A Beginner’s Guide to WordPress Blogging

Get to grips with WordPress blogging.

Ready to start sharing your thoughts on your own blog? Want to create a platform to make money online or promote your own business ventures? Blogging gives you all of these opportunities and more.

Think of  your blog as your own media company – a combination of the printing press, television and radio. You have control over your content and the only limitations are your imagination and knowledge. On your own blog, you can publish ideas, share tutorials, release products or just share your wisdom. The possibilities of blogging are endless – but first, you need to know the basics.

This article will share all you need to know about starting a WordPress blog:

Step 1: Buy a Domain & Hosting

Before you can start blogging, you need to buy a domain name and a hosting package. After choosing your domain name, you need to link the domain to a host where you store all of the files related to your blog. You can purchase a domain from services like GoDaddy and Hosting from a service like HostGator.

Once you receive your purchase confirmation, it’s time to link your domain and hosting together and then setup WordPress on your new server.

Step 2: Setup Hosting and Install WordPress

Within your domain account, link the nameservers of your domain with the ones listed from your hosting account. If you can’t link the nameservers on your own you can easily find freelance help that will do it for you for a small fee. One service that’s well worth checking out is HubRunner, they offer on-demand WordPress assistance and can help you set up your new site.

Once your domain and hosting have been setup, you’re ready to install WordPress. Many hosts have a script called Fantastico which allows you to install WordPress on your domain in just a few simple steps. Follow the process or hire a freelancer for additional help; within a few minutes you’ll have the basic WordPress blog installed on your domain and ready to be logged into.

Step 3: Configure WordPress and Plugins

Log into to your WordPress dashboard and take a few moments to get your head around all the available options. Take the time to get acquainted with the terminology of blogging and delve deeper into the functions of WordPress.

Once you’re ready: Configure your permalink structure within WordPress as /%postname%/ and complete additional details about your blog in the WordPress ‘settings’ option. Install additional plugins such as the All-In-One-SEO pack or CommentLuv to add additional functionality to your WordPress blog.

Step 4: Install a WordPress Theme

The basic WordPress theme is…well, basic. To add visual flare and functionality to your blog, consider buying a premium theme from online stores like WooThemes or ElegantThemes.

To install your chosen theme, you need visit your ‘theme options’ settings under the ‘appearance’ tab. The installation only takes a few minutes and once installed, should be activated to let you get started.

Step 5: Start Posting

Don’t worry if your posts aren’t perfect – crafting a popular blog post can take time and practice; start posting your first articles and make necessary adjustments as time goes on. Try out new formatting options when you post, add media and play around with the WSYWIG editor until you feel comfortable.

Step 6: Connect with Readers

As your blog develops you’ll begin to receive traffic. Visitors will start to leave comments on your blog; respond to them and get a conversation going. Your mission is to build a community that supports you in your online endeavors in exchange for all of your great information; it’s an equal trade.

Step 7: Promote your Content

Begin promoting your content as soon as you hit publish. Jump on social networks like Twitter and Facebook to share links back to your post. Submit your posts to social bookmarking websites like Digg, StumbleUpon and even niche bookmarking sites like BlogEngage. Ask others to share your content when you talk to them; try your best to spread your message around the web.

Step 8: Monetising and More

In due time, you’ll be able to begin monetising your website (if you choose). You can start easily with Google Adwords and eventually move toward affiliate marketing or even offering your own products. There really are no limits to developing your blog into a business. You can earn money directly from your blogging ventures or use it as a platform to promote your businesses on the side.

Conclusion

Throughout this article, you’ve learned how to begin blogging with WordPress from the ground up. After you’re up and running it’s only a matter of time until you begin to make your own mark on the blogging world; you have the publishing platform, now do something great.

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