Today, I’m sharing how to start a blog. I’ve linked to some YouTube videos that offer step-by-step guides and visuals on how to set up your blog, depending on which platform you choose.

If you get stuck, contact the host you’re paying and let them help you. You can do it through an online chat. They are more than happy to help at any time.

How To Start a Blog Today

Choosing a Host

It can be overwhelming when you don’t know where to start with choosing a host. I’ve listed a handful of well-known, affordable, and reliable companies below:

Bluehost

Bluehost is a popular web hosting provider, especially well-known for its seamless integration with WordPress. It’s ideal for beginners and small to medium-sized blogs.

Pros:

• Easy WordPress Integration: One-click WordPress installation and a user-friendly interface.
• Good Customer Support: 24/7 customer support via phone, chat, and email.
• Free Domain: Includes a free domain for the first year with hosting plans.

⠀Cons:

• Higher Renewal Rates: The initial pricing is low, but renewal rates can be significantly higher.
• Limited Storage on Basic Plans: Basic plans come with limited storage, which might be restrictive for larger blogs.
• Additional Costs: Some features like backups and security tools require additional fees.

Click here to see how to set up Bluehost with WordPress.

Hostinger

Hostinger offers affordable and reliable hosting services, targeting users who need a budget-friendly solution without sacrificing performance.

Pros:

• Very Affordable: Some of the lowest prices in the industry, making it budget-friendly.
• Fast Load Times: Offers solid performance with good server speeds.
• User-Friendly Interface: Simple and easy-to-navigate control panel.

⠀Cons:

• Limited Customer Support: No phone support, only live chat, which can sometimes be slow.
• Basic Features on Low-Cost Plans: Entry-level plans may lack advanced features, such as daily backups.
• Limited Data Center Locations: Fewer global data center locations, which might affect site speed in certain regions.
  
  Click here to set up your Hostsinger with WordPress.

Wix (includes blogging platform)

Wix is a website builder that offers a drag-and-drop interface, allowing users to create and customize their websites easily. It includes a blogging platform for those who want to start a blog.

Pros:

• Easy to Use: Intuitive drag-and-drop interface, ideal for beginners.
• All-in-One Solution: Includes hosting, domain, and website builder in one package.
• Wide Range of Templates: A large selection of customizable templates to choose from.

⠀Cons:

• Limited Flexibility: Customization options may be limited compared to traditional CMS platforms like WordPress.
• Not Ideal for Large Sites: May not be suitable for large, content-heavy blogs due to performance limitations.
• Expensive Add-Ons: Many advanced features require additional costs or higher-tier plans.
  
  Click here to set up your blog with Wix.

HostGator

HostGator is a well-known web hosting provider that offers a range of hosting options, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting. It’s a popular choice for beginners and small businesses.

Pros:

• Affordable Plans: Competitive pricing, especially for shared hosting.
• Reliable Uptime: Offers good uptime and server reliability.
• Free Website Migration: Includes free website migration for new users.

⠀Cons:

• Slow Customer Support: Customer support response times can be slow, especially during peak times.
• Upselling: Constant upselling of additional services and features can be overwhelming.
• Average Performance: Site speed and performance may not be as fast as other hosts.
  
  Click here to set up Hostgator with WordPress.

Web.com

Web.com is a website builder and hosting service that targets small businesses and individuals who want to create and maintain a website easily.

Pros:

• User-Friendly Website Builder: Simple and straightforward website builder included.
• Comprehensive Service: Offers domain registration, hosting, and site building in one place.
• Good for Beginners: Easy setup process, ideal for those new to website building.

⠀Cons:

• Expensive Plans: Higher pricing compared to other hosts with similar features.
• Limited Customization: The website builder has fewer customization options compared to competitors.
• Additional Costs: Many features, such as SEO tools and security enhancements, come at an extra cost.
  
  Click here to set up your blog with web.com

Choosing a Blogging Platform

The most popular blogging platforms with a history of steadfastness and reliability include:

WordPress

WordPress.org is a self-hosted platform that powers over 40% of the web. It offers complete control over your website, with endless customization possibilities through themes, plugins, and custom code.

Pros:

• Complete Control: Full ownership of your site with the ability to customize every aspect.
• Extensive Plugin Library: Thousands of plugins to extend functionality, from SEO to e-commerce.
• Large Community: A vast community of developers and users, providing extensive support and resources.

⠀Cons:

• Requires Hosting: You need to find and pay for your own hosting, which can be complex for beginners.
• Steeper Learning Curve: More technical knowledge is needed compared to other platforms.
• Ongoing Maintenance: You’re responsible for updates, backups, and security.

Click here to learn how to set up WordPress.

Blogger

Blogger is a free blogging platform by Google, designed for simplicity and ease of use. It’s great for beginners who want to start blogging without the hassle of setting up a website.

Pros:

• Free to Use: Completely free, with hosting provided by Google.
• Simple Setup: Easy to get started, with no technical knowledge required.
• Integrated with Google Services: Seamlessly integrates with other Google services like AdSense and Analytics.

⠀Cons:

• Limited Customization: Fewer themes and customization options compared to other platforms.
• Basic Features: Lacks advanced features and plugins for more complex websites.
• Ownership Concerns: Google owns your content, which means you have less control over your blog.
  
  Click here to set up your Blogger site.

Squarespace (includes hosting)

Squarespace is an all-in-one website builder and hosting service that offers beautiful, professionally designed templates. It’s ideal for creatives and small businesses looking for a visually appealing site.

Pros:

• Stunning Templates: High-quality, professionally designed templates that are easy to customize.
• All-in-One Solution: Hosting, domain, and website builder included in one package.
• 24/7 Customer Support: Responsive and helpful customer service available around the clock.

⠀Cons:

• Higher Cost: More expensive than other platforms, especially for e-commerce sites.
• Limited Flexibility: Less control over site structure and customization compared to WordPress.
• Steeper Learning Curve for Customization: Customizing beyond templates can be challenging without coding knowledge.
  
  Click here to set up Squarespace.

Weebly

Weebly is a website builder that provides a simple, user-friendly platform for creating blogs and websites. It’s well-suited for beginners and small businesses.

Pros:

• Easy to Use: Simple drag-and-drop interface, ideal for those with little technical experience.
• Affordable Plans: Competitive pricing, especially for smaller sites.
• Built-In E-commerce Features: Good for small businesses with integrated e-commerce capabilities.

⠀Cons:

• Limited Customization: Fewer design options and flexibility compared to other platforms.
• Basic Blogging Tools: The blogging functionality is relatively basic, lacking advanced features.
• Ownership Issues: Similar to other website builders, you don’t have full control over your content, which is hosted on Weebly’s servers.

Click here to set up Weebly.

Choosing a URL

URL’s aren’t as readily available as they were when I bought my first domain 14 years ago. Many people switched from cute blog names to using their own name.

For example, my friend Sarah started her blog name as “Like a Warm Cup of Coffee”. Yes, her url was likeawarmcupofcoffee.com. But eventually, as blogging evolved, the goal was to simplify and she changed it to her name: sarahmae.com

My blog used to be Joyful Mothering. But I wanted to expand my niche and I felt trapped inside that name. So, I switched to my own name.

Choose your URL carefully. You want something easy to spell and remember. Simple is best.

Now, your homework this week:
–> Jot down your overall goals for your blog. What will the purpose of it be? For example, if you plan to sell products from your blog, you’ll want a blogging platform that supports that.

–> Research the hosting and blogging platforms listed here and decide which one best fits your goals. Then watch the associated YouTube video to help you set it up.

–>Choose a URL. The hosting you choose can help you discover if a URL is available. You can also go to WhoIs.net if you haven’t chosen a host yet.

The step to start a blog can be a little tedious, though it has come a long way in the last ten years. Be patient with this process. It takes a little time. It’s part of the business and a good thing to take the time to learn about. 🙂

In the next article in this series, we’ll discuss using a simple free theme, creating and uploading your header, and brainstorming your topics.

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