After getting a Domain name I am sure you are now ready to carry on with setting up your blog. and add your first five (5) pages; but first,

how to set up WordPress

What were your experiences when you tried setting up your website? In fact, we are going to use wordpress.ORG because that is what I use for this site, although I started with a free Theme; so if you are ready to go with a paid theme you are good to go.
Buy a domain name from wordpress.ORG and host your site there or you can host it on Bluehost. A wordpress.ORG site is an investment that will also earn for you in the long run, plus other advantages.
Wordpress.org is highly recommended because it is a self-hosted blog. Once you purchase a theme that is between $50 to $100 you are free to customise by making as many changes as you want to it.
Alternatively, you can even start with a wordpress.COM site, that is if you are not yet sure. With wordpress.com you may have to purchase more tools later to customise it.

Log in to your admin panel by typing
Your website name plus wp-admin. e.g https://www.yourwebsitename.com/wp-admin.   This is what you use anytime you want to go to the dashboard of your site.
If you are using a free theme too there will be some slight differences in that you will not have to change the server to point to a host. So your website name will be www.abc.wordpress.com or www.abc.blogspot.com

Setting up a Website for Free – Bluehost

To start setting up a free website with Bluehost first, make a search in google for ‘Bluehost pricing’ and look for
‘theme pricing’ and ‘package extras’, namely, hidden costs, and other extras. Inside Bluehost, you can also get a domain name and a wordpress.ORG theme to buy.
For extras, you may only need the domain protection SSL certificate.
At the site, you will be guided step by step on how to choose a theme, first indicating what you want to use your site for, etc.
Go through the steps to choose a theme. A free theme is one of the options offered here too. Most people choose the Astra free theme, which can be changed later.

Free or Premium WordPress Themes

Below are some of the best free or premium WordPress themes:

Generate press
Theme forest
Woo-commerce
Genesis Studiopress
Elegant themes

Four features that determine a good WordPress Theme:

Look for the following theme features, which must be present in any good website template:

Mobile friendly
SEO optimised;
Niche design
Support from the developer

Follow the prompts all through and when your site is successfully uploaded you’ll receive a notice that ‘your site has been successfully installed’.

After installing your WordPress theme, go into your dashboard, using www.yourwebsite.com/wp-admin. Go to appearance

If you purchased a theme elsewhere and it is installed on your pc, you will find it here. Otherwise, select the theme you have purchased from your host. Click install and activate

Next upload the theme you have purchased or a pick desirable one from the list.  If you purchased a theme elsewhere and it is installed on your pc, you should upload it here. Otherwise, select the theme you have purchased from your host. Click install and activate.

Next, go to Settings
Appearance Type in a Site Title (e.g is work online)
Also, add the Tagline (e.g acquire the skills)
Save changes

Setting up a Website for Free – Wealthy Affiliate

Setting up a blog at Wealthy Affiliate is equally easy. On the left side of the timeline,
Go to Websites From the options provided, indicate whether you want to
–   build a free website,
–   use a domain you own that you are importing there, or
–   register a domain.
Select one and then you choose one of the themes offered, which is immediately installed for you.
You also get
–   Hosting
–   Website development tools
–   Keyword research tool
–   Coaching and Support

You may want to try Wealthy Affiliate as a premium member to gain all the benefits there.

How to Design your Website

If  you’d rather use the services of a website developer, show him exactly what you want. Hopefully, he should be able to use your specifications!

Customise the look of your Website

I)  Change Header – One thing you may want to do is to change the default header image of your site. It may be an image or text, or both. You can give the specifications i.e size as stated on your theme and text needed to a Graphic Designer to make some samples for you to choose from. However, you can put in the first five pages and some posts before the header is ready to be changed. Changing the header should be easy for you as it will be an image stored on your pc which you will install with the following steps:
Appearance

Header

Customise

Upload image

Save

ii)Settings permalinks its use – permalinks show how your post will appear in the browser.  It should be as indicated in the image.

iii)Choose post name; click save changes

Free WordPress Plugins

A few initial plugins will have to be installed to add the necessary functionality to your site.  For SEO, either the Yoast or All in One SEO plugin is advised.  Also instal and activate a social plugins to enable sharing of posts, and a plugin that checks spam like Akismet.  Most plugins are an add on for WordPress and are free.  There are several of the same plugins to choose from.  Check the details given in the documentation to help you choose.  The best plugins are updated frequently and with time, you will know which are the best ones to use. It is not advisable to use too many plugins.

Video Tutorials

You may also wish to undertake further research on the web host you’ve chosen by listening to the relevant YouTube videos.

Why do you think you are doing all this by yourself? Everyone struggles at some level at first, but you will catch on fast once you begin to take the first steps. Most bloggers teach themselves to set up their blogs. Some learn quickly although we all start with no knowledge. If you belong to a group or community ask questions; alternatively, you could make some research on google and youtube when you get stuck.

You could also have a web developer do it for you. It’s always good to try your hands on it and to understand what you are doing explain what you want to be done by a web developer. Apart from saving yourself much-needed funds and frustration. I hope this post settles your mind on what to do after getting your domain name.

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