How to Use WordPress to Create a Website

1. Create a free WordPress account. Go to the WordPress home page, www.wordpress.com, and click on the 'Sign up now' button.
2. Fill out the one-step form. Create a user name that contains at least four characters. Your user name should use only numbers and lowercase letters, and be something you can easily remember. Fill in a password you made up in the space below your user name with any combination upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. You will need to confirm your password by retyping it in the following space. Fill in the box requesting your email address with a current, valid email address. Then, read the terms of service and check the box next to the phrase stating you read and agree to follow the terms. Select the circle next to the words, 'Gimme a blog! (Like username.wordpress.com).' Click 'Next' to continue.

3. Choose a blog domain. In the second screen of WordPress signup process, indicate the blog URL you would like. The blog URL will appear in this format: www.(yourblogdomain).wordpress.com. After creating a blog domain, check its availability to make sure it does not already exist. Keep in mind that after creating a blog domain, you cannot change it. However, you can always use your WordPress account to create a new blog domain. Click on the 'Signup' button.
4. Add additional profile settings on the next screen that appears. You can always change or update these settings in the future.
5. Check the email account linked to the email address you entered in Step 2. WordPress will send you an activation link via email that you must click to activate your account.
6. Log in to WordPress after clicking on the activation link in your email. Use the username and password you created in Step 2.
7. Click on 'My Dashboard' at the top of the new page that appears. The dashboard of the blog provides links that allow you to create and access your blog, add sidebar content and pages within your website.
8. Make a custom blog title and tagline. Click on 'Settings' on the left side of the screen. Doing this will take you to the 'General Settings' page where you can type in a blog title, tagline to explain what your blog is about and set the time and date formats. Click on 'Save.'
9. Create a static front page if you do not want the homepage of your WordPress site to contain blog posts. To do this, add a new page to your site by clicking on 'Pages' in your dashboard, and then on 'Add New.' A new screen will appear; title the page 'Home.' Use the text box in the lower part of the screen to type your content and insert pictures or media files. Click on the 'Publish' button.
10. Create a new page. Click on 'Pages' in your dashboard, and then on 'Add New.' A new screen will appear; title the new page 'Blog' or 'Posts.' Click on the 'Publish' button.
11. Go to the General Settings via the dashboard. Click on 'Reading;' you will see a new menu that has the words, 'Front page display.' Select the circle that has the words, 'A static page,' next to it. Use the drop-down boxes below to make sure your front page is 'Home' and your posts is 'Posts' or 'Blog.' Now your blog posts will not appear as the main page of the website.
12. Use the dashboard to continue to add pages and content to your site.