You will need an email address to be able to register your free website. It’s advisable to get a FREE email account that you can access via the web from anywhere in the world.

• Google search for “FREE email” or
• Go to somewhere like Yahoo

b) Get Firefox

c) Your Website Name

Decide on the name of your website. This part is REALLY IMPORTANT and is a part of what we call ‘search engine optimization’. If you want people to find your new website, think of as many words or phrases that people might type into a search box in order to find YOU, what you are SELLING or the TOPIC you are focusing on. Use some of those words in your website name, but be thoughtful to make it easy for people to remember and to type.

Don’t make these mistakes – Here is a list of thoughtless choices for website names.

BUSINESS WEBSITES – If it is to be used for business purposes, use your registered business name and search to find out if that particular name is still available as a Domain Name.

We highly recommend you think carefully about this step just in case you want to upgrade your free website to a proper business one at any time in the future. For example, my registered business is ‘lifegames’, so I have registered the domain http://lifegames.com.au, but for the moment we’ll just work with your free website and proper domain registration will be covered towards the end of the course.

PERSONAL WEBSITES AND BLOGS –  Choose something that relates to the main topic you will be writing about, or just use your name.

A BLOG…? But I WAnt A WEBSITE!!!

Don’t worry. You can turn this magnificent blogging software into a website so easily by simply creating pages and categories…and you can use your blog posts on the side as well – or not – it’s completely up to you.

Here’s a list of local websites for you to see what can be created by using wordpress.

Free WordPress Websites Include…

http://inspirationalstuff.wordpress.com/
http://elizabethrichardson.wordpress.com
http://fosterphotographyclub.wordpress.com/
http://southgippsland.wordpress.com/
http://crystalwilsonrichardson.wordpress.com/
http://buildwebsites.wordpress.com/

Self Hosted WordPress Websites Include…

PROM COUNTRY AGED CARE – Aged Care, Respite Care and Nursing Homes located in Foster and Toora.

ORGANIC COTTON MATTRESS – Organic products for the bedroom to help anyone with allergies, asthma or chemical sensitivities get a chemical-free and restful sleep.

LIFEGAMES PANORAMAS – Large photographs for printing, promotion or just for fun.

7Seas ESTATE ADMINISTRATION – Alternative assistance and support for those not wanting to engage the services of legal professionals, Government Agencies and/or State Trustees.

FAMDA – A local community theatre and singing company.

ORGANATURE – An organic bedding, manchester and fabric company based in Buffalo, South Gippsland.

INSIDEOUT CLOTHING – Providing clothing for all the family, located in Main Street Foster.

FOUR CORNERS FRAMING – Picture framing and wedding photography in Leongatha.

PHOENIX RESTORATIONS –  Antique and modern furniture restoration, unique kitchen design, paint stripping service and more.

ABINGTON BRIARS COTTAGE – Romantic accomodation for couples with expansive views and a private spa.

ESSENTIAL BODY BASICS – Beauty, day spa, massage and hairdressing. Foster, Victoria.

YARRAM CLUB HOTEL - fantastic food, cheap accommodation, TAB and public bar with a very friendly atmosphere.

STONY CREEK GO KARTS – Superb family fun riding go karts, with an onsite cafe, big plasma TV screens, comfy couches and games machines as well.

It probably looks a little plain with a simple blue header and white pages, but don’t worry, in this step we’ll show you how to change the colour or choose a completely NEW theme, to jazz it up a bit and give your new website an identity befitting its title.

INSTRUCTIONS

Login to your wordpress administration panel using the name and password you registered with. You can always find the admin panel at http://yourdomain/wp-admin/.

• Choose the “Appearance” tab in the sidebar on the left.
• Then click >> Themes.
• Test-drive any of the free themes by clicking >>Preview.
• Once you have chosen the theme that is right for you, click >> Activate.

It’s OK if you decide to change it again at any time in the future too, it’s just best to pick your theme right at the beginning so you can plan the framework, set-up, image sizes and colours that will best suit the look of your website.

Please Note – It’s important to check your website in each major browser – Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera and Safari, to ensure that everyone can see your website at its very best.

Even this website breaks its formatting in Internet Explorer 6 (commonly know as the web browser with the most problems).

GOOD NEWS ~ BAD NEWS

First for the bad news – The themes available through the wordpress.com platform are very limited in quantity, variety and ability to customize them to full capacity by using plugins and editing the CSS files.
However, there is some really good news – Once you have constructed your website and added the content, your website is completely transportable to your own domain by using the Tools >> Import or >> Export tabs in the left hand sidebar. You can have your blog at any domain you control, such as yourdomain.com.au, or set up a domain to automatically redirect visitors to your blog URL. You can do this through your admin control panel by going to >> Settings >> Domains.

Move On To STEP 4