How to Design a WordPress Blog Using Themes and Widgets

Wordpress.com offers a free blog with an amazing number of themes and widgets to choose from. After registering at Wordpress, you can design your blog using nearly 80 WordPress themes and more than 25 widgets.

The themes have beautifully designed layouts, with great pictures and clipart. There are also widgets for everything you need on your pages and posts: including widgets for your calendar, recent post, tags and gravatar. You can even choose widgets for Flicker and Twitter if you like. Here are the easy steps.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer and Internet
• Free Wordpress.com Account

1. 

   On the Wordpress.com 'Home' page, sign into your account. Then using the menu located in the 'My blogs' box on the left hand side of the webpage, click on the blog you want to use.

2. When your blog 'Dashboard' opens, scroll down the menu on the left hand side of the page and click on 'Appearance'. Then click on 'Themes' in the drop down menu and browse through the 5 pages containing 80 blog themes.

3. 

   When you find a theme that you like, if you want to take a look at the theme before choosing it, click on 'Preview'. Or, if you're sure you've found the right theme for you, click on 'Activate'. Then, you can take a look at your new blog page by clicking on 'Visit site' at the top of the page.

4. Next, add your widgets by clicking on 'Appearance' then clicking on 'Widgets' in the drop down menu. Browse the 'Available Widgets' in the left hand column of the page. Then drag them to 'Side Bar 1'
   
   Some widgets that I have found to be very helpful are: 'My Calendar', 'Flicker Photos, Latest Post', 'Top Post', 'Tags' and 'My Gravatar' and 'Twitter'. But the best way to find whats best for your blog is to try as many as you like. When you've made your choices click on 'Visit site' at the top of the page to see if these are really the widgets for you.

5. 

   When you have decided on your theme and widgets and you are ready to post, you can click on 'Dashboard' at the top of the page. Next, scroll down the 'Dashboard' menu, click on 'Post' and write your first post. Finally press 'Publish' and share your blog with the world. Enjoy and blog on!!!

Tips & Warnings

• You can choose to leave your blog 'Private' until you are finished with your blog design and post and you are ready to publish it for everyone else to see.
• If you are not sure about some of the widgets or have any questions at all click on 'Support' on the 'My Account' drop down menu.

Resources

• Internet
• How to Add eHow Articles to your Wordpress Blog

[hkimbrell]

on 11/18/2009 Awesome article on using themes and widgets with wordpress blog! Fantastic tips and advice. 5 stars!

[jswana]

on 10/26/2009 Excellent instructions on a wordpres blog using themes.. jswana 5* and a recommendation.

[aritst]

on 8/30/2009 Good tips for getting up and running! 5*

[sallyemaycreate]

on 8/28/2009 Excellent, informative article. Thanks for the great tips. 5*****. Rec & Subscribed

[amanuel111]

on 8/19/2009 I didn't know that I could choose widgets for Flicker and Twitter. Great tips!