Does anyone make and sell WordPress websites? Care to share about how you got started and how you picked up on using WP?

__________________
www.marlexsolutions.com

Sure! I also just called it blog design (Because WordPress is mostly used for blogs). But I got into it becuase I had clients that wanted their blogs to integrate with their sites. From there I was easily able to apply the skills learned from that into creating WordPress sites.

__________________
Amanda Mock
My Virtual Little Helper

I got the WordPress thing figured out. It is a lot easier than I thought.

__________________
www.marlexsolutions.com

Is there anyway you can tell me how to start wordpress. I don't know where to begin.

I love the wordpress format. So easy to use and manipulate! I just totally revamped my VA site (again) last night because I found more 'toys' to play with.

As for how to start, just go to wordpress.com, create a free account, and start playing.

__________________
Behind the Desk Solutions - Carrie

I got into WP because of a friend that uses it. I have been learning from her and trial and error on my site! I think with something like this you are always learning something new. I love it.

__________________
Amy
www.porterofficesolutions.com

Originally Posted by mjescobar

I got the WordPress thing figured out. It is a lot easier than I thought.

Great job getting your site up and running!

I'm going to add my 2¢, and this is not meant in a disparaging way.

It is easy if you just install a theme and use it "out of the box." But, if you want your site to look unique, fully customizing a theme takes a lot of time: creating custom images, custom pages, custom sidebars, custom coding, and installing just the "right" plugins, etc. Knowledge of XHTML and CSS helps a lot. Knowing a bit about php coding also helps.

For a quick 'n easy way to get a site up and running using a theme "out of the box" is a great way to do this, but be aware that other sites are going to look like the theme one chooses if it isn't customized to make it unique - with the exception of the content.

'Nuff rambling out of me.

__________________
Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

Originally Posted by ftrammell

Is there anyway you can tell me how to start wordpress. I don't know where to begin.

If you know how to ftp a file go to wordpress.org. If not, go to wordpress.com. Roll up your sleeves and get dirty. Start on a test site and don't be afraid to mess up. If you are techie and have some basic programming experience, you should get the hang of it pretty quickly. If not, it may take some time.

__________________
www.marlexsolutions.com

About half of my business now is from creating WordPress sites for clients. I'm teaching them that WordPress can be used as a fully functioning site, it's really not limited to being a blog.
Theme generation can be very easy, too and I really enjoy doing it. I bought a program called Artisteer (http://www.artisteer.com/) that makes is very easy to make changes to the theme. I can usually generate a theme in less than an hour.
I usually charge a flat fee for the design of the website and then an hourly fee to populate the site with content and add the appropriate widgets. There are thousands of widgets out there that can help you do just about anything you want on the site.

__________________
Kim Wesley, Social Media Connector and Customer Relationship Manager
TKM Virtual Services

Another important distinction between WordPress is there are really two versions. Start at http://wordpress.com/ if you do not have your own hosting site and domain name. This will give you a site that includes wordpress.com in the name. (For example kimwesley.wordpress.com) WordPress.com limits you to selecting themes from the templates provided.
If you have your own domain name and hosting service, use http://wordpress.org/. Here you can use your own themes and you don't necessarily have to be familiar with ftp protocols. I only have 1 site out of the several dozen I've created where I used ftp.
There are some really good videos on YouTube on how to use WordPress or I would be happy to answer questions.
Best Wishes,
Kim

__________________
Kim Wesley, Social Media Connector and Customer Relationship Manager
TKM Virtual Services