How to Create a Blog in Under Twenty Minutes (Blogging 101)

Including a blog in your marketing strategy is a terrific way to get your name and business out there. I’ve written about the value of maintaining a blog and using it to generate new leads and customers and how to convert those leads into sales. Many may not realize how simple and inexpensive it is to launch one’s blog, complete with a custom domain name. As a bonus, this choice can be tailored to your specific needs and preferences. In this article, I will outline the basic steps necessary to set up a blog and have it running in under 20 minutes.

The first step is to register a domain name for your website. Name this website after whatever you like. Personal branding is essential in the home business world. In this situation, people typically use their name as the domain name. If you advertise another company, it’s best if the two are closely related.

When you’ve settled on a domain name, the next step is to reserve it officially. While there are several options for registering domain names, I’ll be recommending myquickdomains.com for the sake of this piece. Check the availability of the domain name you’ve chosen right here. If it isn’t, they will provide you with alternate choices. Feel free to start over if you’re unsatisfied with the options shown. Domain name registration is cheap. The annual cost of owning a.com is under $10.00.

After you’ve decided on a usable domain name, you can finish your purchase and log out. Registration and payment confirmations will be sent to you through email. Make sure you save that data in a separate file for easy access in the future.

The next step is to sign up for hosting for your domain. For the sake of this article, we will be using hostgator.com. One of the most user-friendly posting platforms available, with a wealth of practical, intuitive features from within the admin area. The monthly cost of hosting typically ranges from $5 to $10. Because of the flexibility to add an infinite number of domains with the infant plan, I went with HostGator.

After deciding on the ideal package for your company, purchasing is as simple as following the on-screen prompts. The order details will be emailed to you once processing is complete. You can expect account-specific details in this e-mail. Make a new folder to put this information in, just like you would for other e-mails. Please keep this email open; it will come in handy later.

Once you receive the email from host gator, you may proceed with configuring your nameservers. Your nameservers are listed in the email issued to you by host gator. Both NS1 and NS2 are yours to use. You should revisit the domain management in myquickdomains. Your domain name serves as a hyperlink to your domain settings. Nameservers are located below. To change your domain’s name servers, select the button. I use dedicated nameservers for my domains, so please use those. Once you have the nameservers, you may return to the email you received from HostGator and enter them. Then select the OK button. Your name servers are now configured and will begin functioning shortly. Exiting myquickdomains is now safe to perform.

After you’ve configured your nameservers, recheck your HostGator inbox. Use the credentials provided in the email to access your account dashboard through the provided URL. You’ll find links to your control panel’s available features and resources. The look of your control panel can be customized as well.

Starting a blog is simple from this point on. WordPress is one of several blogging platforms, but I chose it because of its user-friendly. It’s also a widely chosen alternative.

Find the section labeled “Software and Services” in the Settings menu. To initiate a speedy setup, select the appropriate icon. Choose WordPress as your blog platform of choice from the available options. Afterward, click the “Continue” button and follow the on-screen prompts. The debut of your weblog is just minutes away. You should save a bookmark to the administrative login page for easy access in the future.

You can access various features after logging in to your WordPress admin area. They have hundreds of themes that can be modified without in-depth knowledge of HTML. It would be best if you took your time getting acquainted with it and trying out the various options it offers.

That’s the whole deal. Now that your blog has gone live, you may begin making entries whenever you choose. Use the many available plug-ins to expand the functionality of your blog. As you can see, setting up a blog takes minutes. It’s quick, simple, and cheap to make your version of, and anyone can do it.

Former payroll sales consultant turned entrepreneur Cory Neumann has left the corporate world to follow his passion. Now, he runs his business from the convenience of his home and offers guidance to others considering doing the same. Check out the strategy he and other top earners use to make a living online and get free training on various marketing topics, including blogging, at his website.