WordPress

WordPress

Wordpress is both a blogging tool and a blog host/platform. You can Host you Wordpress blog on Wordpress servers completely free (as with blogger.com) or install the Wordpress blogging software on your own website.

So what's the difference? and why wouldn't everyone go for the free one?

The free option is easy to use and requires no setup. However, if you choose the free option you will have use a subdomain of wordpress.com meaning that your blog will be located at:

yourblog.wordpress.com

Now this may not seem to bad but it is not considered very professional and I would only recommend that you use this option for testing purposes.

That is if you are unsure about using Wordpress then try the free option and see if you like it.

If you choose to host Wordpress on your own website then you will need a host that supports it. It requires PHP and MySQL support in order to run.

You may also be required to install it yourself, although many hosts (like
Blue Host and 1and1 UK)  now provide 1 click install, which means that they software is already installed and all you need to do is to configure it.

The initial configuration/installation is simply a matter, as it basically involves you of naming your blog and making note of your password.

Here is an example install on a local machine your urls will be different but the procedure will be the same

http://locahost/wordpress/wp-admin/install.php

The install/configuration involves two simple steps at the end the you will be given a username and password that you can use to logon and configure your blog.

Make a note of the password!!

Here are the screenshots of the steps

 
 

Here is the summary page with the logon instructions

 
 

Now all you need to do is to login and you can start using it.

 
 

 

Resources:

• Wordpress detailed install instructions
  
• Installing Wordpress on windows