How to Choose a Good Domain Name and Hosting for Your WordPress Site
WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) used around the world. It was originally designed for bloggers, however, it has since morphed into a full-blown publishing platform that can be used to create and manage entire websites.
This CMS is especially useful for people who want to create a space for their personal thoughts and ideas. For example, if you have a personal blog or a business blog, you can use WordPress to establish your voice and opinion while simultaneously building your audience.
Despite its versatility, WordPress has a somewhat complex structure and it can be difficult to get the basics right without running into trouble. This is why we have put together this guide, which will help you choose a good domain name and hosting for your WordPress site.
Everything You Need For a Perfect Blogger
If you are looking to start a blog, you might be wondering what you need to do to get it up and running successfully. Fortunately, with WordPress, everything you need is already included. In particular, you will need a place to establish your blog – a domain name and hosting – and you will need to populate that space with content.
To get started, simply follow the three steps outlined below.
Step one: Choose A Domain Name That You Control
Your blog’s domain name is what people will come back to when they are navigating your site. Therefore, it is extremely important that you choose a.comdomain that you control. Do not choose a free domain name because you do not own the associated trademark. For example, if you choose a.net domain name, people may think that you are somehow affiliated with the.net organization. This could potentially lead to legal trouble.
Step two: Choose A Hosting Service That Is Suitable For Beginners
There are many different hosting services available to consumers, and each one offers a different experience. While more advanced users may prefer one solution over another, beginners should look for simplicity and a streamlined experience.
For instance, if you are just getting started, do not go with a free hosting service that requires you to launch your site within a specific timeframe or that forces you to install specific software or uses complex authentication.
Instead, choose a hosting service that is either built on WordPress or integrates with WordPress. Doing this will help you get up and running quickly while also giving you the ability to take advantage of all the different features that WordPress has to offer. For example, if you host your site on Bluehost, you will be able to install WordPress to create and manage your blog without needing to know any programming languages. Alternatively, if you decide to use a standalone WordPress installation, you will still be able to take advantage of all the different features that the CMS has to offer. This is a key takeaway for those who want to get started quickly and easily and do not have the time to learn advanced skills.
Step three: Install WordPress On A Server
Once you have chosen a domain name and hosting that you can control, it’s time to move to the next step which is to install WordPress on a server. A good web host will make this process extremely easy while also giving you the flexibility to install the CMS on as many web servers as you need. Simply follow the instructions provided by your web host to get started.
Once you have installed WordPress, you can use the online tool that comes with the software to create a beautiful, professional-looking blog. You do not need to have any digital marketing experience to get started – WordPress will take care of the rest and teach you along the way. If you follow these three steps, you will be able to launch a successful blog in no time at all.
Bonus Tip: Establishing Your Blog’s Identity
When you choose a domain name for your blog, you also need to decide on a brand identity. This refers to how you will present yourself online – your name, blog logo, and website’s design. When establishing your blog’s identity, make sure that the name that you choose is sufficiently unique as to be easily identifiable. Do not choose a name that is too similar to other existing brands or websites. For example, if you are not the first person to establish a blog using the word “blogging” in its name, it could cause problems when it comes time to establish brand recognition.
Why Is Website Customization Important?
While your blog’s domain name and hosting are important, they are not the only factors that can affect the success of your site. One of the most vital aspects of having a blog is the ability to fully customize the look and feel of your site to fit your personality and brand. This includes everything from the blog’s header down to its footer – the little pieces of code or HTML that appear at the bottom of every webpage.
Header and footer are the most important parts of a website for establishing your brand. Remember that your visitors will be encountering your website for the very first time, so give them the best possible first impression by using a header that perfectly combines your blog’s branding with the overall design aesthetic of your website. Furthermore, make sure to place your footer at the bottom of every page as this will help establish your brand as the authority on the topic while also giving you the opportunity to promote your other projects.
What Is A Header And Footer?
A header and footer are the parts of a webpage that are placed at the top and bottom, respectively. They typically include some basic information about the website – its name, contact information, and sometimes a small logo – as well as additional design elements that make up the website’s theme. Some popular headers and footers for WordPress blogs are:
- Logo
- Navigation Bar
- Social Media
- Site Header
- Site Footer
- Contact Info
- Additional CSS
When choosing a header and footer for your blog, keep in mind the following:
- Use a combination of these elements to fit the design aesthetic of your site.
- Choose headers and footers that will compliment the rest of your site’s design.
- Use common sense when choosing elements for your headers and footers – do not put a flowerpot on a dining table or a soccer ball on a basketball court.
- Do not include any illegal content (i.e. pornography or political slander). Use common sense and remember that the people you are writing for are mostly adults. If you choose an inappropriate header, your readers might just think that you are trying to be funny.
- Make sure that the information you include is relevant to your target audience – if you are writing for an already established audience, make sure that your content fits their needs.
- Do not put any elements on your header or footer that will make it easier for hackers to gain access to your site’s content.
How To Choose A Suitable Domain Name For Your Blog
One of the primary things that makes a blog unique is its domain name. When choosing a domain name for your blog, you should do your research and identify a name that is both memorable and appropriate. To create a successful blog, you need a suitable domain name that is also easy to remember.
If you are brainstorming different possibilities, consider the keywords that you will use to find content on your site. Choosing a brandable domain name is also important – this will be the first thing that people see when they visit your site and it will help establish your blog’s identity. For example, if you choose “lawyersinlaw.com”, this is short and easy to remember yet has the ability to generate thousands of relevant Google searches every day. Another important factor to keep in mind when choosing a domain name is its availability. If you are a beginner, you should look for a.com or a.org domain name that is either already taken or available for purchase. Additionally, if you are planning to monetize your blog, make sure that the domain name you choose allows for this. For example, if you want to create a blog to discuss politics and you choose “politicosinlaw.com”, this is an appropriate and memorable domain name yet it does not allow for ads or affiliate sales.