Blogger to WordPress

[Layla D. Smith]

Does anyone have a good tutorial I can follow with some good learning tips for WordPress? I currently have a blogger blog, which I'm not too crazy about & I've heard WordPress has a lot of advantages.

View my blog here: http://blog.wedwithease dot com/ (hope this is okay, just for illustration purposes!)

But, I'm not familiar with wordpress at all. I use Blue Host and it's already installed on the server for me to use, I just need to set it up & start using it.....

Of course, I'm not much of a tech person, so it'll probably take me an entire day :-) so, I'm hoping someone has some tips for me.

Thank you so much!!

~Layla D. Smith

[angienewton]

Layla,
Definitely check out Traci's Genesis Blogging blog (http://genesisblogging.com/) for a lot of great info. She also has a new course called Beginning to Blogger that will take you step by step through everything Wordpress. You'll find the link to that on her blog.

[wade_watson]

You're wise to consider a move, though many Blogger blogs last for years. Blogger has a lot of limits, most obviously you're essentially a guest on a free hosting service that can (and occasionally does) delete blogs from time to time. Blogger can be very useful as a secondary webspace, but it's generally best to have your own paid space.

Don't make the common mistake of confusing WordPress with the free hosting service at WordPress.com. WordPress, the blogging software, originates from WordPress.org and must be installed on your own web space. WordPress.com is simply a free host, like Blogger, but using WordPress software. It also has a reputation for being more restrictive than Blogger.

Setting up a site with your own WordPress installation is... easier than most any other way to start such a website, but you can expect some hair-pulling moments. Thankfully, there are so many users of it on the web, that it's usually easy to get an answer to a question.

If you sign up with a low-cost hosting service like HostGator or Dreamhost (the 2 that I use), you can go into your user control panel and install WordPress very easily by automation. In HostGator, it's done through something called "Fantastico". In Dreamhost, it's "Free Website Software" > "One-Click Installs". You always want to use the "advanced mode" not the "easy mode". Some people will argue that there's some benefit to hand-installing WP through FTP, but I've done both many times and see no reason not to do it the automated way.

Follow the instructions and you'll have your own WordPress site very quickly. Now you can customize it by choosing from the thousands of "themes" or templates available, plugins and so forth. There are scores of free plugins at WordPress.org that automate websites in ways that could otherwise cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to do.

I recommend that WordPress users eventually (not necissarily right away) read up on the basics of the HTML and PHP, which are at the core of WordPress. A good and free place to do that is w3schools.com (http://www.w3schools.com/default.asp).

As for where to learn about WordPress, the best place to start is WordPress.org (http://wordpress.org/), which has a huge inventory of tutorials.

I have the rough beginnings of a site on WordPress, myself (no ads or aff. links yet!). I've got my list of essential plugins and some other beginner WP articles there: WordPress Business Review (http://www.wordpressbusinessreview.com/).

Wade Watson

[Getagrip]

Take a look at video #2 in my website - it shows you how to auto instal Wordpress. Also, if you scroll down to the bottom of my website, you will see a download to "The Free Web Design Ebook", which is a tutorial on basic Wordpress installation and what to do after you have installed it.

[Layla D. Smith]

Angie: Thanks for that information. One question though, with so much stuff "free" on the web, is there something that makes that ecourse worth paying $40 for?

Wade: the wordpress software is already on my websites server. I just need to get it up & running, basically, set the blog up. Once it's up, I need to know how to "import" my blogger posts into the Wordpress blog. Is that even possible? I use BlueHost. And, the blog will be the button on my site. if you go to http://www.wedwithease dot com, there is a menu option for the blog. It currently takes you to the blogger one. That's the one I want to replace. So, it won't be a WordPress site, but it will be a WordPress blog on my site. Hopefully, this makes sense. Thanks for giving me the links for the information. I'm very glad to see there are plenty of places to find helpful information.

Getagrip: Thanks, I'll def check out the video, perhaps I won't need to call my host for help with the install. :-)

Bostdorff: Thank you! I'll def check out these videos too.

Thanks to everyone for all the assistance. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

[wade_watson]

You can import a blog from Blogger into WordPress. It's basically simple, but it can get complicated depending on exactly what you want to do. Getting the text is easy. In your WordPress Dashboard, go to: Tools > Import > Blogger > Authorize. The process is built into WordPress. You'll just need to log into your Blogger account at some point.

If you have images on your blog, there's more you should do. Once you've made the above transition, you will have all of your Blogger entries in WordPress and you will see you images there. However, those images will still be hosted at Blogger. I've not found any fully automatic way to move images. You'll have to move them by hand. If you have a lot of them, there's a Firefox addon called Down-Them-All that downloads all the images on a page. It can help with the process.

Remember that all the incoming links you've built up while using Blogger will still go there and not to your WordPress blog. Blogger dislikes users using redirect scripts on their blogs, so the only real way is to have a note in your last post that tells gives visitors a link to your new site.

If you want to make the transition gradual to minimize search standing loss, the best way is to register your new domain name, then, in Blogger's settings, place the domain on the Blogger site. This way both traffic to the old blogspot address and to the new .com address will go to your Blogger blog. Keep the old blog a few months this way while getting the word out about your new domain name. Then move the domain name to your new WordPress blog.

I hope that helps.

Wade Watson

[angienewton]

Angie: Thanks for that information. One question though, with so much stuff "free" on the web, is there something that makes that ecourse worth paying $40 for?

You're welcome!

As for the e-course, I would say it's worth it because everything is in one place, Traci walks you through blogging every step of the way and it's much easier to follow one person teaching rather than 50 million on the Internet (OK maybe an exaggeration but it's easier to follow one successful person and get things done the right way the first time).

Sure there is tons of free info out there but I value my time and would rather learn it all in once place if it could get me started on the road to success faster;)

[Layla D. Smith]

Okay, my mistake, I didn't really make my point, the niche it appears is for people who are "brand new" to blogging. I'm not brand new. I'd just hate to spend the money if it's information that I already know. Of course, if it's specific to WordPress, I won't know it. But, really, how different is WordPress from Blogger? 1) Are they very different from each other and 2) does her e-book focus on specific details about WordPress or just blogging in general?

Thanks again!

~Layla

[AlexNewell]

Layla try this it is free http://mattgarrett.com/ - there's an ebook and video on the right hand sidebar

All The Best

Alex

[TraciKnoppe]

Hi Layla
Sorry - just now saw your questions about my eCourse. To answer your questions specifically: yes, the eCourse is about WordPress specifically, aside from week one when you get a domain name registered, hosting setup and WordPress installed via Fantastico (which you already have); the remaining lessons also cover things such as:


finding your way around the wp-admin area
finding your way around the wp-admin area
setting up Categories and special considerations when doing so
How to Write/Edit Posts & Pages
How to use the HTML Editor, including how to insert links, images, video & audio - as well as how to 'cloak' affiliate links
How to Install Plugins, Widgets & Themes (including my recommendations)
How to update your blog and tips on keeping it up to date
Customizing a WordPress Theme
Adding an Autoresponder form to your theme


.... surprise bonuses and more.

All lessons are in both PDF and video format - so you can read them, or watch me do each lesson on video. The lessons are geared toward those who are new to blogging and/or new to WordPress. Since the lessons go into great detail on using WordPress specifically, if you are new to WP, then this eCourse will help you learn WordPress.

Let me know if you have any other questions, I'd be glad to help.

[Layla D. Smith]

Traci,
Thanks! I'm just doing a launch on my blog for my Free Fridays, so my switching is delayed....I should have swapped first, but couldn't get it done quickly enough. Thank you though, when I get ready to swap, I'll take a look at your ecourse.

[HireMyMum]

Hi Layla

WARNING NOTICE: I already told you all that I am a big 30DC advocate ...

I am so pleased that I can recommend 30 Day Challenge to you, that is if you haven't seen it before, it is a free online course run by industry GURUs that walks you through WordPressDirect (which I recommend also) by one of the guys who set it up. Can't get more expert than that!

There are actually more than 30 days worth of videos but you can skim through and use the modules you need.

I'll stop now, good luck.

Oh, just one more thing my skype name is leigh.kostiainen so feel free to ask me questions I will help where I can.

Cheers
Leigh

[TraciKnoppe]

I too have done 30DC (last year actually) when they first launched WPD (and Market Samuari). Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of WPD - but that's just me. I've had many folks consult with me because WPD is not easy to use, it's basically WP with built-in plugins and some automation features.

That said, for the uber newbie who wants to attempt to do it yourself, you can give WPD a try. Hopefully someone is over at the forums this year helping answer WPD questions, because there were a ton of them. Last year, one of those someone's was me. ;) This year, I'm too busy to get over there to help.

[HireMyMum]

Hi Traci

It is great to hear another 30DC success story.

I too did 30DC last year and am doing it again this year as there are so many cool tools that come out of it and this year was no exception the coolest tool IMO is the Word Press 'plugin' called Pretty Links.

I personally think WPD is very easy to use and I am a huge fan of plugins. I even taught my dad to use it. Their auto integration this year means newbies no longer need to use an ftp client to install WPD or the plugins. As for support anyone using WPD should contact them directly for support, they have a very good response time.

Cheers
Leigh

[HireMyMum]

Actually to add a foot note, I also use the WP Admin Panel for my main work on my sites and use WPD for installations, but this years videos explain the WPD panel much better than last year.

[TraciKnoppe]

I've been using the Pretty Links plugin for quite a while now, so not anything specific to 30DC.

But yes, Ed and the gang are usually very cutting edge in introducing tools to everyone; but I've been in the web design world for nearly a decade, so usually hear about such things far in advance and am usually already using them before most folks hear about them. ;)

[Lynn Terry]

Hi Layla,

Glad to hear you are moving to a WordPress blog on your own server - smart move! Did you get it set up yet? If not, let us know where you run into questions.

As for WPD, my thoughts are here:
http://www.clicknewz.com/1837/no-real-shortcuts/

Also a big fan of Ed Dale & 30DC, but not WPD :cool:

[StephenT]

What is the 30 day challenge and how does one sign up if they so desire?

[TraciKnoppe]

The 30 Day Challenge (30DC) is run by Ed Dale and a few others, who teach the basics to help you earn your first dollar (or $10) online. http://thirtydaychallenge.com

[StephenT]

Thanks Traci!

[AlexNewell]

Free high quality training for new marketers Stephen and try this link


http://www.thirtydaychallenge.com/blog/dashboard/

to join and go along at your own pace

Good Luck

:-)

[StephenT]

Thanks Alex!

[wade_watson]

It sounds like you may be comparing the free WordPress.com blogging site to the Blogger site. As I understood this thread, the discussion was on moving to a WordPress.org installation on a paid host. With your own WordPress install, you can easily place any kind of opt-in form (such as from Aweber) on your sidebar using HTML in a text widget. You can also use plugin, such as WP-Opt-in (http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-opt-in/) one from the WordPress.org Plugin Directory (http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/).

Wade Watson

[angienewton]

i just wanted to drop a line and include something very important to this thread....

Wordpress does not allow you an opt in box. Blogger does. It is a matter of preference but every successful internet marketer will tell you the importance of having an opt in box with an autoresponder

Actually Wordpress.org (the one everyone here is talking about) is hosted on your own domain so you can in fact have an opt in box and use it as you wish. And you're right it's very important to have a mailing list.

[StephenT]

After reading the updates to this thread, I found this link to a video I know very little about the subject, but this does seem to say you can have ab opt in.

http://gorichonline.com/featured/how-to-put-an-opt-in-box-on-your-word-press-blog-video-demo/

[Lynn Terry]

Of course you can!

I have an opt-in box in the right sidebar of my blog:
http://www.clicknewz.com

...and at the bottom of each post (above the comments).

If you host your own blog you can do anything you like with it!

[StephenT]

Wish I'd learn to proof read my posts! I really can spell!!!

[Lynn Terry]

You should be able to edit your own posts - do you see the edit button at the bottom right of each post, or no?

[Layla D. Smith]

yes, Wordpress is installed on my host, BlueHost already. I just need to learn to use it!!

Thank you everyone for all of your help. I'll be back for more, I'm sure!!!

[Lynn Terry]

If you have any questions, just let us know ;)

[StephenT]

You should be able to edit your own posts - do you see the edit button at the bottom right of each post, or no?

Yeah, I see it. I just want to do it right the first time. All it takes is a couple of seconds! Part of my problem, too much flash, not enough shot. :o

[Lynn Terry]

Not the free hosted wordpress.com blogs - we're talking about your own wordpress blogs that you install & host on your site.