How to Start a WordPress Blog the RIGHT WAY in 7 Easy Steps (2019)

By WP Saviour •  Updated: 01/24/21 •  21 min read

Do you need to begin a WordPress blog the fitting method? We all know that beginning a blog could be a terrifying thought specifically if you end up not geeky. Guess what – you aren’t alone. Having helped over 130,000+ customers create a blog, we now have determined to create probably the most complete information on easy methods to begin a WordPress blog with none technical information.

The method is straightforward to observe whether or not you’re 20 years outdated or 60 years outdated. Nonetheless when you need assistance, our professional workforce will provide help to setup your blog at no cost.

What do that you must begin a WordPress blog?

There are three issues that you must create a WordPress blog:

  1. A website title concept (this would be the title of your blog i.e wpsaviour.com)
  2. A internet hosting account (that is the place your web site stay on the web)
  3. Your undivided consideration for 30 minutes.

Sure, you learn it proper. You can begin a blog from scratch in lower than 30 minutes, and we are going to stroll you thru the entire course of, step-by-step.

On this tutorial, we are going to cowl:

Prepared? Let’s get began.

When you don’t just like the video or want extra directions, then proceed studying.

Step 1. Setup

The largest mistake beginners make when constructing a blog is selecting the fallacious running a blog platform. Fortunately you’re right here, so that you received’t be making that mistake.

For 95% of customers, it makes extra sense to use WordPress.org also referred to as self-hosted WordPress. Why? As a result of it’s free to make use of, you may set up plugins, customise your website design, and most significantly make cash out of your website with none restrictions (see the distinction between WordPress.com vs WordPress.org).

Now you might have in all probability heard that WordPress is free.

You may be questioning why is it free? What’s the catch?

There’s no catch. It’s free as a result of it’s a must to do the setup and host it your self.

In different phrases, you want a area title and internet hosting.

A website title is what individuals kind to get to your web site. It’s your web site’s handle on the web. Suppose google.com or wpsaviour.com

Hosting is the place your web site stay. It’s your web site’s home on the web. Each web site wants internet hosting.

A website title sometimes prices $14.99 / yr, and internet hosting usually prices $7.99 / month.

That’s quite a bit for beginners who’re simply beginning out.

Fortunately, Bluehost, an official WordPress really useful internet hosting supplier, has agreed to supply our customers a free area title and over 60% off on internet hosting.

Bluehost is among the oldest internet hosting corporations, began in 1996 (that’s earlier than Google). They’re additionally the biggest model title in terms of WordPress internet hosting as a result of they host tens of millions of internet sites together with our personal.

On prime of all this, Bluehost has been working with WordPress since 2005, and they’re dedicated to giving again. That’s why they’ve promised us that when you can not get your blog on-line inside 30 minutes by following this tutorial, then our professional workforce will full the method for you with none value. They may compensate us, so that you don’t must. Contact us at no cost blog setup assist.

NOTE: At WPSaviour we imagine in transparency. When you enroll with Bluehost utilizing our referral hyperlink, we are going to earn a small fee at no further value to you (in reality, you’ll lower your expenses and get a free area). We might get this fee for recommending nearly any WordPress internet hosting firm, however we solely suggest merchandise that we use personally use and imagine will add worth to our readers.

Let’s go forward and buy your area + internet hosting.

Open up Bluehost in a brand new window and observe alongside.

Very first thing that you must do is click on on the inexperienced Get Began Now button to get began.

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On the subsequent display, choose the plan that you simply want (fundamental and plus are the most well-liked).

After that, you’ll be requested to enter the area title on your web site.

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Lastly, you have to so as to add your account info and finalize the package deal information to finish the method. We suggest going with the 36 month plan as a result of that’s finest worth.

On this display, you will notice optionally available extras you can buy. It’s fully as much as you whether or not or not you buy these, however we usually don’t suggest buying them instantly. You possibly can all the time add them in a while, when you determine that you simply want them.

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As soon as accomplished, you’ll obtain an electronic mail with particulars on easy methods to login to your internet hosting management panel (cPanel). That is the place you handle all the pieces from assist, emails, amongst different issues. However most significantly, that is the place you put in WordPress.

Step 2. Set up WordPress

Within the cPanel, you will notice dozens of small icons for various companies and options. This could be a bit overwhelming, so ignore 95% of them as a result of you’ll by no means want to make use of them.

Scroll all the way down to the web site part and click on on the WordPress icon.

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You can be redirected to the Bluehost Market Fast Set up display for WordPress. Click on on the Get Began button.

On the subsequent display, you’ll be requested to pick out your area title. Select the area from the dropdown after which click on Subsequent.

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After that, that you must enter your Web site Title, username, and a password on your website. You additionally have to examine all of the checkboxes after which click on Set up.

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The QuickInstall will begin putting in WordPress. {The marketplace} will immediate you to browse WordPress themes, whereas WordPress is being put in.

No want to try this proper now. We’ll present you easy methods to get free WordPress themes within the subsequent step.

As soon as WordPress is completed putting in, you will notice the success discover within the prime header bar.

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Click on on the Set up Full hyperlink, and it’ll take you to the display along with your WordPress login URL and password.

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Congratulations, you might have created your WordPress website. That wasn’t too unhealthy proper.

Your WordPress login URL will appear like this:

http://yoursite.com/wp-admin

Click on on the WordPress login hyperlink to login to your dashboard.

Now we’re able to customise your website’s look and begin running a blog.

Step 3. Choosing your WordPress Theme

The visible look of your WordPress blog is managed by themes. While you first go to your blog, it is going to look one thing like this:

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This isn’t very interesting to most individuals.

Customizing the appear and feel of your blog is by far one of the vital thrilling and rewarding half within the journey of making your WordPress website.

There are literally thousands of pre-made WordPress themes you can set up in your website. A few of them are free, whereas others are paid.

You possibly can change your theme by going to your WordPress dashboard and clicking on Look » Themes.

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Go forward and click on on the Add New button.

On the subsequent display, you’ll in a position to search from 5600+ free WordPress themes which might be accessible within the official WordPress.org themes listing. You possibly can type by well-liked, newest, featured, in addition to different characteristic filters (i.e business, structure, and so forth).

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You possibly can take your mouse over to a theme and you will notice a Preview button. Clicking on will open the theme preview the place you may see how it might look in your web site.

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The preview of your theme could not look precisely as proven within the screenshot, which is regular as you’ll get to customise and set it up later. What that you must search for is design, colours, typography, and different components.

The most effective tip to pick out the proper WordPress theme is to attempt for simplicity in design. It helps you retain issues clear and clear whereas providing a great expertise to your customers.

When you might have discovered the theme that you simply like, merely convey your mouse on it, and it’ll present the Set up button. Click on on it and watch for the theme to be put in. After that, the set up button might be changed with an Activate button. You’ll want to click on on it to Activate the theme.

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After you have put in your theme, you may customise it by clicking on the Customise hyperlink below the Look menu.

When you need assistance choosing a theme, then please check with our information on 9 issues you must think about when choosing an ideal WordPress theme.

After you have chosen your WordPress theme, you are actually able to create your first blog put up.

Step 4. Creating Your First blog Put up

To put in writing your first blog put up, click on on the Posts » Add New menu in your WordPress dashboard.

You will note an editor space the place you may write your first blog put up.

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When you’re finished writing, go forward and click on on the Publish button on the fitting to publish your first blog put up to the world.

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On the posts display, you’ll discover a number of different sections reminiscent of Classes and Tags. You need to use these to arrange your blog posts. We have now an excellent writeup on the distinction between classes vs tags, which we extremely suggest that you simply learn.

To make the most of all of the options on the posts display, you must learn our article on easy methods to add a brand new put up in WordPress (video included).

Typically beginners are confused between posts and pages menu within the WordPress dashboard. That’s why we now have written a whole information on the distinction between posts vs pages in WordPress.

Step 5. Plugins & Customizations

After you have written your first blog put up, you in all probability need to get began with including different regular components in your web site reminiscent of contact varieties, galleries, sliders, and so forth.

So as to add all these extra options, that you must use plugins.

WordPress plugins are apps that permit you to add new options to your web site.

There are over 55,000 WordPress plugins accessible within the free WordPress plugin listing alone. This implies it doesn’t matter what you need to accomplish, there’s a plugin for it.

We have now a step-by-step information on easy methods to set up a WordPress plugin.

That being stated, let’s check out easy methods to use plugins so as to add some important options to your WordPress blog.

Learn how to Create a Contact Type in WordPress

Each web site wants a contact type. It permits your customers to contact you instantly. Since WordPress doesn’t include a built-in contact type, you have to a WordPress type builder plugin so as to add a contact type in your website.

We suggest utilizing the WPForms Lite plugin. It’s free model of the favored WPForms plugin, which is #1 in our listing of finest contact type plugins for WordPress.

You possibly can set up the plugin by going to Plugins » Add New web page and typing WPForms within the search field. Subsequent, that you must click on “Set up” after which “Activate”. Upon activation, that you must head over to WPForms » Add New web page to create your first type.

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It will open the WPForms builder interface.

First, that you must enter a reputation on your contact type after which click on on ‘Easy Contact Type’ template.

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WPForms will now create a easy contact type for you with all of the required fields. You possibly can click on on any area to vary it, or add a brand new area from the left column.

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As soon as you’re finished modifying the shape, click on on the save button on the prime proper nook after which exit the shape builder.

Now you can create a brand new web page in WordPress by going to Pages » Add New and name it ‘Contact’. On the edit display, you’ll discover a brand new ‘Add Type’ button.

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While you click on on it, it is going to convey up a popup the place that you must choose the shape you created earlier after which click on on the add type button.

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WPForms will now add the shape shortcode into your web page. Now you can save and publish the web page and go to it in your browser to see your contact type in motion.

When you want extra detailed directions, then see our step-by-step information on easy methods to create a contact type in WordPress.

Learn how to Setup Google Analytics Monitoring

Google Analytics helps you see how many individuals are visiting your blog, the place they’re coming from, and what are they doing in your web site?

It’s best to put in Google Analytics when beginning your blog, so you may see how a lot your blog has grown over time.

First, that you must go to Google Analytics web site and check in utilizing your Gmail account.

As soon as you’re logged in, you may go forward and join a free Google Analytics account.

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You can be requested to offer your info and web site URL. After that, you’ll be offered along with your Google Analytics monitoring code.

You possibly can cease right here as a result of we might be utilizing a plugin to mechanically fetch and add this code to your blog.

Swap to your WordPress admin space to put in and activate the Monster Insights plugin. It’s the free model of the very best Google Analytics plugin for WordPress, and it’s the easiest method so as to add Google Analytics in your website.

Upon activation, that you must go to Insights » Settings web page to configure the plugin settings.

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On the settings web page, click on on the ‘Authenticate along with your Google account’ button to attach Google Analytics to your WordPress website.

Comply with the onscreen directions to finish the setup. As soon as finished, it is possible for you to to see your web site analytics report straight out of your WordPress dashboard below the MonsterInsights tab.

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For detailed directions, see our article on easy methods to set up Google Analytics in WordPress.

Learn how to Optimize Your WordPress blog for search engine optimization

Most beginners don’t optimize for search engine optimization when making a blog. search engine optimization or SEO helps customers discover your blog in search engines like google. In order for you extra site visitors, then it’s essential that you simply optimize your blog for search engine optimization from the start.

To get began, first that you must set up and activate the Yoast search engine optimization plugin. It’s the full WordPress search engine optimization plugin that may provide help to optimize your blog.

Upon activation, you will notice a brand new menu merchandise labeled ‘search engine optimization’. Clicking on it is going to take you to the plugins settings web page.

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The plugin comes with a fast configuration wizard that can assist you stroll by the arrange. You may also observe the directions in our Yoast search engine optimization information for handbook arrange.

We additionally suggest you to observe our full step-by-step WordPress search engine optimization information to arrange your blog’s search engine optimization.

Extra WordPress Plugins and Customizations

There are a ton of others WordPress plugins you can set up. Typically beginners discover it a bit overwhelming to seek for the plugins they want.

At WPSaviour, we regularly characteristic the very best WordPress plugins that can assist you add the performance that you simply want.

Right here is our professional choose of the very best WordPress plugins that you must take a look at.

In case you are curious in regards to the plugins and instruments we use on our website, then take a look at WPSaviour’s Blueprint. It has all of the plugins and instruments that we use on the WPSaviour blog.

Want extra suggestions? See our expert-pick of the will need to have WordPress plugins and instruments for enterprise web sites.

Step 6. Making Cash From Your blog

Now that you simply’ve created your blog and customised it to your liking, you’re in all probability questioning how can I really make cash from my blog?

There are literally quite a bit alternative ways to efficiently monetize your blog. Nonetheless there isn’t a such factor as a get wealthy fast scheme.

Don’t be fooled by the photographs of high-priced automobiles and mansions as a result of these are all faux.

In contrast to different “make cash on-line” articles, we now have created probably the most complete information on easy methods to make cash out of your blog utilizing WordPress.

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That’s a 4000+ phrase information that everybody who need to make cash with their blog must learn. We have now shared our 14+ years of on-line knowledge in that final information.

So long as you’re prepared to place within the arduous work and energy, you’ll reap the reward. Keep in mind, there are not any shortcuts.

Listed below are a few of the finest methods to make cash out of your blog.

1. Google AdSense

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Many bloggers make cash by exhibiting advertisements on their blog. When you make a blog with monetization in thoughts, then Google AdSense is the easiest way to do that.

It’s the largest promoting platform for bloggers and publishers. Performing as a intermediary between you and the advertiser, Google permit advertisers to bid for key phrases matching your content material. This lets you get the very best charges attainable for the advertisements.

For extra particulars, see our article on easy methods to correctly add Google AdSense to your WordPress blog.

2. Affiliate Advertising and marketing

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Internet affiliate marketing is the second mostly used monetization technique amongst bloggers. Principally, you suggest services to your readers and after they make a purchase order you get a referral fee.

The important thing in internet online affiliate marketing is to suggest high-quality services that you simply already use and belief. There are many internet online affiliate marketing plugins and instruments for WordPress that may provide help to make more cash when selling affiliate merchandise.

We have now a whole step-by-step internet online affiliate marketing information for beginners, that may provide help to get began.

3. On-line Retailer

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Many bloggers make cash by promoting issues instantly from their blog. This could possibly be bodily merchandise, digital downloads like ebooks, paintings, music, and extra. Some bloggers even provide consulting companies.

We suggest utilizing WooCommerce as a result of it’s the finest eCommerce plugin for WordPress. It additionally probably the most generally used eCommerce platforms on the planet.

For detailed directions, see our information on easy methods to simply create an internet retailer utilizing WordPress.

That’s not all you are able to do along with your WordPress blog. You may make WordPress blogs particularly for critiques, style running a blog, meals running a blog with recipes, and extra. Every of those blog varieties brings you extra distinctive alternatives to make cash.

Step 7. Mastering WordPress

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WPSaviour is the biggest free WordPress useful resource website for beginners.

At WPSaviour, our most important objective is to offer cutting-edge useful WordPress tutorials which might be straightforward to know for small companies, bloggers, and non-techy WordPress web site house owners (see extra about us).

To broaden your WordPress information, you must take a look at:

Lastly, you should use Google to kind your query and add WPSaviour in entrance of it. Our customers discover this very useful since you’ll probably discover a solution to any WordPress questions that you’ve.

In case you don’t discover a solution to your query, merely use our contact type to ship us a message. We love serving to customers get began with WordPress.

Steadily Requested Questions (FAQs)

Having helped hundreds of individuals begin a blog, we now have answered various questions. Under are the solutions to probably the most often requested questions on making a blog.

Can I create a blog with out WordPress?

Sure, there are a number of different running a blog platforms accessible. We have now in contrast all of them, and WordPress is by far the very best answer out there to make a blog with full possession and freedom.

Can I construct a blog with out internet hosting?

No, that’s not attainable. Hosting is the place your web site records data are saved. All web sites want internet hosting.

How a lot does it value to start out a blog?

The fee is dependent upon the add-ons that you simply purchase. We have now a whole information on how a lot does a WordPress web site value in addition to tips about how to save cash.

Can I create a blog with out my dad and mom understanding about it?

Sure. You may make your WordPress blog personal and conceal it from the web. Here’s a step-by-step information on easy methods to make your WordPress blog utterly personal.

Can I begin a WordPress blog and make cash with Google Adsense?

Sure, you should use your WordPress blog to earn cash from Google AdSense. We have now a step-by-step information on easy methods to add Google AdSense in WordPress.

How can I create a blog and stay nameless?

If you wish to have a public-facing blog however need to stay nameless, then that you must ensure that your area has WHOIS privateness turned on. Typically individuals use a pseudonym / nickname to put in writing below. You must also create a singular electronic mail simply on your blog. It goes with out saying, don’t put up your photos or something on the blog. For extra detailed directions, see our article on easy methods to blog anonymously utilizing WordPress.

How do I add a podcast to my WordPress blog?

WordPress makes it tremendous straightforward to start out a blog and add a podcast to it. We have now a step-by-step information on easy methods to begin a podcast with WordPress.

How do I give you running a blog concepts to put in writing about?

Right here’s a superb information that has 103 blog put up concepts you can write about right now. Right here’s one other information on 73 kinds of blog posts which might be confirmed to work.

Can I construct a blog in my very own language?

Sure, you should use WordPress in different languages. You possibly can choose your language throughout set up or from Settings web page in WordPress admin space. WordPress is absolutely translated in additional than 56 languages and partially translated into dozens of different languages. Many prime WordPress themes and plugins are additionally accessible in a number of languages. You may also translate a theme or a plugin that you simply need to use in your web site.

We hope that you simply discovered our tutorial on easy methods to begin a WordPress blog to be useful.

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WP Saviour

I am a WordPress specialist. My mission is to help you create beautiful websites with ease!