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How to start a website in 20 minutes

Starting a website is one of the best kept secrets for making money and passive income. Let's get you set up with your own WordPress blog today! Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links

 

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 to start a website

  1. Worth it just for your CV and a professional email
  2. Generate passive income (make money in your sleep – keep reading)
  3. Gives you freedom to work from anywhere
  4. It's ridiculously easy and affordable (and fun)
  5. So my grandma doesn't show you up… here's what you're up against:
  6.  

Get My FREE Email Course!

How to start a successful blog, inc. 20 ways to monetise your site from day one!
You'll also be invited to join my Private Facebook Group to ask me anything.

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 as an affiliate partner 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. We receive compensation by working with them, but we'd still recommend them anyway!
  1. 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 [email protected].
    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 (wordhippo.com is handy), 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!
  1. 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. You don't need to enter a VAT number if you don't have one.


    Cost of the Basic 12 month plan.
    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.

    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.

    20 Ways to Make Money from a Website

    Receive my free guide + tips on getting your site going!
  1. 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.
    UPDATE: Bluehost now install WordPress for you automatically when signing up, so you can skip this step and choose your theme design right away!
    Login to your Bluehost account, and from the Control Panel click “Install WordPress”.




    Congratulations – your site is live to the world! Exciting, isn't it?

  2. Choose your WordPress 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 go to your WordPress Admin panel, 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!




    As you'd expect, WordPress also makes it incredibly easy to start writing content that looks great. Clicking on “Posts” > “Add New” will open up the editor window, which looks similar to your typical word processor.




    WordPress Admin Panel – Free with Bluehost
    Once you have a couple of articles published on your website's topic, there are endless opportunities to start growing your audience and even make some money!
A well designed logo will do wonders for your website (and social media). Have a browse of these Fiverr gigs to get one for just a couple of quid.
more tips and tricks!


This post first appeared on AMAZING TIPS & TRICKS, please read the originial post: here

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How to start a website in 20 minutes

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