First, let me guide you through the different modules on your WordPress dashboard. Getting familiar with the dashboard is a vital step to learn how to use WordPress.
To login to your WordPress dashboard, go to http://yourdomain.com/wp-login.php/ and enter your
username and password.
This is the next screen you’ll see:
Let’s see what each of these tabs stand for:
- Right Now – This is where you can see information about your content, comments, theme and WordPress version.
- Content: You can see how many pages or posts you currently have and how many categories and tags you’ve already created.
- Discussion: See how many comments you’ve received, how many of them are approved, pending your review and/or marked as spam.
- At the bottom of this box, you can see your current theme and which version of WP you’re presently using.
- Quick Press – This feature lets you add a new post to your site straight form the dashboard. Simply enter a title, some text, a few tags then either save as draft or publish. Bam, your content is live on the web.
- Recent Comments – Shows the most recent comments submitted via your site.
- Plugins – Shows the most popular free WP plugins and gives you suggestions. Generally, you can ignore this column.
- WP News - Shows the most recent blog entries form WP. Unless you want to get sidetracked all the time, you can ignore this panel as well.
TIP: If you want to, you can customize your dashboard byminimizing some panels and rearranging their order.
You can play around with it until you find the best settings for you. When you're just learning how to use WordPress, try to keep only the most important tabs open. Personally, I recommend you get rid of the WordPress Blog and Other WordPress news so that you can focus on the most important parts.
Once you learned how to use the WP dashboard, you’ll want to install a “theme” for your website.
A theme determines how your website looks. It decides how many columns it has, what color it uses, how it’s structured, how its header looks and so on... There are literally thousands of WordPress themes you can
choose from.
There are both paid and free options. Generally, if you want search engines to take you seriously and send you any traffic, you’ll have to invest some money into a premium (paid) WordPress theme.
Don’t worry, we’re not talking about too much. Even the most beautiful WP themes cost less than $200, usually less than $100.
STEP 1:
In order to install a theme, go to the "Appearance" button and click on "Themes" from the drop down menu.
Usually, you’ll see a screen like this, with the Twenty Eleven theme installed.
STEP 2: You can customize your themes all you want by clicking on the “Customize” option.
This opens a new window where you’ll be able to see a real-life preview as your
customizations take place.
STEP 3: To find new themes, simply go to the “Install Themes” option. On the next page,
you can use many different search filters to find the best theme for your needs.
WARNING: Unfortunately, all the themes listed in this database are free. This means you’ll
have to go elsewhere to research the more professional and better paid themes.
My personal recommendations are either the Genesis Theme for $59 or the most popular
Thesis Theme for $87. Both of these developers have tens of thousands of happy customers.
But again, it’s up to you what you decide.
STEP 4: Once you find a theme you like, simply click on the “Install Now” button under it.
Soon, you’ll be taken to a page like this.
STEP 5: If you want to preview your theme, click “Live Preview”. On the next page, you’ll
be able to make all your customizations and click “Save & Activate” once you’re ready.
That’s it. You’ve just installed your very first WordPress theme.
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