How to Start a Blog Using Bluehost
Before I get to the good stuff (allll the juicy tips), there are a few things every person who is serious about starting a blog should know. There will be a lot of money, time, sweat, and hustle involved, but trust me when I say it is all worth it.
The main takeaway I have learned thus far from Sweating Champagne is that you get what you put into it, and this does include doing it right from the very first step. I wish I had a list of the below steps when I first started out! It would have saved me A LOT of trial and error before I ended up hosting on Bluehost.I do use affiliate links for Bluehost in this post, however I would never promote something that I do not believe in. Afterall, it is what my own blog (my baby) is on! I hope the below steps give you a clear view of how to get started!
1. Decide What Your Niche Is
The most important step, and also the first step, of how to start a blog the right way is deciding what your niche is. Do you love to post about recipes and food from local restaurants? Your niche might be a food blogger. Does creating a new outfit of the day give you motivation to get up in the morning? Fashion blogging might be your calling. Whatever your niche is, it is crucial that you stick with it once you choose. Your brand depends on it! Consistency is a key factor of being successful. People want to know what to expect from you!
2. Choose Your Blog’s Name
Another crucial element of starting a blog is your blog’s name! Like your niche, this should not change once you pick it. Your SEO depends on it. It took me four months of brainstorming and research to decide on the name Sweating Champagne. I suggest writing down inspiration as it strikes – make sure it relates to the image and niche you want to portray – and confirming that the name you like is not already taken by someone else!
3. Find a Website Host
A website host is a platform that, literally, hosts your blog. Website hots are great because they keep your site safe and up to date. I use Bluehost to host Sweating Champagne. I like Bluehost the best because the have an easy integration with WordPress (the best content management platform for SEO ranking), they include a free SSL certificate on your site (HTTPS), have an easy-to-manage dashboard for viewing payments and current services, and are on par price-wise with other website hosting sites. Their basic plan starts at just under $10 a month. I started with the Basic plan, and have since updated to Pro just based on the extra features you get within the WP backend!
4. Decide on a Domain Name
A custom domain name ensures that you have a brand URL all to your own. For example, my domain name is www.sweatingchampagne.com. Sure, you can start with a free URL given by your website host or content management system and let it ride as is, however it is better to buy a domain name from the gecko to cleanly advertise your blog URL. Use the Bluehost Domain Name Checker below to make sure your desired domain name is not already taken!
5. Purchase Your Domain Name
My domain name was bought through my website host, Bluehost. It was $11.99 per year for a .com URL. I recommend buying a domain name through the website host you choose to work with – instead of a third party like Go Daddy – because it makes it easier to manage all payments and services in one place. So, how do you buy a domain name through Bluehost?
Log in to your Bluehost dashboard and go to Domains → New Domain Search → enter desired URL into the Find Your Domain box → Get Started → Click the cart icon next to your desired domain name → Purchase. Wha-la! You now have a shiny new URL that is customized to your blog!
There’s one more part, however, to ensure you are doing it right! Once your domain name is purchased, go to Domains → choose your domain by clicking on the box → Renewal Options to the right → Auto-renew → Save. Trust me. You want your domain name on auto renewal to avoid the chance of someone snatching it the minute it expires!
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