By LocalPCGuy on Web Development

Setting up WordPress for a simple blog

Looking for a place to post your thoughts?  Want to distribute information about a hobby or something you are knowledgeable about on the web?  Setup a blog using WordPress.  I don’t generally recommend someone just go to WordPress.com, although that is obviously an option.

No, I recommend an individual learn a little bit about the inner workings of their website by setting up WordPress on their own domain and with their own hosting.  You also get invaluable experience which will be important as a website owner.  It is a simple process these days, even those without a lot of Internet knowledge can follow the instructions and steps to get this setup.

Warning: If you are running a business, you probably should consult with someone who builds websites for a living.  For a blog you do for fun, it doesn’t matter if you mess something up and it is down for a few days, but in your business?  Inexperience can cost big dollars in lost sales and lower reputation.

Now on to the steps you need to take to get your first post online:

  1. Buy your domain name – I’ve been using & recommending NameCheap.com
  2. Get hosting (somewhere for your website to live on the web.) Lots of options, my favorites:
    • HostGator – (This is what I currently use)
    • DreamHost – They host a lot of WordPress sites, so lots of service if you need help. Plus you get a free domain name.
    • You could also use NameCheap for hosting as well.
  3. Using the information your hosting company gives you, log into your domain name registrar and update your nameservers to point to your hosting company.
  4. Log into your control panel for your website, then find & click the 1-click WordPress install (you don’t need to install WordPress custom for a regular blog.)
  5. Log into your WordPress account, and Go to Appearance, Themes and search there for a theme you like, then apply it.
    1. Want something a bit more “premium”? Look here: http://themeforest.net (themes start around $40)
    2. Starting out, I recommend you stick with a fairly basic theme so you aren’t overwhelmed with options. Later on you can update the theme pretty easily.
  6. If you want simple pages, like About or similar, Go to Pages -> Add New and add a page.
    1. Depending on your theme, you probably need to add the Page to a Menu (Appearance, Menus)
  7. Then just go to Posts -> Add New and write your first blog post.  Congrats!
  8. By default, WordPress will put the latest posts you write on the home page. If you don’t want that, you can setup a static page for the home page and set a different page for your “blog” posts. I would recommend not doing this for a blog (you want people to see your latest posts right away, not have to click again for them.)

As you can see, there are just a few steps to being able to publish your thoughts on the web.  It isn’t hard and it can give you plenty of confidence in your abilities to maintain your website.

Now go write some posts and share your thoughts with the world!

(Note, some of the links listed are affiliate links that I may 
earn compensation from.  I either use or have friends that use all 
of the services that are listed below and recommend them regardless 
of any potential compensation.)