So what is XAMPP and why would I want to use it?

XAMPP http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html is a LAMP (apache, mysql and php) complete environment that you can download and install (for free) on your Windows desktop PC.

This is useful in my situation because I am running Windows 7 on my PC, but my website is a WordPress website.

My WordPress website is hosted by Godaddy on a shared linux (not Windows) server.

And I want to have a test-bed WordPress setup so that I can experiment, learn (I am new to WordPress) and test changes offline before I make changes to my live website.

Otherwise, I would have to stand up my own linux server test-bed which would be more work.

Now I have a private WordPress instance installed locally (on my PC) within XAMPP.

I can comfortably experiment and test any changes on my WordPress test-bed before I attempt the change on my live, public, internet facing website.

This really sets the stage for me to climb the WordPress learning curve so that I can improve this website.

Many folks are also using XAMPP to learn related technologies such as PHP and MySQL.

WordPress utilizes PHP and MySQL (backend database) along with html and CSS.

And if I want my WordPress website to be awesome (and worth your valuable time), I need to understand how WordPress works.

Downloading and installing XAMPP was quick and painless.

Once XAMPP was working my next task was to download an instance of WordPress:

http://wordpress.org/download/

WordPress has to be installed in the correct folder (c:/xampp/htdocs) and – walla!

You will be up and running with your new, locally installed WordPress site!

How cool is that?

I am so glad that I stumbled on this great little application.

Now you know about XAMPP too!

Can you build a low cost small business website with WordPress?

I aim to find out.

In fact, this website that you are viewing is underway by using godaddy hosted WordPress at $ 5 per month.

Godaddy installed and configured my WordPress instance for no additional charge.

I only had to pay for two months up front to get started; for a total upfront cost of $ 10.

Wow, I wish I would have known about this sooner.

You can monitor my progress by returning to this site for updates periodically if you like.

You could add this site to your RSS feed if you are so inclined.

I plan on sharing what I learn as I continue to build out and add to this site.

But I have to run – I am off to my first Sacramento WordPress meetup!

I will update you on what I learn there.

Talk to you soon.

All for now.