I have gotten SO many questions on how to start a blog. So I decided to write a simple guided post to help anyone who wants to start a blog. I am going to take you step by step and make it as simple as possible. I know starting a blog sounds very intimidating but don’t worry, starting a blog takes minutes.
It might seem like a lot of steps, but in reality, they are not. I have just broken all the steps down into smaller attainable steps to make it easier for you 🙂
This post contains affiliate links. You can read full disclosure policy here.
But before I show you how to start a blog, it’s important to ask yourself:
Why Do I Want To Start A Blog?
Before creating your blog, you need to know why you want to start a blog in the first place. For example, I wanted to start a blog because I love writing, designing, and taking pictures. I also knew that what I have learned throughout my life would be able to help and benefit others. So I started a blog as a place to share what I have learned with others, in hopes that it helps them in some way.
I personally love having a blog, I get to express my creativity, help people and it has now turned into my dream job.
You should blog about what you are passionate about, that way you will never get tired of blogging. Whether you like make-up, fashion, cooking, baking, travel, working out, health, etc. You can create a blog on ANYTHING that you are passionate about.
Now, let’s begin with starting YOUR own blog! 🙂
1. Decide A Name For Your Blog (Your Domain)
Your domain name is the name you would like to have as your blog.
For example, mine is www.lifestyleinspire.com
I recommend making it simple so people can remember it easily.
The hosting company I use and I am sharing with you today gives you a free domain name, so you don’t have to buy one. This company also gives you a WordPress.org blog, which is one of the best ones.
2. Choose Your Host
The web host is what provides you with the web space for your blog.
Bluehost is a great web host for beginners, it is inexpensive, and they have great 24hr customer support. They give you a FREE domain, site builders, and you can create your own email.
If you ever need help signing up or have a question you can always call them or chat online anytime.
Now I am going to walk you through how to sign up with Bluehost…
3. Go To Bluehost
Go to Bluehost and then click the green button that says “Get Started Now“
4. Select A Plan
Since you are just starting out, you can start with the basic plan, and in the future, you can choose the other options.
5. Write Your Domain Name
Since you already thought of your domain name, write it down in the “New Domain” section to make sure that domain name isn’t taken.
Or if you already have an existing domain name, you can add it to the box that says “I have a domain name“
If your domain name is taken, it will give you other similar name options that you can choose from. Then click “next“.
6. Enter Your Information
Now, you just need to enter your information.
7. Choose A Package
Bluehost gives you three payment plans to choose from. You can choose the 12-month, 24-month or 36-month plan. You pay upfront for the months, that’s why they can give you such a great monthly deal.
You get the best monthly rate by choosing the 36-month plan, but you can choose what works best for you. They have a money back guarantee, that way you can have peace of mind knowing that you are not risking anything.
The only thing I do recommend is getting Domain Privacy Protection, the one that is checked in the picture above. That way your registration information won’t be on the web.
The rest of the services they offer you can get those later on.
8. Enter Your Billing Information
Next, enter your billing information.
Check the terms of use and privacy and click the green “submit” button.
9. They Will Offer You More Options
You can choose the extra options if you would like, but you don’t have to. You can always add them in the future. So click “No thanks“
10. Create A Password
Click on “create your password” make sure you create a strong password and write it down somewhere so that you don’t forget it. This will be your Bluehost account password.
Once you submit your password it will take a few minutes to create your account. When it is done, click on the button that says “Login.”
11. Your Dashboard
You will enter your dashboard. You will get familiar with it soon.
Right now, all you need to do is click the button that says “Install WordPress“. It’s the second button on the website section.
12. Install WordPress
Then you will be taken to the page below. Click on the green button that says “Get Started“
Now it will tell you to select your domain name. Just look for your domain name and click on it, then click “next“.
It is very simple to install so don’t feel intimidated, I will walk you through it 🙂
After you enter this, it will go to the page below. Write your site name and change the admin password to whatever you would like. You can also change the email to the one you use most often. This will be your login information for WordPress.
Check on the 3 little boxes and then click “Install“
WordPress will start to install. It will show a green check when it finished installing. Hurray! 🙂
Once it is done installing, click on view credentials “here“.
Screenshot or save the info in the right corner because it is your WordPress login information.
They will offer you paid themes, but there are a lot of free themes. I will show you in the steps below, don’t worry about paying for one right now unless you would like too.
13. Login To WordPress
Go to www.YourSiteName.com/wp-admin or you can click on the link that is already there so you can log in to WordPress using the username and password from above.
It should look like the picture above. Now you can log in.
WordPress is where you will be spending most of your time in. That is where you write your blog posts, etc. Little by little you will become very familiar with it, and it will become second nature.
14. Get A Nice Theme
For now; we want to get you a nice WordPress theme! The theme is the design of your blog.
WordPress has plenty of free themes you can start off with.
In the left-hand corner click on Appereace> Themes. Then on the top click on ” WordPress.org Themes“
It will show you all their free themes that they offer. Choose one and activate it.
Make sure the theme you use is mobile friendly.
Yay! You now have your own blog!!! 🙂
Do not rush wanting your blog to look perfect right away. Take your time, and you will learn as you go. In the beginning, it might seem scary, but everything new in life seems scary at first but once you learn more about it: it becomes very simple and easy.
Here is a video that shows you how to use WordPress so you can get more familiar with it 🙂 You can watch it here.
15. Lastly, Check Your Email
You will receive emails from Mojo Market Place and Bluehost. Make sure to save these emails because it has important information about your accounts.
Be excited and look forward to creating your dream blog! It will take time to learn everything, but it’s entirely worth it in the end. I will also be making future post on blogging tips and advice since I get so many questions about it.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to leave a comment down below, and I will try to answer them all 🙂
If you know of anyone who has been wanting to start a blog but doesn’t know where to begin, make sure to share this post with them.
Here is a post I recently wrote about 10 Best WordPress Plugins For Your WordPress Site
I needed this step by step guide cuz it is scary starting your blog I will follow all these steps thanks
kimberly
Thank you for commenting Kimberly! 🙂 Yes it does seem scary at first but you will learn as you go 🙂
-Janett
Yes you are right wordpress.org is the best one. It gives you more flexibility and you control everything about your blog.
Yes I agree! I am so glad I chose WordPress.org.
-Janett
I love how informative and helfpul you where
Aw Thank you! 🙂
-Janett
Aw that is so sweet of you! Thank you 🙂 I am glad it helped out. If you have any questions feel free to ask.
-Janett
Great tips! I have to say I am happy with Bluehost and WordPress.org too (transferred from .com 3 months after and just regretting I didn´t do it from the start). 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing this Michaela 🙂 I absolutely love your blog!
Hope you have a wonderful day!
-Janett
Very detailed and well thought out post. Extremely helpful!
Thank you Melissa! 🙂
Have a lovely day!
-Janett
What a lovely guide for us gals starting our blogs! Thank you!
Aw thanks Sarah! 🙂 Thanks for commenting!
– Janett
Great information on how to get set up!
Thank you very much Cathy! Really appreciate it ????
-Janett
Great post, Janett! I’ve been planning to do this and this guide makes everything look so simple and easy to do! One question: if I switch from a wordpress.com to .org, do I/ should I have to pay wordpress for a .org site or is it all through bluehost?
That is such a good question. It is all through Bluehost. I actually looked up a video for you and it tells shows you how to transfer over to wordpress.org. I really hope it helps you! If you still have questions feel free to ask 🙂
Here is the video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWQg2yQ6xmw
Thanks so much, Janett!! I’ll definitely be doing this over the weekend! Thanks for this post, you’re a gem!
You are so sweet! You are so welcome ???? If you still need help, just let me know ????
Hope you have a great day!! ????
– Janett ????
I wish I had seen something like this when I first started over a year ago. Such great suggestions and helpful hints. Great work here!
Thank you so much! I tried making it as simple as I could ???? Thanks for commenting ♡
Janett ????
This is such a helpful post! I wished I had this one back when I started my blog. I had to go through so many websites until I knew what I had to do etc.
Lea, xx
Yes same here! I am going to be making more blogging posts and hopefully it keeps helping people ????
Thank you for your lovely comment! ????
Janett ????
Great walkthrough! This is the easy part though (at least I think so). It’s staying focus and keep writing posts every week that I find difficult!