Note: If you don’t need to know the difference and you already know a Self-Hosted Blog is for you then go ahead use the side menu and skip to Step 3.
The majority of blogs you see online are hosted on self-hosted WordPress websites. In fact, this blogging platform is so popular that it’s raked in more than 72 million downloads and comprises more that 28% of all website on the internet.
Considering there are now over 1 billion websites on the internet. That’s huge!
WordPress is open source software, which means it’s free and open for developers to contribute to. This is also great for you, because it gives you tons of options for plugins (add-ons) and a way to completely customize your blog.
I highly recommend going with WordPress when starting a blog, because:
- There are tens of thousands of different layouts to choose from (both free and premium)
- It’s easy to create blog posts, add images and install plugins without knowing any HTML
- You can easily make custom menus and categorize your posts
- Your readers can comment on your posts and share them
- There are thousands of plugins to choose from to enhance your WordPress blog
- You can turn your blog into and ecommerce store with simple plugins
- Best of all it’s the only way you can use the BoldGrid WordPress website builder plugin (more on this later)
Starting a Blog for “Free” Can Be Deceiving
Although sites like Blogger, WordPress.com and Tumblr allow you to setup a blog for free, they aren’t actually free and you can’t use many of the fantastic plugins created for beginners to enhance their blog. Here’s why:
You don’t get a regular domain — Instead of owning your domain name, sites like Blogger and Tumblr will give you a subdomain name.
My personal blog is hosted on my own domain – themikebrown.com, but if I’d created a blog on, let’s say Tumblr, it might look something like – http://www.themikebrown.tumblr.com.
Doesn’t sound all that appealing, does it?
Here are just a few of the downsides to free blogs:
- Few options for customization: Blogs hosted on these “free” sites don’t offer much in terms of layouts, theme options or plugins, so you end up with a really boring-looking blog. And if you’re looking to spice up your blog with a premium theme or plugin, be prepared to fork over a hefty chunk of change.
- ZERO control over the blog: Because another site is hosting your blog, you don’t actually “own” it. If the site’s admins determine your blog goes against their Terms of Service (which change frequently), your blog can and WILL be deleted. In a nutshell, all the time and hard work you’ve put into your blog will disappear in the blink of an eye.
- You are not able to earn money via blogging: Earning money from blogging is easy to do. In fact, many people make a great living from blogging. However, making money on one of those free sites is next to impossible. Things like affiliate links (will teach you more about Affiliate Marketing later) and promoting other people’s products are almost always not allowed on free blogs and will result in the deletion of your blog, in most cases. Even if they are, the site will generally ask for at least a 50% commission of your earnings. And you worked hard for those!
However, if money is an issue and you don’t intend to blog for more than a few weeks, then free blogs might be the best option for you.
If you think a free blog is best for you, I provide step-by-step instructions on how to create a WordPress.com account in the blog post below.
On the other hand, having a blog that’s self-hosted (something like myblog.com) is the far superior option.
You’ll have full control of your blog, you will be able to use any of the thousands of free themes available for self-hosted WordPress users, look professional, and boost your credibility as an authority on your chosen niche.
It’s the best choice for anyone looking to get into long-term blogging and earn a bit of money along the way.
So, let’s get started learning how to make a blog!
So, how much do self-hosted blogs cost to start? Surprisingly, not a lot. You’ll need to purchase a domain, which will run you between $10 and $15 per year and hosting, the service that stores your website files and connects them to the web for people to be able to view.
[feature_box_orange]
Bonus: By following my step-by-step tutorial I’ll show you how to get your domain for Free and web hosting at a huge discount!
[feature_box_end]
Hosting usually costs between $5 and $10 a month, which is less than you’d spend on a cup of coffee, night out to dinner, a movie, or your local watering hole. None of which are investments into your future success like starting a website is.
My preferred web hosting company and the one I have chosen for this tutorial is InMotion Hosting (takes you to their website in a new tab) they will pre-install WordPress for you on your own hosting account plus they have incredible 24/7 phone Support.
What is even more wonderful about going with InMotion Hosting, is I have secured a huge 47% discount on the web hosting plus I have negotiated with them to add a free domain.
InMotion Hosting is also the only web hosting company that offers BoldGrid, the easy to use drag and drop WordPress website builder.
BoldGrid is a WordPress plugin that comes free with your web hosting account ( I will actually teach you how to build a website with BoldGrid step-by-step from begining to end later on in the WordPress Academy BoldGrid Course).
So listen, this is probably the best use of money I can think of because it is giving you an opportunity to create something you love. You are going to have a domain you own, professional website, free business email and be able to make money.
I love blogging and there are so many cool things to learn and fascinating technologies to utilize.
I love being able to express myself creatively on a daily basis. The social media aspect of blogging is also really fun and a very effective way of getting your information in front of a huge audience.
But remember this tutorial is a beginner’s guide to getting WordPress setup and installed the right way with all of the powerful features that I have mentioned, plus in TheBloggingBuddha WordPress Academy, I am going to actually teach you step-by-step how to use WordPress to build your custom website.
When you join WordPress Academy you will have access to more advanced tutorials and lessons that will ensure your success.
The best thing about self-hosting your blog is you can cancel whenever you’d like. If you find out that blogging just isn’t for you, your hosting plan can be canceled and you can opt not to renew your domain.
Plus you are going to have a 90 Day Full Money Back Guarantee. So this is a Win, Win, endeavor…
But I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. Because I am not only going to teach you how to get started with setting up your WordPress website. I’m going to be here to support you the entire way through creating your blog, customizing your blog, monetizing your blog, to getting your WordPress website to show up on Google.
Remember By Following My Tutorial You Get:
- Self-Hosted WordPress Preinstalled (You Own Your Site)
- Drag & Drop WordPress Builder -With Free Themes
- Free Domain Registration
- Hosting Account – With Free Email
- Powerful WordPress Plugins
- Free access to my WordPress Academy
- BoldGrid – WordPress Website Builder
In the next step, you will learn how to choose a memorable domain and by following this tutorial you will get the domain absolutely free.
Happiness is unconditionally impossible if the ego is present. – Aaron G.L. Adoni