word press for dummies

[sachi3679]

Hey, does anyone have a recommendation for some sort of starter's guide to word press? One of my sister's friends (who is a web designer) is doing the initial setup but then we will be responsible for fine tuning and maintaining and I have no idea how this works. I have been to the word press website but I can't even begin to decipher the how to tutorials. Help!

 

[CafeMae]

Well, I don't have an answer, but I have an opinion

I've had a link forever in my favorite bookmarks for a neat blog post on 30 simple customizations to Word press by a company called Pootle Press. I like how it was written and was impressed... While it is a couple steps ahead of where you are now, you might want to check them out to see if they are good communicating in basic wp as well, they have something called an "Acadamy"-with paid video tutorials.

 

[EmptyNest]

there are tons of basic video tutorials on you tube. just do a search.
just setting up the basics and letting it at you wont work. it takes lots more than most realize. No theme will be exactly what you want and customization varies with every theme. not a day goes by I dont learn something new with each site I work on.
if they do the whole design for you and install all the plugins then yes, you can maintain pages and blog.

 

[sachi3679]

there are tons of basic video tutorials on you tube. just do a search.
just setting up the basics and letting it at you wont work. it takes lots more than most realize. No theme will be exactly what you want and customization varies with every theme. not a day goes by I dont learn something new with each site I work on.
if they do the whole design for you and install all the plugins then yes, you can maintain pages and blog..

I'll try YouTube, thanks. She is setting up a couple of pages for us. As we are not open and don't have pictures of the rooms yet (since they aren't done) we are skipping those pages for now, but I want to be able to maintain it, add pages as we need it, and continue customizing as we go along. Plus, I want to be able to tell what she is and is not doing versus what needs to be done.
I *thought* I was decently educated about computers, but reading even the beginning tutorials is like trying to read a different language.

 

[EmptyNest]

there are tons of basic video tutorials on you tube. just do a search.
just setting up the basics and letting it at you wont work. it takes lots more than most realize. No theme will be exactly what you want and customization varies with every theme. not a day goes by I dont learn something new with each site I work on.
if they do the whole design for you and install all the plugins then yes, you can maintain pages and blog..

I'll try YouTube, thanks. She is setting up a couple of pages for us. As we are not open and don't have pictures of the rooms yet (since they aren't done) we are skipping those pages for now, but I want to be able to maintain it, add pages as we need it, and continue customizing as we go along. Plus, I want to be able to tell what she is and is not doing versus what needs to be done.
I *thought* I was decently educated about computers, but reading even the beginning tutorials is like trying to read a different language.
.

Yep...you may know computers but you don't know how to create a website with wordpress. :-( Believe me I learn something new everyday and I don't even find it easy.

 

[Madeleine]

there are tons of basic video tutorials on you tube. just do a search.
just setting up the basics and letting it at you wont work. it takes lots more than most realize. No theme will be exactly what you want and customization varies with every theme. not a day goes by I dont learn something new with each site I work on.
if they do the whole design for you and install all the plugins then yes, you can maintain pages and blog..

I'll try YouTube, thanks. She is setting up a couple of pages for us. As we are not open and don't have pictures of the rooms yet (since they aren't done) we are skipping those pages for now, but I want to be able to maintain it, add pages as we need it, and continue customizing as we go along. Plus, I want to be able to tell what she is and is not doing versus what needs to be done.
I *thought* I was decently educated about computers, but reading even the beginning tutorials is like trying to read a different language.
.

I *thought* I was decently educated about computers, but reading even the beginning tutorials is like trying to read a different language.

Whole other kettle of fish knowing how to use a computer and knowing how to make a website.
I am absolutely no good at reading for information. The video tutorials are very helpful if you get the right ones. A lot of times the person will tell you WHY you do it this way, not that way. That's the helpful part. Point and click, follow these steps is secondary.

 

[user 26]

i maintain a wordpress website, but no way could i create one. (i bow to the experts like emptynest) some folks catch on really fast to these things, not me. and i did try.
i go to youtube or to the people who maintain our site with specific questions ... also, you've got to be careful. updating means that the widgets have to be adjusted or whatever. i let our wordpress site update itself and 'broke the internet'. so i leave the updates to the experts.

 

[dumitru]

I hate to do this often, but please get the name straight: WordPress (one word, with W and P capitalized). Not word press, not wordPress, not Wordpress. Even though it is created with 2 generic words, the name can be spelled correctly only this way.
When looking for tutorials and videos, especially if you are considering paying for some related product, this can sometimes be a giveaway: if some "expert" or "professional" provides some WordPress-related services or info, but doesn't even write it correctly on their product's website, run for the hills.

 

[Kay Nein]

I edit content (text only) on a few sites that someone else created (for Boards that I am on) and I'm completely overwhelmed on the back end. I, too, am very computer savvy and can pick up on programs very easily - Not WP! It frustrates me. I've also tried to learn from tutorials because I wanted to create a site for my personal business and it seemed like even the most beginner tutorial was actually a 4.0 version = made no sense to me.
You might want to consider finding an actual class that can teach you hands-on with an instructor that can answer questions and "dumb it down" for you. No offense, but that's exactly what I would need to figure out WP. It's like astrophysics to my brain!

 

[sachi3679]

I edit content (text only) on a few sites that someone else created (for Boards that I am on) and I'm completely overwhelmed on the back end. I, too, am very computer savvy and can pick up on programs very easily - Not WP! It frustrates me. I've also tried to learn from tutorials because I wanted to create a site for my personal business and it seemed like even the most beginner tutorial was actually a 4.0 version = made no sense to me.
You might want to consider finding an actual class that can teach you hands-on with an instructor that can answer questions and "dumb it down" for you. No offense, but that's exactly what I would need to figure out WP. It's like astrophysics to my brain!.

Thanks. The girl that is doing our website is supposed to show one of us how to add pages and ask that, I was hoping to get a jump on it though, since I don't know when that will happen. Like you say, it just makes no sense. On to trolling you tube.

 

[Madeleine]

I edit content (text only) on a few sites that someone else created (for Boards that I am on) and I'm completely overwhelmed on the back end. I, too, am very computer savvy and can pick up on programs very easily - Not WP! It frustrates me. I've also tried to learn from tutorials because I wanted to create a site for my personal business and it seemed like even the most beginner tutorial was actually a 4.0 version = made no sense to me.
You might want to consider finding an actual class that can teach you hands-on with an instructor that can answer questions and "dumb it down" for you. No offense, but that's exactly what I would need to figure out WP. It's like astrophysics to my brain!.

Thanks. The girl that is doing our website is supposed to show one of us how to add pages and ask that, I was hoping to get a jump on it though, since I don't know when that will happen. Like you say, it just makes no sense. On to trolling you tube.
.

Thanks. The girl that is doing our website is supposed to show one of us how to add pages and ask that, I was hoping to get a jump on it though, since I don't know when that will happen. Like you say, it just makes no sense. On to trolling you tube.

Do you know what theme she is using? If you do, you can download it onto your computer and practice. The whole thing is not as intuitive as I would want. But it is easy to add pages and text and the like. If you do it once, and take notes, you'll be set.

 

[dumitru]

OK, I would like to help out with some basics, specifically the terminology involved in WordPress, it makes the whole process so much easier.
Terms you should know and understand:
1. POSTS
You create posts when it is for content that is valid for only some time, content that is relevant now because it is fresh.
For example you can create posts for your news, updates on your renovation efforts, some amazing special price that you have this week.
2. CATEGORIES
As WordPress was first created with blogging in mind (and oriented around POSTS), there was a need to somehow organize all posts in categories. Thus you can create different categories for posts. For example one category would be "Our News", a different category "Local Recipes", "Special Offers", etc.
Each category gets its own dynamic page that automatically contains just the posts from that category.
3. PAGES (static pages)
These are pages that don't change much with the tides of time.
You create static pages for content like a "Contact Us" page, a "Directions", "Our Rooms", etc.
Content that is fixed and is important now as much as it will be important in a year or 2 (something that you can't say about posts).
4. PAGE TEMPLATES
Most professional WordPress themes come with a set of "custom page templates" for the [static] PAGES.
For example you can have 3 different page templates:
A. One column (full width) page template, which you will use for your "Directions to our Property" static page, with a full width map.
B. Two columns page template, with a sidebar on the right.
C. Three columns, with two equal sidebars on the sides, and the content in the middle.
5. WIDGETS
A widget is a small module/item that displays a certain type of content in SIDEBARS (widgetized areas).
Some standard widgets include:
A. Categories - a widget that displays a list of post categories (linked).
B. Search - a widget that displays a small search form used to search the content on your website.
C. Text - a widget that lets you display any text/HTML code.
6. SIDEBARS
In WordPress themes there can be certain predefined areas for WIDGETS. These areas are called for short SIDEBARS, even though technically they are not always on the "SIDE".
Most themes come with widgetized areas in the footer of the website, for example in 3 columns, where you can add some widgets.
Most of everything else that you see in the Dashboard of your website represents things that you won't need.
If someone is creating the website for you, most likely you will need to care only of PAGES and POSTS.
P.S. If you think WordPress is confusing, don't even think about starting with Joomla or something else

 

[sachi3679]

I edit content (text only) on a few sites that someone else created (for Boards that I am on) and I'm completely overwhelmed on the back end. I, too, am very computer savvy and can pick up on programs very easily - Not WP! It frustrates me. I've also tried to learn from tutorials because I wanted to create a site for my personal business and it seemed like even the most beginner tutorial was actually a 4.0 version = made no sense to me.
You might want to consider finding an actual class that can teach you hands-on with an instructor that can answer questions and "dumb it down" for you. No offense, but that's exactly what I would need to figure out WP. It's like astrophysics to my brain!.

Thanks. The girl that is doing our website is supposed to show one of us how to add pages and ask that, I was hoping to get a jump on it though, since I don't know when that will happen. Like you say, it just makes no sense. On to trolling you tube.
.

Thanks. The girl that is doing our website is supposed to show one of us how to add pages and ask that, I was hoping to get a jump on it though, since I don't know when that will happen. Like you say, it just makes no sense. On to trolling you tube.

Do you know what theme she is using? If you do, you can download it onto your computer and practice. The whole thing is not as intuitive as I would want. But it is easy to add pages and text and the like. If you do it once, and take notes, you'll be set.
.

See, I tried that. Not necessarily with our theme, but I figured I can download a free one and mess around with it to try and see what the tutorials are taking about and I failed to even figure out how to do that. Could also be my pos computer. Don't know. I found some videos on youtube, though, so wish me luck on that

 

[dumitru]

I edit content (text only) on a few sites that someone else created (for Boards that I am on) and I'm completely overwhelmed on the back end. I, too, am very computer savvy and can pick up on programs very easily - Not WP! It frustrates me. I've also tried to learn from tutorials because I wanted to create a site for my personal business and it seemed like even the most beginner tutorial was actually a 4.0 version = made no sense to me.
You might want to consider finding an actual class that can teach you hands-on with an instructor that can answer questions and "dumb it down" for you. No offense, but that's exactly what I would need to figure out WP. It's like astrophysics to my brain!.

Thanks. The girl that is doing our website is supposed to show one of us how to add pages and ask that, I was hoping to get a jump on it though, since I don't know when that will happen. Like you say, it just makes no sense. On to trolling you tube.
.

Thanks. The girl that is doing our website is supposed to show one of us how to add pages and ask that, I was hoping to get a jump on it though, since I don't know when that will happen. Like you say, it just makes no sense. On to trolling you tube.

Do you know what theme she is using? If you do, you can download it onto your computer and practice. The whole thing is not as intuitive as I would want. But it is easy to add pages and text and the like. If you do it once, and take notes, you'll be set.
.

See, I tried that. Not necessarily with our theme, but I figured I can download a free one and mess around with it to try and see what the tutorials are taking about and I failed to even figure out how to do that. Could also be my pos computer. Don't know. I found some videos on youtube, though, so wish me luck on that
.

You can take a look at this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq56mb5lmLA
That's a 25 minutes video of me building a complete hotel website using a custom theme. Some things in the video are theme-specific, while other parts are common to any theme you are going to use.
You could try taking a look, hopefully you will find it helpful.

 

[Kay Nein]

I edit content (text only) on a few sites that someone else created (for Boards that I am on) and I'm completely overwhelmed on the back end. I, too, am very computer savvy and can pick up on programs very easily - Not WP! It frustrates me. I've also tried to learn from tutorials because I wanted to create a site for my personal business and it seemed like even the most beginner tutorial was actually a 4.0 version = made no sense to me.
You might want to consider finding an actual class that can teach you hands-on with an instructor that can answer questions and "dumb it down" for you. No offense, but that's exactly what I would need to figure out WP. It's like astrophysics to my brain!.

Thanks. The girl that is doing our website is supposed to show one of us how to add pages and ask that, I was hoping to get a jump on it though, since I don't know when that will happen. Like you say, it just makes no sense. On to trolling you tube.
.

Thanks. The girl that is doing our website is supposed to show one of us how to add pages and ask that, I was hoping to get a jump on it though, since I don't know when that will happen. Like you say, it just makes no sense. On to trolling you tube.

Do you know what theme she is using? If you do, you can download it onto your computer and practice. The whole thing is not as intuitive as I would want. But it is easy to add pages and text and the like. If you do it once, and take notes, you'll be set.
.

See, I tried that. Not necessarily with our theme, but I figured I can download a free one and mess around with it to try and see what the tutorials are taking about and I failed to even figure out how to do that. Could also be my pos computer. Don't know. I found some videos on youtube, though, so wish me luck on that
.

You can take a look at this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq56mb5lmLA
That's a 25 minutes video of me building a complete hotel website using a custom theme. Some things in the video are theme-specific, while other parts are common to any theme you are going to use.
You could try taking a look, hopefully you will find it helpful.
.

Dang, you're going to FAST! YouTube has a setting that will let you play it in slow-mo. Hit the gear setting icon and change it from Normal to 025, that's easier to follow.
Is there supposed to be sound?

 

[EmptyNest]

I edit content (text only) on a few sites that someone else created (for Boards that I am on) and I'm completely overwhelmed on the back end. I, too, am very computer savvy and can pick up on programs very easily - Not WP! It frustrates me. I've also tried to learn from tutorials because I wanted to create a site for my personal business and it seemed like even the most beginner tutorial was actually a 4.0 version = made no sense to me.
You might want to consider finding an actual class that can teach you hands-on with an instructor that can answer questions and "dumb it down" for you. No offense, but that's exactly what I would need to figure out WP. It's like astrophysics to my brain!.

Thanks. The girl that is doing our website is supposed to show one of us how to add pages and ask that, I was hoping to get a jump on it though, since I don't know when that will happen. Like you say, it just makes no sense. On to trolling you tube.
.

Thanks. The girl that is doing our website is supposed to show one of us how to add pages and ask that, I was hoping to get a jump on it though, since I don't know when that will happen. Like you say, it just makes no sense. On to trolling you tube.

Do you know what theme she is using? If you do, you can download it onto your computer and practice. The whole thing is not as intuitive as I would want. But it is easy to add pages and text and the like. If you do it once, and take notes, you'll be set.
.

See, I tried that. Not necessarily with our theme, but I figured I can download a free one and mess around with it to try and see what the tutorials are taking about and I failed to even figure out how to do that. Could also be my pos computer. Don't know. I found some videos on youtube, though, so wish me luck on that
.

You can take a look at this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq56mb5lmLA
That's a 25 minutes video of me building a complete hotel website using a custom theme. Some things in the video are theme-specific, while other parts are common to any theme you are going to use.
You could try taking a look, hopefully you will find it helpful.
.

Dang, you're going to FAST! YouTube has a setting that will let you play it in slow-mo. Hit the gear setting icon and change it from Normal to 025, that's easier to follow.
Is there supposed to be sound?
.

That is the problem...no sound. I have always found it very difficult to follow videos if no one is walking you through what they do step by step with VOICE :-(

 

[JBloggs]

I edit content (text only) on a few sites that someone else created (for Boards that I am on) and I'm completely overwhelmed on the back end. I, too, am very computer savvy and can pick up on programs very easily - Not WP! It frustrates me. I've also tried to learn from tutorials because I wanted to create a site for my personal business and it seemed like even the most beginner tutorial was actually a 4.0 version = made no sense to me.
You might want to consider finding an actual class that can teach you hands-on with an instructor that can answer questions and "dumb it down" for you. No offense, but that's exactly what I would need to figure out WP. It's like astrophysics to my brain!.

Thanks. The girl that is doing our website is supposed to show one of us how to add pages and ask that, I was hoping to get a jump on it though, since I don't know when that will happen. Like you say, it just makes no sense. On to trolling you tube.
.

Thanks. The girl that is doing our website is supposed to show one of us how to add pages and ask that, I was hoping to get a jump on it though, since I don't know when that will happen. Like you say, it just makes no sense. On to trolling you tube.

Do you know what theme she is using? If you do, you can download it onto your computer and practice. The whole thing is not as intuitive as I would want. But it is easy to add pages and text and the like. If you do it once, and take notes, you'll be set.
.

See, I tried that. Not necessarily with our theme, but I figured I can download a free one and mess around with it to try and see what the tutorials are taking about and I failed to even figure out how to do that. Could also be my pos computer. Don't know. I found some videos on youtube, though, so wish me luck on that
.

See, I tried that. Not necessarily with our theme, but I figured I can download a free one and mess around with it to try and see what the tutorials are taking about and I failed to even figure out how to do that. Could also be my pos computer. Don't know. I found some videos on youtube, though, so wish me luck on that

If you have no experience behind the veil, so to speak, in building or maintaining a website I would highly recommend you pay someone to tutor you. Not sure what has been said here thus far, but perhaps there is someone who would give you a couple hours -paid- following them on a website edit and you asking questions? (like Dumitru)
Otherwise I would say pay someone to add any updates you want as you go along. The worst possible thing that would happen if you are on a LIVE WEBSITE and don't know what you are doing and make changes. I think that is insane (yes I do it, that is whY i say this!) This could end in disaster.

 

[dumitru]

I edit content (text only) on a few sites that someone else created (for Boards that I am on) and I'm completely overwhelmed on the back end. I, too, am very computer savvy and can pick up on programs very easily - Not WP! It frustrates me. I've also tried to learn from tutorials because I wanted to create a site for my personal business and it seemed like even the most beginner tutorial was actually a 4.0 version = made no sense to me.
You might want to consider finding an actual class that can teach you hands-on with an instructor that can answer questions and "dumb it down" for you. No offense, but that's exactly what I would need to figure out WP. It's like astrophysics to my brain!.

Thanks. The girl that is doing our website is supposed to show one of us how to add pages and ask that, I was hoping to get a jump on it though, since I don't know when that will happen. Like you say, it just makes no sense. On to trolling you tube.
.

Thanks. The girl that is doing our website is supposed to show one of us how to add pages and ask that, I was hoping to get a jump on it though, since I don't know when that will happen. Like you say, it just makes no sense. On to trolling you tube.

Do you know what theme she is using? If you do, you can download it onto your computer and practice. The whole thing is not as intuitive as I would want. But it is easy to add pages and text and the like. If you do it once, and take notes, you'll be set.
.

See, I tried that. Not necessarily with our theme, but I figured I can download a free one and mess around with it to try and see what the tutorials are taking about and I failed to even figure out how to do that. Could also be my pos computer. Don't know. I found some videos on youtube, though, so wish me luck on that
.

You can take a look at this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq56mb5lmLA
That's a 25 minutes video of me building a complete hotel website using a custom theme. Some things in the video are theme-specific, while other parts are common to any theme you are going to use.
You could try taking a look, hopefully you will find it helpful.
.

Dang, you're going to FAST! YouTube has a setting that will let you play it in slow-mo. Hit the gear setting icon and change it from Normal to 025, that's easier to follow.
Is there supposed to be sound?
.

Yes, you can make the playback slower, if you have troubles following the steps.
For this tutorial I did not record any sound, as I have sound for the other tutorials, in which I explain very specific things. Screen-casting a 25 minute video would take 25 hours to create

 

[Kay Nein]

I edit content (text only) on a few sites that someone else created (for Boards that I am on) and I'm completely overwhelmed on the back end. I, too, am very computer savvy and can pick up on programs very easily - Not WP! It frustrates me. I've also tried to learn from tutorials because I wanted to create a site for my personal business and it seemed like even the most beginner tutorial was actually a 4.0 version = made no sense to me.
You might want to consider finding an actual class that can teach you hands-on with an instructor that can answer questions and "dumb it down" for you. No offense, but that's exactly what I would need to figure out WP. It's like astrophysics to my brain!.

Thanks. The girl that is doing our website is supposed to show one of us how to add pages and ask that, I was hoping to get a jump on it though, since I don't know when that will happen. Like you say, it just makes no sense. On to trolling you tube.
.

Thanks. The girl that is doing our website is supposed to show one of us how to add pages and ask that, I was hoping to get a jump on it though, since I don't know when that will happen. Like you say, it just makes no sense. On to trolling you tube.

Do you know what theme she is using? If you do, you can download it onto your computer and practice. The whole thing is not as intuitive as I would want. But it is easy to add pages and text and the like. If you do it once, and take notes, you'll be set.
.

See, I tried that. Not necessarily with our theme, but I figured I can download a free one and mess around with it to try and see what the tutorials are taking about and I failed to even figure out how to do that. Could also be my pos computer. Don't know. I found some videos on youtube, though, so wish me luck on that
.

You can take a look at this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq56mb5lmLA
That's a 25 minutes video of me building a complete hotel website using a custom theme. Some things in the video are theme-specific, while other parts are common to any theme you are going to use.
You could try taking a look, hopefully you will find it helpful.
.

Dang, you're going to FAST! YouTube has a setting that will let you play it in slow-mo. Hit the gear setting icon and change it from Normal to 025, that's easier to follow.
Is there supposed to be sound?
.

Yes, you can make the playback slower, if you have troubles following the steps.
For this tutorial I did not record any sound, as I have sound for the other tutorials, in which I explain very specific things. Screen-casting a 25 minute video would take 25 hours to create
.

It actually was helpful - thank you! There were a few things that I didn't know how to change and I saw you do them. I've bookmarked it so I can look at it again when I'm ready to do more changes.

 

[dumitru]

I edit content (text only) on a few sites that someone else created (for Boards that I am on) and I'm completely overwhelmed on the back end. I, too, am very computer savvy and can pick up on programs very easily - Not WP! It frustrates me. I've also tried to learn from tutorials because I wanted to create a site for my personal business and it seemed like even the most beginner tutorial was actually a 4.0 version = made no sense to me.
You might want to consider finding an actual class that can teach you hands-on with an instructor that can answer questions and "dumb it down" for you. No offense, but that's exactly what I would need to figure out WP. It's like astrophysics to my brain!.

Thanks. The girl that is doing our website is supposed to show one of us how to add pages and ask that, I was hoping to get a jump on it though, since I don't know when that will happen. Like you say, it just makes no sense. On to trolling you tube.
.

Thanks. The girl that is doing our website is supposed to show one of us how to add pages and ask that, I was hoping to get a jump on it though, since I don't know when that will happen. Like you say, it just makes no sense. On to trolling you tube.

Do you know what theme she is using? If you do, you can download it onto your computer and practice. The whole thing is not as intuitive as I would want. But it is easy to add pages and text and the like. If you do it once, and take notes, you'll be set.
.

See, I tried that. Not necessarily with our theme, but I figured I can download a free one and mess around with it to try and see what the tutorials are taking about and I failed to even figure out how to do that. Could also be my pos computer. Don't know. I found some videos on youtube, though, so wish me luck on that
.

You can take a look at this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq56mb5lmLA
That's a 25 minutes video of me building a complete hotel website using a custom theme. Some things in the video are theme-specific, while other parts are common to any theme you are going to use.
You could try taking a look, hopefully you will find it helpful.
.

Dang, you're going to FAST! YouTube has a setting that will let you play it in slow-mo. Hit the gear setting icon and change it from Normal to 025, that's easier to follow.
Is there supposed to be sound?
.

Yes, you can make the playback slower, if you have troubles following the steps.
For this tutorial I did not record any sound, as I have sound for the other tutorials, in which I explain very specific things. Screen-casting a 25 minute video would take 25 hours to create
.

It actually was helpful - thank you! There were a few things that I didn't know how to change and I saw you do them. I've bookmarked it so I can look at it again when I'm ready to do more changes.
.

I'm glad that you found it helpful.
Just don't forget that some features in that video are available only for the theme that I was using in the video, so don't expect to see all of those steps and page templates in other themes.