So you would like a Cluster Map? Follow along and we will get you set up! (A warning – The post got long so I am going to start everyone tonight and finish Blogger. Tomorrow we will look at the different ways you would put it into WordPress.)

The Peacock Queen, Digital © Diane Clancy

First you may want to reread my post with the overview of Cluster Maps. Next click on the Cluster Map on the bottom of my sidebar (the map with all the little red dots). You may want to open it in a new tab or window so that you can read and do this at the same time. Alternatively, use this link to open up to this same step. (http://clustrmaps.com/getone.php)

One this page click on “Register Here” and you will come to another page. I chose the regular (the default) – which is free. Starting with “http://” put in the name of your blog or site. You need to enter your email twice for confirmation of the right email. Then read the “terms of service” and check that you have read and agreed to the terms. (I had no problem myself with the terms.)

OK, now they are sending you the temporary password – check your email that you gave them. Their password is long and rigorous – I would suggest copying and pasting. Go back to where you were in Cluster Maps and click continue. If you have lost the window, there is a admin link in the email – so click that please.

Put your password in where it says “password.” Click the “login” link below where you put in your password. At the next page you may want to take the time right now to change your password. You can “change password.” Hopefully you still have their password and you can paste it right in to “old password.” Then put in your new password – twice. Click “change password.” When you click “continue,” you will go back to the page we came from.

Here comes the only part that is a little tricky – but we will do it together! You need to choose the type code that is most appropriate for your site or blog. Most of you will probably choose option A. I know I did. There are other options available – read the other ones if you want. If you are hosted with Blogger or have a blog with your website name (yoursite.com/blog or blog.yoursite.com), I would think that option A is fine. I think if you are hosted at WordPress, I think you use option B. Copy your code so you can paste it in a bit.

Let’s tackle Blogger first. At Blogger go to “customize.” Go to template, to page elements. Then on the sidebar part, choose”add a page element.” A smallish window pops up. Choose “HMTL/JavaScript” “add to blog (on the right side, third down.) Click that “add to blog” and up will come another window (or it will transform actually.)

If you like you can give a title to this section – like “Cluster Maps.” Then take your code that is still hopefully with you, and paste it into the content section – the big box. Hit “save changes” and you are almost there! If you like you can drag the Cluster Map to a different place on your sidebar. Click save and you are golden – go view the blog and your map should be there – empty for now, but there! It may be until tomorrow until your dots start showing up – but they will!

Tomorrow we will install the Cluster Map in WordPress blogs. There are 3 – 4 different ways, so that is a whole post. I hope you are getting excited, as I am, about the fact we are connecting with people around the world!!! To me it is blissful!

~ Diane Clancy

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