WordPress - not so newbie friendly
You sit down at the computer. You're so excited. You've got this great idea for a website. You know exactly how you want it to look. You have most of the images saved to a special folder, labelled with the name of your new site. You're not familiar with this new platform but you've designed a couple other sites on other platforms so how hard can it be? You log in to WA, pull up the siterubix and log in to your new site. Now, to find a theme. You've learned in your course lesson that it's best to Keep It Simple but that doesn't quite fit with your vision. You're kind of partial to the parallax effect so you type parallax into the search. Awwwwe, there they are...all kinds of them. You scroll through until you find one that looks like it will fit with your vision. You click on the demo, check out the details and decide to try it out. You install it and after following the directions (updates, recommended plugins etc) head to the dashboard...appearance...hmmmm. First thing you notice is that it looks nothing like the demo. Now what? Theme user guide. You're instructed to install the companion plugin...already done. Next? Create menu...done. Next? Navigate to customizer. Each of the frontpage rows can be modified and/or hidden from the Customizer. Hmmmm not sure exactly what they mean by that...front page rows? And as you read on, the confusion grows. You realize that you don't know much of what they're referring to so you figure you'll just go through and change some things...see what happens. Maybe then you can link cause and effect. Nothing happens. Hmmmmmm. Maybe there's a more straight forward theme. After all, not all themes are created equal, right? There were a few that looked promising. Back to the drawing board...5 theme's later (and countless hours or should I say days) you come to the conclusion that you simply don't know enough about the nuts and bolts of wordpress to manipulate these themes to create the effect you're after. Now what? Google, of course. Lots of results...nifty little web development course (probably a good idea but 6 weeks plus fees, uh...no), HTML, XHTML and CSS For Dummies (also probably a good idea but would I have time to actually read it?...not likely), online XHTML video tutorials (monthly fee, so that's a no). Ah ha, WordPress.org/support – category:WordPress lessons...eureka! So folks, that's where I'm at. And that concludes my 3 month progress report. Thanks for baring with me. Have a good week, everyone :)
Recent Comments
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Thankfully I don't have the knowledge like you were saying about the types of programs. My biggest problems were solved when I changed from AIO SEO to Yoast SEO.
Bruce
Hi Bruce. I'm glad you were able to solve your problems :) Mine are happening because I know more than I should but less than I need lol. I have to start at the beginning rather than in the middle. Thank you for stopping by!
Dawn :)
Hi Dawn,
I know how you feel. I'm going through similar things with my site. I ask people for feedback on it, and they tell me what's wrong with it, and I try to fix it, but then it doesn't work...UGH!! so frustrating!! So, I'm taking it slow, one day at a time, going through the lesson plan and looking to see what I need to do. What a journey!!! Hope everything goes well for you. Have a great day.
Mary
Hi Mary :) It is very frustrating, isn't it? I wish I were knowledgeable enough to help you out. Hopefully, both our issues will be solved as we make our way through this adventure! Thanks for your kind words. You have a great day, as well.
Dawn :)
Hi Dawn,
You're so welcome. One day we'll be able to help anyone who is struggling, because of what we've been through. That's going to be a wonderful day!!
I feel your pain. I had created a couple of websites also and it was not bad and one was a WordPress theme. However, it was a while back and this time I have not been jumping up and down with some of it. Things change and so on. I finally found one I am working with until I know more. Good luck! s
Hi Shary. I had never worked with WordPress before now. My other sites are on platforms that are basically drag and drop, what you see is what you get...really easy to work. WordPress is more complex. It would actually be easier for me to create my own layout in Adobe Muse but then I'd have to pay Adobe (monthly) for the privilege of using their program. Hopefully, the lessons Wordpress offer will help. Thanks for commenting and good luck to you, too.
Dawn :)
It is well, please ask question whenever you don't understand the process again, there a lot of wonderful and experience people here to put you through. Nevertheless do not be discourage. ask quedtions and seek assistance.
Thank you, Moses :) It's hard not to feel frustrated, sometimes, and it can be quite discouraging but I'm not one to give up. One way or another I will muddle through. Thank you for the encouragement.
Dawn :)
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Themes and other element of word press can be complex and time consuming. Fortunately, we have a great library of education and support here!
Thank you very much for taking the time to read my post, Mike. I truly appreciate your input. It can make a huge difference, especially to the newbies, when someone takes a moment to listen to what they have to say :)