This is a guide to help you start your own blog in less than 5 minutes!
Many people have asked me how to start a blog and even found my blog searching for advice on how to create a blog. I love helping people start blogging and the following instructions will get you started (with a fully created blog) in less than an hour. EASY!
This guide is something I created to help my friends start a blog and hundreds of other people have used it too! It contains affiliate links that will give me a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Start A Blog In 5 Minutes
Starting a new blog might seem overwhelming but it only takes a few steps. The whole process is quite simple and you’ll have your new blog up and running in no time.
Step 1: Buy A Domain
The first step in starting a new blog is to name your blog.
Spend some time thinking about this. I started out at a different name than amerrylife.com and had to switch. It’s a hassle so make sure you choose something you like upfront.
You can register your domain with your hosting package, but I no longer recommend doing that. If you change hosting it becomes a hassle. You should register your domain at a separate place from your hosting.
I recommend GoDaddy for domains. I use it for all my domains and so does the web design company I work for. It’s great for domains and the price will cost you between $7 and $20 a year.
Register Your Domain with GoDaddy
- Go to GoDaddy.com to register your new domain.
- Enter your desired domain
- Follow the prompts.
- Enter any coupons you may have and finish the checkout.
Do not use GoDaddy for hosting. I do not recommend them for this service though they are great with domains.
Step 2: Buy Hosting
Your blog needs a place to live. Your new hosting account is where your blog is going to reside.
Hosting is generally rather inexpensive and will only cost you between $4 and $10 a month. Considering your blog gets a nice play to stay, that’s a deal. I have used Hostmonster and BlueHost find they have similar prices and services as most main hosting companies. Ultimately you’ll probably switch if your blog ever gets huge but it’s a great (and cheap) place to get started.
The instructions below are for Hostmonster.
Buy Your Hosting With Hostmonster
- Go to Hostmonster
- Click and view the plans. Select the one that works for you. Choose your hosting package that best fits your need. I use a bigger plan for multiple websites.
- Enter your domain that you got from GoDaddy.
- Enter your account and billing information.
- Unclick the SiteLock Domain Security and Code Guard and any other boxes checked. You don’t need these.
- Fill in the remaining info enter coupon code “amerrylife” for a discount!
- You will receive a confirmation in your email inbox with login details.
Step 3: Change Your Nameservers
This sounds more complicated than it is, promise. You just have to tell GoDaddy where your blog is going to live. Here is a short {and easy to follow} video tutorial on how to change the name server on your domain with GoDaddy. Your host can also help you with this.
Step 4: Set Up WordPress
- Login to your new Hostmonster account
- In your control panel find the icon “Simple Scripts” under the “Software/Services” section.
- Click “WordPress” under “Blogs”
- Click “Install”
- Specify what domain you want Worpress to be installed on.
- Choose your “Advanced Options” (not necessary)
- Agree to Hostmonster Terms of Service.
- Click “Complete”
You are finished! Hostmonster is cool and will do all the work for you with a WordPress install. WordPress is now uploaded to your domain and ready for you to make it an awesome blog.
Step 5: Start Writing!
You will receive an email with a temporary username and password to your blog and the login address for your WordPress dashboard. When you get this go in and immediately change the username and password to whatever you want, just make sure it is secure.
Login to your new blog at http://yourdomain.com/wp-admin or http://yourdomain.com/wp-login.php and get started!
You can choose a theme and start your first post. For more on what to do after you’ve started the blog, keep reading.
WOOHOOO!! You did it!! You just created your own domain and your own-self hosted blog. Way to go. :)
Questions?
If you encounter any questions along the way, so feel free to send me questions via my contact form. I’ll be happy to help you.
When in doubt, go to wordpress.org and type your question in the search box. They have great support pages that can help Also, don’t hestitate to call up the people at Hostmonster, or whoever your new hosting company is. Never panic over delays or snags.
And if you still feel completely lost or just don’t want to do this, fill out the contact form and I will set up a new blog for you for the extremely low fee. ;)
More: How To Create An Awesome Blog
After giving out advice and being asked a ton of questions about how to create a weight loss blog that is well read and visited (and even makes you some money), I decided to compile all my knowledge into a section on the site about blogging. You can get all the info on these pages:
- Important WordPress Settings
- WordPress Plugins
- WordPress Themes
- Blog Security Tips
- Types of Health Blogs
- Deciding Why You Want to Blog
- Blogging Tips
- How to Increase Blog Traffic
- SEO For Health Blogging
- Blog Monetization Tips
- Opportunities From Blogging
- Blogging Action Plan
Thousands of bloggers have used it to improve their blogs because it actually helps.