e-Business-Formula Internet Marketing Discussion Forum

[Wendy]

I have spent a lot of time reading the posts here so now it is time to dive in and ask a question or two.

If I have understood things correctly I have a number of choices as to how I can quickly stake out my little piece of real estate on the internet.

I can put a website together (This sounds complicated) or I can start by creating a Blog using Wordpress.

Can someone suggest the best option please.

I'm a bit confused by the jargon, HTML etc so do you need to understand this to use Wordpress?

Wendy

[Andrew]

Hi Wendy,

A blog is a good option to install on your webspace. Assuming you have some. You will have to make sure your webspace can run php scripts, as this is what drives a blog, as well as a database manager, like sql server.

If you have got a webserver that does this, then you should be able to install a blog. Most webservers nowadays use control panel, which has an install for some blogs.

Once you have installed this, you can edit messages etc in your blog, and then people can read them. They do not necessarily have to be in HTML, as the HTML is created by a blog.

If you wish to create your own website, it would be advisable to learn some basic HTML as this is needed, as sometimes you have to edit code created by some of the web site makers.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Andrew

[tizzle]

I'm curious, do people really think that a blog is the best place to get started when getting yourself onto the web? For me making a webpage is much more attractive. I can understand that once you get your blog set up, it can be a good place to play around, but a web page seems to have so many more options.

While it always hard to start out getting traffic on your site, what do you do to get people to want to look at a new blog?

[Kevin Robb]

In my opinion and experience a Blog is a good place to start as it gives you the option to experiment (Learn) new skills without the possibility of to many mistakes creating havoc with your work.

It is also a good place to practise your HTML skills...

So I think a Blog is a good place to start.

Cheers

Kevin Robb

[Wendy]

OK,

A Blog it is...

Can someone then please run me through the basics as to how I initially install a Blog, Wordpress seems to be the best choice from what I read.

I understand that I need a webhost first so can someone recommend a good reputable and reasonably priced service.

Looking forward to getting started

Wendy

[Teena]

Hi Wendy,

What exciting times for you!!!

A new adventure is about to begin!

Q1 - First question - do you own a domain name [website name]?

Q2 - Is it being 'hosted' on a computer [called a Server]?

If your answer to either of these is 'No' or 'I don't know', don't worry, there are options available for all levels of newbies on the net.

Let's assume you don't have either, so let's pop over to Blogger, the blogging site owned by Google.

http://www.Blogger.com

[img]http://buildawebsitetonight.com/images/blog/blogger-home-sml.gif[/img]

Click on the big orange arrow to get started.

Fill in the info - the only thing which must be 'real' is the email name, so make up a blog name and User name and password [we can delete the blog at any time].

Click the checkbox Terms of Service.
Click Continue.

Now you need to type the NAME of the blog in 2 places - they can be different names.

Continue.

And you're ready to rock and roll!

Choose a Template [like a website design] from those available - you can change it at any time. Then click Continue.

Click the START POSTING! link [arrow] and you're ready to write your first blog.

Things to remember:
- each new blog 'post' [message] appears at the top of the blog home page, so older posts will move DOWN the page
- you can choose to have one or more posts on the front page - it's entirely up to you
- you can add photos or logos or whatever you like - just click the little photo button when you're writing your blog [images appear at the top of your blog post]

When you've finished, click the PUBLISH button for your blog to go 'live'.

TIPS

- tell people you have a blog
- put the link in your email signatures
- post messages in forums [like this one] with your blog signature.

Once you get the hang of it, you can start to think about what you'd like on your website when you take the next step!

Good luck,
Teena!

PS - An ebook worth buying - I thought it was fantastic: http://www.newbieonline.com

[Thumperfive]

wow... Teena RULES when it comes to making things easy!!!!



thanks for the help!

[Wendy]

Ask and you will receive, I just love this forum.

Thanks Teena, Your step by step guide is fantastic

This all in one package will give me something to practise with, experience comes with time they say.

I'm off to give it a go.

I will let you know when I go live!!

Wendy

[Warren Contreras]

Leave it to the new guy to stick his nose in . . .

Another place I just found that is creating quite a stir is Squidoo

It's much less threatening than creating a site, is available free and gives you a nice online appearance.

They do include ads on the pages, but someone has to pay the bills and I think they are attractively presented.

I have done a couple myself this last week and it couldn't be any easier. Just pick the modules you want and fill out web forms, then publish.

I plan to use this as the tip on my Podcast next weekend.

[Thumperfive]

Squidoo?

never heard of it... details, please?

sounds... squishy!

[Warren Contreras]

[quote="Thumperfive"]Squidoo?
never heard of it... details, please?
sounds... squishy!
[/quote]
Not squishy at all, it's just a cross between a Blog and a Website set up with modules much like a content management system would be without the installation and configuration hassle.

So maybe Rob will whack me, but a picture is worth a thousand words, right? so since my fingers are not up to the challenge I'll give you a link.

http://Squidoo.com/plrplan

This took me all of an hour the other night.

[Wendy]

Warren,

I am more confused than before

What are the advantages of Squidoo over Wordpress or Blogger

Wendy

[Thumperfive]

I'm just loving the name...

[Warren Contreras]

[quote="Wendy"]Warren,

I am more confused than before

What are the advantages of Squidoo over Wordpress or Blogger

Wendy [/quote]
The biggest advantage as I see it is that you can organize your material where a Blog is sequential. With Squidoo I can select the modules I want and even use some multiple times to create the presentation I desire, then change the order they appear in.

Now that I have two and working on a third, I noticed that every time I make a post in someones Squidoo guestbook (including my own) it creates a link to a page that lists them all. That's something that Blogger does too.

I should add, I don't see Squidoo as a primary website, just another tool in my promotion toolbox,

[Teena]

Hi Wendy,

I'm so pleased I was able to help you - I do love writing instructions - I've been an art teacher and computer trainer on and off for years, and always try to write for the absolute 'newbie'.

I've just popped over to Squidoo ... it appears they call your space online not a 'blog' or 'website', but a 'lens'.

I searched for a topic I like, found results, and have just been looking at a site [lens].

There seems to be other advertising on the pages, so I will check out another category to see if I can work it out - it's not obvious to me what the Squidoo client is selling and what the 'ads' are.

Yes, it is a 'free' option, but to be honest, it would depend on how professional you are trying to look.

If you're selling business services, for example, I'm not sure Squidoo would be the right way to go.


Having said that, why not just go to http://www.Squidoo.com and [1] search for similar products/services to yours, see how they present themselves and whether you like it, and then [2] make a 'lens' of your own?

Then make a blog, and see what you think ... experimenting is the best way to see which one will work for you. PS - if you make both, make sure to put a link to the other one on each, so you'll get web traffic in both directions.

Either way, you're having a go, and that's the main thing. They will both get your mind active about what you actually want to have and say on your website 'presence' - so good luck Wendy!

Keep us posted on your progress,
Cheers
Teena!

PS - thumperfive - thanks for the kind words!