If you’re looking for the perfect side gig, starting your own blog is a great idea. It allows you to make money on the side by doing something you love. Plus, blogging is an easy skill to learn with the right guide. Some people even start their blog as their full-time job!
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We know that starting a blog can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. That’s why we’ve created this ultimate guide on how to start a blog for free–and with no coding knowledge necessary. We’ll show you everything from picking the right domain name and setting up your hosting plan to designing your site and writing your first post!
From there, we’ll teach you what else it takes to have a successful blog, so read on if you want to learn how to do more than just post some content each day!
Why You Should Start A Blog
You might be thinking, I’m not a blogger! But the truth is everyone can start a blog–even if you don’t think you have anything to say. Blogging is about opening up and sharing your story, which means there are no real qualifications for starting one. If you have something to say or want to connect with others on an important topic, then blogging could be perfect for you.
Blogging is also an easy skill to learn. All it takes is some know-how and dedication! We’ve compiled all of that into this guide, so if you’re ready to get started, just follow along!
Start by picking the right domain name for your blog
How to Choose The Right Domain Name
A domain name is one of the first things you’ll need to purchase if you want to start your own blog. A domain name essentially tells people what your blog is about, like “honeysuckleflowers” or “lunchbreakideas.”
There are a few different ways you can choose your domain name. You can use a word or phrase that’s related to your blog’s content. For example, if you’re starting a food blog, you could try using “yummyrecipes” or “healthyhacks”. Or, if you’re passionate about running and want to share your journey with others, you could try “runningadventures” or “thejoyofrunning”.
Another option is to use something that sounds professional, like “bloggerpro” or “businessblog”. The last option is to use something generic, like “blogspot” or “wordpress”.
If you have an idea for the perfect domain name, but it’s already taken by someone else? Don’t worry! There are lots of other domains out there that are still available for use!
You could always buy one that looks similar-for instance, if your desired domain was taken but the words were close enough together (like “yummyrecipes”), then you could try buying “yummmyrecipes” instead.
Setting Up Your Hosting Plan
When you decide to start a blog, you’ll need a few things before you can get started. One of the most important things is your domain name and hosting plan.
You can pick your domain name for free using websites like Blogger or Weebly. However, if you want to use your own domain name hosted on your own site (like myblog.com), then you’ll need to purchase hosting. There are many hosting providers, but some popular ones include Bluehost, HostGator, and iPage.
You can find more information about how to start a blog for free here!
Creating Your Site With WordPress
If you’re looking to create your site with WordPress, it’s really simple. All you need is the self-hosted WordPress.org software and a domain name – both of which are free!
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First, go to WordPress.org and click “Get Started Now.” It’ll walk you through the process of setting up your account, choosing a custom domain name, and installing WordPress on your hosting platform. You can also choose your theme from their store or upload one of your own.
Once you’ve got everything set up, scroll down to the bottom of the page for some final suggestions on how to get started blogging with WordPress.
Now that you know how to start a blog for free, why not give it a try? This article will help you learn more about what it takes to have a successful blog so that you can be ready for anything!
What is WordPress?
We’re going to start with one of the most important factors: your blog’s platform. WordPress is a great place to start because it’s free and doesn’t require much time or technical knowledge. You can also modify the design and layout to create a unique site that reflects your personal brand.
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WordPress will be your home base for your blog, but before you get started, you’ll need something called hosting. Hosting is where your website lives on the internet. This lets people find it when they type in your domain name (e.g., exampleblog.com). When you decide which hosting provider you want, make sure it supports WordPress!
Setting up WordPress on Bluehost
It’s time to set up your blog! The first step is to sign up for hosting with Bluehost. They offer one-click installs of WordPress, which will make setting up your site a breeze. For $3.95 per month you’ll get access to unlimited bandwidth and disk space, 24/7 support, and site creation tools–everything you need to host your blog.
The next step is to pick a domain name. You don’t want something too generic like “myblog” or “yournameblog”. This will make it difficult for people to find you online since there are so many other blogs out there. Instead, choose something catchy but easy to spell like “yourbestblogintheworld” or “theyearofyoueats”.
Installing WordPress themes
With WordPress, you can choose from a variety of free themes that are designed to look great on any screen size. You can also tweak these themes with your own customizations or by downloading new ones from the WordPress Theme Directory.
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When you’re first setting up your site, there are some steps you have to take before designing your site. One of those is installing a theme. If you want more information on how to install WordPress themes, be sure to check out our blog post here!
Plugins and widgets
In the last few years, blogging has changed a lot. You no longer need to know how to code in order to get started and make blogging work for you. One of the best ways to do this is by using plugins and widgets. There are tons of free ones out there, and they’ll help you customize your site more than ever before.
For example, if you want an easy way to add video content to your blog without having any technical skills whatsoever, the AddToAny plugin allows you to add content from other sites on the web directly by just clicking on a button. You can also use it to promote your affiliate products or services with one click!
If you want a widget that will allow you to create quizzes and surveys on your website without any coding knowledge, we recommend using PollDaddy–a free plugin that’s super easy and intuitive. All it takes is a few clicks and some simple answers!
Getting Started With Editing Your Theme
One of the first steps towards starting a blog is to pick a domain name and set up your hosting plan. You’ll also need a WordPress theme, which you can find by either searching on WordPress or Google.
Now that you have your domain name and hosting set up, it’s time to create a free blog using WordPress. The best way to do this is by installing the Jetpack plugin. This plugin will give you access to themes, widgets, and social media integration.
After installing Jetpack, it’s time to start customizing your blog! The first thing you’ll want to do is edit your theme. To do this, click “Appearance” in your dashboard menu and select “Themes.”
There are many different themes available for free on WordPress, so you’ll need to find a theme that suits your needs before changing any other settings on the site. For blogs that cover technology or lifestyle topics, some popular themes include Twenty Eleven and Twenty Ten.
For those who want an aesthetically pleasing look with minimal clutter, ColorMag might be perfect for you. If you’re not sure what kind of theme would work best for your blog yet but still want something professional-looking, we recommend choosing Twenty Sixteen as it has a minimal design so it won’t distract from the content on the site–a great choice if your main goal right now is just getting started and figuring out what works best for your niche audience!
Writing Your First Blog Post
After signing up for a domain name and web hosting, you need to start writing. One of the most important steps in writing your first blog post! Your first blog post sets the tone for your entire site, so it’s really important that it’s both interesting and informative.
Make sure you use catchy titles that will get people hooked from the beginning. You should also include pictures or videos in your blog post to keep people engaged.
If you’re not sure what to write about, there are plenty of topics out there. Some ideas include:
- Yourself
- The niche you’ll be blogging about
- Your thoughts on a current event
- A tutorial/How To article
- A top 10 list