Hello guys! hope you’re doing great! in this post I am gonna share my experience about how to start a blog with self hosted WordPress. I am not gonna make tutorial as all expert do, but I wanna share my experience as a beginner. Just like you.
If you looking tutorials for starting a blog, I hope this simple guid could encourage and help you to start a blog with WordPress.
Okay! Before we start, first you may need to know that WordPress is the most popular platform for CMS (Content Management System). WordPress have two platform which is WordPress.com & WordPress.org and this article is meant to work with self-hosted wordpress.org instead of wordpress.com.
Why wordpress.org and not wordpress.com! what’s the different?
The different between WordPress.org & WordPress.com
Why not wordpress.com?
The different is WordPress.com is a free domain platform. It mean, when you create blog your web address will be “yoursite.wordpress.com” even if you upgrade to a custom domain for example yoursite.com your blog will still hosted by WordPress.com server.
However the advantage of using wordpress-dot-com is you are allowed to use WordAds sharing revenue by showing ads on your blog. But you not allowed to use advertising outside the WordAds networks.
Compared with WordPress.org that a self-hosted platform. You will have a freedom to place any advertising platform. Because it’s hosted by your chosen web-hosting provider. And it known really good for Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
Web Hosting Plan to Start A Blog With WordPress
Of course you need to make investment for buying your Domain and Web Hosting to hosted your site.
Most of wordpress expert and even WordPress.org them self always recommended to using SiteGround as Web Hosting. It fast, secure and have everything you need for hosting your blog.
How to create blog with WordPress.org
Build website with WordPress is easy even for beginner like you and me. If you already purchase a domain name plus web hosting. You can start by login to cpanel and find for website builder application called Softacolous Apps Installer. Next, select WordPress as Website application see example picture below.
IMPORTANT! Before click Instal make sure to leave “In Directory” form empty so your website address URL will be http://yoursite.com and not http://yoursite.com/wp. Next thing to do is:
- Set Name for your blog.
- Create a unique Admin name. Note! for security reason, WP Admin user name must be different with the log in name. Don’t use your real name. You can setup your real name later after WordPress installation is complete.
- Create a Strong password.
- Fill admin email with your main email address. This email address should be use to signup for your Gravatar too.
- Select your Language, pick your desired Themes (Optional) you can do it later after installation.
Let other setting just the way it is. By default, softaculous will create database and table prefix for you. See example picture below.
When you done, click Install and wait for a few minute. After installation process finish it’s time to customize setting for installed WordPress and add some plugins or maybe you want to change your Themes.
Recommended Setting
After WordPress Installations finished. It’s time to create some basic pages for your blog. And also tweaking some basic WordPress setting.
Creating Pages
From your Left Panel in WP Admin: Go to ‘Pages’ and Add New. Create a basic website pages like About, Contact, Blog Menu, Privacy Policy, Term of service etc.
For how to create the basic website pages. You can read here later on How to Create Pages for-Privacy policy, Disclaimers & Term of services
See screenshot below for example.
For creating contact page, you can install WordPress plugin like WP Form 7. That you can find it on WP Admin > Plugins.
Make Categories for future post
You also need to make Categories page for your blog. It will make you easier to manage each post by it’s categories in the future. To do that. Go to Post > Categories and add new categories related to your blog topic.
Setting Bio
Continue with setting your Bio. Go to Users > Your Profile to edit your profile setting like bio gravatar etc. And ya! now you can use your real name on this public settings.
To setup your Gravatar, go to Gravatar.com and signup using the exact same email that you use to setup WordPress earlier. Make sure you upload your best Photo on Gravatar.com.
Your Photo will become your global avatar and it will automatically appear on your WP author profile. And also will appear every time you leave a comment on any WordPress site or any site platform that support Gravatar globally.
Permalinks setting for SEO friendly URL
Next, go to Settings > Permalinks and select Select Post Name. This url structures settings is the most known great for Search Engine Optimization .
Other
You can always customize other setting later. For Themes and plugins you can directly adding it and search from your WP Admin Panel. Just navigate your Mouse cursor to Plugins > Add New and search from there. For essential WordPress plugins for your new blog. Later you can read the post here: Essential WordPress plugins for website/blog
For change the default Themes. Navigate your cursor to Appearance > Themes. And choose the Themes you like. There is thousand of free or paid WordPress Theme that you can pick one that suit with your design ideas right there.
Practice to write your first post!
So far you’ve done with the basic setting of your WordPress Blog. simple eh?
Its time to practice to write your first blog post! It can be your experience for creating your new blog or something.
Just go to Post in left bar admin panel and click on Add New post and start writing something! don’t forget to delete the Sample post first. You can save it as draft first if you isn’t ready to publish it yet.
Conclusion
We all know that to build a nice and solid website is takes time, money and effort. Investing money for buying Pro Themes, Plugins etc is not necessary, but in the end we will realize have to invest some.
If you are looking for premium WordPress Theme that have beautiful look, have responsive design and very good for SEO. My recommendation is to purchase Genesis Themes by StudioPress.
Anyway! Hope this post can help you to start build your blog with self hosted WordPress. Or at least it could help you have a better plan on how to start it.
If you feel ready, then what you are waiting for? go to SiteGround.com and make your great idea online! If you finding the right time to start a blog, the Time is now. It’s time to turn your passion to become your another extra income sources.
For advance settings and how to customize Your theme looks etc you can read here How to Customize WordPress Theme and Appearance
Happy blogging 🙂
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