When I started this project, I wish I had a guide like this, I had lots of ideas in my head, but not a clue where to start.
What follows is a very easy guide to how to build and set up your own blog. Of course, Dine with Emma is a food blog, but you may wish to set up something completely different. The process is the same and to make your life easier, I am sharing the process with you to make it even easier for you.
All of the providers that I have listed I am recommending because I used them, the reason being because they offer what is (in my opinion) the best service and I did a whole lot of research on this.
For some of them, if you purchase with them, then I will receive a small commission for that (which helps oil the machine and helps me continue providing a great blog, so thank you) but here’s the great news, you get a great service, no research required on your part, I am using them and they work just great!
Step 1 – Domain Name and Hosting
For me this was the most fun, naming your blog. I wanted something short and concise and searched many options before choosing Dine with Emma. Just click the link here and it will take you to Bluehost. You can pop whatever domain name that come into your head and see if it available. Have fun!
Once you have chosen a name that perfect for you, the next step is to pick a hosting plan. I opted for the first one, not only is it the cheapest, but it offered me everything I needed for a brand new blog. When you need to upgrade, that’s easy too.
A hosting provider, in simple terms, allows your site to have a space on the web, enabling you to present your website to millions of people all over the world.
When given the option of package information, I clicked the first option (Domain whois privacy) as shown to prevent my personal details being displayed to the public.
Step 2 – Installing WordPress
Congratulations, you are nearly done! The final step in to install WordPress.
WordPress allows you to customise and update your site whenever you want and it’s really simple to use. As a beginner, I also find that the amount of help out there for WordPress users is huge, so you never get stuck!
Simply login to your Bluehost account and click the Website builders section and then click on the WordPress Icon.
Click Install in the ‘Do it yourself (FREE)’ section
Click the Check Domain button
Tick the terms and conditions box and then click the “Install Now” button
You will then get a message saying “Your install is complete!” click on the “View Credentials” button and write down your Admin URL, Username, and Password. You can change these to your own liking later, but you’ll need them for the first time you log in
Type your Admin URL into your web browser. You’ll see a login screen like this one below. Enter your Username and Password that you copied down from the previous step
Step 3 – Make your blog stand out from the rest
So now you get to make your blog/site look exactly how you want it. Choosing a theme to make your blog look pretty and eye-catching to your visitors is a part I enjoyed very much.
WordPress itself has many free themes to offer, but I wanted something that looked a little more professional and chose to buy a premium theme. I think, for me, it was well worth the small investment as I am super happy with the result.
I chose Studiopress as I liked the clean slick layouts and they had a theme called Foodie Pro, they have many others too, take a look.
I also considered Elegant Themes, they cost less than the theme I used but look great and are easy to use, take a look by clicking here.
So there you are, you are ready to go, I hope this has helped you build your own site! Now add beautiful pictures to your Blog and write the things that you have been storing in your head before you burst! Exciting eh?
Happy Blogging!