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Are you interested in starting a blog? But don’t really know where or how to start? Trust me, I’ve been there (every blogger starts there).
This post will walk you through the exact process of getting your blog set up today and get you one step closer to owning your dream blog business and start earning you money.
I have been blogging, (like for real blogging) since 2019. Since then I’ve consistently earned hundreds of dollars a month and plan on growing that number. There are bloggers who earn six-figures a month from blogging #goals. And you can start earning money with your blog as well!
Why Should you start a Blog?
There are so many reasons why someone may want to start a blog. For me, I personally wanted to start a blog to be a SAHM spending as much time with my kids as I can and also earn money to contribute finically to my family all while being on my own schedule.
Starting my blog has:
- Allowed me to start earning money from home
- Given me a creative outlet (SAHM life is hard!)
- Let me network with other bloggers and Moms!
- Brought brands to me for paid opportunities
Overall, I’ve enjoyed starting a blog and it’s been such a rewarding experience for me. Here are other great reasons to start a blog.
- You want to earn money from home. Blogging allows you to make money from home and to potentially earn as much money as you want (sky’s the limit!). Giving you the freedom to work as hard or as little as you want. Plus you can work while wearing comfy clothes!
- It’s a creative outlet. Starting a blog give you the chance to get really creative and can help you express yourself. It’s a fun way to write about things you enjoy while earning money!
- You can connect with new people. Meeting people (online) can help you boost your business and can also create friendships with like-minded people.
- You make your own schedule. Making your own hours and choosing when you work on your blog is so convenient. Because Mom life is unpredictable and every day looks a little bit different. Working on your time is the best.
Do any of these reasons resonate with you? Are you ready to start blogging? The following steps are broken down as simply as possible to help you set up your blog and start blogging within the next hour!
What is a self-hosted website and Why you need one To Start a Blog?
When I started my blogging journey I was obsessed with taking in all the information I could. The first step I kept hearing about was to get a self-hosted WordPress blog.
What is a self-hosted blog? What does that even mean?!
Self hosting is when you pay a website like Bluehost to host your WordPress website. In other words it means that you have ownership over your website. Which allows you to do whatever you want with it – such as monetize it and make money.
This is very important if you plan on having a money earning blog.
Why You should avoid a Non self hosted website Or free blog
A non self hosted blog is a free blog. Platforms like wix, blogspot or tumblr are all examples of free blogs.
If you intend to have a blogging business that makes real money using a free hosting is not recommended. Here are some reasons why:
- You don’t own it. Could you imagine not owning your business? Because you don’t have ownership over it, you are limited on what you can do such as monetizing. Heck the platform that owns it could take it down at any time for any reason.
- Brands won’t take you seriously. Let’s be real, brands are not going to want to work with someone who doesn’t even care to own their business. It seems “untrustworthy” in the professional world.
- You could lose everything. If you think you could start on a free platform then move to a self hosted platform, you could be wrong. Moving could result in all of your work being lost. It’d be like starting from the beginning expect with a lot of lost work.
So if you’re serious about starting a blog can making a business out of it, then you need a self-hosted wordpress website. It only costs $2.95 a month and is worth it.
How To Set up A Blog
1. Get A Hosting
There are many blog hosts out there but I use and only recommend Bluehost.
Bluehost is ranked #1 in hosting. Most bloggers start on Bluehost and never look back (guilty!).
The best part is that to start your hosting is super cheap! You can get started for just $2.95 a month. That’s cheaper than any Starbucks coffee I’ve ever ordered.
Bluehost may look different depending on updates. But the steps will be the same!
Click the “Get Started” button!
2. Choose Your Plan
Bluehost offers four plans, Basic, Plus, Choice Plus and Pro.
When getting started I believe all you need is the $2.95/mo Basic plan. You can always upgrade later when your website gets more traffic (the plus plan will help speed up your website).
3. Pick A Domain Name (Blog Name)
This is where you can choose your domain name. This is what your blogs URL will be. What people can type in to find your website. For example mine domain name is houseofsonshine.com.
When choosing a domain name there are a few things to remember:
- Make it easy for readers to remember
- Don’t over think it (I spent way too much time on this)
- The name of your blog isn’t going to define your success
- Make sure your domain is available with ‘.com’
If you need more help deciding what to call your blog, I created a Niche & Name Workbook to help you! Click below to get it.
If you can’t choose the perfect name right now, it’s ok! You can come back to this step. Just click ‘I’ll create my domain later’ button at the bottom of the page.
4. Enter Your Information
Once you finish entering your account information you be asked to choose your plan.
Bluehost bills you up front for your hosting.
It’s kind of lame that they can’t just let you pay the $2.95 a month but if you choose the 12 month hosting your total will only come out to $35.
Of course the longer of a plan you choose the bigger of a discount you get. I didn’t add any extras when I signed up so I wouldn’t recommend that you need to.
5. Create A Password
Once you’ve submitted your account and payment information you’ll be taken to a page with special offers and deals, skip it. You don’t need it.
Now that your purchase is complete, you’ll be prompted to create a unique password.
Once you’ve created a password, click the log in button!
6. Design Your WordPress Website
Yay! You did it!
Now for the fun part. It’s time to start designing your website.
You’ll be taken to a free themes page, my advice is to pick the first one that catches your eye because you’ll eventually end up changing your theme.
When you decide you want a more professional looking website you’ll probably want to find a theme that you can buy.
Paid themes will give your blog a more professional and overall organized look!
7.How To Use WordPress
This is your WordPress dashboard. I know may look complicated and a little scary right now but trust me, you’ll get to know your way around here in no time!
When you first set up your blog, your domain will be temporary with a coming soon page. Don’t be alarmed, this is totally normal it can take up to 24 hours before your domain name is fully registered.
Once you’re ready to make your first blog post public your Coming Soon! page will disappear and your website will officially up and running.
On the left hand side of your WordPress dashboard you will find a dark gray column. This is your menu. Let’s go over the basics of what some of these buttons do:
- Posts: This is where all of you blog post will hang out. Start writing your first post by clicking Posts>Add New. Click here to get my FREE 5 step guide on how to write a blog post
- Media: This is where you can upload photos, videos and PDF files to your media library so that they can be added to your posts.
- Pages: This is different than a post. Your pages are where your post can be organized. For example you can have a Welcome page or an About Me page. To create a new page click Pages>Add New
- Comments: This is where you’ll find people can leave on our blog posts.
- Appearance: This is where you can change your themes.
- Plugins: Plugins are add-ons that can change the functionality of your website.
Congratulations! You Officially Have A blog!
That’s everything! You have finished setting up your blog.
It’s a great feeling getting your blog up and running, it’s an exciting adventure.
You know how to start your first post and how to launch your site. Now go and start your blogger journey. I’m rooting for you! You can do this!
Now that your blog is up and running I bet you're wondering, Now how do I make money?
Like most people interested in blogging, you are probably wondering how you can make money from blogging.
Your blog can become your main source of income, I’ve heard of many bloggers who were able to quit their 9-5’s and become full time bloggers!
Bloggers, even new bloggers, can make money a lot of different ways.
The most common ways to make money blogging are:
- Selling Digital Products (courses and e-books)
- Sponsored Posts
- Selling Services (teaching and coaching)
- Affiliate Marketing
- Display Advertising
My advice for you is to start writing. Become a content creating writing machine queen!
Start getting comfortable your blog posts format and get on a consistent posting schedule.
Once you have a good amount of content start focusing on getting your posts seen and getting traffic to your blog.
You’ll then get to the point where you can started earning money.
In the mean time learn as much as you can! Take courses and enjoy your blog!
Do you have any questions for me? Need help? Contact me! I’d be happy to help you with your blogging journey! [email protected]
