demystifying the dark arts - part two

Demystifying the Dark Artsof Travel Blogs and Websites

--- Part Two ---

Presented by Iain HarperHorizons Unlimited UK 2010

Summary From Part One

• Blogs are free and don’t need special skills• Choose a good name• Create your blog on Wordpress.com but publish

excerpts and links on Horizons Unlimited as well• Create a backup “user” you can trust• Protect your identity: don’t publish too much!• Publicise your blog posts on Twitter & Facebook• Link to other useful/relevant blogs & websites• Be original, keep it simple and enjoy it!

Demystifying the Dark Arts - Part Two

• Looking at WordPress.com in more detail:– Colours and Headers– Settings and Widgets– Categories, Links and Pages– Adding Images and Video to Posts– Tagging Posts– Publicising on Twitter and Facebook

• Domain Names (yourname.com)• Combining WordPress with a full Website

WordPress.com In More Detail

Widgets

Example of ineffective Tag

usage

Domain Names – Yourname.com

• Domain Names identify websites and email addresses– www.horizonsunlimited.com– sam@samsandtour.com

• Anyone can register (rent) a Domain Name• 1st choice = .com 2nd choice = .co.uk• Prices vary, but .com typically £8.89 + VAT per year• Only £2.95 + VAT per year for a .co.uk• Pay a little extra for Domain Privacy• Check availability anytime at www.ukreg.com• Can be bought as an upgrade on WordPress.com

Combining WordPress with a full Website

• Published (or hopeful) author?• Secured, or looking for, corporate sponsorship?• Just insatiably creative and individual?• If so, you’ll need more than a free blog solution:

– Domain Name– Web hosting account– ‘Self-Hosted’ WordPress installation (see wordpress.org)

• Recommend supplier: JustHost.com• You may also need some help with setup and visual design elements

Summary and Key Tips

• Customise your blog’s visual theme• Take time to get Settings right• Display useful Widgets but don’t clutter• Get your post Categories and Links organised• Setup extra Pages for About, Photos, Maps, etc.• Make posts more interesting with images and video• Use Tags intelligently• Spread the word on Twitter, Facebook and HU• Register a Domain Name for more individuality• Use JustHost.com for web hosting if you need it

Demystifying the Dark Artsof Travel Blogs and Websites