How to Start a Blog
The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide
Do you dream of being a full-time blogger… Making a full-time income working from anywhere writing posts just like the one you’re reading now. Did you know? You can potentially make more income from writing a blog than you can from a more traditional career choice.
It’s an amazing opportunity. You get to help people every day and stay home with your family while you do it. You can work anywhere, at home, in a cafe, at the park, on vacation, the choice is yours.
If you love writing and you are passionate about helping people, blogging is one of the best career opportunities in the world. It’s also one of the only startups that you don’t need to invest large amounts of money in to get started. So … what are you waiting for?
Let’s Get Started
From start to finish, the entire process of setting up your blog is easier than you might think. Yes, there are many decisions to be made along the way, but the following steps will outline the basic tasks you will need to get your blog online and start writing!
Here is a list of the ten simple steps required to get your blog up and running. Click on the links below to skip back and forth as needed:
Step 1. Choose a Blog Name
Step 2. Register & Host
Step 3. Customize Your Theme
Step 4. Add Pages
Step 5. Set-up Custom Email
Step 6. Security & Analytics
Step 7. Link Social Media
Step 8. Blogging Schedule
Step 9. Promote Your Blog
Step 10. Make Money
Here We Go!
Before you can start blogging, there are two important things you will need to do; decide on a name for your blog and choose a web host.
Step 1: Pick a Domain Name
The domain name for this blog is https://www.theverybusyblogger.com
If you click on this link or type this domain name into any web browser you will always be directed to this site. Your domain name is very important. Great domain names usually have a descriptive element. Your domain tells your audience what your blog is about. A unique name becomes your brand. It makes you instantly recognizable and will help you to grow your following.
Some bloggers choose to use their own name or some variation that includes their name. Great examples of this in action are:
Martha Stewart’s Blog – www.themarthablog.com
Lifestyle Blogger Lena Almeida’s blog – www.listentolena.com
Ultimately it’s up to you. It’s your blog and the name should reflect you and your thoughts and ideas. Have fun, brainstorm a catchy phrase or an otherwise clever or descriptive collection of words, and then get ready to move on to our next step.
Step 2: Register & Host
Once you’ve narrowed down some blog name ideas you will need to decide on a domain extension. Keep in mind that the .com extension is the most recognizable, but .net and .org are valid as well. I would advise against other extensions like .us or .biz, as they are not as well known to most people.
Unfortunately, you may find that the domain name you want is already taken. If you find that your name has already been registered, you can try adding simple words like “the”, or “my” to the beginning of the name, Don’t give up, finding the perfect name can be a challenge, but remember it’s your brand.
You can check to see if the name you like is available here:
You must secure your blog’s name through a domain name registrar. For example, if you choose a name like “myblog.com”, you will need to find a registrar, pay a registration fee and complete the registration.
There are companies that only register domain names, but you will still need to find a web hosting company to host your blog. In my opinion, you can save a step (and often some money) if you register your domain with the same company that will be hosting your blog.
A web host is a company that stores all of the files for your blog and delivers them to the user when they type in your domain name. You must have a web host in order to have a blog.
My top recommendation for a WordPress host for new bloggers is bluehost. They have reasonable and flexible pricing options, great features, reliable security, and their tech support is awesome. You can get the lowest possible price using my link, as low as $3.95 month. As with most subscriptions, the longer the term the better the discount. For example, you will pay less for a yearly sign up than you would just Going month to month. Flexibility means the choice is yours!
A Word about WordPress
Your blog host or website host is where all of your content including, blog posts, site images, your site themes, and more are stored on the internet. WordPress hosting has been specifically configured to meet the specific needs of a WordPress based site. I recommend a “self-hosted” WordPress site. You can start your blog for free with services like Blogger.com and WordPress.com, but if you eventually want to earn income and have maximum control over your blog you will need to go the self-hosted route with a WordPress host like bluehost.
Step 3. Customize Your Theme
Here comes the fun part!
How do you want your blog to look? After you have secured your hosting and a domain name, you’ll need to pick a WordPress theme. The theme adds style to your site and makes it attractive to your readers. Again, just like when you chose a blog name, your theme will become a part of your brand.