For anyone new to a blogging with WordPress, using the widget function can be slightly confusing. I’ve had several friends figure out how to install WordPress, upload a new theme, create blog posts, but not figure out how to work the widgets function. Here’s a short tutorial with a few tips…

1. Login to your wordpress account.

2. Click on “Widgets.” It’s under “Appearance” in the left navigation bar.

3. Look in the top right corner. This is where you can choose the location to put stuff on your homepage.

4. To add text (like exactly what you’re reading at this moment), then look on the left for “Text” and click “Add.”

5. Now, a blue bar appeared on the right. Click “edit” on this blue bar.

6. You have a blank box. Notice you can add a title if you want, or simply start writing in the main box. Either is fine.

7. To put text on other parts of your homepage… use the drop down menu in the top right again.

8. Notice you can add all kinds of cool stuff to your homepage like links, tag clouds, an RSS feed, or a search box.

Here’s the most important thing to remember: you absolutely must hit “save changes” on the right hand side for your widget to publish.