Image credit: Corinne Day (Flickr)
Chances are, if I know you me through the blogging community, that I may have mentioned a phrase called “WordPress Envy.” It all started when I began to realize some of the limitations that I was finding being a blogger that blogged on Blogger. (Wow. Really? How ridiculous does that sentence sound?!)
First, I wanted to be able to host my images in my own database.
Oops. Can’t do that. Fine– I will use my photo editing and storing site. Adequate workaround.
Second, I was desperate for an editorial calendar. And Amanda was mentioning the beautiful ( seriously folks, this thing is amazing) plugin, “Editorial Calendar,” which she used.
Oops. Nothing like that for Blogger users. Not even close. I even tried to convince myself that I was happy with a Google Calendar. (It didn’t really work.)
Third, I wanted create a page that was in my database, but not linked across the tab section. It was either ALL pages as tabs, or NONE. No happy medium.
There were a bunch of other reasons. But really, deep down? All the cool kids were doing it. Some of the cool kids were doing it. I was jealous. And I wondered if I was making less of an impact because I wasn’t using a self-hosted blog. But I simply could not justify asking my husband if we could add a monthly fee for hosting when Blogger was getting the job done. I couldn’t do it. In our times of extreme budget crunching, there simply was no way that a move to a monthly payment for a hobby that doesn’t really do anything would be prudent.
So I tried to convince myself that I was just being ungrateful, and that I needed to give this whole “WordPress Envy” to the Lord.
And then I got involved on the Editorial team of Must Love God. (Have you been there yet?) I began to get familiar with the ins and outs of posting, editing, using plugins and basically falling in love with the potential of WordPress. But, I still was convinced that I was just being distracted from what I really should be focusing on.
Deal after deal, after deal kept coming up in front of me. *I feel like I should clarify that I WAS NOT searching for deals. I was REALLY trying to get beyond my issue.*
The first deal that I saw was for an amazing rate of hosting for one year, plus professional help transferring the blog.
I cried, prayed, and eventually shook it off.
There was another deal with an even more incredible price for a year of hosting.
(At this point, I was starting to get really annoyed.)
And then I found the most amazing deal that I have ever seen. Tanya at Blogelina hosts a Profitable Blogging Class for Beginners. A 60 page e-book, 4 classes, homework, buddy groups – - – and (wait for it)
a full year of hosting
And the price tag was on this little adventure that I embarked on was low enough that even this family could justify it.
Low enough that I finally started to believe that this so called “WordPress Envy” could perhaps be a God given desire – - and that by continuing to give it up to Him (over and over again) — He provided in a miraculous and amazing way.
Even with all of that learning curve issues (of which there have been many) and the tech support phone calls to and from Go Daddy (of which there have been 3 and my WordPress site has only been live for just over 24 hours), I have been thrilled with the experience, and I highly encourage anyone who has been thinking about taking the plunge, but hesitant – - take advantage of the offer!!
Anyway — bear with me as I learn the ropes, and tweak my way to a site that I love visually as much as my old one. And if you have any WP tips for me, please share!!
Wow, now I’m really confused. I don’t understand everything about web hosting. Not sure what you need Go Daddy for if you’re using WP. And I wasn’t sure from that link if her super-low price class includes the blog transfer to WP . . . ? Do I know enough to take a class like that? I do not know HTML. I actually do not care about technological admin stuff at all. I just wanna write! It seems I have to figure all this out, though, if I ever want to get paid for it. Do you think that class is too advanced for me? Should I start with her basic class? I’ve been blogging for a long time, but just using what Blogger offers. I’m a smart woman, but just haven’t gotten into the technical side of blogging at all.
Alison recently posted..Five Minute Friday: Awake
Love it! Happy to be an enabler when it leads to fun like this. That editorial calendar is my blog brain. I’d be lost with out it.
Email me with what your trying to do with your header. Might be able to help.
Haha!
I love you to pieces!
I have already emailed you! <3
Meredith recently posted..Seeing the Snow on the Branches
I am thrilled for You! – and ‘pea-green with envy’ (Scarlett O’Hara) ! I am such a new-babe at all of this and don’t know if I’m really In Over My Head, but determined to work at it for a bit longer… I started on Blogger because it was all I’d heard of… I’ve tried on my own this year – slowly – but am Totally Discouraged this past week in trying to post some long-awaited photos there – ;-[ – still unsuccessfully… I have wondered a LOT about Blogelina since I first heard about it several weeks ago and am REALLY appreciating all I’ve been learning from Tanya, the Classes (and now ‘meeting’ You and Katy!) – so I’m serious about checking into having her ‘do more’ for me as soon as I can financially. I’m so glad it’s working out for You! Wish were all were closer together… Blessings and Hugggzzz -
I know — wouldn’t it be fun to grab our laptops and hang out at a Starbucks for a few hours?? That would be awesome.
Meredith recently posted..Seeing the Snow on the Branches
Congratulations! I have “she’s-brave-enough-and-strong-enough-to-move-to-WP” envy. I’m still not 100% sure I know what’s going on with hosting/domains/wordpress, but I’m learning, and most of all I’m excited to make new connections with blogging buddies.
Blog looks nice by the way.
Katy @ Experienced Bad Mom recently posted..Internet Security
I can ‘splain it all to you if you want.
And it really wasn’t that painful and I sure have learned a lot that I can pass along to my new blogging buddy.
And thanks! Picnik has become my best friend for getting the header size correct. Photobucket helped make te background image not quite so bold. Lots of stuff.
When you are ready, I am here!!
THANK YOU!
Sam @ Sam’s Noggin recently posted..A Day in Our Homeschool
Akismet marked you as spam!
So sad!
And- it was such a pleasure to talk with you!!
Meredith recently posted..Seeing the Snow on the Branches
Really???? Heavens…
Sam @ Sam’s Noggin recently posted..“Made With Love”—p52
LOOKING awesome! You’ll be an expert (offering WP advice) in no time!
Beth Zimmerman recently posted..Hello BlissDom 2012
That’s right!
I am almost ready to put my shingle out. Haha!
Thanks, Lady!
Looking good. How exciting that you made the change. I, too, have been contemplating a move from Blogger. Maybe some of your willingness to make a big change will rub off on me.
Elizabeth recently posted..3G, 4G Gee Whiz
Now is the time to try it — what a deal with the class we are taking! I am loving it!
Who knows– maybe in another couple of weeks you will be ready!!
We, your sister-friends, are patient!
Very excited for you:)))
Stefanie Brown recently posted..Turning Dominos…
Thank you so much! I am pretty much in awe.
Yay! I made the switch 6 months ago and I sure wish I could offer you pointers. Sometimes I feel super clueless when I hear about all the cool designs people think up. Not me. I just like to write. I am {fingers-crossed} saving my money to have another blogger/designer make my site a bit ‘cooler’ and prettier. But until then…I’ll write with my cheesy lil’ design.
Susan recently posted..you know the answers…just finish the test
Content is KING!
But how exciting will that be! I can’t wait for that for you!
Awesomeness.
Amy@Make Me A Mary recently posted..Every which way
Thanks to you!! <3
And I didn’t see this until this morning because Akismet marked YOU as spam.
I am so mad!
Why on earth???
*sigh*
Meredith recently posted..Seeing the Snow on the Branches
I am so pro-WordPress, it’s almost scary. I was never able to deal with the limitations of Blogger (I used to blog for BRHS on it and it made me nuts). WordPress is amazing and, as you’ve already started to see, there’s a plugin for pretty much anything you’d ever want to do. Feel free to drop me an email or comment if you need any WordPress help. I hope you love it as much as I do!
Emily @ Relishments recently posted..Make Lunch Ahead: Baked Chili Brown Rice and Vegetables
Know any workarounds for fixed width header sizes? I have a header that I really love.. this is as close as I could get to it.
Sometimes it depends on the theme…take a look at the theme settings. (I know, that didn’t help much)
Emily @ Relishments recently posted..Make Lunch Ahead: Baked Chili Brown Rice and Vegetables
I admire anyone who is willing to learn something new. I paid to have my blog moved. I would do it again, but it can be pricey. Happy learning!
Barbie recently posted..90 Days with Jesus {Days 7-9}
So far the hardest thing by far is the FIXED pixel sizes of the header images. It took a loooong time but I finally have something that I can live with. I don’t really love it, but I can live with it!
And as much as I would have loved to let someone else worry about it, I am too much of a control freak. I need to know everything, how it all works!!
Meredith recently posted..WordPress Envy
Congrats on making the switch Meredith! There is definitely a learning curve but it’s well worth the effort to be on Word Press.
Shawntele recently posted..This Thing Called Blogging
Thank you, Shawntele! It is thrilling and exciting.
Meredith recently posted..WordPress Envy