I Need a Blog Right Now
This was me being fired from my job with a family to feed and Christmas approaching. I felt like calling the whole world to my side but how could I do that? The desire to share my story was so intense inside me and I could not contain it but I wanted to find way to be online. I wanted a worldwide platform to accomplish my plans therefore I opted for.blogger.com and .wordpress.com. these platforms are good but have limitations. They offered me half of the solutions I was searching for but I wanted to be control of my blog. What I did not know is that I was hitchhiking and I was missing out on being in the driver’s seat.
When hitchhiking, you give up your driver’s seat and you violate the
Commandment of Control. You sacrifice control over your design plan and ultimately dance to someone else’s tune. When you control your blog, you control everything on your website, your design, your content, your revenue model through advertisements, endorsements and your operational choices. If you can’t control every aspect of your blog, you’re not driving! And if you can’t drive, you set yourself up for sudden, unexpected crashes.
This was me wondering where to start from and almost getting eaten like small fish but I would like to make you a shark through this guide and start with great hosting plans offered by HostGator. To become a shark, you have to think like one. Sharks think big and that’s why you are reading this guide. To achieve this; You have to Think globally, not locally. Think to lead, not to follow. Think to innovate, not to copy just like the shark does. When you start your blog, you will become a shark and use the entire ocean as your playground.
BECOME A SHARK
Please note: If you choose to use the hosting company that I recommend (and have used since the very beginning!) and click the link provided, then I will receive a small commission. This does not impact the price that you pay in any way, it only gives me a bit of a kickback for referring a great new blogger (YOU!!). Plus, you can use my coupon code BLOG21 and save 65%. If you feel uncomfortable using my link or coupon code, feel free to bypass it and go directly to HostGator (or whatever site you want to host on!), no hurt feelings, friend.
What do you need to start a blog?
Before you can get a website, you need to buy a hosting package. You need:
Domain name: This your brand name online or title dead
Website Hosting: This is where you are going to host your website call it land. We are going to use HostGator as our hosting.
WordPress: This is your frame where you will design your website from using a theme of your choice.
It’s important to brainstorm with your friends about the best domain name you are going to use and you will get register your domain name and get hosting all at HostGator. This all allows controlling your blog from one central place.
What is shared hosting?
Hostgator offers affordable packages on shared hosting plans. As the name suggests you are going to share a server with others. This is like a condominium arrangement where each person buys his house or apartment on a build. You will share the building, parking space but each one of you has a title to his house. HostGator has plenty of affordable plans that are perfect for starting your blog. You can view these on their shared hosting plans page here.
Choose your hosting plan
Occasionally, choosing the plan is quite complicated but as they say the hand scratches where it can reach, there’s no need to strain your budget. Buy the lowest priced package that you can afford since HostGator allows you to upgrade to another plan easily and you pay the difference only.
The most popular HostGator plan is the Baby Plan because it’s fairly affordable and offers unlimited websites. This gives you the flexibility to support multiple brands, or change the name of your site later on. You will enjoy a number of benefits you can purchase multiple URLs, and you don’t have to change your hosting package. In addition, you have one click WordPress installation, free cPanel transfer, unlimited bandwith (Disk space and bandwidth is “Unmetered” which means you are not charged according to the amount of disk space or bandwidth you use.) free SSL certificate (Your hosting package includes a free SSL certificate that provides security for your website domains and subdomains by encrypting communications between the server and visitors to your website) and Free Domain for annual plans (12, 24 or 36 months). HostGator is so generous with discounts from and to enjoy the click here or use my code BLOG21.
Customer support 24/7/365 days
I don’t have a background in computer programming languages therefore I needed a robust, patient and technically experienced customer support. HostGator offers both call and live chat customer services. In addition, they have well stocked knowledge base. I can confidently say they have exceeded my expectation on the numerous occasions whenever I contact them to help me resolve an issue. They are experienced, excellent and always resolve the issue on the spot. Those that require administrators input, are escalated and you receive an email to that effect with 24 hours.
Why I choose HostGator
Affordability and flexibility in upgrading to other plans made me chose HostGator over other web hosting companies. It provides unlimited storage and email addresses, unlike other providers such as GoDaddy. It comes with a Weebly website builder, so you can get the same functionality you would get with a provider like Squarespace, but with unlimited pages and email addresses. They also provide a Google Adwords and Yahoo/Bing credit, which sets them apart as a great option for bloggers hoping to make money from their blogging venture
Shark time. Are you ready to invest in your brand or in someone else’s? Then select your plan and click the bright yellow Buy Now! Button to add the hosting package to your cart.
Register your domain
As I shared above a domain name is your brand on the internet so make it count. Having selected the plan that suits you, proceed to register your domain. You can check to see what domains are available using HostGator’s Domain Registration tool.
Shopping Cart Step 1: Choose a Domain
From here you can register a new domain name, or click the second tab “I Already Own This Domain” if you are only buying hosting. You have many options of domain endings .com, .net, .co, .org etc to choose from.
Domain Privacy Protection
Make sure you keep Domain Privacy Protection checked. This helps protect your identity online and avoid spam messages by masking your domain information in ICANN and replacing it with HostGator’s.
Scroll down to step 2. Choose your hosting plan
Select the package type and billing cycle that fits within your budget.
Scroll down step 3: Create your account
Enter your email address, confirm it, enter your preferred password and most important part is your four-digit security pin. Your email and security pin are important for authenticating your domain when seeking customer assistance. Please keep this information in a safe place.
If you have a HostGator account sign in.
Scroll down step 4: Enter your billing information
Filling in your name, physical address, phone number, choose your country, enter your city, choose your state and enter your zipcode. It’s important to note that some African countries don’t have zipcodes therefore use five zeros (00000). Select the payment method and enter the required information.
Scroll down step 5: Add additional services
These services are important but it’s up to you to decide which ones you want depending on your budget.
Scroll down Step 6: Enter the coupon
When you reach step 6, make sure to enter this coupon code BLOG21 to enjoy more benefits and discounts.
Finally, click that you agree to the Terms and Conditions, then the big blue Checkout Now! Button.
Congratulations! You’re now the proud owner of your very own website and a shark.
Its important to access your email to check for a massage from the sales department asking you to verify your email. Sometimes its in the spam.
Installing WordPress
There are two options you can install WordPress.
Option 1: After completing the purchased the hosting, a window will show up. Click on the create button to install WordPress. It will give you your username and password.
Option 2: Installing from the cPanel
Proceed into your dashboard click on launch cPanel button. You can as well click on install WordPress link straight.
Click on the WordPress manager icon
Choose your domain
- For Blog Title, enter the name of the website. This is what will appear in the header as the name of your site.
- For Admin User, enter your preferred user name.
- For password, enter your preferred password. It should be strong
- For Admin Email, enter an email address where you want the admin password emailed to. Make sure this is a working email address.
Scroll down and Click Install WordPress when you’re ready to proceed.
A progress bar at the top of the page will let you know when installation is complete. Once complete, you will be able to start working on your WordPress site. Make sure you save your WordPress username and password as well as a link to your WordPress dashboard.
To become a shark, you have to choose to start your process right away and that starts with a simple choice. Start making better choices, and your first choice is using my affiliate link here or my code BLOG21 to enjoy more benefits on your journey of being in the drivers seat.