easy-steps-on-how-to-start-a-wordpress-blogBlogging is one of the easiest way to build a platform in today’s world. If you’re considering starting a blog, there are a couple of free hosting options such as WordPress.com, Blogger.com, and TypePad.com. However, the most popular and commonly used hosting provider is WordPress thanks to its reliability when it comes to running a blog at zero cost. Over 23% of all the websites globally are run on WordPress. So, if you’re considering hosting your blog on WordPress as well, here are some essential ideas and steps on how to start a WordPress blog.

1. Choose a Blog Name and Register Your Domain Name

Choosing a name may seem simple but it’s the hardest part when starting a new blog. Therefore, take your time and select a name that suits your blogging needs. Once you decide on the blog name, you can register your domain name. When starting a WordPress blog, there are two options: you can purchase you own domain name and run your blog, or you can put your blog on WordPress.com. It’s important that you purchase your own domain name and run your blog there. Hosting your blog on WordPress.com will not give you maximum benefits. You can purchase your domain on several sites, but Bluehost is quite cheap and easy.

2. Set up Your Hosting Account

Once you through with registration, you’ll have to install WordPress so you can start publishing your posts. A hosting account is the “house” of your blog where you rent space to install your WordPress software and run your blog. This is where you store you all the files related to your blog/site. You need to consider the following when choosing a hosting account or provider:

  • Bandwidth: it’s important to choose a hosting provider that has no restrictions on your website and also one that can offer more bandwidth if needed.
  • Virtual machine: a virtual environment is where you share resources with other websites on a machine. When starting out, you can consider this option since you haven’t gathered significant traffic.
  • Affordability: Cost is an inevitable factor here, but you need not go for the cheapest option. Consider what the hosting provider includes in the package.
  • Uptime: Realistically, there is no hosting provider that is up 100% of the time but you need to go for the one having 99.99% uptime or higher.
  • Support: This is crucial for a hosting environment. You need all time support and quick responses to your queries.

3. Installing WordPress

Don’t get intimidated with the many buttons involved in this step. All you have to do to install a WordPress is to go to WordPress.org and download the newest version. After that, upload files to your server and start the installation process. A good hosting provider will offer a very simple installation process for WordPress, if not one-click.

The first thing to do is to choose where you want to install your WordPress. This can be any domain or subdomain on your account. After this, Click on advanced options and set up your username and password. Click on the “agree to Terms and conditions” and lastly click on install.

Once the installation is completed, a default theme will be provided automatically meaning that your website is ready for use. You can add content to it through the content management system although your site won’t look very professional.

4. Add Your Theme

Now that your basic WordPress is up and running, it’s time to give it an attractive layout. You can seek a customized theme from a developer or just use a theme that is ready made. If you opt to buy an existing theme, you need to customize it. This will need some developer help as well, although this is quite cost-effective.

5. Add Your Plugins and Essentials

The preinstalled WordPress theme will give you a number of functionalities, but there’s still more that you need to do. For instance, you need to add you Google Analytics code to all of your pages for the purposes of tracking visitors to your site. You also need to add a social-sharing plugin to ensure that your content is shared as much as possible. You also need to tighten up security.

6. Publish Your First Post

Now you’re ready to create and publish your content. The WordPress publishing tool might be slower and, therefore, you can write and edit your content in Word document, then copy and paste the text into the box on the “New Post” page and click on publish button after giving your content a title.

The bottom line

Your blog is now up and working and you can publish content as many times as you wish. WordPress has been reliable and has had a reputable name when it comes to providing hosting services. Follow the above simple steps on how to start a WordPress blog if you want to be a blogger.