Welcome back! Now you’ve got your tea break, we’re all set for the Step By Step Guide on How To Build A Blog/Website.
Step 1: Buying a Domain Name & Renting a Hosting Package
You’ve already figured out which name to buy and which hosting package to use. Now it’s time to use your credit card to buy them.
Let me warn you again, DO NOT buy your domain name and hosting package from the same company!
Step 2: Setting Your NameServers
Your domain name need to point to (usually two) nameservers to retrieve the IP of your hosting server, that way, your readers are pointed towards the given IP thus retrieving all the relevant pages of your website. This is why nameservers are important. If you don’t set the nameservers, your domain would return a blank page when you type in your url.
After the payments for your hosting package is settled. Usually an email containing all the details (including the nameserver addresses) will be sent to you.
All you need to do is copy the Nameservers and paste it in the NameServer column provided.
Wait for a few hours (or days) for the setting to propagate. You could do a simple “Hello World” test in your public_html folder while waiting. That way, you’ll know it when your domain name and web host is talking.
How to do the “Hello World” Test?
- In your webhost, go to the “File Manager”.
- Search for the “public_html” folder.
- Create a file called “index.html” or “index.php” or “index.htm”.
- Type in
<html><body>Hello World</body></html>
Step 3: Uploading Your CMS Files With FTP Client
Now that the little “Hello World” test is successful, it’s time to upload your CMS files and start writing articles. In this example I will be using WordPress.
- First go download your copy of wordpress platform at WordPress.org.
- Then download your FTP client. I’ll be using FileZilla in this example.
- While waiting for your download to complete, go to your email and check for FTP Hostname, Username and Password.
- Install your FTP Client.
- Set those information into your FTP client and see if you can successfully connect to your web host. Check your password and FTP hostname if you failed.
- When the connection is successful, extract your wordpress folder and upload it into your public_html folder.
- Wait for 20-30 minutes (Depending on your connection speed) until all the files are finish uploaded.
Step 4: Installing CMS (WordPress in This Case)
After all the files are uploaded, all is left to do is to install the CMS, in this example it would be installing WordPress. Installing WordPress is very easy, there’s already a “readme” guide in the wordpress folder itself. But I’ll rewrite a step by step guide so that this article can be complete.
- Try to enter the url for the root index page (same level with wp-config). eg. If you upload your root files to www.yoururl.com/wordpress. Then you should enter www.yoururl.com/wordpress. If you have uploaded all the root files into the public_html page, then www.yoururl.com would do.
- If you have not configured the wp-config.php file. This will appear, click on it and WordPress will automatically create one for you.
- Read the following page then click “Let’s Go” and you’ll see 5 textboxes you need to fill up. Fill them up.
- Most of the descriptions are already provided, all you need to care is the Database Name, Username, Password and Prefix.
- Press “Submit” when you’re done. If there’s a connection between WordPress and the Database you entered, this will appear. Something is wrong if nothing alike pops up. Click the “Run the Installation” to continue.
- Enter your “Blog Title” and your Email.
- If you want your blog to appear in Search Engines (Google, Yahoo, etc) then tick that checkbox, else don’t click it. Most of the time we’ll tick the checkbox.
- Press “Install WordPress”.
- Your WordPress is successfully installed! Congratulations!
- In the following page, make sure to take a screenshot or copy the password, because you’re only given once! If you lose it you’ll have to reinstall wordpress by deleting the database.
- Click “Login” when you have secured your password.
- The first thing I would suggest you to do is change the password to your liking.
- After that it’s up to you to do whatever you want with your working website already.
What Should I Do? I’ve Installed WordPress? That’s all?
Well, in a way yes. But there are tremendous amount of things you can do with your website! For starters, you can:
- Change the website/blog’s theme*.
- Write a post/article.
- Find plugins for your CMS
- Test the CMS you’re currently using so that you’ll get used to the functions and stuff.
theme*: The way your blog/website looks like.
When you’ve understand how your CMS works, you might wanna
- Learn some CSS, PHP or Javascript languages so that you can;
- Start building your own template.
- Write your own functions.
- Make your website as interactive as you can!
Here are also a few things I’d like you to check out.
- Google Analytics
Visitor tracking program. - Google Webmaster Tools
Webmaster tools that will track the performance of your website and problems with it. - Xampp
A program that allows you to install CMS in your own computer (faster loading time, good for testing out plugins)
Now that I’ve laid down all the fundamentals of building a blog/website for you, It’s time for you to venture on yourself from now on. Try things, spend time on your website, you’ll love it as you see your visitors grow! Not to mention the priceless feeling of accomplishment that you will feel.
17 Comments
Very easiest method to build blog… COOL
I think this is the easiest way
Very interesting material. How to subscribe to your new material, we do not want to miss something fresh. Thank you
Sincerely George
Thanks guys.
If you want to subscribe, you can always click on the “subscribe” button at the top right corner of the website.
Good article Congrats!
Obviously you took the time to write it.
I assume it will help many readers.
Arthur.
nice guide! I think this will help alot of new people out there. I didnt know you started building websites when you were 13 haha..
Thanks Arthur, FrostFox.
Well, that was with lots of javascripts taken from the internet, HTML marquee and cute emoticon that lags the webpage.
Hey Everyone,
I’m really enjoying this site.
Keep Up the good work.
Love Always
Sky
i am not a beginner in blogging but this is awesome tutorials on how to build a blog, very easy to follow if you are really a newbie in blogging.
Good guide to build website and how to choose a good domain and hosting provider. Thanks.
Good advice there
Another good place to buy domain names is: http://www.namecheap.com
I find with go daddy though a quick search on google you can always find a discount coupon meaning those $9.99 domain names you can get for $7.00 or so
Another good hosting company is Hostgator – I have used them for a couple of years they are cheap and their customer service is 2nd to none
It’s loads of fun. I do wish people would just leave comments so we can all have fun together! I simply have got to find a way for them to speak up! =)
This is a awesome entry for all web site owners too look over. I appreciate it!
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I recommend Yahoo Small Business Web Hosting. Management of one’s internet website at Yahoo! is a breeze due to their web hosting handle panel. Everything from setting up email accounts, acquiring monthly web website statistics, to web site improvement and maintenance can be easily controlled utilizing 1 standardized interface.
Is it really require to buy a Domain name at start? Can I use free Blogging services like Blogger to start my blog and if my blog is successful then I proceed to buy a domain and implement the domain name in my blog?