How to Make a Blog in Under an Hour

by Anna Runyan

It’s really not that hard to make a blog. Website stuff is where many people get stuck because they think creating a website is too overwhelming and time consuming. It’s actually pretty simple. I taught myself a few years back and continue to design, create and modify websites myself too! 🙂

Yep, that’s right. This website you are looking at right now is a simple DIY WordPress website and I am not technical whatsoever. If I can do it, you can do it too.

But, first let’s tackle this common question:

To Free or Not to Free?

When you make a blog, you can use free options such as Blogger.com or WordPress.com. The problem with these sites though, is that you will have to include blogspot.com or wordpress.com at the end of your domain name. This is not professional and screams hobby blog instead of business blog. Even if you do decide to change domain names, you still won’t own your content if it is on one of these free sites.

Be a CEO now and take the next step. I recommend that you create a self-hosted WordPress site instead. This is what most serious bloggers use including myself. You want WordPress.org NOT wordpress.com so that you can use plugins and custom themes and you own it yourself.

Here’s How to Make a Blog in Under an Hour:

Step 1: Create Your Hosting and Domain Account

This is the house that your blog will live in. I recommend bluehost.com. Note: I am an affiliate and will receive a commission if you purchase through me.

This is what I have used for 6 years. Hosting cost is about $5-7 per month and domain cost is about $10-$15 per year. Remember, for hosting you will most likely have to pay for a year in full up front though so you probably want to budget around $150 for hosting.

Once you register with bluehost, make sure you assign your domain to your cPanel account if this is not your primary domain. You can also purchase additional domains and assign them to this cPanel account in the future.

Note: You do not need the upgrades or extras that are offered during this initial step.

Step 2: Install WordPress

Now, you are ready to install WordPress! Installing WordPress is completely free. Click on addons while logged into bluehost. Click on marketplace and then click installs. Click on WordPress and click install. Find the domain that you want to install WordPress on and click check domain.

You should get a new screen with an error message. This is normal. Check “Oops. Looks like something already exists there. I understand that continuing will overwrite the files.” Since this is a brand new blog*, you do want to overwrite the files. So select the checkbox that says, “Directory Exists! I understand that continuing will overwrite files.”

*If you were running this on a website that you already had up and running, you would not want to do this. But it is not an issue since you are creating a brand new site.

Now click again on “Check Domain.” The next screen will say, “You are almost there.” You don’t need the “Advanced Options,” so leave that unchecked. Click on the item that says, “I have read the terms and conditions.” Now click on the “Install Now” button. The installation process should begin and it will then keep you updated on the process. Be patient, this will take a minute or two.

WordPress will provide you with your wp-admin URL, password and URL. Write this down now and save it somewhere special.

Now you are ready to log into WordPress with your new username and password. Once you do this, you’ll now you are looking at the WordPress dashboard. Get used to this site because you will be looking at this a lot in the future new blogger!

Your site is about to come alive! Wahoo!

Step 3: Pick a Website Theme

Now, you probably don’t like the look of your website right now, right? No worries! Now, it’s time to pick a website theme. There are a million to choose from.

The next step is to look for and install a theme. There are literally thousands of free ones available. Personally, I suggest spending a little money and buying a premium theme for your site, like the Genesis Theme with Studiopress. This is the theme I had on my site for many years and I loved it.

I would budget between $0 to $59.95 for a good theme. To find a theme you like, og into the WordPress dashboard. Click on Appearance. Click on themes. Click on install themes. View all of the themes available and install one. You can always change to another one if you don’t like it later. Find one you like and start working with it.

Now you are ready to start blogging!

Disclosure – Some of the above links are affiliate links meaning I get a commission if you sign up. Thank you for taking my recommendations! I only share the best products that I believe in and use myself.

So, did you make a blog? Let us know how it went…

Hi, I'm Anna!

I’ll help you create a career strategy and plan so you can finally have a job or business you love that supports the life you really want.

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