With the release of the early Beta version of WordPress 3.0, there are a few new things that will help you continue to take advantage of the functionality that WordPress gives its users. One of the new things that you will be able to do is Create a Network.

When you create a network, it means that you will be able to turn the single version of WordPress into a multi-site version just by changing a few things:

• Changing one line in the “wp-config.php” file
• Changing settings on the backend of the WordPress installation. If you are not technical, I would suggest that you leave this up to someone who understands the core files of WordPress. Otherwise, if you make a mistake, you could cause the entire install to stop working.
• Additionally, your server will need to be capable of handling DNS Wildcard

This is just a simple overview regarding the new feature of “creating a network”. To get more details, visit the WordPress Codex: Create a Network.

Being able to connect to potential clients and to business associates is one of the goals for business owners. A strategic plan that has been put in place by Jerrilynn Thomas is a “business scavenger hunt” via Facebook. This hunt will allow me and other business owners to connect with website visitors who are participating in the “business scavenger hunt“.

As part of the hunt, participants will be required to complete forms or answer questions. Each business owner will be giving away an item via his or her website, such as the ebook I’m giving away entitled, “Implementing a Membership Website” to all those who complete the following steps:

• Join “Marketing to Women” fan page on Facebook
• Join “the WordPress Lady” fan page on Facebook
• Follow “WordPressLady” on Twitter
• Complete the “Business Scavenger Hunt” form on this website

Make sure you visit all of the websites of the business owners who are participating in the scavenger hunt so that you have an opportunity to earn or win give-a-ways. Here’s to your success!

Business Owners who want to use WordPress as their content management system for their websites have sometimes found it hard to determine which WordPress theme to use. There are thousands of themes for you to choose from, so picking one can be a daunting task.

When selecting a WordPress Theme for your blog, there are several things that you should keep in mind that will help with your selection.

• Layout: pertains to the number of columns you want on your website, whether you will have a header section or footer section and the number of sidebar sections. Also take into account whether you will have a “feature” section for blog posts.
• Color scheme: you will need to research to find out what colors work best with attracting your target clients to purchase your services or product.
• Functionality/Options: themes that include an option page can give you added functionality or bells and whistles so that you can make changes to your theme without having to edit the theme files.
• Ease of use: should be just plug-n-play which means that the theme shouldn’t “break” your blog or make it look weird once you apply it. It should be easy to add the theme.

As you consider each of these things, please keep in mind that some themes may clash with the plugins that you have installed on your WordPress website. If this is the case, you should deactivate the new theme and then reactivate a previously working theme. I would even suggest that you delete the theme that didn’t work with your website.

In case you haven’t heard, the news was just released that Ning is making some major changes. Those changes include no more free network, Oh No! According to Techcrunch’s article entitled, “Ning’s Bubble Bursts: No More Free Networks, Cuts 40% Of Staff“, networks will either have to convert to a paid version or migrate to a different service.

For long-time Ning network owners, this can present a problem, but if you plan well, you can come up with a great solution. One of these solutions is to migrate over to BuddyPress to create your social network. One of the best things about this combination is that it is still free.

BuddyPress uses a combination of WordPress MU and a plugin called BuddyPress to allow you to create a social network very similar to websites such as Facebook, Ning and other networking environments. If you are technically inclined and understand the WordPress MU environment, then this would be a great solution for you. If you find that you are not technically inclined and would like to migrate from Ning to WordPress/BuddyPress, then contact me to discuss your options.

Special Note: Single WordPress can be used with BuddyPress. Just know that your users can’t make individual blogs. To find out more, click here.

If you, like many business owners, have multiple WordPress websites, one of the things you might consider doing is setting up a WordPress Multi-User (WPMU) environment similar to WordPress.com. You don’t have to have hundreds of WordPress websites in order to create a WPMU and take advantage of the ease of managing WordPress websites.

Whether or not you are considering setting up a WPMU, below are a list of various reasons that can help you determine if you need to create a WPMU environment.

• Allows you to upgrade WordPress core files and plugins all at once.
• Use plugins to map domains to individual WordPress websites.
• Create a beta blog/website to test your content privately.
• Save time when managing content for different websites/blogs.

Read what a couple of satisfied WordPress MU owners have to say about it:

“I am thrilled to have found Kim Beasley!  I never knew WordPress had Multiple User accounts and used to spend time finding and installing plugins on each individual site.  With the MU solution, you install once and activate where needed – a huge time saver!  I can also tell Kim what I want my sites to do and she finds a way to make it happen.  Streamlining my online presence by moving most sites to the WordPress MU, and hiring Kim to maintain, update and tweak things now and then, has left me with more time to focus on my core business.  I would recommend her services to anyone looking for a true pro who is timely, dependable and knowledgeable about all things WordPress.”

~ Tara Reed
www.ArtMarketingWithTara.com

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WordPress MU has dramatically changed the way I market and run my business.  I am able to instantly create niche blogs to support my marketing campaigns.  I can select from over 20 custom themes thanks to Kim.  :-)  I can log into them individually or from the backend of the master blog to add and update content.  I am able to create an enormous business image without a large expense.  Normally when you want to create a new site, you have to hire a web designer and wait weeks to launch it.

WordPress MU gives you the power to create a new site in seconds.  You can customize it with the plugins and widgets and then add content and SEO info.  Your new site can be up and running within an hour.  I love the fact that each of my sites has a different look but they complement each other.  Being able to point unlimited domains towards my one installation makes WordPress MU invaluable.

~ Jerrilynn B. Thomas

http://WomenPartner.com