Questions before using WordPress

  • Hi,

    I have been struggling for weeks trying to decide between hosts, site builders, photo gallery software, etc. and reading all the wildly opposing reviews of every option. My old site was originally built with Trellix online, then updated through the cpanel from then on (meaning I never used the builder the last 4 years or so, just went to each page of my site through my html folder and easily made basic updates). I finally chose to try ‘SiteSpinner’ on my computer to test build some pages for my new site. Got a couple almost done. Then, my host says he does not recommend site builders (didn’t explain why)and suggested I go ahead and install WordPress and play around with it.

    I was about to do that tonight (I did make a generic page on the WordPress site a couple weeks ago but haven’t tried it within my cpanel yet) but came on here first to answer some questions I’ve had. For instance I wondered how you’d go about putting your own backgrounds and such within the templates- having assumed there would be some that allow this without going through multiple steps and knowing code well? But several of the previous postings people placed on here asking that question were closed to replies without ever getting a reply, which isn’t instilling a lot of confidence off the bat.

    Also I see posts with people saying they can’t get into their blog, or all sorts of other issues. I realize this is a very popular program but I want to make sure I’m not going to have a bunch of issues or lose my site again unnecessarily. My host said it’s run through my site and not relying on a ‘third party’ but that doesn’t seem to be the case exactly.

    I guess my questions are- once I have built and loaded my site are the pages ‘safe’ and not dependent on anything (besides the server). What happens in the event that I’m having issues in WP and want to switch to something else (hopefully wouldn’t happen but gotta ask)- would I have to rebuild completely or can I transfer the bulk of the html into a different template/software/cms/whatever? How easy is it to customize within the framework of a template? And what is the main difference between using WP and a plain builder? Sorry if some of these are novice questions but I only have a small bit of experience making a site and none with WP.

    Thanks in advance for any advice!

Viewing 3 replies - 16 through 18 (of 18 total)

  • I have an established personal blog at wordpress.com … blogname.wordpress.com
    I also oversee three established organizational blogs that are .org

    Because of the richer features and flexibility off the .com product I am considering installing it on my server and importing my personal blog to the .com product.

    How complicated is that going to be?

    Even more importantly, I’m assuming that the url for my blog will change from xxxxxx.wordpress.com to something else which is consistent with my server url: serverdomain.org/blogname.

    How do I assure that I won’t lose readers who have been used to blogname.wordpress.com for several years now.

    Thanks

    Thread Starter elvizapelvis

    (@elvizapelvis)

    Well, I’ve managed to make a static front page- didn’t figure out how to get rid of the post ‘window’ so that my text could just be placed where I want it over my background, but I changed colors so at least everything has a uniform look for now (although it’s not as I will want it in the end).

    But I am still struggling with the changing of the font size. I do not understand why someone would make a customizable theme that allows you to change all the colors, move everything around, etc. with a couple clicks, yet make it where you have to read code in order to find the right place to change a font size. With my previous theme I thought I had possibly narrowed down the line where I should try to change it, but then switched themes and now on this one I don’t even see where to change the CSS- I see the html page which has no font size info, but not the page that has the full code (Suffusion theme). Maybe my eyes are starting to fail me or I’m missing something I haven’t clicked again while I’m clicking everything ten times.

    Also, what if I need several static/non-blog pages?

    Thread Starter elvizapelvis

    (@elvizapelvis)

    OK, found some more info on pages so should have that figured out…

Viewing 3 replies - 16 through 18 (of 18 total)
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