Modifying A Wordpress Theme - for new users part one

About

During this series please keep in mind that I am new to blogging and especially Wordpress. I am by no means an expert in xhtml, css or php. This will continue to be a work in progress and as much a quest for knowledge, to learn, and succeed.

Here in part one I will outline the process of what you will be learning with me, which is modifying a Wordpress theme. This series will document my account and the steps taken to help me achieve getting my own domain Tshirt Scene up and running to suit my needs. At the end of each section I will list the sources and resources used during this process.


What Will Each Part In The Series Consist Of?

In part one (this article) I will outline each part in this series so you know what you will be learning and choose if this is right for you. There are many helpful tutorials and help sections for beginners, and more advanced users of Wordpress on the net, again this is the process I used that worked for me.

Part two will consist of choosing a Wordpress theme, there are many free Wordpress themes with varying styles, columns, layouts etc, and many of the new ones come widget ready. You will learn more about Wordpress widgets later in the series.

Part three will consist of making a blue print for your new site, what is it you intend to use it for, what are you offering on your site, what do you most want your visitors to see first, what do you need on your website.

Part four, theme and layout techniques, using colour. Here you will want to start thinking more creatively and define your presence on the web. Uniformity while defining a web presence is key, later you will see why I discuss idea's about consistency.

Part five, putting it altogether. This section will be quite large and will start to delve into some xhtml/html/css and starting to understand php, I may break this section up into two parts.

Part six, the final process, putting everything together so it works. We will also try to make our theme validate with W3.


Sources/Resources
W3 Schools - learning xhtml/html/css and php.
Wordpress.com - fine makers of the webs most multi functional blogging software, and it's totally free. Did I meantion that I love Open Source?
Wordpress.org


Further Resources
Get a better understanding of Wordpress. Take a peek at these books - Understanding Wordpress

note: this series may change to include more content/parts during it's course.

Make A Lens - Do You Squidoo?

Squidoo. What is it? Squidoo is an easy way to get the word out about any subject that you are passionate about. You might want to write about your latest paper mache project, a vacation that you are excited about, new baby clothes, your online business or even your pet crazy neighbor. In short it's a "lens" your view of any subject a place for people to share a wealth of information.

• Building a lens has many advantages. Earn royalties for you, your organization or a choose a one of the worthy charities that squidoo have listed. Yes, you can make money!
  
• An awesome platform for your business, blog, or just include it in your online marketing plan. A lens can help your page rank and have huge cerdibilty with search engines.
• It feels good to share knowledge when you are a "master" within your chosen topic. You become the "it" person, the person everyone wants to go to find out about what it is you have talked about.
• It's free!
• There are many more reason, take a look at Squidoo and find out for yourself, and be warned, lenses can become addictive.

What can I make my lens about?

Make a lens about anything! Handbags, your top 10 favourite books, authors, share a craft like soap making, jewelry, origami, make a lens about the company your work for, that's a sure way to impress your boss, even better make a lens about your own business or promote your website/blog.

Creating your lens is as simple as one, two, three, it's fun, it's free and it's very easy. Squidoo is a great social network where the community is awesome.

The following links will provide you with further information about Squidoo and how to build a lens.

About Squidoo
FAQ
Top 100
Squidoo Blog
SquidU - Is a resource site with lots of helpful information and tips on building your lens.

AGLOCO

AGLOCO is a NEW thriving community were you as a memeber claim your share of the Internet. It's free to join and the opportunites just keep growing.

We see online communities all the time with such places like forums, MySpace, YouTube, mYLot, or even here at blogspot. What do all these places have in common? Well, Internet business' are starting to realise the power of "social networks." These social networks are generating huge advertising and, marketing opportunites.

Below is one of the most interesting questions I have ever seen on the internet.

Quote from AGLOCO web site.
"At AGLOCO, we asked a simple question: The users created the community, where's their share of the profit?"

It was from this question that AGLOCO set out to create the Internet's first Economic Network, harnessing the power of Internet-based social networks to directly benefit the Members who help to create the community."

So what is that AGLOCO is saying?

It's the members of the community that should be getting a bigger piece of the pie, and so we should. We surf, we shop, we browse, we entertain or look for entertainment all this and more we do as we surf that great big cyberwave online, AGLOCO wants us to have a bigger piece of the action.

I will definately be writing more on this topic, the potential at AGLOCO is the best that I have seen yet!.

Join AGLOCO, it's free!

Agloco Banner by AglocoBanners.com

Slash My Search

Slash My Search is a site who pays by searching and referral.

Still in beta. Payment methods are through paypal, e-gold or check.

What they do
Slash My Search is a brand new search engine that is designed to get you the best results out there on the internet quickly and effectively.

Using their proprietary algorithms, they are able to "slash" through more of the junk and find you the most relevant results.

They filter results from Yahoo, AltaVista, Excite, the Google search engine, their databases and several other sources.
They also track what results are visited the most and refine our database with that information. You can search on ebay or amazon as well. In the future there will be a thumbnail preview next search results.

Earning Structure
There are 3 levels of earning, first level, you join up and they pay you up to 0.25 and hour, secnod level, you refer people, you earn 0.15 an hour for each referral, third level, once those referrals join and earn you earn 0.05 an hour.

small print: payment terms are subject to change.

There is quite a bit to read through, take your time and learn how to maximise its use. I'll keep updates here of how Im doing.


How much does it cost?
It's free to join so why not check it out can't lose with this one and doesnt hurt to try, did I mention free? Try it here

Great Find - mYLot

While checking MyLot I came across a discussion where one member has kept track of her earnings from online affiliates in a 31 day challenge. She has thus far made $27.95 for one week, which for the novice and new online affiliate marketer is one HUGE achievement. I know I will be jumping up and down when I reach that goal and beyond!

Smile City

SmileCity is New Zealands # 1 online rewards programme. You earn points as you shop which you can later redeem for more goods from their catalogue. Smile city has everything from DVD to florists. There are many ways to earn points, fill out surveys, take part in the daily poll, shop, play games, reading emails, answer questions, but, best of all their affiliate programmes is one of the best, below is an excerpt taken from their website.

Referral Affiliate Programme
As a normal SmileCity member, you can only earn referral points for a maximum of 50 members that you refer.

If you reach 50 referrals, your account will be reviewed by SmileCity staff. If you qualify, you will automatically be upgraded to the status of SmileCity Referral Affiliate. Instead of earning 200 points for every referral that earns 400 points, you will earn NZ$2.50 for every referral that earns 400 points. We will send SmileCity Referral Affiliates a cheque for $50 for every 20 members referred.

Join SmileCity and you can earn real money and have fun shopping while you do it :).

I also like the community and forums, both are a fun place to meet people and chat.

My Lot

This seems to be one of the easiest and most interesting ways to make money online. You get paid to post and through referrals. MyLot is a user based blog style discussion group where users talk about anything from what their cat wore to the latest wordly events. You can even earn more by referring just about anyone.

Here is an excert taken from MyLot web site:

Our goal is to provide internet users a place to earn money using the web on a day to day basis. It's easy, sign up and start discussions, post responses or comments to current discussions, or refer friends! A myLot account is all you need to get started. You will be able to view your earnings on a daily basis when you sign in.

Minimum payout is $10.00 and you get paid by paypal, very nice community and has an interesting array of topics to post and read. I've only just signed up in the last hour and will keep a log here of my progress.