How to Set Up a WordPress Blog in 5 Minutes Using BlueHost – Exact Instructions & Screenshots
This free tutorial gives specific instruction on setting up your blog with the webhost called Bluehost. I host some of my sites with Bluehost and it couldn’t be easier to get started with them! I am very pleased with their hosting, dashboard, customer service, and of course great pricing: $4.95/month – can’t beat it! – Plus they will give you a free domain URL too!
Why Should You Use Bluehost?
Bluehost is the number one webhost recommended by WordPress. You can see so here. (In fact I heard that the developer of WordPress, Matt Mullenweg, works closely with Bluehost as they continuously improve their WordPress hosting capabilities. In my book, that’s huge!) Here are Bluehost benefits that speak for themselves:
- $4.95/month webhosting
- Free domain name registration for first year
- Free WordPress 1-Click Installs
- Unlimited Storage, Domain hosting, Emails, and File Transfers
- 24/7 Domestic Customer Service (with a company whose employees know about WordPress)
- Anytime Money-Back Guarantee!! (really!)
- $100 Google AdWord credit.
(By the way, the reason I am able to offer this tutorial for free is that if you choose Bluehost through one of my links I will receive a small commission from Bluehost. You pay the same regardless of whether I get a commission or not. There are many webhosts that offer a commission, but this is the one that I choose to recommend based on their excellent service.)
What You Will Learn in This Tutorial
This tutorial will walk you through all the steps for setting up your Worpress site with Bluehost. All of these steps can be done in as quick as 5 minutes! It’s that easy.
Important Starting Note: Blog File
Do this right now:
- Open a new word or notepad document
- Now “Save as” : “Blog File.”
- Enter all usernames, passwords, and URL’s relating to your blog.
- (Make backups, including print out a hard copy backup – periodically)
In my “Complete Guide to Setting Up A WordPress Blog and Make Money” I advise you to set up this file. You will have several passwords to keep track of so this is VERY important.
At each step in the process document this important info:
- website address
- username
- password if there is one.
- anything else that is important such as the email address you used when signing up
DOCUMENT AS YOU GO! – This will make it so easy later on when you need these passwords!
You will have a password for each of these:
- Web Host (BlueHost.com)
- Domain Registrar (Bluehost.com – unless you choose different registrar.)
- FTP password (Your webhost (bluehost) will send this to you)
- Database password (Your webhost (bluehost) will send this to you)
- WordPress Dashboard password
- Any other blogging related services (social media sites, email marketing services, etc.)
Steps to Set Up WordPress Blog on Bluehost.com
All screenshots are situated below the instructional step. Click on any screenshot to see a larger image.
1. Go to Bluehost.com.
Click on “Sign Up Now” button.
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2. Search for the domain name you would like for your blog.
(example: YourNewBlog.com) If you need help choosing a domain name, see my guide on how to name your blog. Once you find the name you want and it’s available, click on “Next.”
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3. If the domain name you chose is already taken you will see this screen.
Just type in another domain name to try again. (If you realize that you already own that domain at another registrar, you can enter your password there to transfer it over. Bluehost will walk you through the simple steps.)
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4. Set up your Bluehost account.
Once you have the domain name you will use, you’ll fill in your name and address.
You’ll choose the time frame for your registration. The first year is free and the longer time period you choose the lower your yearly rate. Also from an SEO standpoint, the longer you choose the better because search engines will see your site as more serious and therefore send you more search traffic.
You’ll fill in your billing info and then click “Next.”
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5. Create Bluehost password.
(remember document this in your Blog file!!)
Here you can choose your own password. Blue host has suggestions on how to make your password strong. This is VERY important. A robust password will keep your site from getting hacked which is NO FUN! Or you can let Bluehost choose a password for you. I like to also use this site for generating random robust passwords.
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6. Installing WordPress.
You’ll now be logged into your Bluehost account. This is what your Homescreen on Bluehost will look like.
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7. Click on Hosting.
You may get a popup that asks if you want to set up your site yourself or let Bluehost do it for you. Just choose “do it myself.” Then click on “Hosting.”
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8. This is what the Hosting page looks like.
Click on “WordPress.”
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9. You will see this popup while Bluehost sets up your Mojo account.
This is the service that will do the 1-Click install of WordPress for you.
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10. This is what the Mojo Marketplace account screen looks like.
Click on “WordPress.”
(Click on Image to Enlarge)
11. You will now see a screen where you can install WordPress.
Click on “Start.”
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12. Select the domain to which you would like to install WordPress.
If you only have one domain registered with Bluehost, you’ll only have one choice. If you have more than one, use the dropdown menu to make your selection. Then Click “Check Domain.”
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13. Double check that the domain name is correct.
Check the “oops” box in order to confirm that this is the website to which you want to install WordPress. (If the domain name that you see is not the correct one, use the dropdown menu to select a different website.) Once you check the “oops” box click on “Check Domain” again if it doesn’t automatically take you to the next screen.
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14. On this next screen check the first checkbox.
This will allow you to custom name your database, username, password, and contact email. I recommend checking this box and choosing your username. Choose something unrelated to the name of the blog and don’t choose something obvious like “admin” or “guest” as these types of usernames make your site more vulnerable to being hacked. The site name, password, and email you can just leave as is.
Then click “Install Now.” (Remember: Document all of these user names & passwords in your “Blog File” as you go!)
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15. Now you will see the status of your install.
Just wait a couple minutes while it installs.
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16. When the install is complete you will see this screen.
Scroll down just a bit to see all of it. Document all this info in your “Blog File.”
Click to enlarge image
You are now ready to login to your WordPress dashboard to start blogging!
17. This is what your WordPress dashboard will look like when you log in.
From this screen you can:
- Write your first post
- Choose your Theme- the layout and look of your blog
- Choose your Settings
Click to enlarge image
If you would like more tips on next steps in setting up your blog, head on over to my Guide to Setting Up a WordPress Blog and Make Money.
And if you’re ready to get started on setting up your blog, click below to make it happen.
Click Here to Create Your WordPress Blog with Bluehost
Please share!
If you found this tutorial helpful, please share it with your friends and social networks! Thank you!
And if you have any questions or tips of your own that you would like to share, let’s talk in the comments!
If you do set up a blog, let us know by commenting and sharing your new blog address so we can all stop by and say hi!
Thanks and Happy Blogging!
How to Set Up a WordPress Blog in 5 Minutes – Exact Instructions with ScreenShots is a post from: Life Learning Today