Starting a blog is exciting, but setting it up the right way can be overwhelming for beginners. This step-by-step guide will help you understand how to start a WordPress blog – from choosing a domain and setting up WordPress to configuring DNS settings, customizing your site, and publishing your first blog post.
By the end of this guide, your blog will be live and ready to go!
Step 1: Choose a Domain Name & Hosting
To start a WordPress blog, you need two things:
- A domain name – this is your blog’s web address (e.g.,
www.yourblog.com). - Web Hosting – A service that stores your website files and makes them accessible online.
How to Choose a Good Domain Name
Your domain name should be:
- Short & easy to remember
- No numbers or hyphens
- Relevant to your niche
If your desired .com domain is taken, consider alternatives like .co or .net. You can check availability using Namecheap or GoDaddy.
Buying Your Domain & Hosting
To simplify things, choose a hosting provider with a free domain (like Bluehost or SiteGround).
Steps to Buy Hosting & Domain:
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Visit Bluehost or SiteGround.
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Select a basic hosting plan.
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Register your domain name.
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Complete the purchase & log in to your account.
Once done, you’ll get login credentials via email.
Step 2: Set Up DNS & Connect Your Domain
If you bought your domain separately (e.g., domain from Namecheap but hosting from Bluehost), you must update your DNS settings to connect them.
How to Update DNS Settings?
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Log in to your domain registrar (e.g., Namecheap, GoDaddy).
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Go to DNS Settings or Name Servers.
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Replace the existing name servers with your hosting provider’s DNS:
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Bluehost DNS:
ns1.bluehost.com,ns2.bluehost.com -
SiteGround DNS:
ns1.siteground.com,ns2.siteground.com
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Save changes (it can take up to 24 hours to fully update).
Note: If you bought your domain and hosting from the same provider, DNS is automatically set up!
Step 3: Install WordPress
Once your domain and hosting are connected, it’s time to install WordPress—the platform that powers your blog.
One-Click WordPress Installation (Recommended)
Most web hosts offer one-click installation. Here’s how to do it:
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Log in to your hosting dashboard.
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Find “Create a Website” or “Install WordPress”.
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Enter your blog name & tagline (you can change these later).
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Choose your domain and click Install.
Your WordPress blog is now live!
How to Log in to WordPress?
- Visit:
yourblog.com/wp-admin - Enter your username and password (sent via email after installation).
Step 4: Choose a WordPress Theme & Customize Your Blog
Your theme controls how your blog looks. WordPress offers free and premium themes.
How to Choose the Right Theme
A good theme should be:
- Lightweight & Fast
- Mobile-Friendly & SEO-Optimized
- Customizable
Recommended Free Themes:
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Astra (Minimal & Fast)
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Kadence (Highly Customizable)
Installing a WordPress Theme
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Go to Appearance → Themes → Add New.
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Search for a theme (e.g., “Astra”) and click Install.
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Click Activate to apply it.
Want a detailed walkthrough? Check our guide on choosing the best WordPress themes.
Step 5: Install Essential WordPress Plugins
Plugins add extra features to your blog.
Must-Have Plugins for Beginners
- SEO—Yoast SEO (to improve search rankings)
- Speed Optimization—WP Rocket (faster loading times)
- Design—Elementor (easy drag-and-drop page builder)
Step 6: Customize Your Blog’s Basic Settings
1. Change Your Blog’s Logo & Site Identity
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Go to Appearance → Customize → Site Identity.
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Upload your logo & site icon.
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Click Publish.
For a step-by-step guide, don’t miss our detailed tutorial on how to change logo on WordPress.
2. Create Essential Pages
Before publishing blog posts, add these pages:
- About Page—Introduce yourself & your blog’s purpose.
- Contact Page—Let readers reach you (use WPForms).
- Privacy Policy—Required for legal compliance.
Step 7: Write & Publish Your First Blog Post
Now comes the fun part—creating content!
How to Write Your First Blog Post
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Go to Posts → Add New.
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Enter your blog post title (e.g., “What is Icostamp?”).
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Write your content in the block editor.
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Add images & format text.
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Click Publish—your first post is live!
Next Step: Growing Your Blog
Your blog is live, but the journey doesn’t end here. To grow your blog, focus on:
- Writing helpful content regularly.
- Improving SEO (so your blog ranks on Google).
- Promoting on social media & Pinterest.
- Monetizing with ads, affiliate marketing & sponsored posts.
Final Thoughts
Want to know how to start a WordPress blog? It’s easier than ever — and by following these simple steps, you can have your blog up and running today!
Got questions? Drop them in the comments, and I’ll be happy to help!
