How to Set Up a Blog, by Using Word Press
This beginners guide shows you exactly how to set up a blog (or website), from start to finish. I've omitted everything you don't need to know, so you can get your blog up and running as fast as possible.
We'll be using WordPress. It's by far the best and most popular blogging system.
Two ways to get a WordPress blog: Free, and self-hosted
You can get a free WordPress blog, but until you pay, your site will be at http://yourwebsite.theirwebsite.com, and it will display ads. All kinds of features (including adding video or audio, or choosing a layout outside the small selection offered) cost money.
This guide covers the better option, which is to use self-hosted WordPress. You do this by paying for "web hosting", and then putting (hosting) your WordPress blog there. This is very easy to do, and will cost you about $4-5 per month in total (£3 if you're in the UK). After this, everything is free. You'll have a .com (or any other) domain name, there will be no ads on your site, you can access all layouts and add-ons, and you can put anything you like on your site – without paying.
Many people have set up blogs by following these instructions. It's easy to set up a blog by following this guide, but if you ever get stuck, you can email me, and I'll let you know what you need to do.
The information in this guide is all free.
Setting up a blog, in a nutshell
Take note of this overview. It's important.
To set up a blog, you only need to do these two things:
Choose a domain name (i.e. something.com), and buy website hosting to put your blog on.
Use WordPress to create your blog.
Domain Name & Web Hosting
What is a domain name?
A domain name is the internet address of a website or blog. (For example, websitesetupguide.com is the domain name of this site.) You'll need to choose a domain name.
A domain name will cost around US$10-20 per year.
Some domain name advice
- Your domain name should be simple, obvious, and as short as possible.
- It's more important to make your domain name memorable and speakable than it is to make it accurate. Don't stuff your whole business name into your domain name. (e.g. Maude Smithers Landscaping & Gardening should use smitherslandscaping.com, not maudeslandandgdn.com)
- Don't use numbers or dashes (without very good reason). They look gimmicky.
What is web hosting?
Web hosting is where your website (or blog) actually sits, on a computer, in a building somewhere, when you put it on the internet. It doesn't matter where in the world you're located, or where your web hosting is located.
Web hosting (and a domain name) are the only things you have to pay for, to set up a website. Everything else can be done for free.
Likely Cost: up to US$10 per month.
My recommendation for web hosting
Choosing a web hosting provider is not easy. There's a huge number of very similar web hosts out there, and 99% of the information about them is from dishonest "review" sites.
Feel free to do your own research into web hosting, but I think you'll find it mind-boggling.
On this site, I only promote one web host – the one I think is the best. After investigating all the major hosts, reading countless discussions, and doing my own investigation, I've come to the conclusion that the best web host is HostGator. Their prices are good, their tech support isn't outsourced, and they just seem to be be a high-quality and ethical company.
Sign up for web hosting, and begin
Make sure you visit HostGator through this link, because right now they're offering a discount, to readers of this guide.
I'd recommend signing up for the Hatchling plan, or if you intend to set up more than one website, sign up for the Baby plan.
If you'd like a 25% discount off the price, make sure you type in WebsiteSetupGuide when HostGator asks you for a coupon code (if it's not already written there.) Anyone can use this coupon code to get a discount. You can send it to friends or family.
If you use HostGator, I can tell you exactly what to do, to set up your website or blog.
What if I already have hosting, a website, or a domain I bought elsewhere?
Do this step if you already have a domain name or web hosting you bought elsewhere.
If you already have a domain name...
If you already have a domain name, and you don't want to sign up for a new one, that's fine. Just sign up with HostGator, then talk to their Live Chat. They'll help you connect your domain name to your new HostGator web hosting.
If you already have web hosting or a website...
If you have web hosting somewhere else, my guide won't really be able to help you. The settings are different for each web host, and I can only offer assistance to people who are actual or potential HostGator customers. However, if you do want to follow this guide, and set up your website right now, you can easily switch to HostGator. Just sign up with HostGator. If you already have a domain name you'd like to keep, talk to HostGator's Live Chat.
