I’ve helped quite a few “non-technical” people get set up on the web by simply suggesting these easy actions –

•    Get some cheap and reliable web hosting
•    Download and install Wordpress.org (it’s FREE)
•    Write some great content.

And off they gallop into the Bodacious Blogosphere!

The truth is, Wordpress is extremely easy to use. How easy? If you can use a word processor, you can use Wordpress with no problem at all.

But you should also understand that Wordpress is also a full-featured content management system, which means that it is so much more than what you get straight out of the Box.

Themes, plug-ins, and widgets may sound like terms related to a sci-fi movie, but these are the special “additions” which can make your Wordpress website really unique.

So if you take the time to learn Wordpress, and what it can really do – you will be much better prepared to make it do what you want it to do.

Isn’t that what you grab a tool for?

So here are a few resources you many want to check out for learning more about Wordpress:

Wordpress Codex

Beginning WordPress 3

WordPress For Dummies

WordPress 24-Hour Trainer: Watch, Read, and Learn How to Create and Customize WordPress Sites (Book & DVD)

Believe me, you won’t have to make a career out of studying Wordpress. As I say, it’s very easy to get started with it.

But like any other skill or tool you want to benefit from using – you will need to take some time to learn how to use it.

Take your time, and you’ll be amazed at what Wordpress can do!

Here’s a question I get asked a lot:

As a small business owner, should I have a Blog or Website?

My answer: both.

The way I see it, there is never a reason not to have as much presence on the Internet as possible – especially when you can have both for about the same amount of money.

Having 2 different websites (1 a “Blog”, 1 a “website”) under 2 different domain names is a great strategy for broadening your online presence for next to nothing.

You can also have a website with “Blog” features like RSS, updated/archived articles, YouTube videos, etc.

All it takes is careful planning and you can have your own Blog and a nice looking Website for about $100 per year.

Ingredients: Wordpress and a robust Web Hosting Plan.

Looking for Web Hosting With Quality Support? 24/7 Support Via Phone, Live Chat, and Email!

You can use Hostgator as your Web Host (we do), and sign up for their Baby Croc plan.

This plan offers unlimited domains, disk space, and bandwidth.

It also comes with a free website builder that allows you to easily create a professional looking website.

A Blog (a contraction of the term “web log”)[1] is a type of website, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. –Wikipedia

Don’t forget that having a Blog will take some work.

Someone will have to write the articles for it.

If you don’t like to write articles (and you don’t want to pay for articles), then maybe you’ve answered the question already: a Blog is probably not for you.

• What will you write about?

• Do you really have the time?

• Are you willing to write an article at least once a week?

Still on the fence?

A web consultant can help you work out the details – but take my word for it: having a Blog and Website should be considered even if you are on a tight budget.

So you have been hearing a lot about Wordpress, and you want to know what all the fuss is all about.

WordPress is a blog publishing application and content management system.

As of September 2009, Wordpress is used by 62.8 million websites in the US and 202 million websites worldwide.—Wikipedia

What Is A Blog?

This is a Blog!

A Blog is just a type of website that is frequently updated with articles (“posts”) on topics that the Blogger wants to write about.

Wordpress is one of the most popular Blogging applications, and it is available in two different versions:

• The Wordpress.com version
• The Wordpress.org version

Both versions use the same FREE Blogging Software.

Wordpress.com

Wordpress.com is the version I call the “newbie” version.

If you are an absolute Beginner Blogger, this would be the version I would recommend to you because it is so easy to set-up and use.

Additionally your Blog is hosted for free by Wordpress.

Free and Free. What’s not to love?

The major drawbacks of this version?  You will not be able to monetize your Blog directly with advertisements and Banners, and customization of your Blog is extremely limited.

But if your goal is to set up a quick hobby, family, or even a simple business Blog – you can do it easily with Wordpress.com

There is nothing for you to buy – just set up an account and BLOG!

Wordpress.org

Wordpress.org is the version I call the “professional” Wordpress.

It is referred to as the “self-hosted” version – because you will need to find a Web Host for your Blog.

You will also need to register your own Domain Name.

However, you will also have much more control over your Blog!

With the .org version you will be able to:

• Upload & Customize Various Blog Themes
• Add Plug-Ins and Custom Widgets
• Monetize your Blog with Advertisements
• Alter your Blog in any way imaginable!

If you will be using your Blog as a way for you to make money online with Google Adsense or other forms of advertising – you will need the self-hosted version of Wordpress (the .org version).

Then you will need to set-up your Hosting account and install the software on your Host Server.

I’ll show you how to do this in later posts.

For tips on making money with your Blog, visit ProBlogger.net.

Afterwards, you can get ideas for your Blog by browsing tons of them at BlogCatalog.com.