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 😉