How to Make a Wordpress Blog for Beginners

How to Create a Customized Blog in Under an Hour

Introduction to Blogging

• By the end of this video, viewers will learn how to create a customized blog from scratch in less than an hour, regardless of their experience level.

• The tutorial covers both personal and monetized blogging projects, providing essential steps for all types of bloggers.

Choosing a WordPress Theme

• The video introduces a free WordPress theme suitable for any niche that beginners can easily customize.

• Viewers will only need to pay for hosting, which is available at approximately $3 per month with a discount code provided later.

Setting Up Hosting and Domain

• The first step involves selecting a website address and an affordable hosting plan through Westmcd.com. A current promotional price is $1.99 per month, including a free domain for the first year.

• Users are guided on how to choose or create a new domain name, recommending the .com extension for simplicity and familiarity.

Completing the Purchase

• After filling out necessary information and opting for 12 months of service for the best deal, users can complete their purchase under $24 total for one year of hosting and domain registration.

• Once payment is processed, users are directed to exit into the WordPress dashboard where they can begin building their site.

Installing Themes in WordPress

• In the WordPress dashboard, users navigate to "Appearance" then "Themes" to add their chosen theme—Bloxy—which offers extensive customization options ideal for blogs.

• After installing Bloxy, users must also install its companion plugin to access additional features needed for customization.

Importing Starter Sites

• Users are shown how to import starter sites that provide templates; specifically choosing one labeled "news," which is versatile enough for various blog types.

• Following installation completion, viewers can preview their site before making further customizations like changing fonts and colors as well as adding logos.

Header Customization in Web Design

Overview of Header Structure

• The header is organized into three layers, featuring a dark top section with links, social icons, a logo, and a main menu.

• The bottom row currently lacks content but can accommodate additional elements; users can customize their social icons by adding or removing them as needed.

Customizing Social Icons

• Users can remove unwanted social media icons (e.g., Pinterest) and add new ones by searching for them within the customization panel.

• Color customization is available for both the icons and their hover states, allowing for complete personalization of the header's appearance.

Simplifying the Header

• Users can simplify the header by removing unnecessary elements one at a time until only essential components remain.

• Adjustments to button text, link destinations, and design colors are possible to enhance user experience.

Rearranging Elements

• To center the logo and menu, users can drag elements into designated columns; this action reveals additional layout options dynamically.

• A search icon can be added next to the menu for improved site navigation; its size and color can also be adjusted for visibility.

Finalizing Header Design

• Logo adjustments include uploading an image file and modifying its dimensions to fit well within the header space.

• Spacing between elements like logos and menus can be fine-tuned using minimum height settings to achieve a balanced look.

Menu Functionality Enhancements

Menu Item Customization

• Users have options to adjust item spacing in menus for better visual appeal; they can also change font styles from thousands of Google Fonts available.

Sticky Header Feature

• Enabling sticky functionality ensures that headers remain visible while scrolling down pages, enhancing navigation ease across different sections of a website.

Footer Configuration

Footer Layout Options

• The footer mirrors header functionality with customizable widgets; users may choose which items (like popular posts or contact info) to display based on preference.

Simplifying Footer Content

• Unnecessary elements in the footer can be removed easily to streamline information presentation—retaining only essential components such as social icons and copyright lines.

Customizing Your Website: Colors and Typography

Changing Icon and Background Colors

• The process of changing the icon color to a medium gray is straightforward; users can adjust it via the design settings by clicking on the gear icon.

• Users can input specific color codes directly into the design settings for both top and bottom row backgrounds, ensuring consistency across their site.

Global Color Palette Options

• Accessing the global color palette allows users to choose from pre-made palettes or create custom colors, which is beneficial for those who may not have design experience.

• Selecting a palette (e.g., palette 12) automatically updates colors throughout the site, simplifying the customization process.

Detailed Color Adjustments

• Users can manually change individual colors such as main accent, hover, text, and headline text colors to achieve desired aesthetics.

• The site background color can be adjusted to various shades or gradients; it's important that these choices complement other accent colors used on the site.

Typography Settings

• Typography customization allows users to select specific fonts; Google Fonts offers a wide range of options for those looking for something unique.

• Once a base font like "Montserrat" is selected, it applies universally across all text types but can be customized further for headlines if needed.

Blog Post Layout Customization

• Users can customize how blog posts are displayed on their homepage with different layout options including full-width displays and grid formats.

• The enhanced grid layout provides visual variety by alternating between two and three columns as users scroll down, improving user engagement.

Page Elements Configuration

• Decisions about page elements such as sidebars should consider user experience; unnecessary elements may clutter the interface. Pagination settings allow control over how many posts appear per page.

Card Customization and Blog Post Design

Card Reveal Effect

• The card reveal effect animates the display of cards as you scroll down, enhancing visual appeal. It is recommended to keep this feature enabled for a better user experience.

Card Options Overview

• Each post includes various elements: category cards, title, featured image, excerpt, author name, and date. These can be rearranged or removed based on preference.

Hiding Elements

• Users can hide specific elements like category cards by clicking an 'X' or hide excerpts using an eyeball icon. However, the option to remove excerpts isn't straightforward.

Importance of Dates in Posts

• Hiding dates on blog posts is advisable since evergreen content remains relevant over time; visible dates may deter readers from engaging with older posts.

Adding Read More Button

• A button indicating "Read More" can be activated by clicking the hidden eyeball icon. Users can customize its appearance and text to enhance clarity and engagement.

Card Type Customization

• Different card types are available: boxed (default), simple (no border), and cover (text over image). The boxed type is preferred for readability without dulling images.

Design Customizations

• Users can change fonts, background colors, borders, drop shadows, and border radius to achieve desired aesthetics. Experimentation with these settings allows for personalized designs.

Single Post Layout Options

Viewing Individual Posts

• To see changes in design settings effectively, users must view individual posts directly after saving their customizations.

Layout Choices for Posts

• Various layout options include one-column layouts with large featured images or sidebars (left/right). Right-side bars are suggested for improved usability.

Content Background Preferences

• Choosing between a boxed content area versus a full-width background depends on site design; boxed layouts improve readability against colorful backgrounds.

Post Element Considerations

• Important features such as share boxes should be checked to facilitate easy sharing of content across social media platforms.

How to Optimize Your Blog's Design and Features

Enhancing Article Engagement

• To encourage sharing, consider adding an author box for guest posts, making it easier for readers to promote the article.

• Enabling related posts can enhance user experience by showing similar articles at the bottom of each post, keeping readers engaged longer.

Comment Management

• The decision to enable comments is subjective; while they can foster engagement, they often attract spam. Consider your audience's needs when deciding.

Customizing Design Elements

• It's essential to keep the post title visible; removing it would eliminate the top image and title display.

• Adjusting content area background and shadow can improve aesthetics. A subtle shadow adds depth without overwhelming the design.

Content Area Adjustments

• Padding refers to space between text and edges; maintaining a comfortable width (around 40 pixels) enhances readability.

• Choosing between different title types affects layout—Type One excludes featured images while Type Two includes them. Personal preference plays a significant role here.

Image Overlay Considerations

• Adding a color overlay on images ensures text visibility. A gray overlay with adjustable transparency is recommended for better readability.

Post Meta Configuration

• You can customize which elements appear in post meta; hiding publish dates while keeping author names and categories may streamline presentation.

Category Page Setup

• Mimicking homepage design on category pages creates consistency. Choose layouts that allow easy navigation without excessive scrolling.

Card Options and Spacing

• Opting for multiple columns improves accessibility on category pages. Card options like SIMPLE or BOXED should align with previous choices made on the homepage.

Final Touches on Design

• Consistency in card background colors, border styles, and radius across all sections maintains a cohesive look throughout your blog design.

Creating an Author Page and Search Functionality

Setting Up the Author Page

• The author page displays the author's name, number of articles written, and join date, mimicking the homepage layout.

• A normal grid layout is chosen for simplicity, avoiding complex column arrangements while maintaining post count settings.

• Customizations include hiding post meta information like publish date and excerpt, rearranging elements such as title placement under the featured image.

• Design consistency is emphasized by adjusting border radius back to eight before publishing changes.

Implementing Search Functionality

• The search results page is demonstrated by typing "WordPress," showcasing how it presents relevant articles based on user queries.

• After making necessary adjustments to the search page design, changes are published similarly to previous steps.

Ensuring Mobile Responsiveness

Checking Mobile View

• Acknowledges that over half of blog visitors use mobile devices; thus, ensuring a good mobile appearance is crucial.

• Previewing the site in mobile view shows that most elements are well-designed; menu functionality appears intact.

Navigating WordPress Dashboard for Content Management

Managing Plugins

• Users are encouraged to deactivate unnecessary plugins cluttering their dashboard for better performance.

• Steps include selecting all installed plugins except "bloxy companion," deactivating them first before deletion.

Deleting Sample Posts

• All sample posts created by the bloxy companion plugin need removal to start fresh with original content.

• New posts can be added through "Posts > Add New Post," where users can input titles and article content directly.

Adding Engaging Content Using Blocks

Utilizing Content Blocks

• Users can enhance their posts using various content blocks available in WordPress for more engaging layouts.

• Options include headings, images, galleries, lists, quotes, and many other formatting tools accessible via a simple interface.

How to Create Engaging Blog Posts with Images

Adding Images to Your Blog

• To enhance blog posts, consider using tables for product comparisons or pull quotes for engagement. For now, focus on adding a simple image by selecting "Image" and accessing the Media Library.

• You can create images using free tools like Idiogram or ChatGPT. If you're using ChatGPT version 4.0, it should be available at no cost.

Generating Images with AI Tools

• Input specific prompts (e.g., "photo of a dog sitting on the floor of a bar patio during golden hour") to generate images. Choose your desired dimensions and generate options.

• While ChatGPT provides one image at a time, it may yield less photo-realistic results compared to other tools. Evaluate which option suits your needs better.

Linking Products in Your Blog

• To link products effectively, highlight the text you want to hyperlink, click the link icon, and enter the product URL. Categorizing these links is also essential for organization.

• If existing categories don't fit your content, create new ones (e.g., "dog products") by clicking "Add New Category."

Setting Featured Images

• Remember that simply inserting an image into a post does not set it as a featured image; this must be done separately under the "Featured Image" section.

• Upload files directly from your computer to set them as featured images and ensure they display correctly on your site.

Customizing Your Menu

• After publishing your post, check how it appears on your site by visiting it through the WordPress dashboard.

• Customize your menu by navigating to Appearance > Menus in WordPress. Remove unnecessary items and add relevant categories for better navigation.

Organizing Categories in Your Menu

• Select categories you wish to include in the menu from “View All” under Categories and add them accordingly.

• Reorder categories as needed; you can even nest them if necessary before saving changes.

Attracting Traffic with Articles

• Use tools like ChatGPT to easily generate articles that attract traffic and promote affiliate products without consuming too much time.