The pull of wanting to start your own website is strong. To have a corner of the internet where you can write to your heart’s content or sell products that you pour your heart and soul into is majorly appealing. The freedom that comes along with this outlet can really speak to your soul, and I felt all of this and more whenever I decided to start my blog almost a year ago, and I chose Bluehost to help me out.
There was also a huge amount of fear within me. I was constantly reading about how others also had this fear and that if they could start a website, then anybody could. While this empathy helped, I still knew myself. I was absolutely not tech savvy in the slightest. I researched and researched until I felt burnt out and like I had reached the edge of the blogging universe.
However, something that kept reappearing on my radar during my research was the hosting platform called Bluehost. I saw it everywhere and decided to dive in and learn more about it. It’s safe to say that I’m glad I did.
Please share this post!
Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bluehost and will receive a commission if you sign up through my referral link. This is at no additional cost to you.
Bluehost helped me to get over my fear!
There was a day where I suddenly had had enough of being scared. I had told myself I was going to start a blog, and I wouldn’t have my mind changed by fear. I literally wrote it in my planner that I was going to “start a blog.” And I did!
Want to know something funny? The step that I was the most afraid of actually was the easiest part!
One morning, I woke up early before my daughter, made a hot cup of coffee, sat in a comfortable spot, and clicked to purchase my domain through Bluehost. I had done it. Once I had, it was amazing how I felt. Now, I could focus on everything creative about my blog and start writing!
All you have to do is just START
A lot of fear that you might be feeling perhaps is the fear of just starting. Perhaps, you are starting completely from scratch, so you have no idea where to begin. Believe me, I know this feeling too well. However, I promise you, that once you get started, the process of learning everything there is to know about blogging becomes easier. The truth is that I am STILL learning! But, it has become something that I enjoy doing while working towards my goals while doing something that I feel passionate about. I truly mean it from the bottom of my heart when I say, If I can do it, anyone can!
A Hosting Platform is Important
It is important to choose wisely when it comes to choosing your hosting platform, because your hosting company will be the #1 investment that you make for your blog. A hosting platform is where all of your website files and applications will be stored and maintained. This makes them accessible for others on the internet. A hosting platform also includes server management, website backups, antivirus options, and technical support. As I said, a hosting platform is very important.
Why Bluehost? Because it does it all…
Bluehost provides all of these services and more. Not only does Bluehost provide exactly what you will need to start a new website, but it also makes things simple. It provides everything that you will need to start and use for your blog all in one place. When you start your blog on Bluehost, it will:
- install WordPress for you
- link up your domain name
- update WordPress regularly
- install a free SSL certificate
These are huge incentives, and Bluehost offers all of these tools that you will need to get started immediately after signing up. Bluehost will do all the technical stuff for you that most beginner bloggers don’t know how to do.
You can save yourself all the time and hassle by letting Bluehost do all the technical stuff for you!
Oter Features of Bluehost
- WordPress is free with Bluehost-All in one! Who doesn’t love that?!
- Thousands of WordPress plugins-There are thousands of FREE plugins that can be used to elevate your website. Then there are even more after this, with numerous helpful plugins that you can purchase.
- Free Bluehost email-A domain-related email address is included in your Bluehost plan. If you are planning on creating a business, this is a fantastic feature. The basic plan allows you to create 5 email addresses.
- 30 day money back guarantee-you aren’t stuck if you feel it’s not going to work out.
Creating Your Account: Step by Step
1. Choose your plan
You’re going to first choose your plan. There is no wrong choice when it comes to this. The plan you pick will depend on what your website will be about and your business plan for the future. Try not to worry too much about it, for it can be changed in the future should you find the need.
If your goal is blogging, I find that you can start a perfectly wonderful blog at the basic rate. This is normally $7.99 a month, but with this deal, you will save 75% off for the first year, with the basic plan being only $1.99/month.
If you’re planning on selling products online, the Online Store option is optimal. Normally, $26.99 a month, your first year would only be $7.45/month, which saves you 63%. Bluehost would provide chat and phone support, and 50 GB SSD Storage capacity, giving you plenty of room for the products you decide to include in your store!
2. CHoose your domain name
Next, choose your domain name! This is going to be your website’s address. It’s very exciting, because this will be the hub center for everything in your website and what people will come to know your website as! It’s an exciting step but can also be a pressure filled one. You have the option of creating your domain later after purchasing if you wish!
3. Purchasing your plan
Lastly, you will need to purchase your plan and domain name. You will need to provide your basic information, such as name, address, phone number, etc.
Then you will need to make sure that your plan is the correct one you want before purchasing. Choose your plan and any extra services you wish to have. However, I recommend unticking all of these, for you can add them later for free with a plugin.
Lastly, you will need to include your payment information. Then you will click “submit.” Create a password for your account, and make sure it’s a good one to ensure not to get hacked! Then, guess what? You’re done!
Congratulations on setting up your blog with Bluehost!
Login to Bluehost
Bluehost will send you an email confirmation that will provide a link to your website.
Click this link. It will take you to the Bluehost login screen where you will enter your domain name and the password that you created earlier.
You will be logged into the Bluehost portal, where Bluehost will guide you through a few more steps.
You have started a WordPress Blog on Bluehost!
I hope that you found this tutorial helpful and that you were able to overcome your fear of simply starting your blog! If you have any questions, just let me know in the comments!
Happy blogging!