Starting a WordPress blog might seem daunting, especially if you’re not particularly tech-savvy. But you’re in good company!

With our experience assisting more than 2 million users in launching their blogs, we’re excited to offer a comprehensive, step-by-step guide tailored for beginners.

This guide requires no technical background and will cover everything from setting up your blog to nurturing its growth.

Join us as we simplify the blogging journey, making it accessible and manageable for everyone.

The guide is designed to be straightforward and user-friendly, catering to individuals of any age, whether you’re 20 or 60.

What essentials are required to launch a WordPress blog?

To set up a WordPress blog, you’ll need just three key components:
A domain name (the unique address of your blog, such as wordpress-guide.com)
A web hosting account (the online space where your blog will reside)
Thirty minutes of focused attention.

Indeed, launching a blog from the ground up can be accomplished in under half an hour, and we’re here to guide you through every step of the way.

Step 1: Choose a Name and Platform for Your Blog

A common pitfall for new bloggers is selecting an unsuitable blogging platform, but fortunately, you’re here and can avoid that mistake.
For the vast majority, about 95% of users, WordPress.org — the self-hosted version of WordPress — is the advisable choice.

The appeal of WordPress lies in its open-source nature, allowing it to be freely used. This flexibility lets you add plugins, personalize your blog’s appearance, and most crucially, monetize your blog without facing any limitations (unlike the restrictions you’d encounter with WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org).
WordPress stands as the leading platform for many successful blogs, ours included. To give you an idea of its popularity, 43% of all websites on the internet are powered by WordPress!

You might wonder, how can WordPress offer its services for free? Is there a hidden catch?
Rest assured, there’s no catch. The platform is free because it requires you to handle the setup and hosting on your own.

This means you’ll need a domain name and web hosting. The domain name is your blog’s internet address that people type to visit your site, like google.com or wordpress-guide.com. Web hosting, on the other hand, is the online space where your website’s files are stored, essentially your blog’s home on the web. Every blog needs web hosting to be accessible on the internet.

Typically, a new domain name costs about $14.99 per year, and web hosting plans start at $7.99 per month, which might be a significant outlay for those just beginning their blogging journey.

However, there’s good news: Bluehost, a hosting provider recommended by WordPress, offers our users a free domain name and a substantial discount on web hosting, making it more affordable for newcomers to start their blogs.

Additionally, you have the option to choose from other renowned WordPress hosting services like SiteGround or Hostinger, which are fully compatible with the guidelines provided in our blog setup tutorial.
For beginners, we specifically endorse Bluehost as it stands as one of the most established web hosting companies on the internet. As a leading name in WordPress hosting, Bluehost supports millions of websites, including several of ours.

Their long-standing partnership with WordPress since 2005 highlights their dedication to the platform. In recognition of their support, Bluehost has committed to ensuring that if you can’t get your blog up and running within 30 minutes following this tutorial, our expert team will take over the setup process at no extra cost to you. They have agreed to compensate us, ensuring you receive this assistance for free. Don’t hesitate to reach out for complimentary blog setup support.

At Wordpress-Guide, transparency is a core value for us.

Should you choose to sign up for Bluehost through our referral link, we’ll receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. In fact, you’ll benefit from savings and receive a free domain. It’s important to note that we could earn a commission from recommending any WordPress hosting company, but our recommendations are based on our genuine use and belief in the value these products offer our readers.

Now, let’s move on to securing your domain and hosting.
Open Bluehost in a new tab and let’s walk through the process together.
The first step is to click on the green “Get Started Now” button to begin.

At WordPress-Guide, transparency is a core value for us.

On the following page, choose the plan that suits your needs best (Basic and Choice Plus are the favorites among users).
Next, you’ll be prompted to enter the domain name for your website.

On the following page

Finally, input your account details and select your package information to wrap up the setup. Opting for the 12-month plan is advisable as it offers the best value.
You’ll also encounter a selection of optional extras on this screen. Whether to add these is entirely your choice. Generally, we suggest not buying them immediately—you can always incorporate them later if you find they’re necessary.

After finishing the process,

you’ll receive an email containing information on how to access your web hosting control panel (cPanel).
In the cPanel, you can manage various aspects of your hosting account, from support emails to FTP access and more. Crucially, it’s also where you’ll install WordPress.

Beginner’s Guide Step

How to Set up Cloudways WordPress Cloud Hosting [Tutorials]
Install WordPress Blogging Software (Beginner’s Guide Step 2)
Selecting Your WordPress Theme (Beginner’s Guide Step 3)
Creating Your First Blog Post (Beginner’s Guide Step 4)
Plugins & Customizations (Beginner’s Guide Step 5)
Making Money From Your Blog (Beginner’s Guide Step 6)