How to Create a Website
Who This Is For
Whether you are making a website to spread your message, start a blog, promote your business or start a cause. You will be making it wtih WordPress. The same technolgy as fortune 500 companies like CNN, Forbes, VW, Jay-Z, The New Your Times and Katy Perry
WordPress
Finally No More Coding…
WordPress is a content management system, which just is a fancy way of saying it manages your content. So instead of having to know how to code, you can just type your content and insert your images just like do on Facebook. But it is much more than that! You can insert image galleries, make contact forms, insert ads to generate money, integrate social media, and much more.
What Will My Website Look Like?
Thousands of themes at your finger tips…
There are thousands of themes for WordPress. A “theme” is the design of your website. Themes are highly customizable, you can integrate your logo and change all of the pictures and text.
How Much Does It Cost?
It’s Not as Much as You Think…
The average web developer charges between $800 – $2000 For a website. By doing it yourself you will spend under $25 to get setup. This will include your own website name (www.YourWebsite.com). Pretty amazing considering you will be using the same technology as fortune 500 companies.
Start Building Your Website
Visit HostGator & Check Reviews
Visit www.hostgator.com then click on the big yellow button in the center. There are thousands of different companies to get a website from, some are terrible and some are amazing, we think Hostgator is one of the best (check their reviews on google).
Choose a Plan
Next choose a plan. We like to go with the “Baby Plan” because it allows as many domain names (www.YourWebsite.com) as you want. Conutant has about 50 domains on this plan. We also suggest going month to month so you arn’t locked into a contract. You get 45 days to cancel and 24 hour live chat. Once you have selected it click “Order Now”
Choose a Website Name
First enter in your desired website name where it says “Enter Domain Name:” then put in yougator27 where it says enter coupon code. This will save you 25% instead of the regular 20% coupon. Then click “Continue To Step 2”
Complete Information
Next make sure you are getting 25% off instead of 20% off and fill out the billing information. Notice that you get 45 days to cancel and the total is under $25. Then click the “Create Account” yellow button at the bottom of the website.
Thank You Page
On the next page you will see a thank you confirmation,
that is when you know it’s time to check your email.
Check Your Email
You should see an email that looks like this one, make sure to
keep this email it is important! Click on “Your Control Panel”.
Login
Copy the username and password from your email and login.
Click QuickInstall
Scroll down and click QuickInstall.
Click WordPress
Click “WordPress” located on the left side (a) then click “Continue” located on the right side (b).
Install WordPress
On the right side where it says “Application URL” select your website. Then where it says “Admin Email” enter in your email address. Then put “admin” for your “Admin Username” and choose your blog title (you can change this later to what ever you want). Enter in your “First Name” and “Last Name” and click “Install Now” (a).
Congratulations!
Make sure to keep your “Username” and “Password” written down or copied to your computer. Now we must wait about 2 hours for the website to go live. We like to go outside and get some fresh air. When you come back click “here” (b).
Check Out Your Website!
Now you have a website! It isn’t that impressive but you saved yourself lots of money and it is a good starting point! Lets continue so we can make this website even better!
Login To Your Dashboard
Now go to www.YourWebsite.com/wp-admin (a) then enter in your username and password from step 11 and click login (b).
Adding Pages
First click on “Pages” (a) then “Add New” (b) now enter in a title (c) and add in content and insert an image (d) after that click “Publish” (e). Now your new page should show up on your website.
Plugins extend what wordpress can do, for example, wordpress by default does not have an amazing photo gallery. Fortunantly there are plugins that people build for free that allow you to install photo galleries, contact forms, social media icons and much more.
A theme is the way the website looks, you can install new themes right from wordpress, or buy themes from websites like themeforest.net and woothemes.com every theme is different so it is important to read the theme documentation if available.
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