Alright. So, we've identified our passions, narrowed down our blog topic and registered our domain (among other things).
Now it's time to purchase hosting and get our self-hosted WordPress blog installed.
(In case you missed it or need a refresher, check out the FAQ for an explanation about why I prefer a self-hosted WordPress(.org) blog over WordPress.com or Blogger. And if you're a bit confused about domains and hosting, you'll see it's all just like ice cream.)
How to Purchase Hosting
This is so utterly simple.
You have two options here. Pay a year at a time or pay per month. Hostgator is a good option if you'd like to pay monthly (about $7.95 per month, although they occasionally have coupon codes which are automatically applied to you account when you sign up).
I use and recommend Bluehost for hosting. (It works out to $7.95 a month if paid 1 year at a time and $6.95 per month if paid 2 years at a time.) There are 3 reasons for this:
- I've been very satisfied with their service. I appreciate a live chat or a phone call with someone in America who doesn't have scripted answers to your questions.
- They have one-click WordPress install. This is not unusual among hosts these days and essential if you want your WordPress setup to be painless. Ask any host prior to purchase to make sure they have this feature.
- Unlimited FTP built right into their cPanel. Now, I understand this might not mean a whole lot (or anything) to you at this point, but unlike #2 above, this is a feature many hosts do not provide (that I've found). It's not a huge, huge deal to be sure, but without it, you will have to have a separate FTP client as we move forward. It's just one of those extra handy things.
So, to purchase your hosting, simply go to Bluehost.com, click the "Sign Up Now" button, enter your domain under "I have a domain" and follow the prompts. Note you will have to pay for a full year (or more if you wish) of hosting at a time.
Simple.
How to Install WordPress
Now we have to install the blogging platform (again I defer to how blogging is like ice cream for an explanation): WordPress.
I made a video walking you through the steps to install WordPress on Bluehost. Here are the steps:
- Login to Bluehost
- Click "Simple Scripts" icon under "Software/Services" in your cPanel
- Click "WordPress" under "Blogs"
- Click "Install"
- Specify where you want WordPress installed. I choose bloggingwithamy.com as opposed to www.bloggingwithamy.com because I like to eliminate as many unnecessary characters from my URL as possible.
- Indicate your "Advanced Options" if you'd like
- Agree to the Terms of Service
- Click "Complete"
Don't see the video? Click here for How to Install WordPress.
How to Set Up WordPress in HostGator
Can't see the video? Click here.
Disclosure: I am compensated for purchases made via the referral links in this post.
Here at BloggingWithAmy you'll find tips, tools & tutorials about blogging and websites in plain English. Want to 
Wow! I had no idea it as that easy! Thanks for the video.
I meant "was" that easy! Sorry.
Amy,
I am following you right along. I hope I don't irritate you with questions. I am already blogging at my domain name on blogger. When I get to step 5, should I do something different or follow your directions! Thanks again!
Never mind, I got it! I am too scared I am going to screw something up! Hope the referral worked!
This is also listed as step 10. I can't find the true step 10 on your site. Please help.
Tami, so sorry! Here's how to set up a new user. Thanks for the head's up!
Okay, I'm pretty much blindly following you to set up my first WP blog
We'll see how it goes! Thanks for the clear directions- so far so good!
Great! I hope it continues to be smooth!
Hi Amy.
So I'm wondering how this would work if:
-You already have a blog that it is on a home server?
Would you be able to tell me how Bluehost compares to this (Australian) Pacific Standard plan (http://www.digitalpacific.com.au/hosting/personal-web-hosting/personal-standard/)?
I live in Australia, so do you think it matters whether my hosting is from the US or from Australia?
Hi Michelle,
No, it shouldn't matter where you host your site. To compare plans, you can check out the features of each and see what the differences are. (Here's an article with more info on the subject.)
Remember there are other things that make one host better than another. For example, you might have a plan with the greatest features in the world, but if their support is poor, it can make for a frustrating experience. For this reason, word-of-mouth is invaluable. You might consider asking other bloggers you know who they would recommend.
Hi, Amy!!!
Joy recommended InMotion to me for hosting purposes. I looked at their website to see about the FTP issue, just as you suggested.
If I go with InMotion, I'll be using the Business Launch plan. I've included the link to the page that breaks down what is offered. http://www.inmotionhosting.com/hostingplans.html With the Business Launch plan, there are 1,000 FTP accounts.
Is that good? I mean, I don't know what those accounts are, and quite frankly since I've not used FTP so I can't envision what it does yet.
I'm so confused. LOL
Thanks, Sweetie!
Bonnie
InMotion is a solid choice. I haven't used it myself, but I know Joy and absolutely trust her recommendation. It's unlikely you'll ever use 1000 FTP accounts. I wouldn't worry about it other than to know it'll work just fine.
Oops!! I forgot to include that I don't know what a cpanel is.
Your cpanel is sorta like the Dashboard for your hosting account.
Thank you, Amy. I'm much less nervous about the "hosting decision" now.
Amy, thank you so much for all of this great help. I am NEW to blogging and have been blogging for a few months with wordpress.com when I think I need wordpress.org. Is there a way to do this painlessly?
Thx!
Sarah Beals
Amy,
I feel like your website is Heaven sent. I love the list of articles. It feels like you are holding my hand. I am "scheduling time" to read them all during my alloted time-managed websurfing/business building.
I am excited to see how you answer Sarah Beals post. I have the same question.
My blog is languishing at http://keylimecrops.wordpress.com/
Initially I just followed the advice of my web designer and had her set up the blog. Unfortunately, I keep getting frustrated with what wordpress.com allows me to do (or not do). I was surprised that you were recommending them. I suppose my frustration comes because I am not using wordpress.org? Do you have an article explaining the difference? So to echo Sarah's question, How seemless is a transition from wordpress.com to wordpress.org?
I am dedicated to building my readership and turning my blog into a useful forum (that also pays some bills.) (I especially like the idea that once I figure out how to get blog link icons installed in my sidebar that I can promote your blog. I love seeing stay-at-home Mom's succeed and we all need each other's help.)
thanks in advance,
Meredith Shepherd
Key Lime Crops
Scrapbook Party Experts
I was wondering if it would be best to use wordpress.com or blogger to start the new blog process just in case it's not what I expected? I really want to be a profitable blogger, but with finances the way they are $100 is a lot! I don't want to spend the money and then fail miserably! I am only through a few of the posts you have done on starting your own blog, but I would love to know what you think about this.
Thanks!
Hi Jennie,
Absolutely! I completely understand and would recommend Blogger over WordPress.com for a free service that'll give you an idea of whether or not blogging is for you.
HI Amy- Thanks so much for this information! I am new to the blogging world and I would have just gone to blogger if I hadn't found your site. I need the step-by-step directions! I am currently waiting to get my hosting account information (does it always take this long?) so I'm going to go read ahead. Just wanted to say thanks!
If you still haven't gotten it, I'd definitely do a live chat to see what's up. It shouldn't take long at all.
Got my info. I suppose it didn't take that long- maybe an hour. I was just getting antsy!
What if I already have a wordpress.com free blog and want to switch it over to a self-hosted blog? I think I'm ready to do that.
Yes, you can absolutely switch. Set up your new blog and then import your posts from your WordPress.com blog.
How important for a blog is it to add the $12.95 Sitelock Domain Security on Bluehaven?
Oh Bluehost sorry! Haha
Goofy question! How do I move a blogspot blog to word press?
Not a goofy question at all. In fact, that question opens up a whole can 'o worms.
Migrating from Blogger to WordPress can be a tricky situation, particularly if you have been blogging a while and don't want to lose your followers or "Google Juice" which you build up as you blog.
If it's just a matter of importing your posts and comments into your WordPress blog, you can do that from your WordPress Dashboard–>Tools–>Import. That will import your content, but like I said, won't bring your followers with you, nor will it forward anyone from your old blog to your new blog. I'll explain…
Let's say you've been blogging on your Blogger blog for a while now and there are other bloggers who have linked to your blog and/or specific posts on your blog. Well, their links will take people to your Blogger blog obviously, so if you move to WordPress, it's sorta like a dead end, or, like ending up at a vacant house. Does that make sense? And having all those links leading to an uninhabited blog kind of amputates any good "Google Juice" you'd get out of the equation as well. (I have no idea if this is making any sense…)
Suffice it to say, here's my recommendation: If you have not been blogging long at all and/or you'd like to start your WordPress blog as a fresh new blog — kinda like a clean slate, then you could do what I suggested above (Dashboard–>Tools–>Import) to bring your posts over, post a "I've moved" post on your old blog and start over at the new one.
If however, you want to be sure to bring your followers and "Google Juice" with you, make sure all existing links are redirected correctly and continue your blog at WordPress seamlessly, my best recommendation to have the switch done professionally. I can recommend Joy at Five J's without reservation as she has an excellent track record of moving people over with nary a hiccup. I hope that sorta helps and doesn't leave you completely overwhelmed.
I am thinking to go with bluehost at your recommendation. (I went with godaddy and used your affiliate by the way!).
I did a search for a coupon code for bluehost and a bunch of links popped up for discounted prices (4.95/mo. etc.). However I am suspicious if they are "safe" links. Do you know if bluehost has legit sales like that? Thanks!
When you find a coupon code, you can try copying and pasting the code if you'd prefer not to click on the link. And if the code is not valid, it'll tell you when you check out.
I just purchased hosting and my domain name from bluehost. I think I used your affiliate link. The cPanel is just a tad confusing. I'm blindly following your instructions to get set up and then I'll start learning what everything does. Thank you so much for this!!!
Won't be long and you'll know your cPanel like the back of your hand.
Truly, the best way to figure it all out is just to dive in! And feel free to ask questions — I'll do my best to answer when I can.
Thanks for this great site! This is exactly what I need as I try to figure out how to go from blogspot to wordpress..
I see you recommend bluehost…. I was told by someone else that MediaTemple is the way to go… does anyone know the pros/cons of each?
I haven't heard of MediaTemple myself, but that doesn't mean it's not a good company! There are tons of hosting options so I think your best bet is to talk to someone who can give you a personal recommendation because they use it themselves. If that's what you got for MediaTemple, go for it!
Hi Amy, I made the mistake of just signing up for wordpress.com…how to I transfer over to wordpress.org and choose bluehost for hosting? TIA
Did I miss something? It only gives me the option of $7.95 per month for Bluehost for 12 months, and drops to $6.95 per month for 24 or 36 months.
Thanks Jessica! This could be my bad — I very well could have said $6.95, forgetting that it would require a 2-year plan. I'm so sorry about that! Going to edit the post now…
I had Bluehost for about a year and just left them. Increasing, my site experienced sporadic downtime which continually increased. Last month, my site was down over 5 hours. That was the last straw.
I'm so sorry to hear that, Marjorie!
Thanks for all the great information. As recommended, I've gotten my hosting from Bluehost. Now I'm adding WordPress on my cPanel, but how do I know if I'm getting .com or .org?
I'm in process of converting my blog from blogger to wordpress and I have been so confused. UNTIL NOW! You totally rock. Thank you, thank you!
Can I start a website with wordpress.com and then change over to wordpress.org? Is that hard to do? I would like to test myself and my committment for a few months before I dig in and start investing money in my blog.
My question is exactly the same as Jen's just up above! I'm starting to consider blogging for the first time, and I'd like to test and try the waters first and then decide whether blogging is my thing and the monetizing possibilities. Would you advise starting with a wordpress.com free blog and then switching to (self-hosted) wordpress.org? what would the pros and cons be?
Thanks, Amy, for your great help!! Hope you get to answer this one soon!!
God bless!!
Amy, if you're converting from Blogger, do you go ahead and install WordPress on your current domain…even if you don't want to move it over until it's complete? Or is there a temporary site you use?
Yes, you can sign up for hosting with your existing domain, however, your domain is not pointed to your host yet, so it's not going to interfere with your existing site. Simply call your host and ask them for a temporary URL you can use to get your WordPress site set up before you point your domain over. They should be able to help get you set up temporarily.
Amy, I appreciate all the wonderful advice. I am just starting out and I'm excited to find that after a lot of research (and before reading this) I had chosen Bluehost. Looks like I did some good research on my own and that gives me confidence to move forward!
Thank you also for describing the difference between wordpress.com and wordpress.org. I may have been totally confused and made a big mistake otherwise.
I tried this once before (years ago & didn't know about wordpress) and got stuck on the technical aspect of setting up my site. I hope things go better this time.
Thank you for sharing your expertise with us!
You are very welcome! It's my pleasure.
Thank you so much for all this helpful information! I have my blog on wordpress.com now but have been inspired since I started reading your blog last night and decided to go ahead and get my own domain name with GoDaddy which I just did. Now it is time to set up hosting and I think I will choose hostgator because of the monthly payment plan. Once I do this, I know I have to go to my domain server and change the name servers and wait for them to "talk" to each other. I also understand that I need to go to my new cpanel and transfer over my wordpress blog. I guess my questions are 1)What happens to the old blog hosted by wordpress.. do I close it down or can I continue to look at my blog from there but just not post 2)does it cost to transfer from wordpress to my own cpanel (I was reading on wordpress about a yearly fee for your own domain name) and 3) Will my blog look the same on my new domain? I guess the main reason I am interested in doing all of this would be for design reasons and also possible income producing features in the future. Thanks for any help you can give me!
Congrats on the move!
1. I'm not sure how it works when moving from WP.com to a self-hosted WP site. You might try this tutorial: http://mashable.com/2011/02/09/move-blog-wordpress-com-org/
2. I don't think it should cost anything if you do it yourself. However, I imagine WP.com will charge you if you use their service to do the transfer?? Not sure about that so I'd do some searching in their support or forums.
3. You'll have to set up a new design on your self-hosted WP blog unless you are using a default theme. One of the greatest features of a self-hosted blog is that you'll have almost unlimited options for design, plugins, functionality and expandability. That's definitely why a self-hosted WP blog is what I recommend.
Thanks so much, Amy! I have spent yesterday and all of today and I think I have it figured out! Got my new domain and hosting and have pretty much moved everything over. It brought a lot over with the importing but not everything. I am looking forward to having my own self-hosted WP site and thanks to your help, I did it by myself! Will definitely be checking back on your site and will click on any affiliate links I can!
Way to go!
Does it take a little for WordPress to show up? I just registered a domain name with GoDaddy and purchased hosting through Bluehost and it looks like WordPress installed, but my domain page is just GoDaddy ads and nowhere to enter WordPress access info. Do I just need to have patience?
Have you pointed your domain to your host by changing the nameservers?
I haven't because I thought I was understanding that would make it public. I was wanting to get things set up and some posts written before it was public. Maybe I'm confused?!
I changed my nameservers and am forging on!! Thanks, Amy, for all your help on this site!
Thankyou so much amy. Yay i installed wordpress all by my little self for the first time today!
Hi Amy, your site is wonderful. I currently have a blogger and just testing things out before I spend money on hosting and a domain. So if you use wordpress with bluehost and say I have several sections like "vacations" "school" "family" on my blog I can then install the wordpress plugin to each page so I can "blog" in the different parts of my website?
They could all be separate categories. And yes, you could then assign each of your posts to the appropriate category. Hope that helps!
Hi Amy,
Following along with you to set my site up. I've had a FB page for a while now to test the waters, but I clearly need a blog!
Question, is Site Backup Pro important when signing up for bluehost?
Thanks!
I don't pay extra for Site Backup Pro.
Ok, I almost finished my checkout at Host Gator and realized I didn't click through your site…fixing that! You deserve the credit
So much free help!
Thank you. Much appreciated.
I am wanting to start a recipe blog using wordpress. Do you know if it is possible to set it up for rating recipes or would this be a question for wordpress? BTW, just want to thank you for so much help Amy! You are a godsend!
I'm not aware of, say, a plugin that would allow people to rate recipes and WordPress by itself wouldn't have that functionality (to my knowledge). If you've seen it on other blogs, I would email the blog owner a quick note and ask how they accomplished that. The large recipe sites that have rating capability I would assume have been custom programmed, but I'm not entirely sure. I say google it!
I am concerned about all the bugs, hacking etc. that has been going on with WordPress accounts. I have seen problems on many sites and I am just not sure about switching right now.
There are pros and cons to all platforms, but I am absolutely a believer in not doing something if it doesn't feel right to you so I can appreciate where you're coming from!
Sorry Amy that I have another question, but you have become my go-to for all things computer related that frustrate me!!! I have spent the afternoon trying to figure out how to set up a new website and keep my existing one. I paid for a new domain name over on BlueHost and set it up as an Add-on domain, but when I click on Simple Scripts or WordPress, the only options are related to my existing website. It seems that no matter what I do, there is no way to build a new wordpress website using the add-on domain or to switch the cPanel so that it relates to the new name. If this is too complicated for a simple answer, maybe you can fit me into your queue. Unfortunately, I am on a deadline because the new website is for my soon to be launched e-book. Thanks Amy!
Is there a new folder for the new domain name (in the root directory)? Then when you install WP select that folder from the dropdown menu when it asks where you'd like to install WP. If you still have trouble, I'd call BlueHost and have them walk you through the process. They're usually quite helpful.
Hi Amy,
I have had Blue Host for about 2 1/2 years now. I have noticed that periodically throughout the day, I get a database error when I try to access my blog. Sometimes it's just for a second and sometimes several minutes. Does this happen to you as well? I'm trying to figure out if it's something on my end or theirs.
Hmmm…no, that's not something I've experienced. I would definitely call their support line and let them know. And ask them what the fix would be!
Hi Amy, Thanks for the great tutorials. I'm currently using Blogger, and I have my own domain name which I want to keep. On one of your other posts you said that Bluehost and HostGator will issue you a temporary domain name until you actually get your new blog set up.
So my question is, when I go to purchase the hosting, I know I'm suppose to go ahead and enter my existing domain in the box, but at what point in the process will it ask me about the temporary domain? Or do I have to do something special to get that set up? (Sorry if this is a dumb question! I just don't want to mess anything up!)
Yes, go ahead and enter the domain you will be using. It won't do anything to your existing site but it's more of an identifier. So, if you need a temporary URL, the easiest thing to do is to call (if you're using HostGator) and Bluehost will automatically assign you one and you'll get notification of that via email (unless the process has changed since I set all my sites up there). You can always just call and let them know you want to use a temp domain and they should walk you through it for either host.
Hi,
I've just registered my domain, but plan to park it while I write my tfirst ten posts. I do have a question as to setting up wordpress and bluehost. Do I need to "build" my page first or do I build it using wordpress? I'm thinking it'll be a week or so before I'm at this step, but thought I should figure it out ahead of time.
Thanks for the great info!
Just go ahead and purchase hosting and install WordPress because you'll build as you go. As soon as WordPress is installed, you'll have a website. It'll be generic, but it'll be there. Remember, though, that you start paying for hosting as soon as you buy it, so if you don't think you'll do much with it while you write your first posts, I'd recommend waiting. Save a little bit of money in the meantime, know what I mean?
When I started to purchase hosting it showed my domain as "sweetkissesanddirtydishes.com" then asked if I wanted it to be ".com" ".net" ".org" ect. Did I type in the domain incorrectly?
If I currently am using Joomla! how do I switch to WordPress? My site is brand new so I'm wanting to just install WP on my hosting account and start from there, but it won't allow me to because "path is already in use by another application install." I'm assuming this is because of the Joomla!. How do I get replace it with WP? Thanks:)
Hmmm…good question. I have no experience with Joomla, but I recommend you call your host and ask them to walk you through the process. I hope that helps!
Thank you, Amy. I contacted GoDaddy and was told to delete the Joomla! and then install WP. This was not a problem as I didn't have anything on the Joomla! edition so I didn't lose anything.
Awesome!
Hi Amy,
I am on step 5 and wondering why/how dropping the "www" (when telling WordPress where to install) will impact my site. Does it have anything to do with people finding my site; i.e. if someone types "coffee and cabernet" into their search bar, will they have trouble finding me? Furthermore, I don't think I'm given the option to type only coffeeandcabernet.com — there is a drop down menu and I can select from http://…. or http://www…..
Thanks so much for all this helpful info!
Hi Amy
I'm so glad I found your site, thank you so much for all the helpful information. I'm currently blogging at blogger. I bought my new domain name (which is unrelated to the current name of my blog) at Go Daddy (through your link). However, I'm reluctant to pay so much money to have wordpress.org host my site. I think I'd be happy continuing with blogger. However, I'd like to revamp my blog, change the style etc, but still keep most of my old posts. Would you recommend setting up a new blog at blogger or just changing the name of my existing blog?
If it's just a matter of a new name, I think I would just do that. If you are thinking you want to make some big changes I'd consider making a clean break. It really depends. If the content is mostly the same, I think only a minor change is necessary.
Hi Amy!
I am so glad I stumbled onto your blog. I was so CONFUSED…but you seem to make it crystal clear and not at all overwhelming. Thank you!
I have been blogging with xxxx.wordpess.com and just registered my domain and became xxxx.com. Through your tutorial I know that I need to set up hosting. Will I lose everything on my site right now? What do I need to do to transition?
Thanks!