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What is the Difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com?

May 17th, 2012
by Joyce S Kaye.
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wordpress com vs org

Thanks to Jahan Choudhry for this image on her WordPress.com blog.

I know that WordPress has quite a buzz these days, but perhaps you didn’t know there are TWO WordPresses. Huh?

There is WordPress.org and then there’s WordPress.com. Let’s go over the basic differences…

WordPress.org provides free blogging software. You can install themes and plugins, run advertisements, edit the database, and modify the source code. While the software is free, it must be installed on a web server and there is usually a monthly hosting fee. You have to purchase your domain name, i.e., angelswithus.org. You are fully responsible for the management of your WordPress.org website – but you also own your site. WordPress.org allows for great flexibility and functionality through plugins, and the ability to customize code.

With WordPress.com you do not have to download software, pay for hosting, or manage a web server. When you sign up for a WordPress.com blog, you get a free domain name like “spirit.wordpress.com” (or, for a fee, you can have a domain name without the “.wordpress.com” portion). You can choose a free theme, but your choices are limited (to about 200); you cannot upload a custom theme. You do not control the software or the database, you cannot upload plugins, and you cannot change the code (again, for a fee you can get some options here). For no charge, WordPress.com provides web hosting, unlimited database storage with redundancy and backups, automatic software upgrades, community support forums, etc.

There is much information on the Web about the differences between WordPress.org and WordPress.com. You can check out the WordPress.com site for the finer details distinguishing WordPress.org and WordPress.com.

How to choose which WordPress solution is best for you? (more…)

WordPress is Too Cool!

Apr 14th, 2012
by rog.
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I just logged into my WordPress site and cleaned out spam, posted a blog, and updated three pages – in twelve minutes!

For many years I’ve wanted to be able to accomplish this – and do the work myself. Thank you WordPress! Now my material is up-to-date and accurate, and I can post what I want to say just when the idea comes.

What’s the Difference between a Page and a Post?

Mar 17th, 2012
by Joyce S Kaye.
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A WordPress site’s primary elements are pages and posts. Here’s a brief explanation of the difference between a web page and a blog post. Whether you have your own website, or you’re looking at others’ websites, I think you’ll find this information useful. Let me know…

Pages iconPages are used for content that won’t change often. “About Us” is a good example. In general, pages are linked to the navigation bar.  They are highly visible and easy to find because pages contain good general information about the services you provide.  Pages tend to serve as great references on your website.

A post is content that you are constantly adding to.  You may be writing a series of articles on a subject, let’s say, (more…)

Backing Up Your WordPress Website

Feb 26th, 2012
by Joyce S Kaye.
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FileZilla Window Backing Up Your WordPress WebsiteIt is prudent to always have backup copies of your website (just like your other electronic work). Otherwise, you will have to recreate your website if something happens to the files and the database.

Here are some points about backing up your website… (more…)

Help Keep Your WordPress Site From Crashing

Jan 31st, 2012
by Joyce S Kaye.
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Bang!There are some things you can do that will minimize the possibility of your WordPress site crashing:

  • Use a good and trustworthy hosting service.
  • Install only quality themes and plugins.
  • Do not use “admin” as the login for any account on the blog.
  • Make sure that passwords are strong and don’t contain any dictionary words.

The above precautions are a must. That being said, the reality is that these precautions won’t protect you against WordPress crashing, so you need to take care of some additional things if you want to be able to get your site back to work as soon as possible. (more…)

Simple Website for Authors

Sep 23rd, 2011
by rog.
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Website Fr. Zacharia

I just heard about your book. But before I buy it, I’d like to know a bit more about the book and about you.

Or, maybe I just read the book and I want to know if you’ve got anything else available for me to read. I’d also like to hear your story – about how you came to write the book.

Perhaps I’d like to contact you – would you speak to my readers group? Would you be interested in a booth at our book fair? Would you consider meeting for coffee to talk with me?

You’ve already addressed these readers and some of their needs on the cover of your book. And, you’ve probably packed a lot into that small space. Your simple website is your opportunity to expand on your book cover – and more.

Here are some examples of what you can present on a simple author website: (more…)

Ways to Optimize Traffic to Your Website

Jul 22nd, 2011
by Joyce S Kaye.
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Optimize website trafficA search engine is a program that searches documents (web pages) for specified keywords and returns a list of the documents where the keywords were found. Specific search engines include Google, Yahoo, and Alta Vista. Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the visibility of a website or a web page in search engines.

SEO is a complex, time-consuming process in trying to get people to find your website. And really, it’s takes a lot more than just plugging in keywords!

Here are some ways you can optimize traffic to your website – and, some will also keep your readers on your site longer and have them wanting to come back again!

Onsite Optimization

  • Optimize Meta Tags – These tags are what tell the search engines what each of your pages is about. It is desirable to align these meta tags so they perform at the very best to improve your search engine rankings for profitable targeted key phrases. Find out what the most important keywords in your sector or business area are.
  • Link Structure Modifications – The Two-Click Rule: your pages should be no farther away than two clicks from your home page. This gives not only users easier navigation, but the search engine crawlers better ability to index (place pages in there database) your web pages.
  • Create Quality Content that customers and clients will be looking for. Make your terms crystal clear, without jargon, and repeat them naturally in your copy. Hyperlink terms to other places on your site.
  • Content Optimization – Use heading tags and keywords in strategic locations to assure a higher search engine rankings score.
  • Change the Content Often – Static web sites don’t get found. Search engines look for changes.
  • Use Anchor Text Wisely – Search engines crawl it. Use hyperlink keywords (instead of “click here”) you think your readers are looking for, or you wish they were searching for to find your site.
  • Stay Away from Flash Animations on Your Landing Page – Flash looks good, but search engines don’t search it.

Offsite Optimization

  • SEO Link Building – Obtain links that are theme related to your site.
  • Article Marketing – While content is king to gain better rankings, article marketing is about creating that content and submitting it to thousands of article directories. These article directories are receiving millions of hits a day, so by adding optimized content not only is traffic increased, but links and page rankings are too.
  • Directory Submission – A web directory is a directory of sites that are organized in categories and sub categories. The most crucial directories are the Google directory, Yahoo, Open directory (DMOZ), and LookSmart, etc. By submitting your site to these web directories this will help gain quality theme related one way links to attain better search engine rankings. Directory submissions will increase search engine visibility, link popularity, pin point traffic and business success.
  • Social Marketing and Blog Posting – Involves posting content on the top web 2.0 marketing sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, Blogger, etc.
  • Pay-Per-Click – Paying for the top spots in the search engines.
  • Press Release Syndication – This technique is very beneficial. It involves submitting your content to press release sites and getting the word out to the world.
  • Analytics Reporting – From accurate web analytics, modifications are made that are needed to bring your business a successful marketing campaign.

You Are Not Alone!

Jul 20th, 2011
by Joyce S Kaye.
1 comment

You Are Not Alone When You Work With The Computer SpiritThe thought “I am not alone” became my mantra about 21 years ago when I finally walked into the rooms of the 12 Step way of life. Up until that time it seemed that I was supposed to do It alone… “It” could be going to the movies – alone. Trying to fix the toilet – alone. Walking with a broken ankle – alone. Fill in the action, any action – alone! Without humans, without Spirit.

But then I learned I had a choice – and people who were only too happy to help and be a part of my daily living. And, I realized that this extended to everything!

So when I started my business revolving around (initially) software training and database design well over ten years ago, (more…)

WordPress Training

Jun 4th, 2011
by Joyce S Kaye.
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Computer TrainingIt seems only natural that since there are 25 MILLION WordPress sites in existence, that some folks might need some aid in creating and managing their own sites. I can indeed help – you are not alone!

I offer training in the WordPress software (in addition to Microsoft® Office and Windows). With you in the driver’s seat, we will work on the kinks in your site, advance your practical knowledge of WordPress, and discuss how to not only improve your site, but what precautions to take to keep it safe and up-to-date.

Have you been wondering about… (more…)

Web Definitions

May 24th, 2011
by rog.
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Website Terms DictionaryIt’s difficult to carry on a conversation if you’re not speaking the same language – doable, but difficult. Talking about your website is no exception to this rule.

“Put the thingy beside the doohicky and make them both that same shade of green of those pants I like,” doesn’t exactly bring enough clarity to the request to result in meaningful action.

Computer geeks have developed a language all their own; web geeks have their own dialect of that language. These terms are interesting, fun, and helpful. Here are a few to get you started in the web world:

  • Blog – a kind of online journal describing, in somewhat personal terms, the thoughts, feelings, observations, and events effecting the life or the writer
  • Post – one blog entry, complete in and of itself while fitting into an ongoing series – composed of written content and images
  • Page – a somewhat static expression around a single subject, such as About Us
  • Category – a way to group blog posts around themes in order to make them easier to access
  • Comment – a reader’s response to a post or, in some cases, a page, which becomes part of the display of a page or post
  • Plugin – a discrete bit of software, easily added, which provides specific additional functionality
  • Theme – a somewhat interchangeable skin that gives a website a look and feel out of the box, and which can be customized or exchanged
  • Content – the most important aspect of any website – the words
  • Site Metrics – statistics about site visits, including how visitors arrived at a website, some information about their computer, and what they did while they were engaged with a particular website
  • SEO – search engine optimization – methods to make websites findable by search engines, hopefully moving them to the top of particular relevant word searches
  • Banner – prime real estate on a web page at or near the top, usually containing an image, logo, tag line, and perhaps advertisements
  • Navigation – the way a viewer moves through the pages and posts on a website, finding what they’re looking for via clearly labeled links
  • Architecture – how the pages, posts, sidebars, footers, banner, and links are organized on the website to facilitate the kind of interaction that the site owner desires viewers to experience
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