E-Book available of this tutorial (PDF format)
Ever one for a challenge I was asked to write a 10 step how-to on how to set up a blog. From the concept to the first post.
My first thought was “wow, only 10 steps?” but the more I thought about it I figured it would be pretty easy to break down into 10 steps. [somehow I managed to make it all in 6 steps]
note – this is according to the industry standard setup on Tubu Internet Solutions’ severs, other hosting companies can vary’
Here goes….
Step One: – Register a domain
This is likely the hardest part of the whole process. It’s not easy, I’ll be the first to tell you that. It has to have meaning, it has to represent you, it has to be short, it has to be simple, it has to be available.
You can check your domain availability and register your domain for less than $10 (mostly) at Tubu Domains (http://domains.tubu.net).
Here’s something that not a lot of people tell you Nameservers essentially connect your domain to your host. You often need to change your domain nameservers. In our case we’re using ns1.tubu.net and ns2.tubu.net as custom nameservers.
Domain registrars vary, Tubu Domains is an easy walkthrough process.
Step Two: – Sign up for a hosting account
Lots of people hear “hosting account” and immediately glaze over. A hosting account is essentially a place for your web site/blog to sit. .
For this tutorial we’re going to use BlogHost.me, a fine blog hosting package offered by Tubu Internet Solutions. just $10 per year is a fine start.
Bloghost.me gets you signed up in just 4 steps.
- Select your package (just click the Select Package button)
- Enter your domain (type in the domain you registered and add it)
- Enter your details (name address etc)
- Complete your order (quick and easy PayPal payment)
Step 3:- Check your email, wait and login
With Tubu Internet Solutions you can normally log into your control panel at: or http://<your webaddress>/cpanel
You should have a couple o emails at this point. A couple regarding your domain registration and one or two from Tubu Support. One should detail your hosting account details, your username and password for your hosting account. Keep this handy.
Domain propagation can take a few minutes (time to connect your domain to your host) wait a little while and move on to the next step.
Log in to the host control panel using the details emailed to you. Tubu uses cPanel, an industry standard host backend interface.
cPanel can be daunting when you first log in but it’s all fairly easy. You’re looking for one icon in particular; Fantastico (see image left). Click it.
Fantastico DeLuxe is an open source software installer and updater. Tubu includes it with their services because it makes life so, so much easier.
Step 4:- Install WordPress
Find WordPress in the extensive list of available free software, click it and click new install
Really, all you need to do is type in a username and password for your blog, take a special note of this one, it’s important.
Click Install WordPress and finish up the installation. It’s a good idea to have the installer email you installation details to you when it gives you the option.
That wasn’t too harrowing was it?
Step 5:- Log into your Dashboard
Assuming the steps above all worked ok you should be able to log into your WordPress Dashboard.
The WordPess Dashboard is basically a central place to manage all your WordPress operations.
Your dashboard address is in the installer email, it’s normally yourdomain.tld/wp-admin
Step 6:- Start Blogging
You have a blog. Aren’t you proud?
All you have to do now is click on Write Post and start typing, or you can Write a Page, it’s completely up to you. It’s your blog.
A post is a dynamic type of article.
A page is more static…page..these generally contain information about the blog or author etc. Links to pages, on the default template appear at the top.
When you click the publish button your post will appear on your blog.
