Believe me, I looked for years at programs for ‘do it yourselfers’ such as I so you could easily get on the Web. I explored free sites, programs in a box, Web hosts with software as well as WordPress. My main site is not made with WordPress, but this on-site blog is. (If I had only known then, what I know now!)
I have first hand experience with WordPress.com blogs with a lot of success and increased hits on a very small niche market. The analytics (statistics) are great – what people search for, daily hits, where they link off to, weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual summaries. (Can’t get that at blogspot.com.) But now my goals have shifted and I changed to an on-site blog to easily upload content and build additional direct traffic to my mind site.
I finally found a theme that could act as both a site and a blog. This blog is based on that Small Business theme. You can click on the theme link below or in the right sidebar – (Note: I do make an affiliate commission if you buy) to learn more.
If you click through and purchase via my affiliate link I offer my technical support. I developed a checklist of recommended plugins (and why they are important) as well as a PowerPoint presentation to walk you through installation. I offer free technical support for the installation set up via our Skype enabled phone.
All this can be done in less than 30 minutes if you have your initial information and content written as described in the slide show. I also advice you how to set up certain security measures I found necessary to keep spammers away. And, you will be spammed, believe me!
I will also mentor and “watch” over your shoulder as you venture into the world of business Websites and blogging. You will be put on my mailing list (“Frugal SEO Bytes”) for interesting articles, tutorials and new plugins. Guest blogging through our association of friends helps you build backlinks to your site.
Did I mention Google loves WordPress! (But they also own blogspot.com.)
We also offer assistance with keyword copywriting, learning html language, photo manipulation, producing videos, narratives, voice overs, graphic arts, banner ads and headers, etc.
I specialize in Search Engine Optimization for local and national small businesses using the free resources on the Web. Our advertising budget for the past 2-1/2 years has been zilch! There is, however, a great deal of time spent learning the ways of Web 2.0 and using it to promote our businesses. With our assistance, you can shorten the gap without using one of those all-inclusive enticements that cost $50.00 per month or more for the rest of your Web life. You can also avoid shelling out thousands for a Web developer who may or may not know optimization and marketing techniques!
The Web is a great hobby, and a better business, once you can get it! Too many, however, just don’t get the benefits of using the Web to build or promote their businesses. It is reported than nearly 50% of small businesses are literally fearful of starting to market on the Web. Don’t continue to be counted in that ever shrinking group.
The choice is yours. You can take an extended time to learn how to use WordPress and perhaps purchase and learn this, or another, theme on your own. Or you can click through and get the coaching and mentoring help you need to fast track your Website and business! Contact me once you decide.
Regardless, Happy Trails To You…Until We Meet Again!
Step by Step Guides
Download this pdf (requires Adobe reader).
Setting up a WordPress dot com Blog – Consider Before You Sign Up
A step by step guide helps you with the sign up steps for your free blog on WordPress.com. I added some considerations regarding selecting your blog address, some considerations before you select it, as well as some other pre-planning thoughts.
Added 8-17-10:
Twenty Ten (WordPress) Theme
The default theme for 2010 which came with WordPress 3.0.1 is Twenty Ten. It allows for a number of customizable features. These include:
- Choices of several standard headers,
- Design and upload you own header,
- Choice of background color or custom backgrounds,
- More Widget areas – four footers (instead of the three shown herein) as well as widgets for above and below every page.
This is enough flexibility to make your site look different than one designed from a template. A child theme can be easily added to add more custom features.
