Easy Steps on How to Start a Blog
If you are looking for a guide on how you can start a blog, you are at the right place. Starting a blog might seem daunting, but you can do it yourself if you follow online tutorials and guides. However, it is essential to point out that you need basic skills to get started. This guide will help you understand how to create a blog with ease. Follow these steps to do it right:
Choose a blog name and get your blog hosting.
Firstly, you need to visit Bluehost and register your domain. Registering a domain is free, and the process is straightforward. Before you get blog hosting, there are a few things you need to think about. One of the things is choosing a domain name.
Also known as URL, your domain name is crucial because it creates an impression. Your domain name can range from your real name to your business name. Therefore, the reason you are starting a blog can come in handy when choosing a domain name. Remember, you need to check the availability of the domain name. You cannot register a domain name already registered by someone else.
Set up blog hosting
To get your blog online, you must have blog hosting and blogging software. Luckily, the two come packaged as one. A blog hosting/web hosting store your blog files and transfer them to users after they search your domain name. WordPress is the blogging software most bloggers use because it is customizable and easier to use.
WordPress is a free tool you can use to host your blog. However, Bluehost is preferred by numerous bloggers because of the following reasons:
- Offers a free domain after you sign up
- If you prefer buying a domain, they have great pricing
- Great customer service
- Reliable
- Have a 30-day money-back guarantee to their users
You need to sign up and complete registration before proceeding to the next step. Also, you need to select a plan, and in this case, a ‘basic’ plan is highly recommended to help you get started.
Type in your domain name and click ‘next’ to register your blog in the left box. You need to provide your billing information and hosting package on the registration page. In a nutshell, you are creating a BlueHost account and password.
Add WordPress
After creating a BlueHost account, the system will automatically install WordPress. You do not have to be worried because WordPress is free too. The installation process is not complicated, and if you don’t know how to go about it, search on the internet for tutorials or guides on how to install WordPress. After installing WordPress, click ‘Log in to WordPress’ on the top right section. Upon logging in, you will access the administrator area of the blog. Here, you can pick a theme that makes you feel comfortable and proceed.
After you are all set, you need to install vital plugins to track stats and find potential blog readers. Always keep plugins to a minimum to avoid slowing down the blog. You can install the following plugins:
- Yoast SEO
- Google Analytics for WordPress to know your blog’s traffic data, for example, traffic sources, views per author and category, and total traffic.
Depending on your preferences and choice, you can customize your blog the way you please. Changing the theme is one of the simplest ways to change your blog entirely. However, there are numerous other ways you can customize your blog.
Now that your blog is online, you can now start blogging! On the left menu, you can see ‘Posts’; click on the button. You will be redirected to a default post. You can delete the post and begin writing a new blog. Click ‘Add New’ to start blogging. Now that you are on the editor’s screen, enter the blog’s title at the top and start writing your blog in the lower box. You can also add pictures from your computer and resize them if need be. With that, you are all set to start blogging.
