Tool for Creating a WordPress or Joomla Site on Your Computer

Thinking of developing a WordPress blog or a Joomla website?  Microsoft offers a free web development tool, called WebMatrix, which includes EVERYTHING you need for website development – all installed locally on your computer so you can learn how to use WordPress or Joomla before actually making your site live with a website hosting provider.

I discovered WebMatrix a few weeks ago when I wanted to test some new WordPress plugins for this blog and I also needed to take a look at Joomla 1.6 in preparation for upgrading our website later this year.  Previously I had used another tool and was having issues installing it on my Windows 7 laptop; I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to have found WebMatrix – it’s so much easier to use than the previous tool!

To begin the download and installation process for WebMatrix, go to https://www.microsoft.com/web/webmatrix/, click on the green Install WebMatrix button on the upper right.

NOTE:  If you can’t download WebMatrix, download the Microsoft Web Platform Installer 3.0 first from https://www.microsoft.com/web/downloads/platform.aspx

Download complete instructions by clicking here.