Setting Up a WordPress.com Account

WordPress.com is a free service that enables you to set up your own WordPress blog without relying on your ISP's server or setting up your own server. Setup is quick and easy.

To enter basic account information

1.	Use your Web browser to access wordpress.com (Figure 1). Figure 1. The WordPress.com home page.
2.	Click the Get a WordPress Blog now link.
3.	Fill in the form on the WordPress.com Blog page (Figure 2): Username is the name you want to use to access your blog. This name becomes the first part of the URL for your blog, so you might want to make it something that helps identify what your blog is all about. Blog Title is the name of your blog. Email Address is your e-mail address. This address is used for your WordPress account setup, so make sure it's correct. Language is the language in which you'll be composing most of your blog entries. Choose an option from the menu. Privacy enables you to specify whether you want your blog to appear in search engines and public listings. Leaving this check box turned on makes it easier for potential readers to find your blog. Figure 2. Use this form to enter basic information about your blog.
4.	Click Sign Up. A confirmation screen with information about your blog appears (Figure 3). Figure 3. Information about your account appears in a window like this one.

To complete the signup process

1.	Check your e-mail. You should find a message from your blog (Figure 4). Figure 4. You'll get an e-mail message from your blog with a link to complete the signup process.
2.	Click the link that appears in the message. Your Web browser displays the home page of your new blog (Figure 5). Figure 5. Clicking the link displays your new blog in a Web browser window.

Tip

• When you first create a blog, a sample post and comment are automatically created. We explain how to delete these items in Chapter 3.