So, you have created a WordPress website, found a theme, added plugins & widgets and created some content. Now you want to jazz up your site by making some modifications. Where do you go for help?
There are probably thousands of websites offering help to WordPress users but as a beginner it can be very intimidating. A quick search of “WordPress help” on Google comes up with 1 billion results in 2.6 seconds.
An excellent place to start is to go to the WordPress Codex website. This is the “online manual for WordPress and a living repository for WordPress information and documentation”. You can sign up for a free account and search through the forums for pretty much any topic about WordPress.
One thing to keep in mind, as a beginner or casual user, you can probably find a fix for your problem somewhere on the Codex site. There is a 99% chance that your problem has already been posed and a solution posted on the forums.
Find website that post articles about WordPress and join in the discussions. Sites like WPtavern, WPbeginner, Your Website Engineer and Blondish.net have a lot of great content. There are many, many sites that offer WordPress related content. Take your time and find the people whose content you enjoy reading.
Searching on Twitter can lead you to some great resources. Find people who are making comments on WordPress or WordCamps and follow them.
Facebook has many pages dedicated to WordPress. Join groups like All About WordPress https://www.facebook.com/groups/AllAboutWP/ and read the comments.
Don’t be afraid to attend a WordCamp. WordCamps, as described on WikiPedia, is the name given to all WordPress-related gatherings, both informal unconferences and more formal conferences. You can find the schedule for upcoming events at http://central.wordcamp.org/ My first WordCamp was in Columbus in 2010 and I was hooked. For a registration fee of $20 to $40 you receive a quality experience that will make you want to come back for more. WordCamps usually have a least 2 tracks and you will definitely find yourself having to choose between sessions that are scheduled at the same time. You will have the opportunity to meet people that are leaders in the WordPress community and network with people who have interest like your own.
WordPress MeetUp groups are another great resource. These are small loosely organized groups that meet on a monthly basis and discuss various features of WordPress. You can find a group near you at the MeetUp website: http://wordpress.meetup.com/
There are a lot of resources available to WordPress users on all levels.
Have fun on your journey!
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