By Holly Reisem Hanna
One of the biggest concerns for me when I launched my blog was what platform to use. I knew I had to purchase a domain name and hosting, but how to bring them together and make them work was a mystery to me. Because I was a new to tech world, I knew I wanted something easy, yet something that looked professional. However, the easy solutions that were already put together looked amateurish and unprofessional.
Because of this, I decided to hire a graphic designer to help me with the logistics of uploading WordPress to my host and to create a custom theme for me.
I had never worked with a graphic designer and knew nothing about how the design process was supposed to work. I ended up paying for all of her services upfront and sadly for me it was a costly mistake ($600 which did not include hosting costs or a domain purchase). After months of waiting for her to complete the work, she stopped communicating with me completely. Left with an incomplete blog, I had to find a web programmer to fix what she had left undone (another $150).
From start to finish it took four months to complete my blog. A process that I was initially told would take 6-8 weeks. Starting a moneymaking blog doesn't have to be slow, expensive, or a hassle. In fact, if I had to do it all over again this is how I’d do it.
Step 1: Setup Your Hosting Account
When I set up my hosting account, there were so many steps involved. I had to decide between a Linux or Windows account, then there was the whole separate c-panel, and FTP, that I was totally lost. Save yourself a headache and use Bluehost. They have made the process so simple, anyone can do it, no tech experience needed. Besides being simple Bluehost offers 24-7 support via phone, email, and chat — which you’ll want should you ever encounter a problem. They’re also affordable ($3.95 to $6.95 a month, plus a free domain), which is a huge plus if you’re launching your blog on a shoestring budget.
For step 1 all you have to do is go to Bluehost.com and click on green “get started now” button – easy peasy.
Step 2: Select Which Hosting Plan You Want
With Bluehost, there are three hosting options to choose from, Basic for $3.95/month, Plus for $6.95/month, or Prime for $14.95/month. If you have the funds, I’d suggest going with the Plus Plan, because you get more unlimited features; and as your website grows you can switch to a more robust plan.
Step 3: Choose Your Domain Name
When you choose a domain name you’ll want to follow three simple rules:
1. Keep it simple. Refrain from words that are hard to spell or remember.
2. Use a dot.com – .com is what most people remember when typing in a web address.
3. Beware of words with multiple spellings: example: to, two, or too.
Once you’ve decided on a domain name type it into the search box and click next to see if it is available. You may need to brainstorm a few ideas to get the keywords and .com that you want, but don’t worry you’ll find one that works.
When you find your domain name, you’ll need to create your Bluehost account which includes name, address, phone number, and email address.
Step 4: Pay for Your Hosting Package
After you have your account created, you’ll be directed to a page where you need to select your hosting package. You can choose to pay for your hosting in a 12 month period, 24 month period, or a 36 month period — the longer the plan, the cheaper your price. Next, add your payment info and wait for an email confirmation of registration – this only takes a minute or two.
Step 5: Install WordPress
The awesome thing about Bluehost is they make installing WordPress a snap! No tech background needed. Once you’re registered with Bluehost, you’ll receive an email with your c-panel login credentials (Don’t worry, c-panel is short for control panel and once you log in it’s a couple of clicks to install WordPress).
Once you’re logged in you’ll get a popup screen that says, install WordPress or concrete5, just click on the green “Install WordPress” button. Next, it will ask you which domain you’d like to install WordPress on — choose your domain from the drop-down box and click on the green button, “Check Domain.” When the install starts, you’ll get a screen that says, “Ok, we’re setting up WORDPRESS for you!”
When the install is finished, you’ll get a status update: Installation Complete. On this page, you’ll also get your WordPress login credentials – use these to log in to your new blog, congrats! From beginning to end it takes about 15 – 20 minutes to register, pay, and install.
Step 6: Make it Pretty
Now, you may be wondering if it’s difficult to navigate WordPress and I can tell you from experience it’s not. If you can navigate around a Word Document — you’ll be just fine.
When you log in to WordPress, there are some free design templates/themes (on the left-hand side under, appearance) that you can use to customize your site. However, if you’re willing to spend $35 – $199 you can get stylish, professional looking theme that will make you stand out from the crowd. You can either purchase a theme from the Marketplace (located on the left-hand sidebar in WordPress), or you can purchase a theme through Thesis or StudioPress (they have a much larger design selection than the Marketplace).
The process of customizing your blog will take some time (probably a few days), but it’s super easy and fun, and no professional designer is needed. In fact, when I did my site redesign this year, I purchased a theme from StudioPress. I can't tell you how much I love it, it's so easy to modify, and it only took a few days to get everything into place.
Step 7: Profiting From Your Blog
There are so many ways to earn money from your blog, from direct ad sales and ad networks, to affiliate marketing and digital earning – so make sure to check out these must-read articles.
- Ways to Make Money Blogging
- How to Get Companies to Purchase Advertising Space on Your Blog
- Increase Your Blog’s Money Making Potential with Affiliate Marketing
- How to Get Your First Blog Advertiser
And make sure to grab my FREE blogging e-book, where you'll learn tips for creating awesome content, getting traffic, and monetizing your blog.
Good luck on your blogging journey — keep me posted.
This post includes affiliate links. Please be aware that we only promote advertising from companies that we feel we can legitimately recommend to our readers. See our disclosure policy for further information.
Great article, lots of people are put off by the technology side of creating a website so this is really helpful. One of the things I love about WordPress is that it’s easy to pick a different theme if you change your mind once the blog is set up.
Yes, it’s very easy to modify and use. And with all the plugins you can add pretty much any function you need (shopping cart, forum, member site, etc).
once the option to download wordpress comes up, what do i do since ive had wordpress installed already on my computer
Are you using BlueHost?
Just what I was looking for. I’m a bit overwhelmed but looks like I have my work cut out for me. I’ve worked at home for 20 years but I’m ready to move into creating an income with my blog. Thanks for the priceless info :-)
It’s really easy to set up this way. Let me know when you get your site up … good luck!
This seems the best steps yet even though I am a complete novice but I am willing to learn and move towards earning some cash. My area of expertise includes Human Resources,Teen mentoring,baking (native) and more.Could you suggest what I can create as my mean blog or can I use more than one/ I nee dyour help with this. Thanks
Hi Sharon, What topics are you most passionate about? You want to make sure that you choose a topic that you won’t become bored with over time.
Thanks for the article, helpful info, and it sounds like setting up a blog is do-able! how does a person, a potential blogger, know if they have enough knowledge/ something interesting to say that people will want to read on a daily or weekly basis?
That’s a great question, Polly!
Take some time and create a list of topics you’d like to write about. Then for each topic create subtopics. Example: Cooking – Gourmet Cooking, Gourmet Cooking on a Budget, Gourmet Recipes, Easy Gourmet Recipes, Gourmet Desserts, Gourmet Chocolate Desserts, etc. Next brainstorm specific article ideas for each subtopic. Make sure to write these down on paper — it helps to visually see the process.
How many article ideas did you come up with for each niche? Look for the niches that have the most ideas. If you had a difficult time generating ideas for a specific niche, it’s probably not a good fit.
This article from Amy also has some great info on choosing a blog topic: http://amylynnandrews.com/how-to-decide-what-to-blog-about/
Good luck and keep us posted!
Hey Holly.
This is another great resource similar to Amy’s article:
http://www.makeblog.org/what-to-blog-about/
Thanks for sharing, Nicky!
When you pay for bluehost do you have to pay for word press too? I wanted wordpress but the cost of it is just too much at the moment.
No, it’s free with the hosting.
Hi Holly,
I’m a bit confused…are you talking about using WordPress.com or WordPress.org when setting a blog? I heard not to use WordPress.com for a blog even though its free because the blog isn’t really “yours” and they can do what they want with it. Can you clarify the difference between the .com and .org and which one should be used in setting up a website and blog?
Also, not sure if you’ve discussed this or not, but if you can talk about the schedule a new blogger should have that would be great. For instance, how much time you dedicates to what task, etc.
Thanks a bunch!
Gin
Hi Gin,
Yes, I’m talking about setting up a blog via WordPress.org. When you use the free platform WordPress.com — you limit your earning potential and you have a funky domain name: myblog/wordpress.com.
Time management is a very personal issue. You’ll need to figure out what the right balance is for you. As a general rule of thumb you’ll want to post regularly, which depending on your niche will vary. Some coupon bloggers post multiple times a day. I generally post 3 – 5 articles a week. But a lot of research and time go into writing my posts, because they are educational in nature. Personally, I’m of the mindset that it’s better to post less and ensure that your content is awesome! You’ll also need to spend time marketing your blog daily. Then there are administrative tasks like email, bookkeeping, replying to comments, editing, etc. A good place to start is by figuring out how many free hours you have to work on your blog. Once you know that — you can use the block scheduling method to plan out your tasks.
If you need more time management tips — there are a ton on the blog: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/category/time-management/
Good luck and keep me posted on your journey!
Hi Holly, I love your website I read it a lot. I am seeking something to do working from home. I love the idea of a blog, but I can’t figure out what to write about. Is having a blog with different topics normal? Or do you think it’s better to stick with one main idea?
It’s good to have a main topic — but you can branch out from there. Many coupon bloggers post coupons, discounts, money saving ideas, ways to make money, as well as home related stuff like recipes, parenting, etc. Have you ever tried mind mapping? That would be a great way for you to discover if you have enough ideas for a blog on any given topic. Good luck and keep us posted!
Hi Holly,am a regular reader of your blog.i want to start a beauty blog.i want to know if I can start with the free blog first later on I can now pay for a domain name and hosting.please explain the free blog and let me know if I can start.thank you
Hi Adeola, With BlueHost there’s not a free option. You can setup a blog for free on WordPress.com or Blogger.com — but you’re limited in how you can monetize. You also end up with a domain name like: beautyblog.wordpress.com instead of beautyblog.com. You can switch to the paid option later down the road — I’m not sure how difficult it is to make the transfer.
Swapping is so simple with WordPress. I use them for my blog and when decided to start a my Mum and Bub Beauty blog. I purchased a domain to look more professional. (I used http://secure.newdomain.com.au/ as I’m in Australia and they are Melbourne based)
When my domain was secured, I logged into WordPress and it’s just a matter of changing your plan. After you have brought your plan (paid plans are premium and business) they also offer you a domain that you can buy from them, or you can map your own third party domain. This becomes free when you buy a plan with them.
As I had a third party domain all I had to do was log into my domain provider and change my server names. It really is so simple.
So, do you have to pay monthly cost for Bluehost and for WordPress? I looked at both Bluehost and WordPress and they both require the monthly payments made in at least 12 month increments which can be costly. Are there other options?
No you don’t pay both; WordPress is a free platform. What you’re looking at on the WordPress website is their hosting service costs. You’ll be able to upload WordPress directly from BlueHost. There are free options but you’re limited in how you can monetize. This post has some information on free options: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/businesses-start-no-money/
What options do you recommend when signing up for blue host? Site backup, etc
If you can swing the Pro plan, it has some useful features. I like the site backup and the privacy domain functions — those are two things I currently pay for with my current host and domain provider. If you can’t afford the more robust plan, you can use a free plugin like UpdraftPlus Backups to back up your blog. Good luck and keep us posted.
Great article. I have now taken the plunge. I feel like I have over researched and as my sister just told me, I just have to do it. So I did, and later today I will begin work on making the blog itself.
Yay, way to go, Carol. Cheering you on all the way — keep us posted!
If only it was as easy as you describe. I’ve got my domain. but as for the rest who knows? Bluehost is barely user friendly and so far wordpress is garbage. and every single item want more and more money. I’m about ready to forget the whole thing.
Still fighting with it. I hope I can get it going sometime soon.
Hi Carol, Sorry to hear about your troubles. Did you upload WordPress to Bluehost? If so, what you need to do now is upload a theme. There are free ones that you can use, or you can purchase one from StudioPress (this is what my blog is designed with now), Elegant Themes, or Thesis. I’ve heard the Divi Theme from Elegant Themes is super easy to modify. Don’t give up you can do this — with anything new, there is a learning curve.
Thanks so much. Suppose I select the Basic Plan, must I pay before registration is effected or later; say before the month runs out?
Hi Musa, With BlueHost you pay for the year in advance. Let me know if that answers your question.
Thanks! This is great information. I’ll be using this to launch my blog in January.
Good luck, JT. Keep me posted!
Greetings Holly;
Thank you so much for sharing your information to all that are interested. I am interested in creating a moneymaking Blog. Subject is musicians with instruments. And I hope to attract advertisements. Do you have any ideas or direction you could point me to? I am extremely new to the work from home and Blogging concepts. Thank you
MJM
Hi Mark,
What aspect do you need help with?
Hi holly, hope my geographic location won’t affect me when I want to make payment. I am in Africa, what payment option will I use? Thanks
It depends on how you monetize your blog and what payment methods are available in your locale. With blogging, you’re running a business, not working a job.
Thank you so much for all of this useful information. I am very excited to start blogging and getting everything together and your post is so clear and easy to follow!
Good luck, Riley. Keep us posted =)
I love helping people and went through my own weight loss journey and when face to face with people I do very well and pretty quick I get more and more people but its a face to face thing where Im teaching a crossfit or boot-camp style outdoor exercise routine and follow it up with some dietary knowledge and its a great combo but….I started a blog a while back and wrote some of my best secrets in some well written blog articles and also started a youtube channel. I stayed at it for a few months and got maybe 5 followers on the blog and a few dozen views on my youytube videos. I dont understand because some of the most ridiculous youtube weight loss videos brag about losing 10 pounds in 10 days and some bikini clad babe give the most bland answer like “Dont forget to drink lots of water” [that was day 1]…and has millions of views!
I want to blog about health, and add affiliate marketing to it but honestly, I dont know how to bring in readers that want to lose weight.
any advice on how to bring readers to my blog?
Many thanks and love your articles!
How are you promoting your blog, Mark?
What do I blog about? A general topic or a specific topic?
Here are a couple of helpful posts on how to choose a blog niche:
https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/writing-niche/
https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/stand-out-blog/
Hello! I am so happy I found this article. I hope you can answer a few questions for me! I actually want to start my own event blog bc I would love to start planning events in regards to food and activities?. I love booking restaurants for my friends and family, they always look to me to find a place for them and I feel so good when they tell me they loved what I suggested for them! I am 23 and currently in college . I have been wanting to kick this off for years and was wondering if you have any frost step suggestions for someone who is not majoring in this field! ( I am a public relations major) Thank you so so much, wonderful help! :)
Ariel B
After you have your blog set up, you’ll want to install these must-have plugins for added functionality. All of these are free for the basic usage.
Yoast (SEO plugin)
WordFence (Security and anti-virus plugin)
Askimet (SPAM plugin)
Google Analytics for WordPress (Traffic data)
Social Warfare or Shareaholic (Social sharing buttons)
Next, you’ll want to set up your social media profiles/accounts.
After that get comfortable with blogging, writing, responding to comments, promoting your content, etc. You can grab me free e-book which helps with writing, getting traffic and monetizing. https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/newsletter-signup/
Thank you so much for this informative yet free startup article which is better than what Ive seen from those who charge. I want to know should I start with one thing cause I got so many things in my head that I have a passion for. Home Interior Design, Clothes , and everything a woman love and see where Anthropologie has pulled it off very well.
I was looking at reviews on web hosting which Host Gator Cloud came in first showing the best upload speed which understand is an essential element to have for a site and Blue Host Cloud in 4th but understand they are great for beginners so Im at a lost now.
Also saw if one hates content writing I can pay to have it done in one of your other articles which I think Im going to do because I’m not good at it.
Any insight to these issues would be most appreciative.
thanks in advance
Hi Debra, I don’t have any experience with Host Gator. I like Blue Host because it’s easy for beginners to set up. Not all hosting companies make the process this easy. I started off with Go Daddy and I wasn’t happy with their services and I need a web programmer to upload the blog to the host because the process, at least 8 years ago, wasn’t intuitive. Also, if you don’t enjoy writing — blogging probably isn’t the right path for you.
I just have to say, you have provided the public with so much useful information. Thank you – it’s very helpful! Although I have a blog, it’s not in my niche area, have so much to think about now! Amazing work!!!
Thanks, Shelley! Appreciate your kind words!