme. Plus you should be able to set a homepage static page that is the page every visitor sees everytime they come to your site. Another great thing about WordPress. Wink

_________________
Lauren
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SCMom · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 63

OH OKay.... THANK YOU GIRLS. You are the best. Okay, let me see what I can do here. Very Happy

_________________
~ Marcie

Freelance Writing Services
Blogging About Writing

Anita · Posted: January 28, 2008, 6:45 am Post subject:

Marcie,
From reading your posts, it sounds as though you really would do better hiring someone to design a custom template for you Wink

It really sounds like you have something specific in mind and if you're anything like me, you won't be happy until you find just that one, lol! If I were you, I would go for being totally happy and yes, hiring a designer. This of course is entirely up to you Wink

You'll get to know me ... I throw out all kinds of ideas BUT ... the ultimate choice is yours Wink

Take my suggestions as just that - suggestions.

With that said ... I agree with Val. Lara does a fantastic job (and is very affordable. ( http://designedbylara.com ) She actually designed our blog template ( http://2wahms.com ) AND Val's business partner does a great job too. I can't think of anything to show you off hand so I'll let that up to Val, lol!

But BOTH girls do a fantastic job and are great to work with. They'll be able to get you that just perfect template Wink

ROFL! Forgive me but yeah, you so sound like me. You have something in mind and you're not going to be happy until you find it. Am I right?

Oh and didn't I tell you these girls were wonderful??

- Anita Razz

_________________

P.S. You have to check this out:
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SCMom · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 63

I totally agree with you Anita!! I am just not at that frustrated point yet. Believe me, once I get there, I will definitely look into one of these awesome designers.

But I really appreciate everyone stepping up and helping me! I really want to learn to do this. Very Happy

_________________
~ Marcie

Freelance Writing Services
Blogging About Writing

SCMom · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 63

Hey Everyone,

Well, after some tiny technical issues, I have finally installed Wordpress on my domain. I am using the free host right now so do I have to switch over to the regular one to make my site? I figured I would just use it for now until I have configured everything. Wink

So what do I do now. I have the default theme on there. How do I upload the theme I want and how do I start tweaking?

Thanks everyone for all of your help!!!
_________________
~ Marcie

Freelance Writing Services
Blogging About Writing

BusyMomma · Posted: January 30, 2008, 8:27 pm Post subject:

BusyMomma · Posted: January 30, 2008, 8:41 pm Post subject:

Oh wait, I think I might understand now after further reading it. You have installed WP on your paid hosting and you want to get the domain name to go to your WP site instead of your free hosting? Am I understanding that now? Smile

When you bought your hosting, they should have sent you an email with the dns (domain name servers) address. There should be two of them and they look something like rc1.welcome.com rc2.welcome.com. Log into your domain name and go to manage domains, click on the domain to change or click the box by it and then the change name servers.

If you have the domain name locked, as we all should, then you have to unlock it first before you can change the name servers. It will say it's doing it, but it will not change them if the domain is locked.

Hope that helps and is what you needed. Or I just threw info at you to confuse you. Rolling Eyes

I don't mean to. lol
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Val

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Lauren · Posted: January 30, 2008, 9:58 pm Post subject:

Hi Marcie-

You opened an account through Anita's hosting - right? I have to agree with Val - you are better off going with the basic paid hosting plan (if it's just for the one domain name now) The free hosting is going to put ads up at the top of your site/blog pages - this is out of your control - how they can offer the hosting for free. (And don't blame Anita-that is how the reseller plan is-my guess of course) If you can swing it at all, I think it is definitely worth the business investment to have paid hositng. And it is super easy to upgrade - incase you decide to do it later instead. Wink

Have you gone into your hosting and seen where the file manager is? It would be under Content in the control panel. Also they should have sent you an email with your ftp information - if you go to the ftp address they give you for your site, and log-in with the username and password (that should be in the email too) this will open an IE window with your site files in it.

If you have installed WP into your main directory (ie: www.yoursite.com takes you to your WP/site's home page) You'll see all of the WP files - then follow this path -->Open wp-content folder-->Open themes folder.
Then you can drag and drop your unzipped new theme folder into that one. (You'll see a couple of folders for the Classic and Default themes in there already)

After that you can log into you WP Admin panel (You got an email with the log-in info for that too) Go to Presentations-->Themes and you'll see a screen shot of the theme you uploaded. Click on the screen shot image, and WP will install it instantly - then you're prompted if you want to view the site. Check to see that it is showing on the site.

Let us know if you need more details, or have any more questions. You'll be so happy, I know, when all of the install stuff is done and you're on your way to building the site! And you will get there! We promise! Wink

_________________
Lauren
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Relationship Marketing Report
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