Help Me I'm Clueless

Hi All,

Firstly, you must know that I don't know anything when it comes to CSS or coding of any sought. I'm looking for an online walkthrough or tutorial for building a blog site. I've added a theme but I want to make various changes to the site, but to customise it seems tough. Could anyone point me in the direction of somewhere online that will walk me through changes images, colours and words that are part of a them I've installed please.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

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What type of website are you trying to build? For example, is it a Blog or ecommerce website? Many people use Wordpress platform these days. It will save you a lot of time and headache.
Most webhosting sites have QuickInstall or Fantastico – just one-click install that will help you install Wordpress (it’s free).

If you don’t want to use wordpress, you can choose any other platform for a blog site, e-commerce or forum (or whatever) type of site you are trying to build. You can then customize it look and feel of your site.

This will really help you have a very professional looking site and save time.

 

Hi,

I'm not too sure you've understood my thread. I'm making a blog and it is a wordpress template, but how do I customise the header and so on...

 

I see what you mean. For headers:

In your wordpress –
Go to:
Appearance –- Editor

At the right hand side you will see a drop down box plus the list of files included in the theme.
The header file is usually header.php
Wordpress.org has lots of more info
You can start here - wordpress.org/Using_Themes

 

Hi,

Thanks that helps a bit more, but I need to know how to change things. I have a file which I'd love to be able to put onto the site but all the coding just has me baffled Would I need to get to grips with CSS or is there a 'Wordpress for Dummies' avenue that I can take here?

 

Go to Tizag dot com. That was where I start learning creating a website from. There are also more stuffs to learn from over there. And noted that there's no shortcut about this.

 

Top stuff, thanks for that!

 

The good thing about Wordpress is that there are loads of plugins one can use to automate changes. For instance to tweak a theme, one can use a plugin such as ‘Theme Tweaker Life’.
Just take care to check ratings and compatibility before you install plugins.

 

If you want to edit the header file and so on. download the theme from the folder wp-content/themes/your selected theme

There you find header.php open it with some good editor like Dreamweaver make the changes you want upload the file back to the server by replacing the existing file refresh in the browser and see the changes.

 

You should check out wordpress forum for better help

 

have you got all your doubts solved ?

 

Sort of, just going to learn by doing and hope I don't make a mess of things. However, if you are offering a free service I would be happy to have a tutor!

 

If you're starting out an want a blog, there is nothing more simple than wordpress. You do not need to know css to have a wordpress blog. Look for a host that includes a feture called "fantastico deluxe" That will install wordpress for you in a heartbeat with ease. Look for instructional videos on youtube on how to use fantastico with wordpress and you will have a great looking site in no time.

 

I've started the long and arduous (self) education of HTML and then will be moving onto CSS, but it would be useful to use the feature you've mentioned in the meantime to at least get things up and running! Much appreciated

 

The problem is basically that WP themes are all different in their file structure, markup and CSS. Without having the exact theme code on hand there's no way to tell you "this is the CSS you'll need to know to edit ANY theme". It's good that you've decided to learn the lot, anyway, since a few basic skills will come in useful in all sorts of situations (not least of which is changing your theme and finding it's totally different all over again ).

I kinda like helping people learn this stuff so if you want a casual Skype buddy or whatever to answer occasional questions while working, PM me