How do I set up a Wordpress blog?

Also: What is the easiest way to install a WordPress blog on my website?

You need a few things to build a WordPress blog on your own website. First you need a domain. Second you need a website host–which is the most important factor to consider when answering this question. The host I use installs WordPress automatically for me. It makes WordPress’s famous 5 minute install even quicker and easier.

If you are confused about WordPress you might want to read What’s the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?

For domain names, if you don’t have one already, I recommend www.GoDaddy.com because they have the best prices and are the most user friendly. They also have good bulk pricing if you own as many domains as me.

One word of advice.. don’t bother paying for private registration or any of the add-ons (other than of course buying the .org/.net or other additional endings of your domain name if you would like). I own over 100 domain names, all public,  and I never get junk mail. Definitely don’t sign up for GoDaddy’s hosting because it defeats the purpose of what I’m about to explain. Continue reading…

Get to the point.. How do I Install WordPress on a domain?

Now.. the secret. Host your website with DreamHost and installing a WordPress blog is automatic and instant. DreamHost is the best for a number of reasons.

In the 5 years I’ve used their services, they have never lost any data, or gone down for more than a few hours. Every host has to go down for maintenance or switch to a different server hardware at some point.. it’s part of technology advancing. But they are overall wonderful and I have nothing but kind words to speak about DreamHost. That’s why you should use them. Use this link to sign up for their $8.95/month hosting service. You can host unlimited domains with that (as many blogs as you want!!!)

After you’ve signed up, Login to the DreamHost panel and follow these directions.

1) Manage Domains (upper left under Toolbox)

2) Add New Domain/Sub-domain

3) Type the domain name you registered earlier without the “http://www”. So I would just type “pauldrecksler.com”

4) Do whatever you want with the “www in your URL”–it’s a matter of preference. I remove the www from my url (look in the address bar) because I think it cleans the URL up a little. That’s my preference.

5) “Run this domain under the user:”– Use whatever the default is because you are the only user on the hosting account currently.

6) Skip everything else and scroll down until you see the blue button that says “Fully host this domain”

7) Now you should see a happy Congratulations message that your domain is now fully hosted.

8.)Click” Goodies” on the left navigation bar (about halfway down) to expand that menu.

9) Now click “One-Click Installs”.

10) Choose “Install new website software – Advanced Mode” (yes, you’re advanced)

11) WordPress is the first option already highlighted.. scroll down.

12) “Install too:”– Choose your domain name if it isn’t already pre-selected. Leave the “Create A Database for me automatically” button checked.

13) Click the blue “Install it for me now!” button.

* * * * *

You are finished! Success! DreamHost will now send you an e-mail with further instructions to create a username and password to start blogging. Next thing you might want to do is install a theme.