Start Your Own Website (in 10 Minutes)

If you’re reading this post, there is a good chance you’d like to start your own website.

With a website, you can start building an audience, have great content, and build your business.

You might think that it will be hard to start your own website, but I am going to go through step by step exactly how to get your own domain, hosting, and even install WordPress, and it will take you minutes.

It will also only take the push of a few buttons! The hardest part will be coming up with a (free) domain name that isn’t already taken. The rest will be very simple, and in about 10 minutes from now (if you move slowly), you’ll have your first WordPress blog up on your own hosting account. You’ll be able to give people your URL, and they’ll be able to see what you’ve written!

Step 1: Choose a Hosting Account

There are many hosting companies to choose from. I like Bluehost, and that’s what I’m using for this website. The prices are low, and when you have an issue, customer service is usually good. I also like that I can have an unlimited number of domain names on this hosting account, so I don’t need to pay for another hosting account each time I start a new website.

So, for this example, we’ll use Bluehost.

Here is the main Bluehost screen for bloggers:
Bluehost - Main WordPress Screen
I put a red circle around what you’ll need to click in order to sign up.

Once you click on that, the first screen you’ll be brought to is this:
Bluehost - Domain Page

At this point you have 2 choices. If you already purchased a domain name earlier, you can just enter that in here to be given the information you’ll need to transfer your domain over. It’s nice and easy.

If you don’t have a domain yet though, here’s the hard part. Not just coming up with a domain name, but coming up with a domain name that hasn’t been taken already! It might take a while, but make sure it’s something you like! I’d also suggest that it’s a .com, but it’s up to you. I own a few .info domains, and while they do get traffic, I’ve noticed that the .com domains do better, plus it’s easier to tell people about. Most people are so used to putting .com at the end of a domain name, that even if you say it’s something else, they’ll probably forget and try .com first.

I haven’t really mentioned this yet, but you’ll get your domain name free for the first year!

That’s all you need to do for that page. Like I said, that was the hardest part of the process!

Now you’ll be at a page that looks like this:

Bluehost Account Info

This page is pretty self explanatory. You need to enter in your name, address, and all of that fun stuff. Again, it shouldn’t take too long.

There are a few more options under “Need More Power?” but you don’t need them, a basic account is good for now.

That’s it! Now you have your hosting account! Believe it or not, THAT was the hard part.

Now…

Step 2: Install WordPress

Once you log into your new account, you’ll be brought to the CPanel, which looks like this:

Bluehost - CPanel

As you can see by the arrow, there is a WordPress button under SimpleScript Installations.

Simply click on the link, and you’ll be brought to a screen that looks like this:
Bluehost - Install WordPress
As you can see, there isn’t too much you can do on this screen. So simply click on “Install”.

Here is the screen you will get. There are a few options, but in my opinion, the way I have them here is the way to go.

It will automatically choose the latest version of WordPress to install, and I can’t imagine wanting to install an older version.

You can put WordPress into a directory if you’d like. Most of the time I’ll just let it install on the main directory.

As far as having the username and password generated automatically, I prefer that because I know it won’t be able to be hacked as easily. I know I can always change it later…so I check that box.

I also check the “Automatically Create Database” option, as that way it will be done automatically for me.

There are 3 choices of plugins/themes that it can install for you. Personally, I’ve never heard of any of them, and prefer to make my own choices. So I choose not to install any of them.

Once you check the box saying that you understand the terms and conditions, you’re finished with the page.
Bluehost - WordPress Installation Preferences

You’ll see a screen as it shows you the progress of your installation.

Then, you’ll see a screen similar to this.
Bluehost - WordPress tInstalled
That’s it! As you can see, your installation of WordPress is now done, and you have the place to login, along with your login and password.

Your login will look similar to this: http://www.YourWordpressURL/wp-admin.

So next you’ll go to that url, and you’ll be brought to a screen that looks like the one below, where you’ll enter in the login and password you were just given.
Wordpress Login Screen
Once you login, you’ll come to the dashboard, which is the main screen for WordPress that you’ll always see when you log in. Here you’ll see on the sidebar all of the options that you have.

Note: I see the Jetpack plugin option at the top. I don’t know anything about it, so I prefer not to use it, and to instead use plugins I know about. You can research it and see if it’s something you’re interested in.
Wordpress Dashboard

You’re All Set!

You now have a domain name, hosting, and even a WordPress Blog! If you go to a browser and type in the name of your URL, you’ll see that a test post has already been posted. You can now do one of many things. Set up a theme you like, or even just get started posting!

Step 3: Create Your First Post!

Below I’ll show you how to create your first post, to show you how simple it is:
Wordpress - How to Add a New Post
As you can see in the picture above, if you put your mouse over “Posts”, you can then click on New Post, which will give you the screen below.
Wordpress - Posting  Your First Post
This is where you will write you post.

Type in your title, and then the text! You can add pictures if you want, and use the menu to bold, underline words, or more.

When you’re done with the text, you can add in any categories that you’d like, as well as tags.

Then, it’s as simple as hitting “Publish”, and you’re done!

You have now posted your first post on your new WordPress blog.

It really is that easy. In less than 10 minutes, you can get a new domain, hosting, install WordPress, and even post your first post!