Want to start a blog where you can share your ideas and talents with the world? You are interested in learning how to use WordPress to construct a blog website?
The opportunity to start a blog now is greater than ever. And even if you lack technical knowledge, getting started is now easier than ever owing to several simple free tools.
Who knows, you could eventually be able to generate a portion or a whole cash benefit from your blog. Although it takes time, many people have shown that it is possible.
In this article, we’ll use WordPress to demonstrate the quickest approach to start a blog in 2023. Around 96% of blog websites all over the world are powered by WordPress.
So, it should be clear how widespread WordPress is for building blog websites. However, if you need to create your own WordPress blog website without coding, this part is also intended for you.
You can join the ranks of these bloggers for less than $50 and under an hour of your time if you follow the steps we’ll show you.
Continue reading to learn how to start a diary in 2022 and beyond from our gradual orientation.
How to use WordPress to establish a blog website
While there are many alternative programs available to help you establish a blog, WordPress is the most popular and appropriate option, so we’ll be using it for this lesson. Here’s why we choose to favor WordPress:
- It’s unpaid.
- You don’t need any unique technical information because everyone can use WordPress.
- There are tens of thousands of WordPress themes available that let you control how your site looks.
- There are dozens of WordPress plugins available that let you expand the features of your site.
- Because of its popularity, there is a sizable WordPress community that makes it simple to find assistance with almost everything.
WordPress is so customizable that even if you have no experience with coding, you can use it to create a whole blog website. Its application is so flexible and all-encompassing. This implies that you may easily include any customisable features if necessary.
Either it comes with abandoned WordPress themes or you may choose from any ones that are already prepared without having to pay any plutocrat. All WordPress themes have been created to be completely responsive and user-friendly. so that users of your website may easily and hassle-free explore it on any device.
What you’ll need in order to create a WordPress blog
Starting a WordPress blog website requires you to create a road map and follow it step-by-step. To help you create your own WordPress blog independency, we have provided all the necessary information.
While there are several programs available to help you start a blog, WordPress is the most well-liked and fashionable choice, therefore we’ll use it for this article. So that’s why we enjoy WordPress.
Here are the specifics you need to launch a WordPress blog website:
- A domain name [which represents your blog’s identity]
- Hosting [to keep your blog’s files and database]
- Sync your hosting and domain.
- WordPress setup and installation
- Enter the WordPress Dashboard.
- Make your first blog entry.
- Install themes to improve the look and feel of your blog site.
- Setup required Plugin
- Link your blog to Google searches.
- Start promoting and optimizing your blog.
However, it’s important to emphasize that we’re discussing self-hosted WordPress, which is quite distinct from WordPress.com. Visit our comprehensive self-hosted WordPress vs. WordPress.com comparison for information on all the options. However, the basic idea is that you won’t be using WordPress.com for this course. Instead, you’re going to utilize self-hosted WordPress, which is the open-source, free WordPress software (found at WordPress.org).
1. Select and buy a domain name
to display your blog online! Next, you must choose a domain name. Your blog’s permanent Internet address is its domain name. Ours is mdjony.com, as an illustration.
After choosing the domain name for your blog, you must decide on a niche. The right niches are crucial for your new free blog site. So, while choosing a domain, attempt to select one related to your preferred industry.
You may view the specifics for setting up a blog website and get the ideal niche idea if you need any type of topic idea and domain guidance.
You’ve already decided on your journal’s specialty. Nice! In order to make your free WordPress blog public or ready for search engine optimization, you need the following two things:
- Hosting—A hosting server houses your blog’s files, database, and other data. You must thus get hosting for your blog.
- Domain: The identity of your blog’s name or brand. The domain name serves as the official online address for your blog. Your preferred domain name may be checked in Namecheap here. You may also buy a domain from companies like GoDaddy, Bluehost, Hostinger, etc.
How to buy a domain name is detailed below:
- Visit Namecheap.
- Put your domain name in the search field.
- Put your domain name in your shopping basket, making sure to select the correct domain extension (such as “.com”).
- To complete your purchase, finish the checkout process.
2. How to set up WordPress blog hosting.
The most crucial aspect of your blog is hosting. Web hosting is the powerhouse behind the scenes that really drives your blog’s software and delivers out your site’s material to visitors from across the world, as opposed to your domain name, which is your blog’s visible Internet address.
It’s time to start digging a little deeper. Your true aims will actually determine the following steps.
How to register for Namecheap’s WordPress hosting service
Therefore, WordPress will be the program you utilize to create your website. But a web host is also necessary. The server that actually stores your website and makes it accessible to visitors is that one.
A web host is where every website on the Internet resides. And Namecheap is the greatest place to go for hosting. Punch your hosting and then follow the process.
If you want to establish a blog as a novice, choose the Stellar bundle because it is the finest option for you. Pick Get Started now.
Buy hosting and get a free domain.
If you already own a domain name, you should select the option for an existing domain name. After choosing it, you must sign into your Namecheap account. To create a Namecheap account and link an existing domain, use the sign up option if you don’t already have one.
However, you can choose New Domain Name if you haven’t even purchased a domain name yet. With this hosting package, Namecheap gives a free domain registration for a year. However, they don’t provide all TLDs. To learn more about TLDs, see this page titled “What is a TLD?” With this hosting package, you may register new domains with the following TLDs:.fun,.host,.online,.site,.press,.store,.space,.pw,.tech,.website,.agency,.center,.digital,.live,.studio.
You just click Add to card after the domain selection process is complete.
Here is all the information you need, including prices for domains, hosting, domain privacy, and other things. Verify that every item is satisfactory before clicking Confirm Order. Only click this.
You must choose a payment method and provide all of your contact details on this page. Namecheap does not accept the majority of common payment options, including –PayPal, MasterCard, American Express, Visa, Discover, and cryptocurrency. After updating your information and selecting a payment method, click Continue.
The last step in purchasing a hosting package for your WordPress blog site is this. When you have successfully completed every step, just click “Pay Now” to get your hosting.
Cheers!
3. Integrate your hosting and domain.
If you buy a domain from someone else! Pointing your domain to Namecheap hosting is now necessary.
So let’s quickly review.
- Your domain was purchased through a domain registrar.
- You purchased a hosting package.
- Set your domain up with your hosting account
You’re now trying to link everything together by directing your domain to your host. People will then find you on your website when they go to your domain.
You would want to utilize certain technical settings. This entails setting up certain nameserver configurations for your domain with your domain registrar. You’re looking for your host’s nameserver settings; they can give you the correct ones.
Simply get in touch with a customer care representative from the host if you need help if you’re not sure what to do.
After receiving the nameserver information from your host, go to your domain registrar and add those settings for the domain that you want to use exclusively for your website. When you’re finished, it will resemble this:
4. Use cPanel to setup and install WordPress.
Unsurprisingly, installing the WordPress software is a need if you want to create a WordPress blog.
After completing the previous step’s sign-up form, Namecheap ought to have sent you an email with instructions on how to access the Namecheap Customer Area.
The Namecheap host makes the WordPress installation procedure incredibly straightforward. Log onto the Dashboard of your Namecheap account. Choose Hosting List next, and your bought hosting will appear.
Click Manage now. Your hosting information page is located there. Here are the details for your hosting package.
You may view Go To cPanel right here. Only click this. You’ll change the cPanel hosting address.
Follow the Software section, WordPress Manager by Softaculous, in your cPanel account by scrolling down. Click this.
You may view past WordPress installations from your hosting on this dashboard for WordPress installation. If WordPress has not been installed on your hosting, no past installations will be displayed.
You’ll see the WordPress Setup Manager there. Click Install below to complete the installation process after entering any further information, such as the name of the website and the admin password.
Visit yourdomain.com/wp-admin to access your new blog’s dashboard after the installation is complete.
5. Log in to the WordPress Dashboard
You may now access your WordPress dashboard, which serves as your blog’s administrative interface.
Visit yourblog.com/wp-admin and log in using the provided credentials to access your dashboard. If your blog’s URL is coolblog.com, for instance, you would go to coolblog.com/wp-admin.
The WordPress Dashboard Examined
Once more, your blog’s control panel is simply the WordPress dashboard. This might be anywhere you can manage:
- Your blog entries and complementary materials
- How does your blog look? (via a theme)
- What features your blog offers (via plugins)
- Fundamental blog setup options
You might be eager to start writing now that you know how to set up a WordPress blog.
In a moment, we’ll demonstrate how to modify the appearance and functionality of your blog. Let’s first discuss how simple it is to begin blogging on your new website.
This page should appear when you first log into the WordPress dashboard for your blog:
6. Guidelines for writing your first blog article.
The following stages will include choosing a theme that will dominate how your blog looks and adding extra features with plugins. But before you do that, why not make a quick detour and try to compose your first blog post?
Visit Posts→ Add New in your WordPress dashboard to accomplish that. You’ll use the block editor to display your blog material; this may launch it.
All you have to do is click to add text. You will click the “plus” symbol for various components, such as images, quotations, or buttons, to offer an alternative “block”. Blocks can also be used to change layout, such as by adding columns or spacing:
Create some new pages for your website.
Making distinct pages for your website is now necessary. Go to Pages → Add New in your WordPress dashboard to build pages for your website.
With WordPress, you can accomplish that. There are two types of content in WordPress: posts and pages.
Think of posts as articles that are posted under a website’s “blog” section. You can completely exclude posts if you’re not thinking about starting a blog.
The additional permanent pages on your website are called pages. similar to contact us or about us pages. When creating your website for the first time, you should make a number of pages active so that it feels authentic.
Every website comprises a few standard pages that you should make:
- Homepage: This page’s options are normally found in your WordPress theme.
- Create a new page called “Contact” and install a WordPress form plugin so you can add a form to it.
- Tell your narrative on your about page and explain why you began your blog or company.
- Product or service pages – It’s a good idea to make a dedicated page for each of your primary products or services.
- Blog – Make sure all of your posts are listed here if you’re creating a blog.
7. Start with the items in this list. Later on, you’ll keep adding more.
Installing and modifying the WordPress theme before starting a blog
Most new bloggers get stuck here because they spend a lot of time looking for the perfect theme. So let me relieve some of your stress by telling you that your theme isn’t that crucial while you’re just getting started. Making material and getting it online for readers should be your only priority. Till you have a sizable audience to tell you whether or not they like it, don’t worry too much on the design of your website.
The annual WordPress theme will be active by default on your website. Every year, Automatic (the team behind WordPress) releases a brand-new theme that is specifically targeted at bloggers; the most recent theme is Twenty Twenty-One, but Twenty Twenty-Two is soon to follow. Every year, people just getting started with WordPress to establish a blog will find that this new theme is overkill.
Where Can I Get Free Themes and Install Them?
The official WordPress.org theme directory is the greatest location to look for a theme if you don’t want to spend any money for it.
The following are all of the mentioned themes:
- 100% free
- By the WordPress Theme Review Team
- Tags facilitate searching
To start, the following are some suitable free options:
- Astra
- OceanWP
- GeneratePress
- Neve
- Kadence
Since each of these themes is multifunctional, you may use them for virtually any kind of blog. Additionally, they offer a large number of functional demo sites that are both attractive and functional.
- In your WordPress dashboard, select Appearance → Themes.
- Select Add New.
- Do a search for the theme’s name on the next screen.
- The theme will appear; click Install.
- Await the switch from Install to Activate.
- In order to activate your theme, click the Activate button.
I’m done now! Installed and activated is your brand-new no-cost WordPress theme. You may now begin editing and modifying.
2023’s top free WordPress theme
You can use this section if you’re looking for the market’s most straightforward free WordPress themes for 2023. The finest free themes are explained right here for you!
This list has a lot of information. What you’ll see below is what: themes for website builders like Elementor, responsive themes (suited for mobile and desktop), multipurpose themes, business themes, specialized themes, and free WordPress themes created with Bootstrap.
Not to mention, downloading any of them is completely free. You may find this to be quite appealing if you want to change your style this year or merely need some pointers in this area. Here is the complete list of the most straightforward free WordPress themes available.
In this article, we’ve done the research for you and chosen the top free WordPress themes that you can start using right away.
2023’s top 5 free WordPress themes
- OceanWP
- Neve
- Kadence
- Astra
- Hestia
If you’re interested in learning more about this theme’s specifics, you can read this article’s discussion of the top 05 free WordPress themes—the Top 10 best free WordPress themes of 2023—in its entirety.
8. How to add a plugin to your WordPress website.
Install the suggested plugins for your WordPress site if you want your website to have more features, look better, and have more amazing functionality.
Actually, you don’t need any plugins to start off as a blogger. WordPress comes with a lot of useful features. However, in order to get the most out of your site, I would advise you to install and activate a few plugins.
Plugins may be installed on WordPress sites. Navigate to Plugin → Add New. Click Upload Plugin if you have any downloaded plugins.
The top 10 plugins for WordPress sites
The WordPress plugin you must install for your blog is this one.
- Yoast SEO
- Jetpack
- Loginizer
- Site Kit By Google
- Akismet Anti-Spam
- WP Super Cache
- Wordfence Security
- Social Snap
- WPForms
- Optimole
Start improving your WordPress site after installing this complete plugin. With the aid of this plugin, you may enhance the functionality and aesthetic appeal of your blog. We recently wrote a detailed essay on essential WordPress plugins, which we will reveal to you shortly.
9. How to increase Google search visibility for my WordPress website.
Now is the moment to get your blog noticeable on Google. You must do the following actions if you want your website to appear in Google search results.
Install and activate the Site Kit by Google plugin.
Then, on the site kit plugin, click START SETUP.
Click Sign in with Google on the following screen, then proceed with the site kit plugin setup instructions. This plugin has a Google Search Console connection to your website. Google Search Console is a clever tool for making your website accessible on Google.
10. Beginning SEO on a WordPress site.
Finally, whether you want to share your ideas or content with the entire globe or a certain nation. Then you must begin your blog site’s SEO. To rank your blog site, SEO is a laborious procedure. I’ll send you an article with further information. But now I’ll teach you the fundamentals of SEO. Let’s carry out the directive.
Install and activate the Yoast SEO plugin first.
Then select Features under the SEO option in your WordPress dashboard. On the free edition of the Yoast SEO plugin, you may enable all of the options.
Next, choose See the XML sitemap by clicking the XML sitemap info button. On a new tab, the sitemap of the website appears.
Make a copy of your sitemap URL by checking it.
Click Sitemaps in the sidebar of your Google Search Console dashboard now.
Then upload the sitemap for your website to Google Search Console.
With these settings, Google will help to make your website noticeable. To have your website appear in Google search results, you must do some very basic SEO. We will shortly provide a thorough article regarding this. If you want to SEO your blog, you may also refer to this post. Seo Guide, please.
Bonus Section
I hope you gained some useful knowledge as well as the ability to create a blog site using WordPress.
You must advertise your blog effectively if you want to move it up the ranks. Share your blog posts on social media once you publish them to spread the word about your site.
You may quickly raise your blog’s ranks using digital marketing. Additionally, post links to your blog on other Q&A websites by responding to queries relating to your blog there.
You can link to your blog on sites with a high domain authority that are linked to your subject if you’d like. You’ll gain plenty of visitors and your blog site will rank higher as a result of doing this. All the best to you.
Please leave a Comment if you have any queries or know anything.