I want to guide you through 3 steps towards starting a WordPress blogging website and publishing your first blog post.
Step 1: Register your Domain Name
Have you ever wondered how websites are identified and located on the vast expanse of the Internet? Well, the answer lies in domain names! A domain name is a human-readable address that individuals enter into their web browsers to access a particular website.
These magical strings of text are like the street addresses of the Internet, helping us find our way to the websites we love. They are essential for establishing an online presence. Your online identity or unique address symbolizes your blogging website on the Internet.
For example, in the domain name “billblogger.com,” “billblogger” is the name of the website, and “.com” is the top-level domain (TLD).
Most web hosting service providers also offer domain name registration services. See the web hosting section for a more detailed explanation.
Domain Name Registration Tips to Consider
Choose the suitable TLD
A top-level domain (TLD) is the last part of a domain name, located to the right of the last dot. For example, in “billblogger.com,” “.com” is the TLD. It is the topmost level in the Domain Name System (DNS) hierarchy and is used for categorize domain names online.
Each top-level domain (TLD) serves a specific purpose or indicates the type of organization or entity associated with the domain name. Examples of TLDs include .com, .org, .biz, .gov, .edu, and .net.
For example, .com is associated with commercial websites, .org with nonprofit organizations, and .gov is for a governmental organization. Additionally, country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) represent specific countries or territories, such as .ng for Nigeria, .uk for the United Kingdom or .de for Germany.
Keep it simple, short and memorable
The domain name syllable must be short, perhaps 2 to 3 units of sound, such as BillBlogger with 3 sounds. It is easier to type and helps with effective communication and remembrance. Avoid complex or unusual spellings that may confuse visitors.
Use keywords
You can add relevant keywords to your domain name to give it a brief description of your blogging website and its purpose. This technique can improve your website’s search engine visibility, attract relevant audiences, and increase your ROI, making your site more discoverable.
An example is outdoorgarden: the name suggests you are about to visit a website that deals with outdoor garden services.
Avoid hyphens and numbers
Avoid adding the hyphen symbol [-], such as outdoor-garden.com. This is apparent if you like a name so much you can’t give it up. If you do, the name will appear confusing and cumbersome to your audience, who you’re doing all the work for, not for your selfish self. While some will understand it, many will not, thereby losing many targeted visitors. So, be on the safer lane.
Check availability
Before registering a domain name, have at least 3 names based on preference. Use a domain name registrar or search tool to check if your desired domain name is available. Peradventure, if the first choice is unavailable, you can easily opt for the second choice and get your domain name registration done quickly.
Consider your brand
If your website represents a brand or business, try including the brand name in the domain name. Consistency between your brand name and domain name can strengthen your online presence.
Think long-term
When selecting a domain name, it’s essential to consider its relevance over time. Choose a name that will remain appropriate and useful as your website grows and evolves. Avoid using overly specific terms that may limit your site’s potential in the future.
Avoid copyright infringement
Do your research and ensure your domain name does not infringe on trademarks or copyrights.
Get feedback
Lastly, never underestimate the power of the crowd. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, get feedback from friends, family, or colleagues to see how your domain name resonates with others.
Step 2: Purchase your Hosting Service
After registering your domain name, the next task is to purchase web hosting.
There are many web hosting service providers, and some of the most reliable and efficient are WordPress itself, Hostgator, Bluehost, and Qservers.
A web hosting service enables individuals and organizations to make their websites accessible online.
Essentially, it’s like renting a space on a server where your blogging website activities from email accounts, documents, and files are effectively stored and managed, making it accessible to your users anytime, anywhere.
In addition, they will secure your website from attackers looking for visitors’ data, such as credit card details and email addresses, to steal. However, you’ve got to exercise security cautions, which you’ll be rightly guided by.
Also, the blogging software (WordPress) plays a more significant role in protecting your website with built-in security tools when it is finally well-built and launched.
Other benefits of a web-hosting service provider are
Technical Support
Most providers offer technical support to help you troubleshoot any issues with your website or server.
Reliability
They ensure your website is accessible to users around the clock, minimizing downtime and ensuring reliability.
Scalability
As your website expands, you can effortlessly upgrade your hosting plan to fulfil increased resource needs and traffic.
Security
Providers often offer security features such as firewalls, DDoS protection, and regular backups to protect your website from cyber threats.
Customization
You have the flexibility to choose a hosting plan that suits your specific needs, whether it’s shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated hosting, or cloud hosting.
Cost-effectiveness
Establishing an online presence has become more cost-effective due to the affordability of many hosting plans, mainly shared hosting options suitable for individuals and small businesses.
Infrastructure Management
Providers handle the infrastructure management, including server maintenance, upgrades, and software installations, freeing you from technical complexities.
Domain Management
Some providers offer domain registration services to help you manage your domain and hosting from a single platform.
Overall, web hosting service providers simplify getting your website online while providing the necessary infrastructure and support to ensure its success.
Step 3: Install and Configure WordPress
Now, at this stage, you must register your domain name, purchase web hosting and perform its configuration if both ingredients were purchased from the same company.
But if not, tell your web-hosting company to configure your registered domain name. Normally, their system will inquire, but if not, ask them to do the needful.
Step 3.1: Login to the Email used to register on Qservers
Check the email address used for registration on Qservers.
You’ll find a message titled “Qservers.net – Your Web Space Details for yourblogwebsite.com“
It contains much information, but you need The Control Panel (cPanel).
You’ll find a message titled “Qservers.net – Your Web Space Details for yourblogwebsite.com”
It goes like this:
Control Panel web address: http://www.yourblogwebsite.com/cpanel
Username: xxxxxxxxx
Password: xxxxxxxxx
Step 3.2: Access your cPanel
Visit the website: http://www.yourblogwebsite.com/cpanel
Insert the username and password, and log in.
Step 3.3: Access Softaculous Apps Installer
Inside cPanel, scroll down and locate the software section.
You’ll see Softaculous Apps Installer; click for instant access.
Step 3.4: Install WordPress
Hover the mouse over the WordPress icon; it’ll reveal buttons such as Install, Demo, and Overview.
Click Install.
Step 3.5: Add your Blog Details
You’ll be driven to a page and fill in all the essential details about your blog.
It has been divided into sections. Let’s take a look one after the other.
The first section is Software Setup.
When choosing a protocol, select the HTTP protocol you bought from Qservers. It should be either http or https.
The significant difference between them is the SSL certificate.
If you bought the SSL certificate, along with domain name, and web hosting, choose https:// as your protocol.
If no SSL certificate was bought, choose HTTP.
As for www, it’s optional. You either add it or not.
If you like coherence and want your blog’s web address to appear full, I recommend including the www.
When choosing a domain, select the domain name on which you want to install the WordPress blog.
A scenario of choice will appear if you registered more than one domain name with Qservers. But if it’s just one, the only registered name will automatically appear as the preferred choice.
On the In directory, delete “wp” if it is found in the space provided. Don’t add anything if it is already empty.
The second section is Site Settings.
On-site name, input the name of your blogs, such as billblogger or outdoorgarden.
Whatever you type will appear precisely on any web browser.
Remember, this is the first thing your visitors will likely see. It’s your brand; imagine it as your office signpost sighted on the road. It can determine whether visitors will continue to find out more about your blog. Thus, make it a worthwhile impression.
On-site description: input a few words – a sentence or phrase about your blog.
Your site descriptive message and the site name will also appear on any web browser.
For instance: BillBlogger – Explore Blogging for your Business Growth.
It would help to envision this as your blog tagline or core purpose.
You can always change the site name and description whenever you get a satisfactory message.
Leave it blank on Enable Multisite (WPMU), and don’t check the box.
The third section is Admin Account.
On the admin username, input the blog publisher name. It will appear as “Posted by Your Name” or posted by Kunle.
On the admin password, input a strong password, preferably alphanumeric – a combination of letters and numbers.
On admin email, input an email address dedicated to blog configuration. This email address will become the primary address for receiving other emails and other configuration settings.
The fourth section is Choose Language.
Choose the primary language you will use to communicate with your target audience: English for example.
Therefore, English has been automatically chosen; if you prefer a different language, click the drop-down menu button and select it.
The fifth section is Select Plugin(s).
The only plugin is “Limit Login Attempts (Loginizer),” which is unchecked. Checking it will signify installation.
A plugin is software that performs specific functions, such as Loginizer, which protects your blog from someone who has made many failed attempts to log in.
The sixth section is Advanced Options.
On both database name and table prefix, leave whatever has been inputted.
On disable update notifications email, don’t check but leave it blank.
The remaining features, such as Auto Upgrade, Auto Upgrade WordPress Plugins, Auto Upgrade WordPress Themes, Backup location, Automated Backups, and Backup Rotation, are optional.
You can either check or uncheck them.
If your hosting storage space is very large, such as 50 GB or more, you can opt to back up your content for safekeeping. With backup, you have the option of daily, weekly, or monthly.
You can choose how many times the backup will be performed. For instance, if you back up every day, then decide how many times a day, perhaps twice or 4 times.
The Seventh and final section is Select Theme.
Right here, you don’t need to select any theme or check anything, so skip this part.
On the Email installation details to:
Input the email address to which you want installation details to be sent.
You can use the same primary email address already inputted in the admin account section. It helps keep your messages organized in one place.
Finally, review the details you inputted again and ensure all information is correct. If okay, click the Install button.
While WordPress is installing, wait patiently to make it fully installed.
During installation, you might encounter an error message such as “Installation cannot proceed because the following files already exist in the target folder.“
If you encounter it, check the caption “Select the checkbox to overwrite all files and continue.” Scroll downward and click the install button again.
With successful installation, you’ll be notified with a congratulatory message.
Now, you can access your new WordPress blogging website by visiting the URL: http://www.yourblogwebsite.com
This is what visitors will see, which is called the front end.
The administrative region is where you will carry out additional blog setup, configuration and settings, design and customization, and this is the URL: http://www.yourblogwebsite.com/wp-admin.
This is where you will create and publish your first blog posts.
To publish your first blog posts, move your mouse over the post menu and Click Add New and will be driven to a new page to create your post.
The first horizontal space is for the post title, while the large space is for the body of content.
When all is right, click the Publish button.
Here is the newly published blog post.
Like that, you can start blogging your way to success and wealth.
Conclusion
After getting them, install and set up your blog.
The best time to start blogging is now. Your capacity, skills, and resources don’t matter. Start with what you have now and build up gradually.
Welcome to the Blogging World.
We can help you with a professional, consumer-friendly website; kindly contact us with your details.
