Setting up a Wordpress Blog-Domain and Hosting
So you decided you want to set up your own Wordpress blog. I’m going to take you through the steps, one by one over the next few weeks. The first step is deciding on a hosting service to host your blog. A reasonably priced hosting service is BlueHost. You can get web space for $6.95 a month and a free domain name. Don’t forget to check the box for privacy if you want to hide your personal information.
BlueHost uses Cpanel for the administration interface for your website. I find CPanel an easy interface to use. They also have Fantastico which basically has a one click install of Wordpress.
For more information about picking a domain name see this post.
I’m going to be setting up another blog here on Dandelion on a subdomain to show you the steps on setting up Wordpress, uploading a theme and setting it up. We’ll then add some plugins and you’ll be all set to go with your very own Wordpress Blog on your own website.
My next post will be about finding an FTP client to use to upload files to your blog. I’ll be discussing Filezilla, which is free and available for both Windows and Mac.
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I’m learning so much here! Thanks for all your tips! Even with things I already know (but have forgotten *g*), this is a great refresher course!
Kacey–Does one need to be an HTML expert to leave the safety of a blogger.com home?
Not at all. You can pick a Wordpress theme and go for it.
I learned most of my info from Googling things when I first learned Wordpress. Or reading on the Wordpress forums.
Hi, I’m new to blogging and am totally blind. I’m taking Suzanne’s Color Me Blogging course. I’d just like you to consider not using hidden links — like the Click here kind. Those of us who use adaptive equipment often have trouble using these links. Please put the entire URl as the link, it would make things easier for me and others who use adaptive equipment. And, do you know of any documentation about using WordPress? Is something available to refer to? Using adaptive equipment, I often have to use “alternative” methods to do things — like making three left turns instead of one right. So, if I run into a problem, I’d like something to refer to or something to send those who are more knowledgable about the screen reading software I use. Thanks.
Barbara thanks for stopping by. Wordpress.org has forums that have a ton of information about using Wordpress. I’m not sure how user friendly they would be for screen reading software though.
I usually shorten the links to a click here version, or if I’m thinking I use words that describe what the link will lead to. Longer links will often break the layout for visual readers.
While I’m techie about some things, and do try to tag my photos, etc. I’m sure not an expert on adaptive software nor do I really know where to send you for help on blogging that would be easy for you with adaptive equipment. Sorry I’m not more help on that.
This is a topic near and dear to my heart! I have been trying to figure out how to get my web site and my blog together, what will happend to all the links to my blog, how much extra it will cost, and where I can find a host that is more user-friendly than GoDaddy. This is very helpful.
Kacey: I am sooo glad to stumble upon your blog site. I have been wanting to open a blog and try to make alittle extra income. I have been reading all kinds of blogs and keep seeing that so many of the bloggers tell you that it is so easy to open a blog. Well I am here to tell you that it does not seem to be all that easy. But after reading your blog and going by your directions I think I can finally do this, without having to hire a teenager to figure out how to get online. Do you think there is much money to be made in this genre? Thanks so much for giving some of us easy directions.
Jessiejojames. Well, the money depends on how much time you put into it, and what topic you’re going to blog about. Some topics will lend themselves to higher ad revenue. Some niches are fairly saturated with blogs. Like the how to earn money blogging niche.
But there is always room for more, room for something who takes a great new slant on a subject.
What were you thinking of blogging about? Do you know?
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