When you decide to start an online business or blog, your to-do list can seem endless. There is always something else to do. It is easy to push a big project like building a website to the bottom of the list.
If you are planning to use WordPress, you might feel overwhelmed by all of the information there. The good news is, it doesn’t need to be that difficult! I’ve put together three blog posts that will lead you through the five steps to get started with WordPress.
Breaking down each step into smaller chunks can help you wrap your head around the process and help you get that big project off of your to-do list.
Step 1 | Domain name + hosting
What is hosting?
Web hosting gives you and others a way to view your website over the internet. Your website hosting company has servers, which are giant computers that store your website data. When someone enters your website URL, the server at your hosting company is pinged and brings your website up on the visitors’ computer or phone.
If you didn’t have web hosting, no one would be able to access your website.
What and Where to Purchase a Domain Name and Hosting
If you decide that the best platform for your business or blog is WordPress.org, then the first thing you need to do is purchase a domain name and hosting. (Learn why I love WordPress!) If you already have a domain name and hosting, skip to Step 2.
If you have already purchased a domain name, then you will just need to purchase hosting. But if you need both, many hosting companies will include a domain name when you purchase a new package.
Purchasing hosting can be overwhelming because there are so many choices and everyone has an opinion. I’ve worked with a variety of hosting companies and I can honestly say SiteGround is my favorite. I’ve been impressed with their customer service and willingness to help me solve problems.
Once you decide what hosting company you want to use, if it is an option, purchase a WordPress plan. It might be a bit more expensive, but the hosting is designed specifically for WordPress. It should be faster, more secure and if there are any issues, the tech support should be well versed on the ins and outs of WordPress.
Step 2 | Install WordPress
Once you have purchased your domain name and hosting, it’s time to install WordPress. Hosting companies make this part easy with an option to install WordPress with just a few clicks. Select that option and move through the steps to have WordPress installed and connected to your domain name.
If your host doesn’t offer a WordPress installation, then you will need to go through the installation process manually. If you are new to WordPress it can be a daunting process. Start with this WordPress Install Guide and if it feels overwhelming, reach out to your hosting company or contact me for help!
Purchasing hosting and a domain name surely isn’t the most exciting part of building a WordPress website, but it is a crucial part of the process. Without these things, no one would be able to visit your website.