{"id":457,"date":"2013-05-31T19:26:43","date_gmt":"2013-05-31T19:26:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sitebeginner.com\/?p=457"},"modified":"2020-02-27T14:34:26","modified_gmt":"2020-02-27T14:34:26","slug":"howtostartablog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sitebeginner.com\/build\/howtostartablog\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Start a Blog Using WordPress"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the easiest ways to get started with a website is using the free blogging software platform WordPress.org. It's so easy, I recommend it to complete beginners in my How to Create a Website: A Beginner's Guide<\/a> article.<\/p>\n

Of all the blogging platforms<\/a> available, WordPress is the easiest to jump into and start a blog with.<\/p>\n

That might be why WordPress is used on almost 25% of all active websites on the internet!<\/p>\n

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One of the best life choices you can make is learning how to start a blog<\/strong> \u2013 if you ultimately enjoy what you do and do it the right way.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re curious about the income potential of blogging and how to start a blog and make money online<\/a> in 2020, you\u2019ve come to the right place.<\/p>\n

In this in-depth post, we\u2019ll guide you step-by-step through the entire process, so you can have a brand new super-powered blog online and collecting visitors in no time at all!<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re nervous about starting a blog, don\u2019t be. What may start out as a \u201csecret project\u201d can become a full-time dream job. The key is knowing how to go about it the right way.<\/p>\n

We created this step-by-step guide to show you from A-Z how to start a blog of your own, promote it, and crush it online in 2020. Let's start blogging today!<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s certainly possible to put together a blog and have it online in just a few minutes. However, we wanted to go a step further and show you how to actually start a successful blog that pulls in visitors and transforms them into rabid fans.<\/p>\n

The truth is things have changed since the inception of blogging over a decade ago. Today, it\u2019s more important than ever before to start out the right way and lay a solid foundation.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re here to help you do exactly that, but remember, the key to your success as a blogger is action. The bloggers who achieve the most success are the ones who act and put more time into doing<\/i> than they do thinking and researching.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re ready to act<\/i>, this detailed guide will help!<\/p>\n

Disclosure: <\/strong>In order to provide you with this extensive guide at no cost, some of the material below may contain an affiliate link or two for Bluehost. When you buy web hosting through one of our Bluehost affiliate links, we\u2019ll be compensated, which helps us create great content like this ultimate guide and deliver it to you free of charge. As a blogger, you\u2019ll need hosting, and there\u2019s no other hosting provider we trust and stand behind more than Bluehost.<\/em><\/p>\n

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How to Start a Blog \u2013 10 Simple Steps to Blogging Success<\/h2>\n

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Step 1 \u2013 Choose a Blog Name<\/h3>\n

Step 2 \u2013 Pick A Web Hosting Service For Your Blog and Install WordPress<\/h3>\n

Step 3 \u2013 Make Customizations – Install a New Theme<\/h3>\n

Step 4 \u2013 Secure Your Blog<\/h3>\n

Step 5 \u2013 Add Basic Blog Pages<\/h3>\n

Step 6 \u2013 Create a Custom Email Address<\/h3>\n

Step 7 \u2013 Set Up and Connect Social Media Accounts<\/h3>\n

Step 8 \u2013 Develop a Blog Posting Schedule<\/h3>\n

Step 9 \u2013 Promote Your Blog Posts<\/h3>\n

Step 10 \u2013 Make Money as a Blogger<\/h3>\n

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It may seem like a lot of steps and even more work, but fear not, creating a blog is easy when you have someone guiding you every step of the way. In under an hour, you\u2019ll find yourself staring at your very own blog.<\/p>\n

So, if you\u2019re ready, let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n

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Step 1 \u2013 Choose a Blog Name<\/h2>\n

You may follow successful bloggers and want to emulate their success by learning how to start a blog and make money. Perhaps you have a passion and want to learn how to start a blog so you can share it with others.<\/p>\n

Whatever your reason for taking this potentially life-changing step, how you choose to set up your blog at the start can make or break its success.<\/p>\n

Although your inclination might be to begin by picking out a name for your new piece of online real estate, before you name your blog and pick out a blog domain name, you should first decide on which blogging platform you plan on using.<\/p>\n

However, before we dive into a discussion about the best blogging platforms and get into different tips on how to start a blog, it\u2019s important to point out the differences between wordpress.com and wordpress.org.<\/p>\n

For starters, wordpress.org is self-hosted and the .com version isn\u2019t. This is a huge<\/strong> difference that can have serious implications on your freedom as a blogger as well as your bottom line. Yes, they may have very similar names, but the limitations and options of each are incredibly different.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re on a tight budget and want to learn how to start a blog for free, you could use wordpress.com, Blogger, or another free platform for your blogging pursuits. However, \u201cfree\u201d comes with some serious downsides.<\/p>\n

With free platforms, you give up a ton of control and flexibility. WordPress.com doesn\u2019t allow you to use display ads and widgets for link parties, giveaways, and more. They also have fewer available apps and plugins for site customization.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Google owns Blogger and can shut your blog down whenever it wants for almost any reason. While Blogger does allow you to run ads, adds run on their platform generally earn less revenue from ads than similar-sized self-hosted blogs on wordpress.org.<\/p>\n

These limitations might not seem like much of a big deal if you\u2019re new to blogging and don\u2019t care if you make money right out of the gate, but they will drag down the potential of your blog down the road. Plus, changing platforms after you\u2019ve already created and established a blog is easier said than done.<\/p>\n

If you envision yourself blogging long-term and monetizing your site, we seriously recommend going with wordpress.org or another self-hosted blogging platform from the start. Most bloggers use wordpress.org, which we\u2019ll refer to simply as WordPress from now on, and it looks like it\u2019s going to remain an industry leader for quite some time.<\/p>\n

With WordPress, there are endless themes, designs, tools, add-ons, marketing options, and e-commerce features available to select from. In other words, you can use it to create a truly custom blog that looks and functions exactly how you want it to.<\/p>\n

Sure, some themes can cost a pretty penny, the price of plugins can add up, and it takes a little bit of technical know-how to operate to its fullest potential, but all-in-all, WordPress is tough to beat.<\/p>\n

Okay, now that we have that out of the way, let\u2019s move onto the good stuff.<\/p>\n

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Choosing a Name for Your Blog<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re not sure what to call your blog, have no fear. When you sign up for hosting with Bluehost or another top-notch hosting provider, you don\u2019t have to choose a domain name right away.<\/p>\n

So, if you don\u2019t see a domain name you like available right of the bat, don\u2019t worry. You can just choose a name later after getting everything else set up. At this stage, it\u2019s all about execution, not perfection.<\/p>\n

However, since most bloggers consider the naming of a blog a logical starting point, let\u2019s dive into it first.<\/p>\n

Whether you want to learn how to start a travel blog, how to start a blog about food, or how to start a blog to make money, the name of your blog is the very first thing people will see in the Google search results (if it\u2019s optimized for SEO and shows up on the first page or two). The name tells them who you are and what your blog is about.<\/p>\n

There are a ton of ways to choose a blog name. You can even use your own name if you want. However, let\u2019s go over a few steps to help you come up with the best name for your new blog.<\/p>\n

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1. Pick a niche.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before you get ahead of yourself on learning how to start a blog website and deciding what it will look like and do, you first need to ask yourself why you want to learn how to start a blog in the first place:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Why are you passionate about your blogging topic?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Why can you add value to the topic and its discussion?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Why should others listen to what you have to say?<\/strong><\/p>\n

When answering these questions, it\u2019s best to consider a blog just like any other type of business, which means you need to pick a niche.<\/p>\n

As a blogger, a niche is much more than a topic. It\u2019s the audience you\u2019re going after and will help decide the approach you\u2019ll take in talking to them. It will also help you decide how you will position yourself as an expert, gain their trust, and turn them into loyal readers.<\/p>\n

Although you don\u2019t need to be passionate about a niche in or to learn how to start a blog successfully, having a passion for the niche will make it easier to remain committed. The best blogging niches are ones that excite and motivate bloggers to consistently post about it.<\/p>\n

So, whether you want to learn how to start a mommy blog or a blog about craft beers, water conservation, or anything else, just make sure you\u2019re interested enough in it to provide valuable insight and remain committed.<\/p>\n

Your blog needs a niche in order to stay focused. Based on your niche, you\u2019ll be able to decide on a design, develop your content calendar, and know how and where to promote your blog. The niche will also determine how you connect with other bloggers and how your audience finds you.<\/p>\n

If you remember nothing else, remember this: writing to everyone is writing to no one. So, if you\u2019re learning how to start a blog as a business, which I assume you are, then it needs a niche.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re unsure about a niche or none immediately come to mind, it\u2019s okay. You can discover a niche by answering a few simple questions:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Do you have any hobbies or are there any hobbies you want to learn?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Do you have a childhood dream or interest that excites you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Do you have an achievement you\u2019re especially proud of?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Do you have any deeply held values or beliefs?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Answering these questions should give you a solid idea of what to base your blog around. However, you can dig even deeper to decide on a niche.<\/p>\n

For instance, next, make a list of five things that are easy for you to do. People tend to enjoy or find interest in things they\u2019re good at, so you\u2019ll be able to write and discuss them with confidence and authority.<\/p>\n

Try to be as specific as possible, but don\u2019t overthink it. For example, rather than writing down \u201cpainting\u201d or \u201cphotography,\u201d write down \u201cpainting rural landscapes\u201d or \u201ctaking photos of interesting architecture\u201d instead.<\/p>\n

Next, make a list of five things you do during your free time. However, don\u2019t just write down things you have to do, like pay bills and walk the dog. Instead, make sure to include things you enjoy doing as well.<\/p>\n

Lastly, review your answers and try to identify certain common keywords, phrases, or patterns. Does something jump out at you? Do you see any common themes, such as cooking or spending time in your garden?<\/p>\n

Pick out any of these common themes and rank them according to their order of importance in your life. Voila \u2013 you now have your niche!<\/p>\n

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2. Dive deep into it.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now that you have your niche sorted out, the first thing you should do to decide on a blog name is become familiar with other bloggers in your industry.<\/p>\n

For example, if you\u2019re learning how to start a blog for free and launching a blog about mountain biking in North Carolina, you could consider the name letsbikeNC.com, NCbikejunkie.com, or something similar that\u2019s available.<\/p>\n

Make sure to review any other blogs that may be in your niche and check out how they brand themselves. However, don\u2019t just go for the biggest bloggers. Instead, look for things that stand out or deliver inspiration. More often than not, there is something you can subvert, play off of, or learn from.<\/p>\n

You can even take things one step further by looking outside your niche for certain \u201cpower words\u201d your favorite companies may use. Are there any words that you keep seeing and are drawn to? If so, write them down.<\/p>\n

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3. Discover your “Why”.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Think about why you\u2019re learning how to start a blog. After all, you\u2019re doing it for a reason, right? A strong name will speak to that reason.<\/p>\n

Revisit the list you created when picking your niche and dig into the core message you want to share. What do you want your blog to mean to others and where do you want it to go in the future? Is there a name that will let you do that?<\/p>\n

This question may seem like a biggie, but don\u2019t let it trip you up. A good blog name and domain name usually has some sort of meaning. However, there are several good blog names that are simply fun and memorable rather than deep and meaningful.<\/p>\n

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4. Step into your reader\u2019s shoes.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Okay, you\u2019ve put in some time laying some groundwork, but now comes the serious part. Think about your niche and your ideal reader. What will grab their attention? What would they like to read? What will jump out at them and say \u201cRead me!\u201d?<\/p>\n

Once again, make a list. Instead, this time list everything you would like your blog to represent and be about. Delve deep into it and the psyche of your readers. There is no such thing as a bad idea.<\/p>\n

When you have a large list, try to identify certain simple and memorable combinations and connections that may work.<\/p>\n

Some excellent examples of good blog names include:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Green Living Guy<\/p>\n

\u2022 Learn to Code with Me<\/p>\n

\u2022 Art of Manliness<\/p>\n

\u2022 Life in Leggings<\/p>\n

\u2022 Retired by 40<\/p>\n

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5. Say it out loud.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There\u2019s nothing wrong with some fun wordplay when picking a name and domain name for a blog, but make sure it is easy enough for people to remember and share with their friends.<\/p>\n

Try saying the name out loud to yourself as well as friends and family. Do they like it too? Does evoke any emotion for them?<\/p>\n

While they may not be into your blog\u2019 s niche personally, they can still provide valuable insight and give you a good perspective and outsider\u2019s point of view.<\/p>\n

Choosing a name and domain name for your blog can be challenging. It should be unique enough to stand out yet represent what your blog is about.<\/p>\n

A great tool for researching domain names is Bust a Name<\/a>. With this tool, you can simply enter some keywords you like, and it will use those words to produce a variety of combinations.<\/p>\n

Aside from matching the name of your blog and representing what it is about, a good domain name should also follow a few best practices, such as:<\/p>\n

\u2022 When possible, use a .com.<\/strong> Although there are some successful blogs using .net and .co suffixes, .com domains are standard for blogs and much easier for readers to remember.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Make it short and memorable.<\/strong> While you may be tempted to try and spell out what your blog is exactly about with a long and descriptive domain name, less is often more.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Don\u2019t use hyphens or numbers.<\/strong> Hyphens and numbers can be confusing when used in domain names. They can also be hard for readers to remember, so it\u2019s best to avoid them at all cost.<\/p>\n

\u2022 When in doubt, use your name.<\/strong> Often, bloggers use their domain name. Although your name might not represent your niche or what your blog is about, it\u2019s unique and will work for many niches as long as you have a strong voice and point of view.<\/p>\n

Now, before you make your final decision and register a domain name, it\u2019s also a good idea to use KnowEM or another social media profile tool to see the available social media profiles with a particular blog name. If your preferred name isn\u2019t available, don\u2019t worry. It\u2019s no big deal if you have to slightly modify the name for a Facebook or Instagram profile.<\/p>\n

Final Word on Domain Research<\/strong><\/p>\n

You can pick a name for your blog and domain without much effort or research. However, it may come back to bite you in the end if another blogger in your niche has a similar name. Not only will readers be likely to get the two blogs confused with one another, but it could lead to bad blood with the other blogger.<\/p>\n

A little friendly competition is great, but bad blood isn\u2019t. In fact, it\u2019s the last thing you want when launching a blog and trying to make it a success.<\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong> If the perfect domain name or URL is still eluding you, don\u2019t worry. Even without a name, you can still take action and move onto the next step.<\/p>\n

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Step 2 \u2013 Pick a Blog Host and Install WordPress<\/h2>\n

We all know that there are loads of free blog services out there such as WordPress.com and Blogger.com, but these services come with some severe limitations. Ultimately you need to self host and own all your content that you publish. That's why we always recommend buying your own hosting and domain name.<\/em><\/p>\n

So have you got your hosting and domain set up and ready to go? Well let's create your blog with the free WordPress platform. Before you jump in guns blazing there are a few things you'll need to start a new WordPress blog. Don't worry, it won't take more than 30 minutes from start to getting your blog online. Here's what you need:<\/p>\n