| So you've decided you want to start a website. | | | | and your domain registrar can show you how to |
| You have a message to get out to the world, and | | | | redirect them. |
| you know that the web is the best way to get that | | | | 5. Install WordPress software: Once your name |
| message out there. Ok, so what do you do next? | | | | servers are redirected to your host, you're ready to |
| How do you get that website on the internet? This | | | | set up your blog. Your CPanel will have a link to |
| article will give you the step-by-step instructions that | | | | Fantastico, which will walk you through the process |
| you need to get started. | | | | of installing WordPress on your domain. |
| Ready? Let's Go! | | | | 6. Choose a blog theme: Once you have WordPress |
| 1. Choose your domain name: Think about your | | | | installed, log into your WordPress account and choose |
| product and what image you want to convey. If you | | | | a theme. There are literally hundreds of free themes |
| sell puppy supplies, for example, you're going to want | | | | on WordPress.org for you to choose from. Use one |
| a domain that reflects that. | | | | of those, or use the default WordPress theme. It's |
| 2. Register the domain name:: Once you've chosen a | | | | completely up to you. |
| domain and confirmed that it's available, you want to | | | | 7. Personalize your site: Add your name, company |
| purchase that domain name from a registrar site like | | | | name, contact information, or whatever you need to |
| NameCheap or GoDaddy. | | | | add to make it YOUR blog. Customization helps your |
| 3. Set up a hosting account: To make a website live | | | | readers know who you are and what you're all about. |
| on the web, you need to have a host account. I use | | | | 8. BONUS TIP: We all hate spam. To combat spam, |
| and love HostGator. There are different packages | | | | you'll want to activate a plug-in called Akismet. It's |
| available for different types of customers, depending | | | | already installed on your blog, you just need to enter |
| on the size and popularity of your site. Purchase a | | | | a special code, called an API Key. To get your API |
| hosting package that fits your needs. | | | | key, set up a free account at You'll get your API |
| 4. Redirect your domain to your host: Once you have | | | | Key there that you can use for Akismet. |
| your hosting in place, you need to go back to your | | | | These are just the basic steps to getting started |
| domain registrar (where you purchased the domain) | | | | with your own site. Start here, and the world is at |
| and redirect the name servers to your host. Your | | | | your fingertips! |
| host will be able to tell you what those codes are, | | | | |