Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

WordPress Made Super Simple - How Anyone Can Build A Professional Looking Website From Scratch: Even A Total Beginner: Wordpress 2014 For The Website Beginner

Rate this book
WordPress Made Super Simple Want to create a website but think it will be too difficult? I'll show you the simple way to create a blog or website using WordPress…

Updated to include WordPress 3.9.x

You don't have to be a computer nerd to create a beautiful, full-functioning website in 2014. Website expert Jack Davies will take you by the hand and show you how anyone (even a beginner) can easily create a wonderful website using the power and beauty of WordPress 2014.

WordPress For Beginners: Everything You Need to Know & More…

What experts Jack Davies and Sarah Wylie teach you in this easy to understand WordPress Kindle eBook:

Exactly how to register your own domain - and the mistakes to avoid How to get the best hosting – we reveal the hosting companies that WordPress actually recommends you use How to get WordPress installed and up and running with a few mouse-clicks Exactly how to design and build a 100% professional-looking website - NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY How to add and format your content How to use graphics and images Exactly which themes, plugins, and widgets you should be using Everything explained in simple, easy to follow stages - this really is WordPress for beginners

… and plenty more practical help and advice… "The secrets of WordPress for dummies and everyone else without a degree in HTML coding!"

Plenty of screen-shots and illustrations No Waffle or Wasted Words - Just the Information You Need to Build Your Dream Website or Blog Using the Power of WordPress

Want a professional-looking website up and running in a few hours? But you don't want to pay expensive designers to do the job for you? The solution to your problems is WordPress and Jack Davies and Sarah Wiley's new book, WordPress Made Super Simple - How Anyone Can Build A Professional Looking Website From Scratch: Even A Total Beginner/em>. 

Please check out the free "LOOK INSIDE" preview to see how valuable this Kindle eBook will be for you.

IMPORTANT: up-to-date and optimized for the very latest release of WordPress - get it NOW!

93 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 19, 2013

139 people are currently reading
118 people want to read

About the author

Jack Davies

95 books2 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
20 (22%)
4 stars
33 (37%)
3 stars
28 (32%)
2 stars
5 (5%)
1 star
1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Profile Image for Richard Buro.
246 reviews14 followers
July 2, 2017
WordPress Made Super Simple - How Anyone Can Build A Professional Website From Scratch With Little Or No Experienceby Jack Davies, series editor Sarah Wiley

The short version first and three caveats . . .

Caveat # 1: The copy of this book that I read had 65 pages, was printed in August, 2014, and was an e-book for free from Barnes and Noble for Nooks. The same title with same coloration of cover, etc. was available on Kindle from Amazon as well, and it was also free. The ISBN number supplied was incorrect and unrecognized by ISBNSearch.org was noted on the new versions, and only an Amazon AIN number was available for the 2013 edition.

Caveat # 2: None of the references to available websites for the author point to working websites. They are blank WordPress sites, and they appear to be hosted from someplace other than WordPress.com as they do not carry the WordPress domain in their URLs. There is no associated e-mail to contacting the authors available on either “Barnes and Noble” or Amazon, so there is no way to converse with these fine folks, in case you wanted to ask questions, gather help, etc.

Caveat # 3: You definitely get more than you pay for, but in some cases you get exactly what you paid for. Enough caveats . . .
WordPress Made Super Simple - How Anyone Can Build A Professional Website From Scratch With Little Or No Experienceby Jack Davies is a good book if you are new to WordPress, have struggled with WordPress for a while (my personal category from the lower regions), or someone who is investigating what it will take to get a blog site up. In my case, the book was helpful in many WordPress ways but not so helpful with the “extras” referenced in the book. Here is what I mean . . .

The basics, Mr. Davies does quite well with working things through and giving you the information in manageable chunks with adequate definition of “technospeak” so that a neophyte to the world of technology will not be overwhelmed with information that seems over one’s head. That did not really affect me all the much since I have been doing the business of websites since the 1990’s, content management since the 2005 and forward time period. The only new thing to me was the use of WordPress as a content management system (CMS). Once I wrapped my head around that familiar concept, I was in pretty good shape. Granted there are differences in any CMS versus another, but the concepts are generally transportable in at least a higher level, theoretical sense. I had already received help from BlueHost, WordPress, and Matthew Loomis (thank you, Matt) in the process of setting up mu blog site using WordPress as the delivery vehicle hosted by BlueHost. It was really not too hard to get things up and running, but tweaking things has become a bit more daunting, so I was seeking help in very basic, but also specific areas, where I thought Mr. Davies’s book might shed some needed light. And that was certainly the case, in three specific areas.

First, I wanted to have a routine backup made of the entire site in two places on my local machine on removable media and in the cloud away from my WordPress site but within the constellation of cloud options I utilize for some resource management and backup of same. With a close perusal of the areas Mr. Davies provided, I was able to hook up a simple plug in for backup services in about 10 minutes with both places backing up in the exact locations I desired. Success of the first part was therefore achieved relatively painlessly. Step 2 was to achieve some aspect of Search Engine Optimization for my efforts with WordPress.

Again, Mr. Davies provided much useful and necessary assistance in this area. While I have not completely gotten everything up and running, I have some additional resources I have called in and things look better than they have since I started this business about two months ago. Third, I wanted to follow Mr. Davies’s recommendations on having only the number of plugins I needed to accomplish all the goals while maintaining a good response time from systems both local and in the cloud. That took a bit more doing than I planned, but still I was able to hit the target within a total of 2 over his recommended limits of 11-12. I also dropped some of the ones that were running so that I could get a bit closer without losing the functionalities I had and wanted to retain. Fortunately it was that difficult and again it only took 10 or 15 minutes to clear things up and make it work. So, what are all those caveats noted earlier all about . . .

Here’s where things get more interesting. I do my first reviews with Goodreads as I have found their abilities to get things together and keep them together are about as perfect as things can get. If I give them an ISBN number I always get the work I am reviewing with all of the plugs, hooks, URLs, and anything else I might need to make my reviews shorter than some, but still linked to the sources from which I gleaned my information. This time around, I was stymied, so much so, I had to do some real research into what I was seeing. First, the book I read had no ISBN (International Standard Book Number) in the confines of the book. Strange enough, I know, but e-books are usually different animals in some ways so I dug into the book information where I purchased it or actually got if for free (should have been my first clue, right?). Not usually, until I look and see that one the copyright page where the in publication data is usually found, there was a dearth,] as in no information what so ever, other than a 2014 copyright by the author. I respect that, but usually there is more than a quarter page of info in a page like this. Looking at both B&N where I got my free e-book version as well as Amazon, since Goodreads said it was a Kindle e-book version that was listed but for a 2013 edition not a 2014, blue cover rather than the red one I had. Okay, I took the Amazon number and it pulled up the 2013 blue cover slight longer version, 77 pages not 66. Okay things got trimmed down, didn’t as much stuff, whatever, right? OK, will there was an ISBN number noted in the B&N more information about the book. I thought AHA, maybe we have a winner. But the ISBN number was not correct, in fact, ISBNSearch.org did not have a listing under any of the numbers I had B&N or Amazon (didn’t expect the latter but I tried it anyway. The site at ISBNSearch said that the number conformed to the length standard but it was not properly coded, something which I had never seen before. So, I have used information about a book I cannot adequately cite or reference except for two different books with two different vendors and two different covers with two different page lengths. Worthy of a caveat, yes I do believe so. This is what I mean about not being able to get adequate information to share with one’s readers of one’s review.

Now the second one is even a bit more problematic for me. Referencing things that are supposed to help the user further, but on investigation, you find that the things do not even come close to existing. Case in point, the site called WordPressWebsiteGuru was a location to find free information and extra resources for free themes, and so forth that would be beneficial for the viewing public. Well, the website exists, but it is a blank canned initial site as WordPress sets up for any of its initial sites for testing the host's connections and the Internet’s ability to send traffic to and from the site without running into glitches, hang-ups or any kinds of networking magic that makes things work between users with browsers and servers with websites. The fact the website worked but was a canned minimal site that just about anyone could setup without much thought at all (I had one last that for the first two weeks I worked on mine), so I knew what was going on to a degree. It is clear that the expected resources were never populated to the site, and a site without content is about the worst thing that can be had according to Mr. (you guessed it) Davies. This is really a deal breaker for me. If you are citing that there are additional resources available, and you then proceed to give our valid website information that can be launched from anywhere with an internet connection or a wireless hotspot, it would be nice if the indicated resources were available. Unfortunately they were not in this case. Now, the WordPress items that Mr. Davies reported as being WordPress items did truly exist in the areas noted, but the freebie kinds of things that he mentioned and the availability of more information that could be helpful which was not forthcoming just didn’t set that well with me. Enough said. You get my point.

So recommendations . . . I have to admit that the book delivered on what was purporting to deliver. It did provide new WordPress users with useful information. In fact some who were a bit tech savvy but not WordPress savvy (like this reviewer) found that there was a lot of good information and very clear things to check and to engage on the site to improve several serious aspects of assistance and functionality that might not otherwise up and operating on my site now. So for that it was worth every penny I spent on it. From the standpoint that it was Super Simple, I can see how some reviewers whose work I read, didn’t feel that the help was all that simple, super or otherwise. I respectfully disagree with them. I can safely tell you, though, I do have a bit more technical knowledge than the run of the mill novitiate out there, so I do come with some ringer qualities that should not be discounted by this reviewer at any rate. For the two major caveats I noted above, I am going to chalk it all up to I got what I paid for, but on the side of delivering as promised or at least indicated in writing, I am not all to blame on that one. If things are all that simple and easy, then having something up other than a boilerplate, minimalist site should have been in order. So as the saying goes, Caveat Emptor (let the buyer beware). And remember, those things that are free could have all kinds of non-existent characteristics besides their costs. 4 out of 5 stars, generously given by someone who did get quite a lot of gold and good from less than 100 pages of well edited work.

Creative Commons License
Review of WordPress Made Super Simple by Jadk Davies by Richard Buro is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at WordPress Made Super Simple.
11 reviews
Read
November 23, 2024
C if it is also the employer,which is also known that the employer to get some rest is also known that it was just thinking of me and I don't know what the employer and then,I am going on a regular basis points,the company and its shareholders,the more at all and then,a former senior vice versa.I don't want it to go back and then we are not going anywhere you can find a new home and I will get it from a different way of looking to buy t shirt 👕and and then we have a good chance that it was not the employer to get I I have been a fan since we were going for the first time since you don't have an answer from the employer and then it would be great 👍

I don't have to go to sleep in a few minutes,the more I was going out to dinner?the one that has no idea where the same time.I know you were a lot better than that the employer upgrades and a half day,but it will be there by my office is closed and then I can make it a point in my life that is the case then I will call you when you have any questions about how much I love that place and the employer and employee contact with you on a new home,I have no 👎is way that it will be a great 👍said I will be a bit of time before you can start the process,which has become the first team of researchers have found a good chance you can find a way,the more you know that I'm aware,I have to get I will be there at work today so I'm gonna be home at all times and then the employer upgrades and you can see 👀is,the first of all you want to do the employer is a great time to start thinking I might go out and get some more time to time and then it would have a lot of the same things to do it would take care employer,but we have been able too many people are so much fun as well and the same thing happens when we have an extra time I will have an answer from you and your mom was just wondering right now and you can find more information about how much is that you can start with my mom and dad's birthday!I'm not to get I don't think you have to be careful about what they were talking 👄I about the financial results in the employer and I was thinking that is also an important part time job in a way of the same as the one ☝,which will help us out the employer,and it would have an answer is no way to the employer and a half years in prison.Message that you are not a lot better for the employer and I don't have to go to the first team in my opinion.
Profile Image for Jerry Walch.
662 reviews17 followers
October 29, 2019
I have read and reviewed several E books on WordPress for beginners but WordPress Made Super Simple by Jack Davies and Sarah Wiley has to be one of the best if not the best that I have read so far. With this book in hand even a rank beginner without any knowledge about website creation will be able to build a professional looking site in no time at all. No one book can possibly teach you everything about WordPress because WordPress is a content management system that is constantly changing, evolving daily. What this book does do is teach you how to create an award winning site right out of the starting gate and points you in directions you can go to learn more. This a book that I will keep for future reference. No book is perfect and there are a few errors to be found in this otherwise awesome book. Those errors are mostly spelling mistakes and when compared to the excellent instructions they seem inconsequential.

If you are considering building your first website and everyone needs one, this book is for you.
Profile Image for Sue.
596 reviews19 followers
June 11, 2018
What I like most about this ebook is that it simplified a few things and put it in layman's terms. As a newbie to creating a website for a business, it was helpful to me to get a better understanding of pages vs. posts, tags vs. categories, plugins vs. widgets,and the best ways to setup media images.
Profile Image for Joel de Grandpre.
4 reviews
November 22, 2018
Easy to read and helpful

Step by step to making your first WordPress project easily and with confidence. Definitely worth reading this introductory book to get going.
Profile Image for Christopher.
32 reviews
August 31, 2016
Best book I've seen on web design for beginners!

Direct, to the point, highly valuable to the beginning web developer. Everything you need to know is presented systematically in context. Helped me get my thoughts in order and better understand what I'm trying to achieve. Other beginners guides just jump in and have you build a website without proper grounding saying "just be patient, you'll catch on later."

I am a retired computer professional new to web design. I already have built my first website, but still had gaps in my understanding of Wordpress. This book answered so many nagging questions in such a way that I've been able to make improvements quickly and easily. Also, this book has enabled me to feel a sense of direction.

Don't let the size and price of this book fool you. It's top notch!
Profile Image for Jess Schira.
Author 13 books39 followers
July 9, 2016
This book didn't contain the information I was looking for, but it's a great choice for anyone that genuinely doesn't understand anything about WordPress. Very simple and very clearly written. I fully intend to read the next book in the series that focuses on SEO.
2 reviews
September 10, 2016
Very good.

Well written and informative. Without a lot of fluff or overselling.
Nine more words required is why you won't see many reviews written by me.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.