Hello new webmaster.
You’re probably here because of your basic lack of knowledge…oh sorry or insufficient understanding on how the #WordPress CMS work. Basically, this tutorials is never for a day to day user of the software rather for a new user or someone who had just discovered the software and wants to explore how it works and how reliable it is. This post explains all….when I say all, I mean totally everything you can use with the software right from its potential start (The absolute blogging tool)
“Okay buddy, are you ready to go now? Here we go!!!” Its time to get formal.
Everything has its own definition because all have an origin. Just like Lamborghini automobili was created back in the 1960s and it’s propose is for productions of luxurious Sport cars, then our major point of topic the “Almighty Content Management System” WordPress does have the same.
What is WordPress?
WordPress is a CMS (Content Management System) which means a software for content management. And what is content? To my definition, Contents are things that are contained in another thing. For example, your property in your house. Your house becomes the CMS for it has rooms of different usage and of different types where different types of properties (Contents) can and should fit.
WordPress as a CMS was developed by a community of brave and intelligent developers and then releaser to the public in open source back in the 2003 under the supervision of Matt Mullenweg the founder of a support company for the software called Automattic.
The software was released as a blogging tool which is therefore based for article production. This changed the face of the internet forever in the terms of article development and production therefore Bloggers and publishers began using the powerful tool for their content production.
Later on, the approach towards the definition of Content Management as pertaining to WordPress was changed later on when the software began having a very larger community around it and its usage surpasses any other in the world making about 60% of the internet websites built upon the software.
That’s that about the introduction.
Now let’s come back to you the beginner who just decided to join the users of the great software.
Before you decide on what or why you should use WordPress, I will go into some details on why you really should use the software.
Why should I care ?
You really should care because WordPress has a very large number of community surrounding it and lifting it up everyday tirelessly making it rank above all others.
What does this have to do with you then?
Since its creation up until the time of the revolution of the internet, Millions of reasons lies behind the great multiple usage of the powerful software. Since the redefinition therefore, a good number of developing companies stood up and transform the software forever and thanks to the plugin system (A plugin is an addition or extension that gives the software an extra ability or changes the entire system to something else.) If you don’t get my little definition if the plugin thing, take your Android/Apple or any mobile device that you use and then delete all the applications on it you then see that you only have the whole screen emptied. The same way is the Plugin system of WordPress. Plugins are like applications that changes the usabilities of an android device. So back to our discussion, after thousands and thousands of plugins were made (Most of which are open source and can be found here *WordPress Plugin Repo*) Then the usage of the software became very easier and simpler making it rank above all others.
Now, the earlier WordPress which centers its attentions and focuses upon blog and article creation and management evolved to something I’ll call “A full-fledged software” which can be diverted easily to any direction.
Now for your very sake, I’ll take each of what you’ll see (or have seen) on the software for an easier explanation.
The day you register in a very nice host provider and you’ve decided to go for WordPress as your own starting point (Which is the beat decision for cms choosing) then comes the little dreaded side which might seems tricky but its a very super-simple process.
Although there are numbers of online web hosts who offer a one click install for the software, the process you might face will be a little quicker than those who had to install manually.
The question is how do I install this so-called Almighty CMS when my host doesn’t offer a one click install?
Well. The answer is quiet simple but it depends mainly on your internet speed and network aside that, the processes are quiet simple.
There are two major ways to get this done. The first way is the File Manager way which is included in your host server and the second is via the FTP way (FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol meaning its mainly for file transfer from your computer to the internet and vice versa.) Now, let me take each steps one by one.
The first step: Using the host server File manager.
The file manager is the same with that on your laptop or mobile phone where you can easily browse all the contents and files in your devices. On it, you can delete, add , edit or share those files with ease. That’s the same way your file manager works. Each C-Panel has this (Though depends in the type of hosting plan you did.) Clicking on the file manager takes you to the file manager itself. Here, you see bunch if contents and folders. But because your website is probably new, you see only the (_root and then public_HTML) folders. All you have to do is click in the Public_HTML folder and when you are in there, You are at the right place. Please note that all contents that you want to appear on your domain (that is when someone types your http://blah blah blah.com what is shown) should reside strictly within this folder. That said. Mist hosts file manager has navigation menus right above the file managers where contents are of ease of navigation. Try calming down and look around for the “Upload” button. When you see this, click on it and then it takes you to a new screen where you will browse your computer files and upload your WordPress software file. (You can download a free copy of the software here right now if you haven’t. WordPress.org) ones the software appears then click on the upload button and wait remember I emphasized on network speed the other time. This is the number place to see that. (Depending on your hosts, there might be some other approaches to this. Some might be via the “Restore my website” button usually located within the C-Panel. This is usually anorher easier means.)
Alright times up. You should see the “Upload successful” message written in green well that’s success color. Go back into your Public_HTML folder and you should see a new folder “WordPress ***” the *** means the version number. (In some cases, you might see just only WordPress depending on the decompresser application used by your host.) Now open a new tab of your C-Panel and there, look for the “Database management” or MySQL management. (MySQL is the type of database used by the WordPress system for information storage and retrieval.) Okay. Now click on the create a new database. (Please note. In some host C-Panel, because all aren’t the same, you might have to go to the PHPMyAdmin. This is the control panel for MySQL database management. Here, you do all you have to do with database ranging from Import/Export, table management and so on. Depending on your expertise level on the software.) Create a new database and then give it a new and unique name and then a password. (If you used PhpMyAdmin, you will need to click upon the database itself and then look upon around and look for a button called “Privilege.” clicking it will open for you a new window for adding a user to the ready created database.) After the Database has been created, then open another window in your browser and go to your URL address (http://blah blah bkah.com) then it will show you a screen to install the new software you’ve just uploaded (WordPress.) Clicking the let’s go button simply takes you to a new screen requesting you to add your database credentials. If you remember well about those things you did at the PHPMyAdmin phase, this is where you use them. Simply slit in the name where it’s due and the password where due and again, the Username where due. Then click on install button. The whole installation is so short that within a twinkle of an eye, WordPress installation processes is completed. The next thing is to configure your website and put the name where due and others stuffs. And make sure your Username is very strict because of hackers and Cyber crooks. Also your password should be super powerful. Save them somewhere like on notepad or any editing app and save them in a safe folder on your computer in case of future reference since you don’t wanna get locked out out of your website sometimes.
After this whole process, WordPress is due to be used for whatever you want to use it for.
The second process of installation which is the FTP means is simple too. Go through your C-Panel and look around for the FTP account. Create one simply and quickly since there might be none already inside the folder URL, simply type (public_HTML). After that, go to this website to download my recommended FTP application (Because you need one.) Filezilla. Its not a heavy app and it’s very light weight. Install and then simply navigate to the quick boz which is located up on the app. There you will see boxes for Your username, Password and URL and Port. (All which you’ve created earlier on your Cpanel.)
Then click on connect. Then your root folder in your host cpanel file manager is shown by one aide with your own computer file manager at the left side. Now locate where you have installed WordPress in your computer and decompress it. (You can simply leave Filezilla here and get 7Zip app for windows and then do the decompression.) That done, go back to Filezilla and drag your decompressed WordPress folder into your Public_HTML folder on your server’s file manager. Then go back to create a database as discussed earlier and install simply.
The whole process is very short and quick.
The WordPress Admin Dashboard:
This is what you see because you are the Super user. (A super user is someone that first create an account after installation. Your account is registered in the database with the number 1.) Here, you see dew information about your website. things like number of latest posts, comments and pages. Presently, it won’t make much sense since its a new website.
The WordPress Plugin page:
here resides all your extensions and plugins for changing the software and turning it to something entity different.
The page:
This is where you create static HTML pages for your Static posts. Almost every websites needs an about page, Terms&Privacy page, Contact us page. This part of WordPress does exactly that.
The post :
Here, you see your new “Hello world” post. Its system generated and so it’s premade with WordPress. If you preview it in the next window, you’ll see it falls under the “Uncategorized” category. well, right under the posts, you can manage posts categories and tags easily.
The comments:
Here you see latest comments and you can add, approve or delete or disapprove any you don’t want.
Media:
All those beautiful pictures you want to publish with your posts or separately, this is where you manage them. You don’t manage just images but also contents like videos and songs too with ease.
Users:
Here, you edit, add or delete users. Your own account too is there and can be edited and managed easily. Users prey default roles are usually Subscribers. but you the administrator can change any you this depending on what type of privilege you want your users to have. (Privileges are something like advantages and controlling powers you want your users to have on your website.)
Tools:
Here, you manage tools like importing and or exporting settings and more.
“So what’s amazing about the so-called Almighty WordPress?” you might ask. Well the answer I can’t answer for you. “Why?” you might wonder again. The answer is simply because I don’t know what you want to do with your website. But let me tell you this right now pal, you can turn this whack looking website of yours into anything. I mean anything.
Since I do not know your decision or your mind, I will go by telling you lists of big websites that uses WordPress .The Categories are as follows:
A) News / Magazine / Blog : In this category, you will see a little list out of the super big multitudes of websites sitting right upon the WordPress software. And to develop a website upon this category, you will need a level of plugin to tweak things up and themes to shape it out. You can check my top magazine themes / Plugins selections. (free/paid) WordPress always got your budget covered. So if your website falls or will fall under this category, you will see some inspiring lists to help get the motivation.
1) Netgills Magazine
2)The Reuters blog
3) Wolverine
4) Problogger
5) Techcrunch
6) Law blog for the wall street journal
7) Inside Blackberry
8) Google Ventures
9) Facebook news room
10) The San Francisco examiners
B) Social Networking / Membership (Dating)
Social Networking? that’s not possible. Isn’t that’s what you just said to yourself. Well dear, its far far possible. In WordPress, all websites types are possible. Yeah believe. Developing a social networking website (Facebook / twitter like) or just something new and unique from these two, WordPress always seat at the top of the rescue unit. With the buddypress, Symposium, Ultimate Member, Pro Members, Mingles and so many more but those are the top selected. And let me surprise you again. There are quiet numbers of big successful websites using WordPress as a social networking / membership website. Check my lists again.
1) The Netgills Open Authors
2) Ooizit
3) Androinica
4) MyTelegraph.co.UK
5) food network humor
6)
C) If your website falls in the E-Commerce category, then be ready to see the full power of WordPress again via the WooCommerce plugin. A successful plugin from the Wootheme company. With this and other few tweaks, you can have a super nice internet shop. And believe me, if you want a multi vendor website, WordPress is still in the rescue. See, here are few lists of successful e-commerce websites using the WordPress software as their base.
1)
D) Music portal / Band or Musician website:
For you that want to create a website for music since you love music and want to share it with people…either your fans or people all around, just click here to read more about using WordPress for a music / Band website. But before you go, see another few of the many lists of users of the software.
1) Jay Z
2) Beyonce
3) Snoop Dogg
4) The Naughty daughters
5) Sony Music
Just to mention very few.
And intact, WordPress isnt limited to this. There are far and far more websites and categories that you can build and WordPress stands at its beat for it. Examples are web categories like :Business websites, Charity / non profit website, School Alumni, Newspaper, Judicial, fan page and so much more. Try WordPress now and get your website online at the top with the simplest ease.
Goodluck.