Last Updated on: 3rd June 2022, 09:55 am
In order to have a successful blog, you must have a domain name and a web server. WordPress is the third element that can make your blog stand out from the rest.
Choosing a domain name is usually one of the most enjoyable parts of the process of setting up a blog. However, choosing a host is often the exact opposite.
How to pick a domain name for your new blog
Domain names are made up of two key parts: your domain’s unique identifier, and a domain extension. For example, codeinwp is the identifier and .com is the extension (also known as the TLD). In your case, the former can be any sequence of alphanumeric characters plus hyphens. You can choose from a range of pre-existing TLD options, with .com being the most popular one. A domain name will usually cost you around $10-$15 per year.
A successful domain name should be unique and easily distinguishable from other brands. A domain name that can be imagined on a building or advertisement will be successful.
How to pick a good web host for a blog
Choosing a good host for WordPress can be difficult. Once you do some research and look at different hosting companies, it can be hard to decide which one to go with. They all promise great performance and reliable service, so it’s important to find one that fits your needs.
If you’re interested in getting down to the details of it all, check any of these out:
● 2022 WordPress Hosting Survey
● Best WordPress Hosting Providers Compared
● Best Cheap Hosting Providers Compared (From $0.82 / Month)
If you want me to recommend a platform, then use Bluehost. It’s hard to come across any negative reviews of Bluehost, no matter what kind of tests we do or questions we ask the community. They’re clearly experts when it comes to hosting a WordPress blog.
Plus, a good hosting plan with them – one that will be more than enough to get you started with a new blog – is only around $2.95 / month.
How to set up a blog: get a domain name, hosting, and WordPress installed all in one go
The best part is that you can have everything taken care of in one go, in a very user-friendly manner. Just go to Bluehost – the hosting platform we recommend based on its positive reviews across the web and our own tests.
Once there, pick a hosting plan. In most cases, the cheapest option – Basic – will be enough:
The next step is where you can register a domain name that you’ll use for your new blog:
Note. Registering a new domain name with Bluehost is free for the first year. If you already have a domain name that you’d like to use, select “I already have a Domain” instead of creating a new one.
You will need to provide your personal info and payment details to finalize the setup. To install WordPress, access your Customer Area and follow Bluehost’s official guide. Bluehost will also let you pick a design/theme for your new blog and have everything set up for you during the installation process.
A quick note on finding and changing themes/blog designs
There are many great things about WordPress, one of which is the ability to change your blog’s theme. If you want to try something new or simply follow modern trends, you can find new themes at WordPress.org, ThemeIsle.com, ThemeForest, Elegant Themes, or any other popular theme stores.
Here’s how to use the WordPress interface
Familiar with the WordPress interface? Feel free to skip to the next chapter.
Since its beginning in 2003, WordPress has evolved to become a platform that can run any type of website, no matter its size. However, with such a richness of features, it can be difficult for someone who is just beginning to set up their blog on WordPress.
Here is a guide, then, to the WordPress user interface and some key features, to help get you started.
After logging in to your site’s WordPress admin panel at yoursite.com/wp-admin, you will be presented with an interface similar to the following example image:
(1) Welcome message – This is where WordPress points you towards some of the most
important areas of the admin panel. We’ll be interacting with many of them later on in
this guide.
(2) Some general blocks of info letting you know about what’s been going on with your
blog recently.
(3) Posts – this is where you can go to work on your blog posts.
(4) Media – here you’ll find a library of all your media (images) that have been uploaded to the blog.
(5) Pages – the interface works very similarly to posts but is meant for your blog’s sub-pages.
(6) Comments – this is where you can moderate comments left by your readers.
(7) Appearance – go here to adjust the way your blog looks, e.g. change your theme entirely or customize how certain things are displayed.
(8) Plugins – this is where you can install new plugins.
(9) Users – go here to manage your user account and the accounts of other people who have access to the blog.
(10) Settings – this is where you’ll spend most of your time when setting up a blog – every key setting for your blog can be found here.
