The Quick & Easy Guide to Starting Your Own Blog
One of the most common questions I get from readers is: “How do I start a blog like yours?” It’s really simple and easy to do! But what if you’re not good with technology or don’t know anything about building websites? No problem, keep reading and I’ll show you how easy it is…
Whether you plan to write a book, work from home, gain more exposure for your business or share your passions with the world – starting your own blog/website is highly recommended.
It takes as little as 10 minutes to set up your new site. And the best part is … ANYONE CAN DO IT!
Put everything on hold for a second and follow the easy steps below. You’ll be up and running with your own blog in minutes. Ready?
Onward.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links and I will earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if you make a purchase. I have used all of the products listed below and recommend them because they are helpful and are companies that I trust.
How to Start a New Blog Today
Step 1: Domain Name // Hosting
Go >>>HERE< << and then click the green Get Started Now button.
You’ll then be asked to pick your plan level. I’d go with the Basic Plan, unless you’re running multiple sites like I am – then you’d want the Plus Plan.
Step 2: Picking Your Domain Name
Do you have a website name in mind?
If so, enter it into the box at Bluehost.
>>> Your domain name (how people find your blog) is included with your hosting plan.
Step 3: Domain Hosting
You’ll need to host your website. A host provides server space for your website so others can find you on the internet. You can use the same account to host multiple websites (if you plan on creating more websites down the road).
If you’re just starting out… I’d go with the 36 Month Plan (which is paid in one lump sum instead of monthly) for the extra monthly savings.
Why Bluehost? Personally, I like them because their customer service reps are super friendly and helpful. Also, their website is very simple and easy to use compared to other hosting companies. And if you’re afraid of anything technical, and would like instant support available to you, then Bluehost is perfect. You can chat online or call them anytime 24/7 (they’re in Utah). If you decide to cancel later … they’ll give you a full refund for any unused portion of the remainder of your contract. No questions asked. Trust me, you’ll love them!
Plan Selection:
I’d suggest including Domain Whois Privacy to keep your contact information private (I don’t have it on all of my websites). You won’t need the other add-ons.
After completing your purchase, check your email. You’ll find a welcome email from Bluehost with your login info. Keep this information for future reference.
Step 4: Installing WordPress
After registering with Bluehost you’ll need to go through the process of installing WordPress, which is a free blogging platform that you will use to post, edit, upload images and so on (this website uses WP).
Login to Bluehost and scroll down to the Website Builders section of the first page. Click on the WordPress logo.
On the next page click Install.
You can leave this section AS IS with your domain showing in the dropdown menu. Simply click Check Domain.
Once you get the “Installation Complete” you’ll need to make a note of your login code and the login link. You can change your username and password after you login with the login credentials provided.
Type your login URL ( http://your-website-name.com/wp-login ) into your web browser. You’ll see a login screen like the one below. Enter the Username and Password you copied down from the previous step.
Step 5: Customizing Your New Website
At this point, you officially have your own blog! Congrats! You can now type your website address into a browser and your new site will appear. Before sharing your first post with friends and family, you should consider grabbing a nice theme. A good theme allows you to design and customize your site exactly how you want it to look.
Hop on over to StudioPress and check out their premium themes. The themes they offer have tons of amazing features baked into them which would otherwise cost you thousands if you were to go the developer route. Once you purchase a StudioPress Theme, you own it for life.
Again, congrats on launching your first blog. If you have any questions or would like tips on how to grow your blog, feel free to shoot me an email at livelifehappy.com@gmail.com.
Cheers!
Rob
P.S. If you’re looking to sell stuff online then I’d recommend you check out Shopify. No coding required… even a 10-year-old could do it!
P.P.S. Signup at Media.net to start earning income from your blog.
Very descroptive post, I liked that a lot. Will thnere be a part 2?
This info is invaluable. Where can I find out more?