Starting a WordPress Blog can be super inexpensive, here’s what I did to keep my costs low.
Step 1 – Pick your domain name
My domain name is dogsndecor.com, my instagram user name is @dogs.n.decor but I have quite a few domain names so don’t get super caught up and overthink this step, like I did. Most likely you’ll want to use your Instagram handle or something similar to it. Use this domain checker to see if your preferred name is available. Once you are happy with your domain name and it’s available click the green “Next” button.
Step 2 – Set up your account and purchase your website hosting, your domain name will be free.
You may be asking why you need web hosting when WordPress offers a free site to users. Here’s the deal, they will give you a “free” site but it will never be your own domain name. For example, mine would have been dogsndecor.wordpress.com. You do not want this, not only will businesses looking to collaborate with you not take you seriously but you will also be limited in what you can do with that “freebie” site. Hosting your WordPress blog with your personalized domain name is well worth the small amount of money you’ll pay.
You’ll start by filling out your “Account Information”
Now take a look at the packages to see which one works best for you. More than likely, you’ll just need the basic package. I ended up going with the “recommended” plan, but that’s because I have several websites and this option allows for unlimited sites.
Next, choose your package and any extras if you’d like! The one extra I like to add is domain privacy. This means no one will find out my contact information as the owner my domain(s).
Lastly, enter your payment information.
3 – Now you’re ready to install WordPress
After you create your password, Bluehost guides you through exactly what you need to do in order to start a blog.
Next you’ll pick a theme. Pick the one you like best, but don’t worry — you can easily change this later or even upload one that you bought elsewhere. I repeat, don’t focus on this too much right now. Remember done is better than perfect, right?
Click the “Start Building” button
On the next screen, you can use the easy drag, drop and design features that BlueHost offers. Feel free to play around and get familiar with your site, but don’t worry too much about it. You’ve done a lot thus far and have much to celebrate!! Congratulations!
Depending on your overall goals, there are many things you can do from here. You may want to start with simply linking your Instagram feed to your home page. We will get to that and much more! Remember me telling you I would share ways to make money with a blog the modern blogger way? So do and I and those are coming next!
For now, there is no need to stress or over think these things, you’ve taken the FIRST big step in protecting your content and making sure that regardless of what happens to Instagram or your Instagram account, you will still have a place that belongs to YOU.
Again Congratulations!
