I've
been a website developer for more than 14 years, so I've learnt the
easiest methods to get started as well as sourcing the best prices
available.Click here to open the setup page in a new window, then follow my quick and easy steps for total beginners.
You will have a live website and your own (free) domain name within 20 minutes, for less than the cost of a coffee a month.
You do NOT need to hire a web developer! Anybody can start their own website. Even my 82 year-old Grandma is a webmaster for her village's museum website.
5 reasons you need a website
- Worth it just for your CV and a professional email
- Generate passive income (make money in your sleep – keep reading)
- Gives you freedom to work from anywhere
- It's ridiculously easy and affordable (and fun)
- So my grandma doesn't show you up… here's what you're up against:
Grandma's WordPress site.
4 steps to start a WordPress website
WordPress
is a free Content Management System (CMS) that allows anyone to make,
design, write and manage their own website. The platform powers 25% of
all websites (including CNN, NASA and this site!) and is totally
beginner friendly.WordPress needs to be installed on a web host. We'll be using Bluehost who have a 1-click install and also handle many other parts of starting and running a website for you. Their process is easy and costs next-to-nothing.
I contacted Bluehost and negotiated a special 60% off discount, plus a free domain name for you. Woohoo! Like most hosts, their prices are in USD but available worldwide.
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Choose and register a domain name
A domain name is what people type into their browser to view your website. savethestudent.org is a domain name. It's also used for email, such as you@yourwebsite.com.
There's a wide range of domain name extensions available, including .com, .org, .net, .info. .com is considered the best, but also the most popular so your preferred .com name may be registered already.
Registration typically costs £10 ($13) a year, but you can get yours free only with this link:
a. Click here to lock in the free domain name offer
b. Click “Get Started Now” and select the “Basic” plan for now
c. Type in your preferred domain name to check availability.
If your domain name is available, you'll see the “Create your account” page. Congrats! Continue to Step 2.
If it's not available, you'll be told to try another variation. Consider changing a word, using hyphens (-), adding a number or pick a different extension (such as .info).
Don't stress about getting the perfect domain name. They often pop into my head as I build my sites, and it's easy to move an existing website to a new domain. Today is about getting the site live! -
Setup website hosting
Every website needs to be hosted. A web host is just a home for your site and its content (like a remote computer). The host then ‘serves' the website to visitors when they type in your domain name. It sounds much more technical than it is! In a few clicks you'll be set up and ready to start posting for the world to see.
There are hundreds of web hosts out there, but Bluehost is by far the best choice for beginners.
Why Bluehost? 6 main reasons:
1. Affordable (from $2.95pm)
2. Reliable (99.9% uptime)
3. Free domain name, email addresses & 1-click WordPress install
4. Brilliant support and training guides
5. 30 day full refund policy
6. Officially recommended by WordPress
Once you've found a domain name, simply continue to create your Bluehost account.
The “Basic” package is more than enough for most websites, and you can uncheck the other paid options for now if you don't want them.
To secure the super-low monthly price, you need to pay for at least one year ($71.28) but it's cheapest ($2.95pm) for three years ($127.44). It's ridiculously cheap for what you get.Cost of the Basic 12 month plan.
There's no contract and Bluehost have a no-hassle 30 day full refund policy. Even if you want to cancel after that, you can get a refund for what you won't use!
Make the upfront payment using your normal card details or PayPal (click “more payment options”). Again, it'll be in USD but you don't need an American bank.
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Installing WordPress on Bluehost
Technically your online presence is secured at this stage, but if anyone goes over to your site, there won't be much to see! That won't be for long though… you're about to install WordPress which allows you to easily manage your whole site, including content and design, without any technical background or coding experience.
WordPress is used by 80 million websites, including this website It was first designed for blogs but even online stores and major news sites like CNN and MTV use it today.
Login to your Bluehost account, and from the Control Panel click “Install WordPress”.
After a couple of minutes you'll be able to login to the admin panel, and write your first post!
WordPress Admin Panel – Free with Bluehost -
Choose your theme
If you go to view your site now, it'll look very basic and empty.
So go ahead and change the theme of your new site. Just click on “Appearance” > “Themes” and browse hundreds of free themes. When you find one you like, click “Preview” or “Install” to apply the theme with just a click!
How to get traffic to your new website
Once you've got your site set up, there's a whole world of opportunities to grow your website and even make some money from it.Aside from publishing high quality content, the most important thing is to get eyeballs (traffic) on your website. Building social media pages and links to your new site should be your main focus. Not only do they directly send new visitors your way, but they're also the main indicators Google uses to rank websites. And Google traffic is the best kind of traffic!
Click here to join my Private Facebook Group for new webmasters. Share your website and connect with others!
How to make money from your website
Traffic can then be monetised in lots of ways. Sign up to Affiliate Window from day one. They are a huge affiliate network giving you instant access to thousands of online retailers and services who pay you a commission for any leads. It's just a case of copying a link across and including it within your content (or social media pages)!For more of an insight into how websites generally make money, have a look at our guide to making money as a blogger.
