Creating a blog is easier than it’s ever been, and anyone can make a great-looking blog in just a few minutes. One of the best ways to build a website is through WordPress – their simple website builder makes it easy to start your blog in no time!
If you’re interested in starting a WordPress blog but you don’t know where to start, then you’ve come to the right place! In this handy step-by-step guide, we’ll break down the whole process so you can get started with your blog in minutes.
So let’s get started, shall we?
How To Start A Blog With WordPress
Starting your WordPress blog is really simple, and only takes a few steps. However, it can be an intimidating task if you don’t know what you’re doing. Here, we’ll take you through what you need to do when creating your blog on WordPress.
Step 1: Register A Domain Name And Web Hosting Account
Before you can get started on WordPress, you first need to have your own domain name and somewhere to host your blog. A domain name is the name of your blog, and is what will show in the top bar when someone goes to your blog (eg. www.example.com).
You also need a web hosting platform for your blog – this is basically where your blog will live on the internet, and many hosting providers (such as BlueHost and SiteGround) are specifically designed with WordPress in mind.
You’ll have to pay for both your domain name and web host, but overall you shouldn’t need to pay more than ~$30 in total for a year of both.
Alternatively, WordPress does offer a free option that provides a domain name, but no hosting and limited features.
Step 2: Install WordPress
Next, you need to install the free WordPress software. Some web hosts that are recommended by WordPress (like Bluehost) come with this software already installed.
For these, all you need to do is click the Get Started Now button and you’ll be able to get to work on your new blog.
For others, you’ll have to install it onto the host first. This is also really simple, however; just search in the quick-install section of the software menu and you’ll find the WordPress icon. From here you can install it.
Alternatively, if you’re using a hosting provider like cPanel you can use the auto-install script to install WordPress.
Step 3: Create Your Blog
Once you’ve installed WordPress, open it. You’ll be greeted with a page that says ‘Create a new WordPress site’; here, you can fill in the name of your blog and give it a tagline. Then, click next to create your blog.
If you want to give your blog a more personal touch with a new theme, start by going to your WordPress dashboard then click on the Appearance tab. This will bring up a submenu – at the top you’ll see an option labeled Themes. Click on this.
Now click on the Add New button at the top of the new screen; this will bring up a menu where you can search through thousands of themes to find the one that suits your blog best!
Step 4: Write Your First Blog Post
Now that your blog has been made, it’s time to start filling it!
To make your first blog post, click on the Posts option in your WordPress dashboard. This will open up a submenu with an option labeled Add New. This will open up a new blank blog post.
WordPress’s blogs use a block-based structure, where different elements of the post are split into blocks. This lets you layout your blog however you want and gives you more options for customization.
Start filling in these blocks with your content, and feel free to customize your blog as you go.
Once you’ve finished writing your first blog post, you can publish it on your blog. In the top-right corner of the screen, you’ll see a button labeled Publish beside another button labeled Preview.
It’s a good idea to preview your blog post before publishing it, as this will let you double-check all the details and show you what the post will look like to a visitor to your blog.
When you’re satisfied with your post, click Publish to put it on your blog.
Step 5: Add Plugins To Your Blog
While they aren’t strictly necessary, plugins are a great way to make your blog more interesting and user-friendly. WordPress is compatible with hundreds of handy plugins that make navigating around your blog simple and easy.
For example, why not add social media widgets to your blog to help build your blog’s online presence? Or alternatively, you can use an SEO plugin to boost your blog’s reach and engagement.
To install plugins on your WordPress blog, simply go to your WordPress dashboard and click the Plugins menu. Then, click on Add New. This will take you to a new menu.
Here you can browse popular and recommended plugins for your blog, or use the search bar to find a specific one.
Then, all you need to do is install it, then simply refresh WordPress and you’ll be able to use your plugins on your blog!
Final Thoughts
Starting a blog on WordPress can be daunting at first, but it’s actually really quick and easy to do. If you know what you’re doing, then you can build a great blog in just a matter of minutes!
So now that you know how to start a WordPress blog, all you need to do is put your newfound knowledge to the test! As long as you follow the steps in this handy guide, you’ll be able to get started on your new blog in no time at all. Good luck!
Hi, my name is Justin Shaw, I started my career with a Masters in Computer Science but found writing to be my forte'.
I'm now the Principal Tech writer for GshiftLabs.com as well as a few other well known publications. I help make the complex world of Tech-Jargon easy to understand.
