How to Start a Blog for Profit

How to start a blog for profit –  The most important step is the first one: what subject do you want to blog about.

It should be something you really like so you will be motivated to write about it on a regular basis. If you are knowledgeable about your topic you will be ahead of the game.

While you want to make your blog unique, which means you most likely will have a narrow focus, you also need to make sure that the topic you choose provides you plenty of opportunities to keep writing about.

Niche Selection

Before committing yourself to your niche, you should do some research into successful blogs in your niche. You can then decide what angle you can take to make your blog stand out.

Getting the best results when you are trying to learn how to start a blog for profit requires that you pay attention to the detailed steps involved. This is not hard to do, it just requires a bit of concentration.

Affiliate Disclaimer: The links on this page are affiliate links so if you purchase a product or service through these links I will get a commission. However, your price will not be affected by this fact.

Pick a Domain Name and Web Host

Before you set up your own blog you need to choose a domain name and a web host. Those new to blogging find it easier to register both domain and hosting with one company. This keeps things simple and easy for you to work with.

Domain Name: This is the website address people use to enter your blog. It is usually your blog name.com.

Choose a short, descriptive but catchy name that people will remember. Use the box below to find out if the domain name you’ve chosen is available.

 

 

Web Hosting: This is where your blog pages are stored. There are a variety of hosting companies that cater to different websites styles. Choose one that fits you and your blog.

While the WordPress platform is free, there is usually a three or four dollar monthly fee to pay for domain and web hosting registration fees.

Bluehost: Best Hosting Site

One of the best hosting sites is Bluehost. They offer service to over 2 million people worldwide, so they must be doing something right. With 24 hour support 7 days a week, this company is built to succeed so that you will succeed.

Bluehost has a simple installation process, is reliable and offers great customer service.

If you are not happy with your Bluehost account, you can request a refund if you do so within 30 days of purchase.

Bluehost offers additional services:

Domain Privacy Protection – for around $15 a year you can opt to have your private details (name, address and contact information) kept private.

Basically,  you could save that money and get yourself a Post Office Box as I have done, and not worry about privacy issues.

Themes: Lost for ideas? Bluehost has enough themed pages to make any blog page shine. Make your website uniquely you by picking and choosing what works for you.

After trying other WordPress Hosting providers I found that Bluehost is the place that all beginning bloggers should start this adventure.

How to Start a Blog for Profit – Choose a Hosting Provider

Another key point, to ensure you never get ‘Cancelled,’ install your blog in your own account in the hosting company of your choice. I personally use Bluehost, and have used them for years.

Simply follow the instructions of their website as shown in the screenshot below.  Don’t hesitate to ask them if you need additional help with installation.

Currently, Bluehost is offering a special for $3.95 a month, this includes a FREE domain name for a year.

New bloggers should check out the Bluehost Choice Plus plan. It costs a bit more, but you also get more unlimited features than a start-up plan. This is the perfect plan to choose if you know you are going to grow your blog or are planning to host multiple websites, which most of us do.

The Bluehost Choice Plus plan

It includes:

• A free domain name
• High quality, reliable and fast web hosting
• One simple click install and 24 hours a day support
• Ability to host numerous websites on one account
• Unlimited email accounts
• Unlimited email storage

Click the “Get Started Now” button and start creating your own blog.

Now it is time to choose a plan.

Package Information

Although the 36 month Plus or Choice Plus plans are the best deals. However, a 1 or 2 year plan works just as well. The Choice Plus package offers domain privacy for free.

However, I personally use a Post Office Box so I don’t have to worry about disclosing my home address.

Then, after choosing your plan you will go to another page where you enter your domain name. You can check to see if your desired domain is available by inserting it in the box below:

 

 

Once you have a domain name registered, then just enter that name in the box on the right side of the page, as shown below.

When you need to choose a new domain name simply type the name you want in the box labeled “Create a new domain” then click the next button.

Hopefully, the name is available so you will be told to proceed.

If that name is already in use then Bluehost will show you domain names close to what you want. You can choose one of their suggestions or try another name.

Eventually your domain name choice will be available.

 

Sign Up Now

Now that you have your domain name, you are ready to start setting up your new hosting. The page you should be on after choosing your domain name is the basic domain registration page. Put all your account information here and then you can move on.

 

You can skip the Package Extras… you don’t really need them.

 

 

Account information

Fill in your personal information… be sure to provide a working email where you can receive login information and plan updates from Bluehost.

Billing information is next, then you are on your way to creativity!

Login Details

Bluehost will send you an email with all your account and login details listed. Remember to check your Spam folder because unknown mail often ends up in that box. Keep this information in a safe place, as you may need it in the future.

After you pay, you go to a page where you create your WordPress dashboard login password.

Choose a password with a good mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers and a few characters. The more unique you make it, the harder you will make it for hackers to get into your website. After you have your password set, click the green button and go from there.

 

 

 

WordPress Installation

You’re signed up, you’ve paid, now you are ready to start creating.

Using the information you got in your welcome email, login to your Bluehost account.

Click on the blue “Start Building” button.

It may take a couple of minutes to load WordPress on your hosting account. Once it is loaded then you can login.

There is a link that says “I don’t need help“. If you are reading this and using this tutorial, click this link.

On the top left of the Bluehost screen you will find the Bluehost menu where you can click “Posts” to start a new post, “Pages” to start a new page, “Appearance” to select a theme, or “Plugins” to install a plugin in your new website.

 

WordPress Themes

A WordPress theme is a template that allows you to customize your website. You will want to consider the type of  blog you are creating. You can choose one of many free themes WordPress offers you, which is probably a good idea as you’re starting out.

There are paid themes at sites like Mythemeshop.com or Themeforest.net. A basic, clean, uncluttered theme is advisable. Just make sure your theme selection is configured to automatically adjust to mobile devices.

Once you choose a theme, you simply click the “Activate” button under the picture and the theme will be quickly appear on your website. If you find you don’t like it, you can easily switch to another theme by repeating the process with your new theme selection.

Uploading a Theme You Purchased

If you decided to invest in your own premium theme, you have to upload the zip file it comes in. Here’s what you do, click on:

Appearance >

Themes >

Upload > (This will appear at the top of the page, then you click “Upload Theme”

Chose File >

Install Now >

And you proceed in the same manner you add an attachment to an email.

Launching Your Own Blog

Now click the blue “Launch” button so the whole world can see your new blog.

Congratulations, and

Have fun with your creativity!

How to Start a Blog for Profit

While considering the pros and cons in how to start a blog for profit, I hope you keep in mind that starting and growing a blog should be an enjoyable experience. It’s true that a successful blog will require work, actually lots of it. But you should make sure that it’s an enjoyable activity for you.

One way to do this is by selecting a subject (niche) that you thoroughly believe in.

 

 

Affiliate Disclaimer: The links on this page are affiliate links so if you purchase hosting from Bluehost through these links I will get a commission. However, your price will not be affected by this fact.