If you have not created a bookmark to return to your website, visit WordPress.com and click on the log in button in the top right of the screen.

Enter the email address you used to set-up your account, then click the Continue button.

Enter your password then click the log in button.

Click on the My Sites button toward the top left.

Click on the WP Admin option.

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If the WP Admin option is not available, you need to use a special address for your site to see the Dashboard: nameofsite.wordpress.com/wp-admin

For example, if your site name is jimshuportfolio201 you would use a browser window to visit:
jimshuportfolio201.wordpress.com/wp-admin

You should now see the Dashboard for your WordPress.com website.

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Scroll down the Dashboard menu on the left of your page. Float over [Settings] then click on the [General] link.

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Change “Site Title” to “First Last’s Portfolio” substituting your name for “First Last.” In the “Tagline” field enter a phrase or sentence that summarizes what your website is about. For example: “Work samples from a talented filmmaker.” Portfolio-Set-Up-06

When everything is correct click the Save Changes button.

Scroll down the Dashboard menu on the left of your page. Float over Settings then click on the Reading link.

Make sure Site visibility is set to Discourage search engines from indexing this site then click the Save Changes button.  This option will make your site visible to anyone you give the link to.

If WordPress.com asks you to pay to make your site visible, click on the Plans option under your Dashboard.

Make sure the plan you have selected is the Free option.

WordPress.com is constantly making changes.  Most of the tutorials to complete your Portfolio rely upon using the Classic Editor.  Please follow these instructions to enable the Classic Editor on your WordPress.com website.

Return to your Dashboard menu, float over [Pages] and click on the [All Pages] link.

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WordPress pages are static and are not listed by date.  When you start a new site, it comes with an  About page.  Float over the About page link and click on the Classic Editor option.

Change the page title to “About Me.” In the text section, delete all the text that is there. You will return to this page later and add a summary of who you are.

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On the right-hand side of the screen look for “Page Attributes” and change the “Order” number to 1.

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When you are done click on the [Update] button to save your changes.

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Your portfolio site will have three pages, so you need to add two more. Click on the Pages tab.

At the top next to the Pages Add New button click the down arrow, then click the Classic Editor option.

For the new page’s title type “Welcome” since this will be the opening page for your site.  You will return here later and type an introduction to your website.

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When you are done click on the [Publish] button to save your changes,

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Return to the Pages tab.  At the top next to the Pages Add New button click the down arrow, then click the Classic Editor option.

Type “Work Samples” for the new page’s title.

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Do not type any text on this page. On the right-hand side of the screen look for “Page Attributes” and change the “Order” number to 2.

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To save the page click on the [Publish] button.

You should now have the three pages needed for your online portfolio.  To set-up how visitors will navigate around your site, scroll down your Dashboard’s menu, float over the [Settings] link, then click on the [Reading] link.

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 Click the button next to “A statice page” then choose your “Welcome” page for the front page, and your “Work Samples” page for the Posts page.  Portfolio-Set-Up-12b

Click the “Save Changes” button to complete your site’s navigation set-up.

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You will create a post for each work sample you include in your portfolio, and a list of your posts will now be displayed on your Work Samples page.  WordPress posts are different than pages:  Posts are entries listed in reverse chronological order.  Pages are static, are not listed by date, and do not use tags or categories.  These differences will become clearer as you complete your portfolio.

After you have created your Welcome, About Me and Work Samples pages they should appear in your site’s menu.  If they do not, you need to edit the menu.

In the Dashboard open the Appearance tab and choose the Menus option.

The Menu structure shows which pages appear in your site navigation.  If a page you want is not listed, look for it under the Add menu items.  If the page is not listed, make sure it is published and you are on the View All tab.  Click next to each page you wish to add then click the Add to Menu button.

In the Menu structure section arrange the pages so Home is at the top, followed by About Me then Work Samples.  Remove any other pages by clicking the triangle to the right of Page then choose the Remove option.

When the menu is correct, click the Save Menu button.  Your pages should now appear in your site’s navigation.

Congratulations! If you have followed the steps above you have set up the basic structure of your online portfolio website.  Now you need to Customize Your Site’s Appearance.

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