Sometimes when we start doing something new we seem to run into troubles and no matter how hard we look for information to help resolve the issue, we just can’t find it. Have you experienced this before? When I started out with WordPress, there were so many things I had to learn from scratch. For example how to use FTP, how to use the back office of my website host, how to install WordPress and customize the sidebars, header, footer, get my RSS button activated and so much more.
I can’t remember the countless hours, days and weeks I spent until I gradually learnt those things. I suppose if I was to count all the hours I would have easily doubled a normal working week.
However, I didn’t mind at all, since I was wanting to learn and still do. When things don’t work as they should I do get impatience like everybody else, but I just keep pushing until it works. Whether this takes hours or 1 week, it doesn’t matter as long as the end result is satisfying.
But what about you?
Is there something you wish you knew when you started out, or are you perhaps a brand new WordPress blogger and love to know certain things right now?
What did you/or do you struggle with when it comes to your blog/s?
Is it the design, coding, admin, technical aspect or even the sometimes geeky “language”.
It is amazing how much we need to learn despite the fact that WordPress is actually pretty straight forward. I often catch myself talking gobbledigeek when a friend/reader/client asks for my help with their blogs. It is easy to forget how far we have come and nowhere is this more apparent than when we talk to absolute beginners.
Sometimes it helps to take a step back and look at the bigger picture don’t you think?
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Hi Monika. . I’m still a newbie at WordPress, so I appreciate all the advice and information you so freely offer! I’d love to know more about customizing themes – like adding my own header, sign up form, etc. Too basic? Sorry!
Hi Stephanie,
You can never ask any stupid questions (or basic as you mentioned) since the questions not asked are actually the dumb ones.
To change your header you need to log into your WordPress admin and navigate to “presentation” then open the style.css (normally the first one) which is the style sheet of your blog. Somewhere in the there is the code that determines the size and position of your header. It will look something like this but could vary widely depending on your theme.
#header {
background: #0482cd url(images/headerbg.png) repeat-x;
width: 100%;
height: 142px;
}
As you can see, the URL of this example header points to the name of header image (which is in png format but jpg is widely used and works the best for non graphic artists).
Further you also see that it is sitting in the “images” (of the actual theme you are using) folder in the domain.
To replace you simply create a new header with the same dimensions (header width is explained also in the style sheet but maybe a little further up)
You then upload your new header image (best named like the original) via FTP to the relating folder. (in our case “images”) It will ask you whether you want to overwrite the existing one on the server and you say yes.
Then open your browser or hit refresh to see the new one.
A note: it always pays to save your exisitng files on your hard drive if you tweak with codes so if things go wrong, you simply go back to the last one used.
Wow, thanks Monika! I certainly never expected such a detailed response. I was just hoping you’d cover it in a future blog post, but the personal attention is much appreciated!
Thank you soooo much!
Stephanie,
You are very welcome. I’m trying to construct more posts to help people like you with the start up of a blog in the future.
All the best
Can anyone advise me where I can get to see a step by step tutorial on how to use the wordpress ? Thanks a lot !
Siew Hong,
Could you please be a little more specific as there are many sides to WordPress. For starters, you can find a lot of information about WordPress right here.
Still trying to solve the ‘white page syndrome’ issue. The backend looks ok but not when I look at my blog – it’s simply a white blank page. De-activating plug-ins do not work and the only solution is to empty phpadmin mysql database and re-install wordpress. Tiring! Folks at wordpress.org has no idea what is affecting so many wordpress users. Will update if I have any more news!