A Simple Guide to Setting Up Your Own Wordpress Blog Part 1

A Simple Guide to Setting Up Your Own WordPress Blog Part 1

I have been asked by quite a few business owners and friends on how they can set-up a WordPress blog so I decided to create this guide…for FREE! I'm sure that there are hundreds of videos and blogs out there that have already provided some guidance but I would like to provide my own and hopefully this will help you get started.

There are two types of WordPress blog. One is hosted at WordPress.com. If it's a personal blog just for yourself or friends and families, then for the most part, this will do. With this, just like Blogger, you will not be able to have your own domain name. It will be something like yournamechoicehere.wordpress.com. I believe that it also functions with limited features only. The other WordPress blog is the self-hosted WordPress which means that you have to download the software/platform from wordpress.org.

But first…there are a few things you need to get started.

1. Basic computer skills. As simple as logging in and out and knowing how to type using your keyword (*smiles*)

2. Register your domain name. Since what we are trying to set-up is a self-hosted WP blog, you will need your own domain name. I register my domain names with GoDaddy.com. I find they are the cheapest and if you use coupon code OYH10 before June 31, 2010, you will be able to secure a .com for only $7.49 instead of the regular $10 something.

Once you have your domain name, make sure to change the DNS information to ns1.hostgator.com and ns2.hostgator.com (This is if you're hosting with Hostgator. Proceed with the step below to host with them.) Here's a quick guide from Godaddy on how to change the DNS information.

3. Subscribe to a hosting plan. I highly recommend HostGator.com. Great customer service and excellent price! I suggest getting the Baby Plan which is only $7.95/month. It allows you multiple domains and it's got unlimited disk space! Once you sign-up, you will receive an email with the log-in information to your hosting cpanel. Keep the email in a safe folder as we will be needing the information later on in the process.

4. Download the WordPress software here. Their homepage and the download page always has the latest version so you don't have to worry about what version to download. If any new release comes out, you will see a notification in your dashboard to upgrade. Don't worry, you don't have to uninstall and reinstall the software. You just need to click on the Upgrade link and it will be upgraded automatically.

5. Select your WordPress Theme. The wordpress platform comes with two basic themes which I really don't like and won't recommend using them especially if you're looking into using your blog for business. You might want to check out my post for 30 free WordPress themes to choose from. There's definitely a style for everyone!

6. Make sure you have the following programs: Text Editor, FTP Client, and access to FTP

Once you have everything above, you're ready to install your platform! On my next post, I will show you the step by step installation. In no time you will be on your way to blogging!

Until then!…

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Comments (1)

Entrepreneur Chic » A Simple Guide to Setting Up Your Own Wordpress Blog Part 2 says:

May 12, 2010 at 12:02 AM

[...] Blog 2-Part Series. If you got to this page by accident and wonder where the first part is…click here. You definitely need the first part before Part 2 could make sense for you. [...]

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