These are very basic instructions on how to install a plugin on your self-hosted WordPress blog or website.
Step 1: Click “Plugins” Step 2: Click “Add New” Step 3: Search for the plugin or kind of plugin you are looking for Step 4: Look for a plugin with a good rating Step 5: Click “Details” under the plugin you are looking at and read about the plugin Step 6: Click “Install Now” Step 7: Click “Ok” in the pop up prompt Step 8: You may need to login to install the plugin* Step 9: You will see the installation process run (can take a minute) Step 10: Click “Activate Plugin”
You can get this information in your hosting control panel or contact your host.
Additional Setup
Some plugins will need additional setup once you have installed them. You can look through your side menu in your WordPress Control Panel for the plugin and you will find the additional setup. Most good plugins will walk you through this setup.
Questions?
Please add your questions in the comments! I will answer you in the comments or via email.
Investing in your website can be costly. But if you want your readers and advertisers to invest in you, you need to make an investment.
After making the decision to start redesigning you may find that the cost is outside of your current budget. This may make you feel that you need to put off your redesign or not do it at all. But before you put off your new look consider this:
Consider slowly investing in your design. When you look into breaking the design down piece by piece you will find that you can slowly afford an amazing design.
Before you Start
Just as Leo Babauta talks about branding your blog’s personality as a whole in Branding 101, you need to think about how your new look represents you also. Really draw a picture in your head of what you want and what really represents you and your blog.
You want to look at your design from the start as a whole, not as each element as you invest, because in the end you want it all to fit together seemlessly. You will also want to make sure you use the same designer throughout your design.
Picking your Designer
That brings us to our next step which is to find a designer that fits you and your style. You can do this by interviewing them, checking out their previous work and asking for a mock up.
One of things to ask while interviewing them is if they would be willing to spread your project out and how they would recommend going about this.
Don’t skimp on your choice of designer just because of their prices. A true professional designer is going to have a high prices due to their skill level, their education, their investment in computers and programs, and their demand. But you will see something different in a designer that is charging a premium price. They are going to spend the time to get to know you and your product and your vision. They are going to give you a premium product that will amaze you and your readers.
Breaking up the Cost
So how do you break up a new design?
You can break each element out and spread them apart to help you make your slow invest. You can get the prices for each element from your designer and how they would prefer to break it up.
A good example of how you can break up your design is to first invest in a professional logo, then a blog header, maybe a twitter background and a facebook page, and then finally a customized theme.
Logo Design – Your logo is going to be used on everything from your site to your business cards and it will nail down the feel of the rest of your design.
Header Design – You may actually find that you don’t need a header design when you are planning your overall design. Some magazine themes and professional sites are now mainly using their logos as a header and leaving more room for content on their site. This is one reason it is a good idea to have a plan before you start.
Twitter Background and/or Facebook Page – When planning out your overall look think about the different elements you will need for your site and each piece that you will need. I highly recommend you have all your social media match the design and feel of your site.
A Customized Theme – You have lots of different options when it comes to your theme for you blog. Learn about the different levels of investment you can make in your theme design in my previous article, Beauty vs Budget.
As you purchase each piece of the design make sure you are saving up for the theme design, because this will be the largest investment. But this way you will be able to slowly make the changes to your site, your readers will see your investment and start recognizing your new brand!
Payment Plans
Another option to consider is payment plans. Ask the designer that you are interested in if they would be willing to take your project on with a payment plan.
They may do this in a few different ways. They may wait to start the design until you have paid in full or half down. They may be willing to design while you make your payments but will not release the files until everything has been paid.
Make the Plunge
When you are ready to take your site to the next level make sure that you choose a professional designer and don’t be afraid of their prices. Because you will be surprised at your return on your investment if you make the plunge. A truly well designed site will drive in the readers and investors as you would never have imagined.
If you feel that a professional designer that you love is out of reach think again and consider your options and consider slowly investing into you new design.
More Questions?
I’m always happy to help with questions so feel free and ask here in the comments or email me at (unicornbeauty (@) gmail.com)
