Using WordPress For Web Sites And Blogs

A Simple Guide to Start a Blog

Jan 7, 2009 David Borrink

WordPress is a powerful, yet easy to use program for web sites and blogs. And best of all, it's free.

Since it’s introduction in 2003, WordPress has grown from a web application used by several developers into one of the most popular self-hosted blogging software applications on the internet. Hundreds of thousands of websites now run on WordPress, with content seen by countless people every day.

How WordPress Works

WordPress is a simple download from wordpress.org, where the latest version is always available. WordPress is used as a web application so it’s uploaded onto the Internet, and not installed on a user’s computer.

The files are uploaded to any hosting service that provides PHP and MySQL databases, and can be configured in a matter of moments. Once installed, the program allows users to write posts or pages for their own web site by using their web browser. There are two design themes that come with the installation. And that’s the basics. But there’s so much more. Much more.

Simple for Simple Users, Powerful for Professional Developers

If someone wants a simple blog setup, all they need to do is configure one file for the database settings, upload the WordPress files to their hosting server, and start blogging.

Users can take advantage of features designed to make site management easier, such as “widgets” which give control over how items in a sidebar can be customized and rearranged. Custom features can added to WordPress through the use of “plug-ins”. Developers have created many easy to use plug-ins such as polling features, Flickr viewers, and more.

If the two included themes aren’t preferred, there are literally thousands of themes available from the WordPress site, or through the sites of many users. It’s a simple as downloading the theme, placing it in the appropriate folder on the server and choosing it on the “dashboard”, the WordPress control panel. Different themes offer options such as more columns, artistic backgrounds, fancy headings, clever type treatments, and virtually anything that can be imagined.

Professional developers use WordPress for many commercial web sites, as well. Many sites for large corporations have been developed using the powerful database-driven capabilities of WordPress. By understanding the coding languages of PHP, CSS, and XHTML, it’s possible to create just about anything with WordPress for a wide variety of applications.

Supported by an Avid Community

WordPress is Open Source software. What that means is that it’s open to development from anyone who wishes to contribute. It’s not produced by a commercial software company. A large community of users and developers work with the program to improve its features and make it better for everyone from developers to writers to readers.

A support forum exists on the WordPress site to help users and developers work through issues to get their sites working should any needs arise. There are many web sites devoted to WordPress development and use, so answers to most questions can be found in a number of ways.

The copyright of the article Using WordPress For Web Sites And Blogs in Online Publishing is owned by David Borrink. Permission to republish Using WordPress For Web Sites And Blogs in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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