How to Set Up a Wordpress Blog Part 1
You hear me talking about wordpress blogs all the time, but I don’t think I ever clearly explained exactly how to set it up.
Step 1 - Get a Domain Name
Try and go with something that represents what your blog is going to be about. If it is a personal blog, choose something funny or catchy. If it is a niche blog, you want the domain name to be a keyword people would be searching for. I use Dynadot for my domain names and really like them.
Step 2 - You Want Your Own Hosting
You want to set up a Wordpress blog on your own hosting, not from Wordpress.com (This is because wordpress.com does not allow you to use advertisements.)
I recommend you go with Hostgator (I currently have about 80 websites hosted on one account with them and have never had any problems). Plus, you can get it for as little as $7.95 a month.
Step 3 - Point Your DNS Settings
Once you have your domain name and your hosting set up you are ready for step 3. Log into your the account where you got your domain name and choose “Set Name Servers” or “Edit DNS Settings” depending on where you got it.
Now you should have gotten an email from Hostgator with your Name Server settings. They will be something like nsXX.hostgator.com and nsXX.hostgator.com with the XX representing numbers that will be assigned to you.
Put those nsXX.hostgator.com addresses in the DNS settings on your domain account. If you signed up with hostgator using the domain name it will already be on the hostgator account, but if this is an add on domain you will need to log in to your cpanel on and add a domain name. (Don’t worry about this if you only have one domain name on the account.)
Tomorrow we will go into step 2 of putting the wordpress template on your domain.
Progress Overview
I can’t wait for part 2 because I’ve been trying to upload wordpress without success. So, no problems with hostgator, huh.. I’ve been hearing mixed reviews for unlimited hosting.
I’ve also tried to use wordpress without much success. Thanks, Amy, once again for providing such valuable advice! I’m currently using blogspot, just to get the hang of things. But I’m interested in getting started with my own domain.
Thanks!
I was just wondering… you used to recommend using 1and1 to buy domains, now I see you’re recommending Dynadot which costs a few dollars more than 1and1. What was your reason for switching?
I use dynadot because it lets me delete domains within 5 days to get credit back to my account. So if I choose a domain name then discover it isn’t such a great niche I can delete it for a better domain without any extra costs.
Amy,
Why are you selling this site? http://www.sitepoint.com/marketplace/auction/16334
I’m a subscriber here because of you, not anyone else.
Please don’t sell this site. This is you. Your brand.
Please reconsider.
Thanks for explaining in a step by step process…I appreciate the way you explain things!Very helpful!
Also…I agree with Chris…please don’t sell your site!
Stay away from 1and1 because they make it hard for you to cancel within 3 business days for new registered domains. I filed a complaint with ftc because my rights were violated for 3 days right of rescission.
Go for companies with integrity and 5 day right of rescission policy. Google 1and1 and you will see on page 1 of all the horror stories about this turd rate company. Lol
Don’t worry, I just plan to sell ownership. I will still post quite often. I really need to get this mountain of debt off my shoulders.
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You can uninstall with fantastico just as easily as you can install.
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