How to Buy a Domain for WordPress and Not Hosting it

If you are looking for a way to build a portfolio or just want to create a blog, you have come to the right place. In this article, you are going to learn the different options available to you for buying a domain name for your WordPress blog. You will learn about the pros and cons of each option and then you can make the right choice for your needs.

Free Blogger Platforms

One of the simplest ways to create a blog is to use one of the free blogger platforms. These are hosted on a third party’s servers and all you need to do is install WordPress on your computer and then log into your blogger account to start writing. Most of these platforms come with a free domain name and you can optionally choose to buy a premium one through the platform.

The advantage of these platforms is that all the technicalities such as installing WordPress and setting it up are taken care of for you. All you need to do is create the content and then publish it. So, if you are just getting started or are looking for a way to save time, these are great choices. The disadvantage is that since you are not exactly hosting the blog yourself, you have no control over it. In the unlikely event that your account is hacked, or you have problems with spam or comment moderation, you are not exactly covered by the services provided by the blog platform. In addition, since you cannot guarantee the security of the person or server that you are renting from, you run the risk of suffering an outage or being hit by a virus.

Custom Blogging Platforms

If you are looking for more control over your blog or want to explore other options, you can go with a custom blogging platform. With these types of platforms, you are not renting any servers from a third party and so you have full control over everything from the hosting to the domain name. The advantage of a custom platform is that you can choose a top-notch hosting service that offers a wealth of features and is highly secure. In addition, you can buy a premium domain name directly from the platform if you like.

The disadvantage is that since you are not using a pre-existing template, you will need to invest a lot of time learning how to use the platform and design your blog the way you want it. In particular, you will need to learn how to install and configure WordPress plugins to give your blog that extra special touch. Finally, you will have to handle all the comments and feedback yourself since there is no one-stop-shop for help if you run into any issues. It is all about having the technical know-how and being willing to put in the time to make it happen.

Self-Hosted Blogs

One of the more popular ways of blogging is via a self-hosted blog. With these types of blogs, you are essentially owning and operating your own server. As a result, you have full control over the content that you create and don’t have to worry about being shut down by a service provider. The advantage of a self-hosted blog is that you can do whatever you want with it, including changing the domain name if you like. In addition, you are not bound to any particular service provider and so you can choose a hosting company that offers great value and is highly reliable.

The disadvantage of a self-hosted blog is that you will need to have advanced computer knowledge to set it up correctly. In particular, you need to know how to install and configure WordPress to its full potential. In addition, if you decide that this is the direction that your blog should take, you will have to put in a lot of time to learn how to operate it on your own without any assistance. Finally, you will have to deal with any problems that you encounter yourself instead of having them handled for you.

Choosing a Domain Name For Your Blog

When choosing a domain name for your blog, it is important to keep in mind the following:

• Use a.com domain name.
• Purchase a brand name that is already taken
• Avoid using hyphens or spaces in your domain name
• Use your main keyword in your domain name
• Only use your keyword(s) once
• Avoid using common words or phrases
• Avoid using the.com suffix
• Make it easy for people to remember
• The longer the domain name, the better (i.e., keyphrase +.com is better than keyphrase +.org)
• Make sure that your domain name isn’t already being used by someone else

In addition to the above considerations, you should also look to purchase a.com domain name that is already ranked highly in the search engines. When people type in a keyword or phrase and then click on the first result, you can bet that they have found what they are looking for. Therefore, if you want your blog to be easily discoverable, you should consider buying a.com domain name that is already being used by another site. Alternatively, you can use tools like Google’s Keyword Planner to find popular search terms and then choose a.com domain name that incorporates these keywords.

Once you have chosen a domain name that you want to use for your blog, it is time to move onto the next step, which is to register it. To do this, you will need to visit the domain name registrar’s website and provide them with the following information:

• Your name
• Contact email
• A brief description of your blog (i.e., what is it about? Why do you want to write about this subject? What sets it apart from other blogs? What is the main focus? etc)
• The name of the website (e.g., MyAwesomeBlog.com)
• Your billing information
• An authorized signature

Once you have completed the above steps, you can begin the process of installing WordPress to create your blog. In the next section, you will learn how to install WordPress on a server.