How to Start a Blog on WordPress in 10 Simple Steps
Step 1: Choose Your Hosting Plan
Go to HostGator’s home page and select “Get Started Now”. This will bring you to a page that gives you 3 different packages. I recommend starting off with the Hatchling Plan:
If you are just starting out, the Hatchling Plan is all you need. The first rule of business: don’t over complicate things and end up overspending!
Step 2: Choose Your Domain Name
Once you hit the Sign Up Now button, you’ll be directed to the order form. The first item on the list is the most important one: your domain name! This is the one and the only name for your website, so give this some thought.
It can be tricky coming up with a name that isn’t already claimed.
Tips for Choosing Your Domain Name
- Stick to just .com endings. Don’t bother using .biz, .info, .org, or any other endings.
- Make your domain name simple and easy to remember.
- Leave out numbers and dashes and anything else other than letters.
Step 3: Enter Your Hosting Plan Information
This step just confirms what you chose in Step 1 (Hatchling Plan). If you want to change plans, though, you can do it here.
You’ll also set up your HostGator username, which is what you’ll use to access the back end of your site.
Step 4: Enter Your Billing Information
Another straightforward step. If you can’t figure this part out, maybe this whole online biz thing isn’t for you 
Step 5: Choose Add-ons That You Want
I recommend all of them, however, you can probably get away with adding them later (the cost starts to quickly rise).
If money’s tight, you can forego these things. If I had to choose just one add-on, I would choose the site backup option. Losing all your hard work is a buzz kill that I would not wish on even my worst enemy.
Step 6: Enter Your Coupon Code
We’ve got you covered: use the coupon code BTOP60 for 60% off your order. We’ve partnered up with them to give our readers this exclusive deal not offered on their regular site.
This discount is merely a promo rate and not likely to last long! All the more reason to get started right now.
Step 7: Review Order Details and Submit!
Once you’ve completed all the steps above, go through and make sure everything is the way you want it. I won’t include a screenshot of everyone’s checkout page will look slightly different based on their choices.
You’ll also notice that there are a few other free perks: 24/7/365 Phone, LiveChat, and Email Support AND a 45 Day Money Back Guarantee if you decide blogging isn’t for you. Pretty sweet deal if you ask me.
Once you’re all set, go ahead and hit Checkout and let’s get rolling!
Step 8: Install WordPress
Now it’s time to install WordPress on your site (don’t worry, it’s easy!).
As far as blogging platforms go, WordPress is in rare company. In fact, WordPress sites comprise around 27% of the entire Internet. You could go with a smaller platform like Tumblr or Blogger…or you can go with content management system (CMS) chosen by:
- New York Post
- USA Today
- CNN
- Fortune
- Time
- Spotify
- TechCrunch
- CBS
- NBC
If those sites use WordPress, and you can have your own site in less than 15 minutes, I think its safe to say you’re choosing the right CMS.
To get started:
Go to HostGator’s Billing Login page:
Use the email address you signed up with and the password included in your order confirmation email.
Once you’re logged in, you’ll see a bunch of tabs on the top. Click on the Hosting tab.
Once that loads up, you should see an option below under “Special Offers” that says Get Started with WordPress Today.
That will bring you to a “QuickInstall” page, shown below.
Make sure your domain name is chosen in the “Application URL” section. Be sure to leave the box after the slash blank.
Then, check the “Enable Auto Upgrades” box. Enter your “Admin Email”, your “Blog Title” can just be your domain name (with spaces), then enter whatever you want your admin username to be.
Pro tip: Never make it “admin”! You WILL get hacked if that happens. Make your Admin User something unique. Lastly, fill in your first and last name, then click the “Install Now” button.
Step 9: Finish WordPress Install and Log Into WordPress!
Once WordPress is finished installing, you’ll get a confirmation message giving you info on where to access your WordPress login, your username, and a randomly generated password to sign in.
Your WordPress page can be found at http://yourwebsitename.com/wp-admin/ – go to that URL and sign in.
And that’s it! You’re all set up and ready to go with your new domain.
Step 10: The Part About Making Money
I’ll be honest with you. It’s gonna take time.
And if you just got done with the steps above, you should probably focus on building up your blog’s content and growing your audience before you start thinking about money.
Here are a few parting thoughts I have on how to start a blog (successfully):
- Make sure you’re writing in a way that’s easy to read. What do I mean by that? Be conversational, use short paragraphs, and use short sentences. Oddly enough, this is way harder than it sounds, especially for new bloggers. The way you learned to write in high school and college is NOT the way you want to write for your blog. I can’t stress that enough!
- Your content needs to help people solve a problem. If it doesn’t do that, then it better entertain them. If you aren’t doing either of these things, you will probably fail.
- Use social media to promote your blog. I recommend starting with Pinterest. Check out my comprehensive Pinterest guide.
- Start learning about the different ways of monetizing your blog.
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