Getting Started In 5 Steps

To start a blog you need a few things to make it happen. If you have the willingness to get started then you are in the right place. Below are images to view the step-by-step process. If you are not tech savvy, but have a fire to write. Then this should help you get started. PLEASE NOTE: I’m currently using Bluehost and there may be affiliate links which means that I may earn a commission when you make purchases.

1. Personal Email Account (example: Gmail, Yahoo, etc.)
2. Hosting Provider (example: bluehost.com)
3. Domain Name (example: adriennebalkum.com)
4. Content Management System (example: WordPress)

To get started on a preferred hosting provider I would recommend Bluehost.com for a few reasons.

• Cost Efficient

• Customer Service for your Account AND WordPress assistance for beginners.

• 1 Click Install Applications Available

 

1. Register Your Domain Name

Use the above widget to see if a domain name is available. With Bluehost you can get a FREE domain for the first year as long as you buy 12 months worth of Bluehost web hosting. This makes it well worth it to sign up for at least 12 months of hosting as you will be saving a good amount of money this way. You also get a cheaper monthly price when you buy at least 12 months of hosting, so the free domain just makes it even better. If you want an even better deal, the best value would be purchasing a 36 month plan, as your monthly rate is much lower over the long run. If you decide to get the free domain, just continue to the next step as you can buy your hosting and get the free domain all in one step.

2. Buy Hosting For Your Blog or Website

Here are the costs and what to expect when you select a hosting plan.

3. How To Connect Your Domain and Your Hosting

You can skip this section if you buy your domain directly through Bluehost.

If you buy your domain through GoDaddy, then you will need to connect your domain to your hosting account. GoDaddy has a full support page for setting nameservers for your domain names. Below is a snippet:

“When you register a domain name with us, we set it up on our parked nameservers so a temporary page displays when visitors go to your website. After you determine which hosting provider to use, you can change your domain name’s nameservers to remove the parked page and activate your domain name.

If you registered your domain name with another provider, you can still purchase a hosting account with us, use our Off-site DNS services, or use our CashParking® or Quick Content services. If you do any of those, you must view your nameservers in your account with us, and then set the nameservers with your domain name registrar.”

How to modify your DNS Nameservers when you are using GoDaddy for your domain and Bluehost for your hosting:

1. Log into the GoDaddy.com Account Manager.
2. Select Manage Domains from the Domain Names drop-down menu or the Manage Your Account list.
3. Select the domain name you wish to modify using the checkboxes and then click Set Name Servers.
4. Enter your updated name server information in the spaces provided under the blue Name Servers heading on the right side of your page and click Save Changes at the bottom. Your entries should look like this: ns1.bluehost.com; ns2.bluehost.com.

You will then need to add the domain you bought (such as through GoDaddy) as an addon domain to your Bluehost web hosting. You can do this by clicking on “Domains” when logged into your Bluehost web hosting account and then clicking on “assign.” Follow the steps and it is very easy!

4. Install WordPress on Bluehost

If you want to start a WordPress blog or website on Bluehost then continue reading. Bluehost makes it very easy to create a WordPress blog and it is FREE.

• After you create your password, Bluehost guides you through exactly what you need to do in order to start a blog.
• First, Bluehost will ask you to pick a theme. You can just pick a random one here or find one that you actually like. You can change it later so it’s not a big deal or just scroll to the bottom and skip this step. Remember, there are many free ones too!
• Click on “Start Building.”
• On the next screen, you can choose “Business” or “Personal” – it’s up to you. Or, you can click the “I don’t need help.”

 

 

5. Quick Tips To Navigate WordPress Dashboard

After the WordPress installation. You will have to work on the design and add content from the dashboard.

If you sign up for Bluehost, but you are confused for any reason (such as how to set it up, picking a plan, pricing, etc.), you can always send me an email at adriennebalkum@gmail.com. Or you can contact customer service for further assistance by chat or by phone.

• You can add and create new posts by clicking on “Posts” on the left-hand side when you are logged in.
• If you want to add an image, click on “Media” on the left-hand side.
• You can go to “Appearance,” then “Widgets” in order to add items to your sidebar, footer, and so on.
• On the left-hand side bar click on “Settings” to change the Site Title to the name of your website/blog which will be viewed in the reader’s browser titlebar. Next, change the Tagline to what your site is about. Add your WordPress URL & Site Address URL which is primarily your domain address. Enter in your email address, Timezone, Date Format and click on Save Changes.
• If you are looking for a way to send newsletters or emails to your readers, I recommend Mailchimp.
• If you are looking into the actual design of your blog, you can choose a variety of free themes. Or you can purchase a Premium theme for $35 to $65. Go to “Appearance” on the left-hand side when you are logged into your dashboard and click on “Themes,” then activate whichever one you are interested in. Now you can start designing your website easily. Another option would be to buy a premade blog design through Creative Market. Preview a variety of themes at different prices.
• I recommend for the themes to be mobile responsive on any device, built-in widgets such as social media plugins.
• Your purchased theme should have installation step-by-step instructions and it should be listed as one of the items provided in your purchase.
• Click here to visit WordPress Resources.