If you’ve never created a blog before, the idea of just getting started can be quite intimidating.  The truth is it’s actually quite simple!

My personal recommendation, even for beginners, is to use a self-hosted wordpress template.  Using a wordpress template can be a little more complicated than other options.  However, it is fully customizable… the features of using a self-hosted wordpress template are limitless.

The purpose of this page is to provide you with step-by-step instructions on getting your self-hosted wordpress site set up and running.  I will walk you through exactly how to start a blog using a wordpress template.

Choose A Domain

Click Here to purchase your domain.  .com domains are usually about $10 per year.

Simply enter the domain you would like in the box (as shown above) to find out if it is available.  If it is, just add it to your cart and follow the simple on-screen instructions for completing your purchase.

During the checkout process you will come across the Domain Options Page (as seen below).  Don’t change anything on this page just yet.  Go ahead and click the big orange button marked “Next Step”.  (optional – if you would like to be sure that your domain is automatically renewed after each year, choose the option that says ‘Automatically renew before expiration’)

Once you’ve purchased your domain, the next step is to…

Sign Up For Hosting

Click Here to sign up for hosting.  I highly recommend using Hostgator, because you can easily add wordpress to any domain.

Hosting will be less than $10 per month, and you can use the same hosting account for multiple domains.

Remember that you can always upgrade your account at anytime, so you should be okay with one of the cheaper plans.  (less than $10)

Once you’ve signed up for an account you will be able to login to your control panel (as shown below)

Scroll down and find your Name Servers at the bottom left of your control panel.

In a separate window, open up your NameCheap account and log in.  Once you’re logged in, choose ‘Manage Domains’ under the ‘My Account’ tab.

On the next page, choose your domain from the list of domains.  If this is your first domain, it should be the only one in your list.

On the next page, select Domain Name Server Setup.

Then select ‘Specify Custom DNS Servers’, and enter your name servers from Hostgator and Save Changes.

Now you can log out of NameCheap and go back to your Hostgator Control Panel.  When back in your Hostgator Control Panel, Select ‘Fantastico De Luxe’ under ‘Software Services’.

Click on WordPress in the left sidebar under blogs.  Then choose ‘New Installation’

Then just fill out the fields on the next page and click ‘Install Worpress’ when you’re finished.

Now you’re wordpress blog is installed, and you’re ready to get started blogging.  Just go to your domain followed by the suffix wp-admin.  So it will look like http://www.yourdomain.com/wp-admin

Enter the admin access data you just created and you will be directed to your wordpress dashboard, so you can get started creating your blog.