How to Set Up a Blog:
- 1. Download WordPress.
I use and only recommend WordPress.
WordPress has two different options that you can choose. They have a hosted option (www.wordpress.com) and a self-hosted option (www.wordpress.org). I only teach how to start a self-hosted WordPress blog.
It is by far the most popular among beginner AND long-term bloggers.
(Also, do not let the .org scare you at the end of the self-hosted WordPress website…your website name DOES NOT have to have .org in it! It can be a .com website. )
When using WordPress, you download it to your computer. This way, you are the only one that is accessible to your blog (which is great for security reason!). However, WordPress is just a software that is set up to be able to easily design your website and put up your posts.
To download WordPress go to wordpress.org and click on “Download WordPress”
- 2. Pick a host.
You need to pick a host to get your website “live” and viewable to the public. Basically, it does all the “background” information.
There are many hosts on the market, but I recommend Bluehost.
There are a few reasons I love Bluehost. First, they are SO cheap (basically the Walmart of stores but it gives you everything you need)! Second, their customer service is amazing. I’ll message them at all hours of the day and they always respond so quickly with ways to help me.
When just starting you really only need the $2.75 a month option but the $4.95 gives you much more if you want to spend the two dollars more. Either of them will work great!
PS – We do make a commission if you end up buying your hosting through Bluehost. Definitely do your research on other hosts, but I found for what I was looking for, Bluehost had the best options at the cheapest prices. After using it for two years and having a great experience, I still highly recommend it.
- 3. Go to the Dreamhost website.
4. Choose your plan
5. Pick a blog name/ domain
This is where you will be able to start playing with domain addresses. Your domain address is what people type into the search bar to get to your website. For example, mine is bysophialee.com (don’t add the .com when searching domains!).
Some things to think about when choosing your domain:
- Don’t make it complicated
- Make it something the reader will remember
- Make sure the URL is available to end in .com!
You will know if the name you are thinking about is already taken if it says “Unable to Continue”. This can get frustrating if you find out the name you want is being used, but just keep trying!! You will find the perfect name!
If you can not think of any names, do not worry. You do not have to choose now.
If you already have a domain name, put it into the “I have a domain name” box and continue following along with these instructions (they are almost exactly the same).
‘6. Design your website
This was by far my favorite part of setting up my website.
After logging in from the last step, you will be taken to a screen that will prompt you to pick different themes. The theme you choose is what your website will look like. I didn’t want to choose any of these because I thought they looked unprofessional and I’m all about things looking good. I think it makes your website look more credible.
It’s the first thing people will see so you want to make sure your blog looks put together and professional.
I searched for hours to find a theme I wanted and ended up going with the Amelia theme from 17th Avenue Designs.
She seriously does the best themes and they are so cute! Plus, they’re way more affordable than other places (some places I was looking charged over $1,000 for a theme… yeah, not in my college budget!).
I also paid her more to set up the theme for me. She has instructions on how to set it up yourself but I was eager to get it done quick so I just decided to get the upgrade. Not 100% necessary and you can definitely set it up for yourself, but I was being a little impatient 😉