Making WordPress more like a CMS (and less like a blog)
.

1. Install WordPress on your server
2. Add a theme
3. Set permalinks
4. Use more pages and less posts. (Turn off comments)
5. Add plugins
6. Edit the CSS
7. Edit the templates (php)
8. Add social media icons
9. Use widgets
10. Customization

1. Installation on your own server

Dreamhost

One-Click Self-Installation of WordPress with Media Temple
One-Click Self-Installation of WordPress with Blue Host

2. Add a theme

Finding the right theme for your project is critical. Here are some resources:

• Free Minimal, Swiss Design WordPress Themes (4 Themes)
• Smashing Magazine frequently features good themes
• Theme Forest
• Graph Paper Press
• plaintxt.org Themes: minimalist themes that allow you to customize

The folder for the theme should be uploaded or “installed” to wp-content > themes

3. Set permalinks

Settings > Permalinks > Custom structure
/%postname%/

This will give the page names the name of your post.

4. Use more pages and less posts. (Turn off comments)

In settings you can also go to Reading > front page displays and set this to a static page rather than a post.

5. Add plugins

Plugins can greatly improve the functionality of WordPress and are one of the primary reasons to use WordPress. Here are some to start with:

• Maintenance Mode
• Google Analytics for WordPress
• Akismet
• All in One SEO Pack
• YouTuber
• iframe
• Galleria WP
• Easy Contact
• Sociable
• Database backup (choose from several)

6. Edit the CSS

Appearance > Editor > style.css

Backup the original version of your style.css, just in case!

7. Edit the templates (php)

Appearance > Editor > see the right hand side for the list of templates. Some things you may need to handcode such as footer copyright information.

8. Add social media icons and/or feeds

Check out the plugins and widgets for adding social media to your site.

9. Use widgets

• Search
• Pages
• Links
• Categories
• Special Text
• Certain themes have special widgets or widgets for footers and sidebars

10. Customization

The more you use WordPress and build sites in it, the better you will get at customizing the website.

Resources

WordPress.tv: Your Visual Resource for All Things WordPress
Ultimate Guide To Using WordPress For a Portfolio
WordPress Tutorial Collection
110+ Massive WordPress Video Tutorial Collection
Top 60 WordPress Resources
Beginners Guide for WordPress
WordPress Resources- Lorelle on WordPress
WordPress as a CMS
CSS Tricks

WordPress Themes
Free Minimal, Swiss Design WordPress Themes (4 Themes)