By now, if you’ve followed my blog at all, you know that I love to read, write, and take on projects. Since launching my site I have had a number of requests to help others create sites of their own but since I can’t sit down with all of you here is my number one BIG tip to build a website and launch your product/service/business.
Building A Website
While there are free hosted blog sites like wordpress.com and blogger.com having a self-hosted WordPress allows for more control and the opportunity to monetize your site.
Since I wanted to have control over the layout and minimize the ads offered I chose the self-hosted version of WordPress. The first time I realized the need to control what ads are displayed was when McDonald’s Ads began popping up on a post about eating and living a healthier lifestyle.
I don’t even want to know what was popping up on Does Porn and Chocolate really have anything in common? You get the idea.
So, I set out to build a website that offered more control over the layout as well as content, thereby being able to serve you better.
If you are looking to monetize your site now is definitely the time to do so (the holidays will be here sooner then we realize).
Discover how to build a website in 6 Steps
Do you have 30 minutes? Great. Let’s get started! Here’s what you are going to learn right now.
- How to pick a blog name. Choose something people will remember.
- How to get your blog online. Register your blog and get hosting.
- How to customize your site. Choose a free template and make it yours
- Write & publish your first post. This is the fun part. Where you get to be creative and tell the world your thoughts.
- How to promote your blog. Don’t skip this part. You need an audience.
- How to set yourself up to make money blogging.
Let’s start!
Step #1
Choose a great name. You want something people will remember and associate with you and your product. As an author, I chose my name, advice I learned from Michael Hyatt on Platform University when I was first starting out.
Do you have some ideas of what you would like? Type them in below to see if they are available. You want something unique, but not so unique that it is hard to remember the spelling of.
Step #2
I have been using Bluehost since I first started blogging in 2012. Why?
- Bluehost is one of the largest and most respected web hosting providers in the world, recommended by WordPress.org since 2005, and is 100% US-based.
- You can install as many websites and manage as many domains as you like.
- Scripts, themes, and plugins are easy to install with one click.
- Help is available anytime, 24/7 via phone, chat, and email. My questions have thus far have been answered immediately.
- There are training videos to help you build a website. Just follow along with the videos and you will have a site up and running in no time.
- Bluehost has a state-of-the-art data center that features uninterrupted power supplies and generator systems.
- Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
So here are my reasons broken down: Reliability, WordPress Recommended, Easy to Use, No limits on pages, and Affordable.
Hosting terms are billed up front, however there is a money-back guarantee, which gives you the freedom to cancel at ANY TIME for a prorated refund.
Once you sign up with Bluehost then comes the easy part.
Log in and it will take you to your dashboard. Click on My Sites and then Add Site. It will walk you through every step to get your website up and running.
If you choose not to use Bluehost I’ve got no alternative advice for you on Steps 1 and 2. Why? Because I’ve been using this host for 8+ years now and have no idea on how to use any others 🙂 I’m a happy loyal customer who hasn’t invested the time to learn the competition.
Step #3
It’s time to customize your site!
If you are not already logged-in from the previous step, go to Bluehost.com and click “Login” on the top right to bring up the login screen. Login using your domain name and the password you set in the previous step.
Once logged in you will be taken to your BlueHost Portal. From the portal, you can click the blue “Log into WordPress” button to be logged-in automatically to your site.
You will now find yourself in the WordPress administrator area. This is where you can begin to customize and make changes to your blog with just a few clicks. Go to “Appearance” choose a free theme and start customizing!
This part is fun! I set a timer so I don’t get carried away. Otherwise I could spend a full day just working through new designs and ideas.
Step #4
Now that your site is up it is time to start blogging!
Go to the side bar, click on posts. Delete the “default post” and then click add new.
You will find yourself on the post editor screen. Enter the title of your post in the top box and begin writing your post in the lower box.
Of course, if you would rather not write this is where you call me in to do what I do best. Click here to tell me about the content you need written.
Step #5 and 6
Now that you have your website up and running, content started or at least a subject nailed down, it’s time to promote and monetize your site.
Over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing tips and tricks to do just that. I’ll be sending out a daily tip to those who have subscribed to my newsletter and reviewing some great resources that will help give your site the strong start it deserves.
Follow this series Blogging & Content Creation and sign up for my newsletter. There are some great things headed your way!
