How to set up a blog

So you want to learn how to set up a blog. You have come to the right place. Here we will show you, not only, how to set up a blog, but, become a blogging superstar with millions of followers and roads named after you. Well maybe that’s an exageration but by the end of this you will have the confidence and know-how to set up your own blog.There’s no need to wait any longer! Let’s show you how to set up a blog.Put things on hold for the next 15 minutes and follow our five-step guide on how to set up a blog. You will be up and running with your own blog in no time.

Best route to take when setting up a blog

Many people opt for using a free blogging platform but there can be some big issues to this such as ownership of content, ownership of the name, and some other practicalities that mean all your hardwork blogging is diluted. This guide will show you the best route, in our opinion, to setting up a blog. A blog you own and a blog you control fully.

How to set up a blog: Domain Name and Web Hosting

Ok, so this is the fun bit. What do you want your blog to be called?Our’s is called douglashunt.co.uk. You can call your blog whatever you want. You could be uber creative and call your blog something really enticing to potential readers. You could just use your name. You could also just describe what you will be blogging about. Next, head over to Tsohost and check to see if your domain name is available by entering it in the box that looks like this:Now you’e chosen your domain name we need to move on to selecting web hosting. Web hosting is just like renting some space on the internet to put your blog. Tsohost has great rates, has great service and they give you a free domain if you host with them through their ‘Professional Cloud Hosting’ package.Digital Secret: We use Tsohost for all our commercial projects because they are based in the UK, they provide amazing customer service, and they’re amazing value.Choose the ‘Professional Cloud Hosting’ package and pay for two years to maximise savings. Mix this with voucher code ENM10 for an extra 10% off. Read more about that here at Tsohost Promotional Code.

How to set up a blog: Installing WordPress

Once you have got your domain and hosting sorted with Tsohost you need to install WordPress.WordPress is a blogging software. It’s the software that we use for douglashunt.co.uk and about 90% of the commercial websites and private blogs we create for our clients. It’s also the software used by more websites and blogs than any other on the internet today. The best part of all is that it’s super easy to use and it’s also super easy to install on your website.Here’s how: Login to Tsohost and click add a new website.Now enter in your domain.Now select Linux.Let’s go and install WordPress, click Install Applications.Last but not least, click Install.Once you get the “Installation Complete” you’ll want to make note of the Login URL, Username, and Password to avoid lost password annoyance and frustration later. You can change these to something more personal and memorable later, but you’ll need them for your first time logging in.Now login, just enter your username and password.

How to set up a blog: Looking the Part

You now officially have your own blog! Great job. You are literally minutes away from jumping in and becoming a fully fledged blogger, but first, we need to make the blog look the part. It’s time to pick your WordPress theme. WordPress has lots of free WordPress themes to pick from. You can scan through the options here. If you’re looking for a premium theme (which we recommend) then check out these options:

• The Thesis Theme – This was the first theme I ever used and it was an amazing starting point. I loved it and highly recommend it.
• The Genesis Framework – This is the framework I started off with a few years ago and its solid. Check out our review of the Genesis Framework.
• ThemeForest – ThemeForest contains a huge selection of WordPress Themes. The best place to start on Themeforest is by looking at the Popular WordPress Themes.

How to set up a blog: Start blogging

Writing content is not as hard as it first seems. If you love the topic and have a passion for educating people then you and blogging are going to get on like a house on fire.Here is my top tip for blogging. Write about what you love.It really does matter if the reader feels your passion for a topic. If you care about what you are writing about then the reader will know instantly. So write about what you love and you will be a blogging superstar!

How to set up a blog: Making money?

You probably haven’t thought about it yet but you can actually make money from your blogging. Whatever you are blogging about you can earn a few extra quid to not only cover your costs but actually create an extra income from your blogging.There are two routes to this:1) Google AdsenseOk, so Google Adsense is an advertising program from Google. All you do is add some of the code to your website and start earning money from people visiting your website and clicking on those adverts. Lots of bloggers do this as a way to help cover the costs of running your blog but you can also earn an extra source of income from showing adverts on your website.2) SkimlinksNow for the pièce de résistance. Skimlinks. This will transform your blog into a fully fledged money making machine.Skimlinks coverts links to websites, products, etc, in to affiliate links. So if someone buys something from the link they clicked then you will earn a commission. Lovely jubbly.Here is a Skimlinks Review I prepared earlier so take a look and sign up. Join Skimlinks today.