So now you subscribed to your new webhost, got a domain name and made a decision on the CMS you're going to use. Time has come to choose a template to work on. WordPress and Concrete 5 come with default templates, this helps webmasters save time searching for templates on the Internet. The most skilled of us will adapt the default templates to their own tastes. The others will use these pre-installed templates the way they are supplied. Another part of webmasters will just use templates they found else where whether for free or for a fee.
What's the best option when it comes to templates: free or not?
Free templates are a good option when you start building your very first blog/site. How do you know that you're going to earn money? How do you know that you're going to enjoy working on your own and keep on building this new site? Because that is one of the downsides of leaving a platform such as Squidoo or HubPages: you're going to be working alone.
Now pay attention to the quality of the templates, the appropriate coding - run a search on the Web to find the safest WordPress or Concrete 5 templates available - note that Concrete 5 has a marketplace which is filled with templates and add-ons created by their members. Some are free, some will charge you a fee for using their materials. But these are safe to use.
WordPress has also a huge collection of templates and plugins so I'd sugget to take a look at their options instead of getting a template from a site that you know nothing about. Now there are some really good providers outside of both organizations.
When using templates and plugins, always make sure you download the most up to date ones as many developers and designers don't update the materials they created long ago. Since both WordPress and Concrete 5 regularly update their scripts, you must make sure the tools you use keep working with the new realeased script.
Both WordPress offer the "pretty links" option. Both offer categories that their navigation bar follow. I like the different submenus on Concrete 5 though. However I don't use Concrete 5 for blogging, I built a generic site on this script. But I could add a blog to the main site if I wanted to.
OK so now what do we have?
- Web host
- domain name
- CMS (site or blog)
- template
We can start working... more seriously.
Long ago, when I started on Squidoo, I built a lens on how to create a money making site in 30 days. The lens is still up and running and can really help you out even though the Google updates since then. The principel remains the same.
A couple of things you should pay attention to when starting your own money making site on WordPress OR Concrete 5:
1. Concrete 5: read their "how to" tutorials - especially those that help you save time and effort and allow you to pre-set some "modules".
2. Both systems: choose your template, make sure it's the kind of template you really want to work with, read a few how-to's about templates if you wish to change anything on them : it's quite easy to add your own banner to those templates, remove the "login" metas on the templates if you don't want people to register to your blog/site.
3. Both systems: using Simple Scripts in your CPanel (or webhost backoffice) install Concrete 5 or WordPress on your domain. Beware! Once the installation is done (one-click and all is automatic), take a screenshot of your login AND password as they won't send the password to you and if you dont remember it, you'll have to create a new password.
5. Upload your template - it's easy in both WP and Concrete, just follow the instructions.
6. In WP -- add as many plugins as you need (just go to "plugins" and click on "add", type your plugin keyword and you'll be given a wide list with all available plugins - click on "details" so that you can see if they're up to date).
6 bis. In Concrete 5 -- add as many add-ons from their marketplace (click on "add-ons", then browse the available ones, some are free, some aren't free - and make sure they're up to date as well). These "add-ons" are the famous "Squidoo like" modules. But Concrete 5 comes with a pre-made list of modules, so you just add those that you really need.
1. Concrete 5: read their "how to" tutorials - especially those that help you save time and effort and allow you to pre-set some "modules".
2. Both systems: choose your template, make sure it's the kind of template you really want to work with, read a few how-to's about templates if you wish to change anything on them : it's quite easy to add your own banner to those templates, remove the "login" metas on the templates if you don't want people to register to your blog/site.
3. Both systems: using Simple Scripts in your CPanel (or webhost backoffice) install Concrete 5 or WordPress on your domain. Beware! Once the installation is done (one-click and all is automatic), take a screenshot of your login AND password as they won't send the password to you and if you dont remember it, you'll have to create a new password.
5. Upload your template - it's easy in both WP and Concrete, just follow the instructions.
6. In WP -- add as many plugins as you need (just go to "plugins" and click on "add", type your plugin keyword and you'll be given a wide list with all available plugins - click on "details" so that you can see if they're up to date).
6 bis. In Concrete 5 -- add as many add-ons from their marketplace (click on "add-ons", then browse the available ones, some are free, some aren't free - and make sure they're up to date as well). These "add-ons" are the famous "Squidoo like" modules. But Concrete 5 comes with a pre-made list of modules, so you just add those that you really need.
7. Concrete 5 : create your own blocks - for example I made some blocks that I use on some pages and that I don't use on some other pages. In some blocks I added Adsense ads : one for the Adsense search box, one for the Adsense sidebar banner, one for the big adsence rectangle. Then I made a Pinterest block in which I pasted the "pin it" button along with FB like button and Google + one. I also made some other blocks.
8. In both systems: once settings are ok, you can start posting.
See you later for another post on moving Squidoo lenses else where.
Posted by Squidoo lensmaster Prosperity66
Excellent advice. There are some excellent themes, free ones as well as paid, but I agree it's best to choose one via the official marketplace, and to go for one that is regularly updated. If you need more one-to-one support, then it might be worth paying for the theme as you often then have access to technical help.
ReplyDeleteI'd say that for newbies, the free themes are good. With time, knowledge and if the blog/site earns money they can switch for a paid theme.
ReplyDelete