Now it is time to do more work on the WordPress blogs for Cluster Maps. For an overview of Cluster Maps read my post from a few days ago. Another post starts the process of signing up for Cluster Maps and shares how to install a Cluster map on Blogger. Then we worked with putting Cluster Maps in WordPress widgets. Today we will work with WordPress for those who do not use widgets.

Camelot, Digital © Diane Clancy

You will want to have signed up for Cluster Maps and have the code ready to be pasted in. Look at this post again if you need help with this part.

In the post the other day, we put the code into a widget. Many people are now using widgets – but not all of us! There are 2 basic ways to access your sidebar without a widget. One is working on your desktop and then uploading it and the other way it to edit the sidebar as it is on your server. Have I lost you yet? I hope not!

If you work on your blog code on your computer and then upload it to your blog, we will add the code to the “sidebar.php.” Find your sidebar.php that goes with the theme that you are using. Open it up and insert the code where you want it in the sidebar. Make sure you do not break up any other pieces of code or else you will run into problems. At any point, if you want more help in following these directions, please comment or email me.

You probably have already tweaked your blog’s look some if you are working with files on your desktop – you probably use a web design program or an html program. The biggest challenge is to make sure that the code goes in a place where it does no damage.

After you have inserted the code, save the file and get ready to upload the newly revised “sidebar.php.” Whether you use a web ftp or a standalone ftp, the process is similar. Log into your site so you have access to upload a file. Find your WordPress files. Go to the “blog” folder, to “wp-content” folder, to “themes” folder to the name of the theme that you are using. Make sure that you do put it into the right theme!!

If you want to check your theme beforehand (a good idea unless you are *positive*!!), login to your admin dashboard. Go to “Presentation” and it will automatically land you into “themes.” Look at the name of the theme that is at the top – that is the theme that is active. So, when you upload your files, make sure that is the folder you upload your file into.

Now if you want to edit your sidebar while it is on the server, then go to “Presentation” and then choose “Themes Editor.” On the side, you will see a list of the files, and you should choose “Sidebar.” Sometimes it is helpful to have a second browser window open so that you can look at your sidebar as you edit it … to get a better idea of where you are in the file.

Again, like the above process, carefully put the code into the sidebar. Be careful where you put it to not break up phrases of code … When you have the code where you want it, click the “update file” button to save the changes.

No matter how you have changed you sidebar, I encourage you to go and check it out – “View Site” – see how it looks. If there is a mistake, just go through the process again … noticing where the problem is. One trick I use is to put several blank lines before and after the code so I can find it easily again …

Tomorrow we will finish up with Cluster Maps – hurray! As always, I would be delighted to hear how you are doing! Thank you for bearing with me.

~ Diane Clancy

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