New to WordPress - advice needed.

Discussion in 'WordPress' started by pictureboarduk, Aug 11, 2007.

  1. #1
    Hi,

    I'm new to the whole bloging thing and have decided to use WordPress as it seems to get the most recommendations.

    What I need advice on is (plug-ins?) for adding banners and ad's to it.

    I want it, with the default skin, to have a top banner, a tower banner on one side and AdSense (for example) on the other side, so it will be 3 columns in total.

    I looked through all the themes, but what I want is just the ability to 'add it out', not change it completely - none of the themes seem to offer this.

    I may be missing something I think.

    All good advice will receive green reps.

    Thanks
     
    pictureboarduk, Aug 11, 2007 IP
  2. MichaelS

    MichaelS Guest

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    #2
    If you know html and php, use the theme editor and manually do it. I find that a lot easier and customizable.
     
    MichaelS, Aug 11, 2007 IP
  3. pictureboarduk

    pictureboarduk Well-Known Member

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    #3
    Unfortunately I don't.

    This is an image of how I want it. One top banner and 2 ad columns, one either side.

    [​IMG]

    Thanks!
     
    pictureboarduk, Aug 11, 2007 IP
  4. IndigoBlack

    IndigoBlack Active Member

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    #4
    The sidebars are probably the easiest. You'll need to find a theme that is compatible with widgets and then enter your ad info in a text widget and you are all set. The header banner may be little bit more difficult as you do not know html. I suggest finding a theme you like and then getting with someone who knows html so they can tell you where to put the code.

    I am currently trying out a plugin called Ad Manager. It's alright. I don't really like the back end interface. But the nice thing about it is that you only have to embed the php code into the template (it won't work in the widgets) and then you manage the ad placement in the WP admin panel. So again you will need to find someone to help you place the code.

    Hope this helps. Good luck!
     
    IndigoBlack, Aug 11, 2007 IP
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  5. tn33

    tn33 Active Member

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    #5
    I'd advise finding a theme that has the 3 columns to match your needs. Then you may have to manually insert your Ad code into each section.

    On a normal theme, you would place the centre banner into the "header.php" file and your sidebar ads into the "sidebar.php" file. Depending on the theme you use you may have two "sidebar.php" files. Maybe "sidebar1.php" and "sidebar2.php".

    Unfortunately, there's not many easier ways than to just hard code the ads into the themes. You may find plugins which will help but even they will need code inserting into the .php files.

    Tony
     
    tn33, Aug 12, 2007 IP
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  6. fedoras

    fedoras Active Member

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    #6
    Another question about wordrepss, i want to make the site on my local server and then uploaded to the web, can i do this ?
     
    fedoras, Aug 12, 2007 IP
  7. zman

    zman Peon

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    #7
    You can also use a "adsense ready" wordpress theme. There are heaps of them out there. Just Google it.

    I've used a lot of the plugins for Adsense that are out there, and I find the best to be the simple "Adsense" plugin. It injects Adsense code into your post where you want it to go.
     
    zman, Aug 12, 2007 IP
  8. IndigoBlack

    IndigoBlack Active Member

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    #8
    Are you talking about the template? 'Cause if you are I'll tell you what I do.

    I create the template using just plain HTML to simulate how WP outputs it's code. This is because WP is based on PHP and you cannot run PHP code on you local machine unless you have it installed on your computer. I had an excellent article bookmarked on how to do it and save it to a portable hard drive but in my zeal to clean out my bookmarking folder, I accidentally deleted it. However just Google "install PHP local server" and it will pull up all sorts of tutorials.

    Basically I code the template like it was a static web page and then when I'm ready, I just insert the WP code. I upload it to my test site and work out any kinks/bugs there.

    Hopes this helps and good luck :)
     
    IndigoBlack, Aug 12, 2007 IP
  9. Edynas

    Edynas Peon

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    #9
    If you want to install wordpress locally you can use a program called WOS (webserver on a stick) It is combination of a server(apache) and programs you choose. I would select php4, mysql and at least wordpress. It is all configuered and al you need to do is a " normal" install. No need to tweak etc etc

    Next build your wordpress site local, add the posts etc etc and you can export that using a plugin like http://technosailor.com/wordpress-to-wordpress-import/

    The 3 sides template ..take a look at http://themes.wordpress.net/ there are options at the left side to sort the templates. Look for a 3 column theme. If you find any you like and it's just a matter of changing the image for the header/banner I will gladly help you thru it.
     
    Edynas, Aug 12, 2007 IP
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  10. Jalpari

    Jalpari Notable Member

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    #10
    from where i can download this program named:WOS webserver on a stick can u refer me a url.
     
    Jalpari, Aug 12, 2007 IP
  11. Edynas

    Edynas Peon

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    #11
    Edynas, Aug 13, 2007 IP
  12. fedoras

    fedoras Active Member

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    #12
    I have php, apache and mysql on my local server, my question -if a make the site, can i upload the folders, import the database, change some things in config.php and the site will work ?
     
    fedoras, Aug 13, 2007 IP
  13. Edynas

    Edynas Peon

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    #13
    yup...

    Wordpress = Php + Mysql

    So if you dump the sql file import it in your new database, add your plugins and themes and set the config to the local settings it will work. The link i provided above does that in a plugin and should work with less tweaking
     
    Edynas, Aug 13, 2007 IP
  14. ServiceCube

    ServiceCube Peon

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    #14
    ServiceCube, Aug 13, 2007 IP
  15. Jalpari

    Jalpari Notable Member

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    #15
    i am going to download wordpress any other option do i need to select? and how to use it
     
    Jalpari, Aug 14, 2007 IP
  16. Edynas

    Edynas Peon

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    #16
    select the following
    php, mysql and wordpress

    what WOS will do is make it into 1 file. That you will download. Next install it onto your local computer as you would with any other piece of software. The easy part is that you do not need to configure all things apart as it is already conected together. If you would download all parts one by one it is not simple to get it all working
     
    Edynas, Aug 14, 2007 IP
  17. designerz

    designerz Banned

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    #17
    I suggest finding a pre-made layout and it will provide room for ads and whatnot usually.
     
    designerz, Aug 14, 2007 IP