Monday, 25 April 2016

Set up a Blog on your own domain name (self-hosted WordPress)

Want to create a blog? Good news, you just found one of the best resources on the internet to completely walk you through the process step-by-step, and we aren’t even going to ask for anything in return in the process.

Step 2: Setup Web Hosting to Host Your Blog Content

Once you have a domain name in mind, it’s time to move forward with the process and to setup your web hosting. A web host is the company or service that will store all of your site data and make it accessible to anyone in the world. In short, that’s all you really need to know about the technicalities of running a site, but you can always read up on this later if you like.

Web hosting can range from a few dollars per month to thousands of dollars per month depending on the type of site they are hosting. The good news is that most web sites and blogs will be absolutely fine with shared hosting, which usually costs under $10 per month.

Again, working closely with my current web host, SiteGround, I’ve also been able to secure a massive 60% off their regular hosting prices (seen below), which I’m also to once again extend to you. SiteGround powers millions of web sites and blogs and I can proudly say I trust them with hosting many of the high traffic sites and blogs I run.
SiteGround_BloggingTips_Promo
Remember when I mentioned register your domain name in the first section? Well now I want to walk you through the simple process of registering both your domain name and your web hosting at the same time. Don’t forget, you will also get the free domain name for like and save 50-60% off hosting this site.

First thing first, head over to SiteGround.

Next, you will want to choose your hosting package. The “StartUp” plan is the cheapest at $3.95 per month, but it only allows you to setup one site with your hosting. I highly recommend going with the “GrowBig” plan, which is only $7.95 per month and allows you to setup unlimited sites. Many people will start multiple blogs, and this is a great way to make sure you aren’t limited to just one site.

No matter which plan you choose, you will also save 50-60% off your initial purchase of hosting. After deciding which is best for you, simply click on the “Order Now” button.
Siteground_Big_Discounts_on_All_Plans-Blogging (1)
Next, it’s time to choose and register your domain name.

If you are registering a domain name for the first time, you can live the “Register a New Domain” checked off. If you already have a domain name, then check off the “I already have a Domain” option.

Then in the form area, put in the domain name you would like to register or transfer. The form will also let you know if the domain name is available to register.

As you can see, the price of a domain name is $14.95 per year, but as a value user of this site, SiteGround has waived their domain name setup fee as long as you remain a customer of their site.
Siteground_Free_Domain_Name-Blogging (1)
The last part of the process is to fill in your personal details and to confirm all of your information.
The 50-60% off promotion applies ONLY to your initial purchase. This means it’s in your best interest to pay for 12, 24 or 36 months of web hosting in advance. Also, when you pay for at least a year in advance, you will also get to waive the $14.95 setup charge. I personally prefer paying for my hosting in advance, that way I can save money and not have to worry about a monthly bill.

It’s also important for you to review your “Hosting Services” and make sure everything looks right, while also looking at the “Extra Services” options. If you would like to lower the cost of your hosting, you should make sure all of the “Extra Services” are checked OFF if you don’t require them.
Once completed, simply click on the “SUBMIT ORDER” button.
SiteGround_Hosting_Discount (1)

OR Setup Web Hosting to Host Your Blog Content

If you don’t have a hosting or a domain name yet – don’t worry. I’ll be showing this in a minute…
At the end of this step (2), you will have a fully working self-hosted WordPress blog on your own domain name! Sounds promising, huh?

P.S. If for some odd reason you don’t want to use HostGator, you can always choose another hosting provider. I can’t promise they’ll be that good, but the registration and the set up process should be some what similar. Some hosting companies do not have one click install for WordPress. If that’s the case, see this guide for installing WordPress manually (not recommended for beginners, though).

Go to www.HostGator.com and then click “Start Your WordPress Blog”.
Remember: Since I’m using HostGator by myself too, I’ve negotiated a discount for people who use this guide (72% off). This discount should be applied automatically. Enjoy  

Pick a Domain name for your blog

Already have a domain name?
Just write it in the right box (I already own this domain) and keep moving to the next step by scrolling down a bit.

How do I choose a good domain name?
Choosing a bad domain name is one of the most common mistakes I see bloggers make. Be sure you choose a domain name that is…
1. Easy to Remember – Don’t choose a nonsense name, something tough to spell, or a long name full of dashes. “www.best-tech-gadgets-in-the-world.com” won’t ever stick in someone’s head, but something like “www.techgeeks.com” rolls off the tongue.
2. Unique and Descriptive – You want a name that reflects who you are and what you care about. Be creative and build an identity you’re excited about!
3. Trustworthy – Domain extensions like “.com”, “.org” or “.net” are the most popular, with “.com” being the one most people think of first. Try to avoid crazy extensions like “.rocks” or “.biz”, as these are less commonly used, tougher to remember and not as trusted.
Type the domain name you want to use in the box, then click “next”. If the name is available, you’ll be able to claim it. If it’s not available, choose another one.
Your_Blog_Domain
If the name you want isn’t available, HostGator will show you some alternatives that are similar – or you can punch in a new name and try again. I’d suggest you to use something that ends with .com, .net or .org


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