WordPress is a powerful program designed to create websites and blogs. The course introduces basic WordPress terminology and techniques, focusing on content creation, management, development and organization. In this hands-on course, students will learn-by doing – how to build a website with WordPress. Class will cover: how to create and format web pages and blog posts, select and change themes, create and customize menus, administer a site, use plugins to add functionality, and a lot more! This course is designed for WordPress beginners.

Prerequisite: proficiency in basic computer skills.

CLASS ONE:

For the first class, we will be the free blog software available online (WordPress.com, )

We will get a tour of the WordPress Dashboard, learn how to upload visual content to the Media Library, learn the difference between Posts and Pages, how to make a menu and set up all of the parameters needed for an all-purpose blog.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION for classes 2-4 and Intermediate WordPress:

In order to learn how to customize WordPress, pick an editable theme, and create a website with your own URL, we will be using WordPress on a hosting server.

Choice 1: Generic URL, short-term site
Cost:FREE
Using a generic account,  you will be able to create a site that will be available during the duration of the class. Please note: You must let me know by the end of the first day if you intend on using this service, as it takes time to set up the account
PROs: No cost to student, with all of the advantages of a fully-equipped, customizable WordPress site.
CONs:This site will not be available to you after the end of the course, and will have a generic URL (i.e. sunyulster-webdesignclass.com/Student_01

Choice 2: Purchase Managed WordPress Account
Cost: $12.95 first month, renewal at $24.95 a month
Using Bluehost, one of the most popular hosting companies in the nation, you can have a customizable WordPress account with your own domain name!
PROs:This site will be fully available to you for as long as you choose. You can have up to 5 WordPress sites. Bluehost offers a full refund within 30 days, and a pro-rated refund after 30 days.
CONs: A two-month commitment of $37.90 is required.

Choice 3: Install WordPress on an existing Hosting Server, or create a Hosting Account and install WordPress
Cost: MOST COST EFFECTIVE and FREE to existing account holders, or costs variable
If you already have a website and are paying a monthly server fee, you can install a WordPress site into a sub-directory or replace your HTML site with WordPress. This is available to any hosting plan that using the C-Panel or Control Panel back end (Bluehost, Go-Daddy, Fat Cow and many, many others)
PROs:This site will be fully available to you for as long as you choose. No additional fees required. In addition, for most hosting plans you can have multiple directories and/or URLs for free or a nominal cost
CONs: If you are planning on replacing your existing HTML site with your WordPress site, some knowledge of FTP file management is required.

Choice 4: Purchase a Premium WordPress site from WordPress.com
Cost: $99
Created to be an “upgrade” from your free WordPress.com blog site. Adds functionality, customization and access to many themes
PROs: Easy, no hidden fees and installation is done for you with domain name included.
CONs: Lease cost-effective. Only one site per $99 a year. Special themes still need to be purchased.