Herschel Lawhorn's Blog » blog

Your Questions About WordPress Hosting

Herschel Lawhorn — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 08:00:06 +0000

Steven asks…

What are the differences between GoDaddy's WordPress hosting and Basic Hosting Plans?

GoDaddy offers a specific WordPress hosting plan for a website and a basic hosting plan however, the basic plan offers an install of WordPress as an option. They both cost the same amount. I don't want to put myself in the situation where I can't switch back from WordPress if I don't want to run a blog, but want to keep the hosting. Can someone explain the differences between the two plans?

Herschel Lawhorn answers:

I think they're basically the same plan - more of a marketing tactic than anything. I'd go with the regular hosting plan, just to make sure you can easily install other types of software if you'd like.

Lisa asks…

What are some free wordpress hosting websites ?

I need a free wordpress hosting website so I can host my wordpress website.
Also id you download the software from wordpress.org and install it how do you host it ?

Herschel Lawhorn answers:

1. WordPress is FREE

First of all , if you prefer a domain like :- yoursite.wordpress.com , it is completely free. So as with Blogger as well. WordPress only hosts it.

2. Go with own domain

You will need a hosting provided you want some domain like :- yoursite.com etc. Better go with your own domain + hosting. Then you can not only get the main domain but many other subdomains for FREE - unlimited number of subdomains.

3, Subdomains - unlimited

I do not know your business idea. But if you have got 100 or 1000 s of ideas :- you can very easily make sites with those ideas like :- idea1.yourdomain.com , idea2.yourdomain.com , so on & so forth.

4. Annual Cost

This is only possible if you do your own hosting-self hosted WordPress blog- believe me it is very very easy. The domain + Hosting may cost you to the tune of $ 25 [max]. For one domain. Recommended to start with 1 domain + 1 hosting to start up. Once you catch up , can get multiple domains etc. Better plans available. But better start small. Baby steps.

5. WordPress Set up is very very easy.

Once you understand the installation , can do this very very easily. What you have to do is :- Get a LINUX hosting account [ does not matter even if you have windows on your PC]. In linux , you get a software called fantastico , it makes your job idiot-proof. Once you learn the skills , can repeat for every subdomain.

6. Every subdomain - new site - new idea - new business for you.

I hope you are pretty clear now , why to host with self hosted WordPress service.

You can see more details on this topic on the site I have shared in the source area. Please select the respective category in the right side bar to read details about the subject.

Your Questions About WordPress Blogger

Herschel Lawhorn — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 08:00:04 +0000

Ken asks…

Can I post from livejournal to blogger or wordpress?

If you have a livejournal account, is there a way to automatically have some or all of your posts also be posted on wordpress, blogger, or any other place where you maintain a different blog? Can someone provide detailed instructions or a link explaining it all? I want to go from livejournal to another place.

Herschel Lawhorn answers:

I think there is a way to repost all of them to another bloging platform using its feeds. Try using bogger, it is way to flexible not to do this. YOu may even try this article http://linuxlore.blogspot.com/2006/12/livejournal-to-blogger.html

Daniel asks…

which is the best site for starting a blog out of wordpress blogger intuit typepad homestead or other?

which is the best site for starting a blog out of wordpress blogger intuit typepad homestead or other?
the blog site does not have to be the ones i mentioned. if you know of a good low cost to free site, please let me know.

i would like to write a blog with my persnoal logos, multiple links to other sites, several pages for addtional product reviews and allows many pictures. what is the best blog site use?

Herschel Lawhorn answers:

There are a few different options for you. IF your looking to start a blog and have limited web experience your BEST option is www.blogger.com. It is incredibly easy to use and can easily help you post links and stuff like that.

If youre a bit more on the advanced then wordpress is definitely the best option. I would only choose between the two (and I have tried them all).

In fact I produced a few videos on wordpress to help people get started at www.EssentialWordpressSkills.com. Either option is good though.

I would definitely avoid the others on the list for the simple reason that they do not offer anything more than blogger or wordpress offer and blogger and wordpress are the most used blogging tools on the web.

Your Questions About Blog Sites

Herschel Lawhorn — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 08:00:05 +0000

Jenny asks…

blog sites?

does anyone know any blog sites for teens? nothing to adultish just kinda a cool place to blog and chat and stuff like that. thanx guyys

Herschel Lawhorn answers:

Here's a link to five different articles that discuss the best blogs in various categories, including teens.

Http://www.findingdulcinea.com/guides/Technology/Internet/Blogs.html?pg=01&topic=#01

George asks…

Blog sites?

What are some good blog sites?

Herschel Lawhorn answers:

Ohh there's a ton of blogs I read, some are

http://www.huffingtonpost.com

http://www.boingboing.net

http://www.coolsiteblogger.com

http://arstechnica.com/index.ars

http://www.momsweblog.com

http://www.wired.com

http://www.jens-blog.com

http://www.crooksandliars.com

http://thinkprogress.org

Your Questions About Blog Cabin

Herschel Lawhorn — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 08:00:05 +0000

William asks…

Does anyone know when they announce the winner for the Blog Cabin?

I want to know then the DIY Blog Cabin winner will be revealed. And if it is.. Who?

Herschel Lawhorn answers:

It says after October 10th they will post it on their website, but I have checked everyday and it's not there yet!

Betty asks…

blog of aviation(be it pilot,cabin crew,airlines..) Can u introduce some to me?

i wan to noe more abt stuffs in aviation
if u noe any blog that's abt aviation,pls introduce to me?
thanks alot

Herschel Lawhorn answers:

Http://www.quad-a.org/

http://www.qcaa.org/

http://www.eaa.org/

http://www.maf.org/

http://www.natca.org/

http://www.uspilots.org/

http://www.beapilot.com

http://www.aopa.org/learntofly/

http://www.sportpilot.org/

http://www.kingschools.com

Your Questions About Blogging Software

Herschel Lawhorn — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:00:03 +0000

Sandra asks…

Blogging software?

Can anyone recommend a blogging software of script? Easy to use, other than WordPress?

I want to do a blog for my family and my hubby wants to do one for work that he can also earn money from google adsense...

Herschel Lawhorn answers:

Aside from WordPress, you can try a free blog service like Blogger.com

If you're willing to shell out some cash, you can try typepad.com

Sandy asks…

Blogging Software?

What is the best blogging software? What makes it so good?

Herschel Lawhorn answers:

I like WordPress. It's open source, and has a very good community behind it creating themes, plugins and providing support.

Your Questions About WordPress Widgets

Herschel Lawhorn — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:00:06 +0000

Linda asks…

How or where do you add widgets to WordPress blogs?

On wordpress blogs they give you free widgets to add to your site.But i want to add external widgets to my blog and iam not sure how to paste the widget code and where to add it.Do you paste under widgets or headers or in the main body of a post?

Herschel Lawhorn answers:

Hi Andy,

It sounds like you are using WordPress.com (the free service), and not the WordPress.org software on a self hosted site.

If this is the case, then the short answer is, you can't do that with a WordPress.com site.

Here is a support page from WordPress.com that explains some of the differences between the two systems:

http://en.support.wordpress.com/com-vs-org/

Look under WordPress.com cons.

William asks…

How to hide sidebars/widgets in wordpress on my sales page?

Hi,

I'm trying to make a sales page in wordpress, but I don't want my 2 sidebars/widgets to show on the sales page to optimize my sales page. How can I do this? I have 2 sidebars/widgets that I don't want them to show on my sales page.

Herschel Lawhorn answers:

You can use a pretty easy plugin called widget logic for that, which will allow you to tell worpdress where you want or don't want your widgets displayed:

http://www.inforats.com/set-a-wordpress-widget-to-appear-on-some-pages/

Your Questions About Blogging Tips

Herschel Lawhorn — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 08:00:07 +0000

James asks…

When you're looking for the best blogging tips from expert bloggers, who do you turn to?

I get overwhelmed by all of the excellent info about blogging that's available. Give me the best of the best! I'm looking to take the advice of the ones who give actionable, easily implementable ideas that work. Names and website info please. Plus, the best tip they've given you that really works. Thanks!

Herschel Lawhorn answers:

Though, you will read and be approached by many so-called experts, who tell you how they made millions out of blogging and how you too can earn that much. In addition, they tell you blogging is all play and no work. But blogging is nothing like what most people tell others. It's a serious hard work and the chances of success, to passionate people, are more or less the same as with other real world professions.

To get you a fair idea of blogging, from earning perspective, let I share with you some facts:

Before answering to your question, I want to put a fact: majority bloggers earn nothing, a small number earn something equivalent to a cup of coffee a day, rest make either modest or big money.

So when you ask "Can someone make a living out of blogging?" then the true answer is, even if very difficult, it's possible. One can earn a living, and one can earn big money too. But why one limit the scenario to blogging, most professions and careers present the same picture, more or less.

Now let I give a preview of the earning potential of a blog:

If your idea is to earn by showing ads from ad programs like Adsense, Kontera, Adbrite etc. Then your earnings will depend on the number of clicks you manage to get on your displayed ads. On an average, if your blog content is good, means if the content shows good context ads, and if you have 300 blog visitors then you will have 2-6 clicks on your ads. Studies show ads on websites have a click ratio of around 2 percent. Thus for every 100 visitors one can expect to get 2 clicks on ads. Or in other words, out of 100 visitors to a blog, only 2 visitors click on an ad. This translates into, 1 or 1.2 dollars a day for a 300 visitor a day blog.

If your idea is to earn revenue by selling products through affiliate links; or sell your own products/services, then again, the earnings will depend on your blog traffic. And the chances of a visitor going for a buy, is again around 2 percent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regarding who new bloggers should look up to, my answer is: You should look up to people like me, the website packagers, who will neither promise you the moon nor overwhelm you with the difficulties. What they'll let you know is the real picture and how to overcome the difficulties that a blogger faces during his/her blog's initial life cycle.

Thanks

Steven asks…

Video blogging tips: How do you talk into a camera?

Yea when I watch videos after I make a video, it seems very mundane.

Also, it's really hard for me to stare and look at a camera and act like I'm talking to a person. I don't know why. Any tips?

Also, I'm not good at acting. People say I don't have enough "feeling" when acting.

So I don't know how to make my blog any more interesting, or how to look directly into the camera for long periods of time without feeling weird.

Herschel Lawhorn answers:

This may sound really silly, but it works for a lot of people. Take a paper plate and cut a hole out of the middle. This is where you will attach your video camera lens. On the paper plate draw a face. Now when you talk to the camera it will feel like you are talking to a person. You could name your new plate-person-friend something silly. That way you will smile when you look at the camera. Also, you could just put a real person's photo there - it works just as well. Good luck.

Your Questions About Blogspot.com

Herschel Lawhorn — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 08:00:04 +0000

Donald asks…

BlogSpot.com ???????????????????????????

I Have a blog account on BlogSpot.com I want to del it but how??? HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP

Herschel Lawhorn answers:

Wat?

Sharon asks…

Blogspot.com?

I want to know how to do some things on blogspot.com
I want to know how to =
1. Put Photos on my profile
2. Put a counter on my blog to see how many people visit
3. Make everything on one page
4. A direct link to my email address for people to send emails
5. Anything else that's cool!
Here is an example of what I want mine to look like - stampersim.blogspot.com. On this website I also want to know how to put the personalized picture on the top with the markers, ribbon, stamps, etc.
I will choose a best answer! Thanksyou!

Herschel Lawhorn answers:

Blogspot.com is a great choice and run by google. When you log in everything you need and ask in your question can be found on the dashhboard. Check into all the widgets available to attach on page. The ones you want to assemble and choose location for more that one of the same widgets are HTML/JAVASCRIPT. With this one, you can add almost any third party widget. ALSO, you really should start to save your favorite websites in GOOGLE READER. Just add two buttons to your favorites bar and when at any page with RSS, click. THEN at blogspot.com, add the widget for BLOG ROLL< RSS FEED copy code> paste to blogspot HTML widget and position at the longest spaces available on your blog.

VISIT my #1 blogspot and stay and study how it is assembled with little guides leading you to the next information. Also, VOTE MY BLOG BEST HOBBY BLOG, please. THERE is a badge near top of page.

Twitter me: tikitoons

Your Questions About WordPress Blog Themes

Herschel Lawhorn — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:00:02 +0000

Maria asks…

free wordpress blog themes?

I need some recommendations on free downloadable WordPress blog themes. I'd like to have the following included in a theme:

- SEO optimized
- featured video section
- widget ready
- web 2.0 compatible
- customizable

help please?

Herschel Lawhorn answers:

You may visit my blog if you like that theme or may look into the list.

Mary asks…

What are the best Personal Blog Themes (WordPress)?

Hi, I would like to know what are the best personal themes (easily handle and free) .. Any help will be great!

Herschel Lawhorn answers:

Try on www.btemplates.com

Your Questions About Blogging With WordPress.org

Herschel Lawhorn — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 08:00:03 +0000

Maria asks…

Is WordPress.org right for my site?

I have a client that wants a website that is more complex than ones I've done before - basically, they have a company (let's call it ABC), and this company has multiple sponsors. They want each sponsor to have their own page on ABC's website (following ABC's layout, just having the content - text and photos - managed by the individual sponsors) and have them link to their own sites. I need a program that will let each sponsor have their own log-in and content control without messing with any of the code. Is WordPress.org (NOT wordpress.com - the blogging site) right for this? If not, any suggestions? Thanks!!

Herschel Lawhorn answers:

Use Joomla. If you opt for a Linux hosting, you should find Joomla ready to deploy from your web hosting provider

Mark asks…

360 blog design nightmares!!!?

I am somewhat disgusted with my 360 blog. I have spent countless hours trying to design it. Yahoo, seems not to give much freedom when it comes to content. I want updating content. most is in javascript.Java is one of the no no 's. I would also like to have the videos in a thumbnail view opening in another window. I am at the point of trying to move everything to another space. Will someone please look at my site over and tell me if they have any ideas of what I can do to get it back on track.

just should I start over somewhere else for more control.

How can I save my current work if I go somewhere else?

Where can I build my blog where I have more control?

my blog is www.thatsamazingvideo.com

I'm interested in running the open-source WordPress wordpress.org/> blogging software and I was wondering if my yahoo account supported the following:

* PHP 4.2 or greater
* MySQL 4.0 or greater
* The mod_rewrite Apache module

Thanks!

Herschel Lawhorn answers:

Hey! Welcome to 360.

First, I suggest contacting the 360 team via their feedback form at http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/360/forms_index.html about using code besides HTML. They have a blog which tracks fixes as they are made and has tips for certain features, see http://blog.360.yahoo.com/product_360 .

Keep in mind that 360 is still in beta. So, it seems like many people are incurring problems across the board. Also, they are trying out new things as well - hence "beta." No feature is set in stone. It is in "test" mode.

Also, there is a Yahoo Group that you may want to join called "Making Your 360 More Interesting" at

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/makingyour360moreinteresting/

Good luck!