As Easy As ABC – How to Create a Self Hosted WordPress Blog in Less Than 15 Minutes. Guaranteed!

41% of all websites are built on WordPress. These range from hobby blogs to the best and most sophisticated online news sites such as BBC, CBS and Bloomberg. That’s because with self hosted WordPress, the possibilities are limitless. And in this step-by-step guide, we show you how to create a self hosted WordPress blog in less than 15 minutes. The question then becomes, “What will you create with your self hosted WordPress”?

There’s no easier way to say this. So I’d just say it as it is: You need a blog. Period! The world as we once knew it has changed. And in this new normal, you need an online platform of your own because the world needs to hear your voice. 

Starting a blog is the easiest and perhaps, the best way to create an online platform that you control.

And I highly recommend WordPress to you.

In just a moment, I will show you how to install your self hosted WordPress blog in 15 minutes or less.

But first what is self hosted WordPress?

And what is the difference between a self hosted WordPress.org site and a WordPress.com site?

WordPress.org Vs WordPress – Which is Best?

WordPress.com is a complete, all-inclusive platform for websites and blogs. It’s 100% free, does not require external hosting or a custom domain name. All you’ve got to do is go to WordPress.com, sign up for a free account, and start blogging.

On the other hand, WordPress.org is an open-source software used as the operating system for websites and blogs. The WordPress software is also totally free. Please note, however, that unless you also pay for a hosting account that the software will run on, it will be more or less useless.

It therefore stands to reason that the major difference between WordPress.org vs WordPress.com is basically who is actually hosting your website or blog.

With WordPress.org, you host your own site, which is why it is called self hosted WordPress. On the other hand, with WordPress.com, your hosting is taken care of by WordPress.com.

To make it easier to understand the differences and to help you choose between WordPress.org vs WordPress.com for your website or blog, let’s consider each of these two amazing platforms separately.  

WordPress.Org

WordPress.org sometimes called “the proper or real WordPress”, is an open source software that’s 100% free. You can use it to create stunning websites, blogs, or apps.

All you need to get started with WordPress are two things, which we recommend you get from Bluehost:

• A domain name
• Web hosting

As stated previously, this is why WordPress.org is also referred to as self hosted WordPress.

We will now look at some of the benefits and disadvantages of building your website or blog with self hosted WordPress.

The Benefits of Using Self Hosted WordPress

Like Redbull, WordPress.org gives you wings!

It’s like buying your own allotment of land. You’ve got full full control of your website or blog to do as you wish.

Here then are some of the benefits of self hosted WordPress. Plus why we use it, and why we highly recommend it.

• The WordPress platform is 100% free. It’s an open-source software that is super easy to use even if (like me) you don’t have any coding skills.
• With self hosted WordPress, you own your website and all its data. You’re basically in full control. And as long as you’re not breaking the law or doing anything illegal, nobody can close your site or take it off line.
• With over 55,000 free and paid WordPress plugins and apps, you can customize your website or blog to your satisfaction.
• You can modify or totally customize the design and look of your website or blog using any of the many free and paid WordPress themes.
  • For instance, this blog is built on self hosted WordPress. And our WordPress theme is the modern, stunning and stylish Infinity Pro Theme package by StudioPress. This is a child theme of Genesis Pro. As you can see from our blog, it’s an elegant and responsive way to introduce your online presence.
  • We believe Infinity Pro is the most beautiful WordPress theme ever created. With an emphasis on incredible typography and responsive design, it will leave your audience speechless.
  • Infinity Pro is also mobile responsive, compatible with WooCommerce and very affordable!
• You can monetize and make money from your WordPress site without sharing revenue with anyone else.
• You can use amazing tools like Google Analytics for tracking and analytics.
• You can create an online store using your self hosted WordPress blog or website.
• As a way of monetizing your website or blog, you can also turn your blog or website into a membership site.

The Disadvantages of using Self Hosted WordPress

In reality, I can’t think of many disadvantages of using self hosted WordPress. Here are a few. However, they may not really be disadvantages, depending of course on your perspective:

Web Hosting

You will need to pay for web hosting, which is where your website files are stored on the internet. When you first start, web hosting will cost between $3 – $10 per month. However, the costs of your web hosting plan will inevitably increase as your website grows and you get more traffic. But by then you should be earning enough money from your website or blog to cover those costs.

WordPress Installation

You will need to install WordPress. Fortunately, most WordPress hosting companies offer 1-click WordPress installation choices.

Alternatively, you can follow our step-by-step guide below, on how to install WordPress in less than 15 minutes. Click here »»» to be taken to the step-by-guide.

Updates

It is your responsibility to keep your website or blog updated. Luckily, this isn’t too much work because you can easily update your WordPress site by simply clicking on the update button. You can also enable auto updates.

Back Ups

It is also your your responsibility to ensure that your website or blog has regular backups. Fortunately, you can set up automatic backups using WordPress backup plugins. And there are very many free and premium versions.  

Cost

The are many variables that affect and even determine the cost of a website or blog built using self hosted WordPress. These include what you’re building. For instance, is it a simple blog an e-commerce store or a membership site?

Also, will you be using a free theme or a premium theme? Furthermore, in terms of plugins will you be using free plugins or premium plugins?

If you’re operating a low budget, you could possibly get away with building your blog or website for as little as $50 per year.

Special Offer for Readers of Astute Copy Blogging

Bluehost is one of 3 web hosting companies officially recommended by WordPress.

And they’re offering readers of Astute Copy Blogging a humongous 50% discount on web hosting. Plus you’d also receive a free domain name.

How awesome is that?

Click »»» here to get started today.

WordPress.Com

Now to WordPress.com.

WordPress.com has 6 price plans:

• Free plan. This is the basic plan and is best for those just starting out on their blogging journey. – Free.
• Personal plan. Best for personal use. – $36 per year.
• Premium plan. This is the most popular price plan and is ideal for freelancers. – $84 per year.
• Business plan. This is best for small businesses. – $240 per year.
• eCommerce plan. This price plan is best for those interested in setting up online Stores. – $432 per year.
• VIP plan. This price plan is for those who require an enterprise solution. – Starts at $2,000 per month

Now, if you’re ready, let’s consider the pros and cons of WordPress.com.

Advantages of WordPress.com

Many of those blogging as a hobby will probably want to go for the free WordPress.com platform. Here are some of the advantages of using WordPress.com:

Free up to a point

That’s right. WordPress is free for up to 3 GB of space.

If you need more space, you will to upgrade to one of their 5 paid price plans.

• The Personal plan at $36 per year comes with up to 6 GB of space
• The Premium plan which retails for $84 per year will give you up to 13 GB of storage.
• The Business plan at $240 per year comes with a hefty 200 GB of space.

No backup worries

With WordPress.com you don’t have to worry about either backups or updates. They are automatically taken care of by WordPress.com.

The Disadvantages of WordPress.com

When compared with WordPress.org, there are many disadvantages of using WordPress.com.

Here are some of them:

You blog is a subdomain

Your site becomes a subdomain of WordPress.com. For instance, your blog will be something like www.example.wordpress.com.

Quite a mouthful, right?

And to be honest, it doesn’t look professional at all. Without meaning to be disrespectful, your blog will look amateurish.

If you want a custom domain name, such as www.example.com, you will need to upgrade to one of the paid price plans.

Ads on your website

WordPress will place ads on your blog, without paying you. To remove the ads, you will need to upgrade to one of the paid price plans.

No plugins

As we mentioned earlier, there over 55,000 WordPress plugins that you can use to customize your blog.

Sadly, with WordPress.com you’re not able to upload plugins. All you have are the built-in Jetpack features which are pre-activated on the free and premium price plans.

The only exception is their business, e-commerce and VIP price plans which allow a selection of compatible plugins.

No selling

WordPress.com places restrictions your ability to monetize your site. You’re not allowed to place ads. Period.

However, you can apply to join WordAds (their advertising program), if you operate a high traffic website. In which case, you will be able to share the revenue with WordPress.com.

No custom themes

If you’re on the free price plan, you’re not allowed to upload any custom themes. You can only install from the limited WordPress.com free themes collection.

However, premium and business price plan users are able to select some premium themes.

You can’t use Google Analytics

You’re basically limited to the statistics they give you. You’re not able to install either Google Analytics or any other tracking software.

Only business price plan users are able to install Google Analytics.

Your blog can be deleted

WordPress.com can delete your blog or website, if they believe that you’ve violated their terms and conditions.

As Simple as ABC – How To Set Up Your WordPress Blog in 15 Minutes of Less!

Now to the fun part 🙂

Let’s set up your WordPress blog in less than 15 minutes in 4 easy steps.

Ready?

Start the clock, and let’s get started!

Step #1: Create Your Web Hosting Account

This web hosting account is basically where your blog or website will be “housed” in a server somewhere in a remote computer.

As stated previously, we recommend Bluehost for a number of reasons, not least because Bluehost is actually recommended by WordPress.org!

If you agree to use Bluehost to host your new website, then you can follow this practical step-by-step guide to get up and running.

#i. Grab this special web hosting price offer from Bluehost

To get started, click this link to go Bluehost’s home page.

As you can see in the image below, once there, click the “Get Started” black button:

#ii. Now, choose a price plan

You will now be taken to the image below, where you can choose a price plan:

#iii. Enter your domain

Now enter your domain name into the box similar to the image below. If you are using a new domain, enter it in box 1 and click Next. If you have an existing domain name, enter it in box 2 and click Next.

If the domain name is not available, you will be prompted to change it. However, if the domain name is available, you will be able to proceed with registration.

As you can see from the image below, I entered bloggingexample.com into the box and clicked “Next”.

The domain name was available for registration. And, as you can see below, Bluehost informed me accordingly:

#iv. Select your package and enter your billing info

Now, choose your package, and any extras you would like:

Now enter your personal details into the account information form, as you can see in the image below:

Next, we get into the payment information form. You will need to enter your credit or debit card info (box 1), confirm that you agree with Bluehost’s terms (box 2) and click “Submit” (box 3).

“Welcome to Bluehost” should now appear somewhere on your screen.

There should also be a “Congratulations” message, after which you’ll be asked to create a password for your account.

Please note: You may get an error message here. It sometimes takes a few minutes for Bluehost to create your account.

If necessary you can always call the BlueHost Support team toll free at +1 801-765-9400. You can also chat with them by clicking here.

Now that you’re all signed up with your web hosting account, and you can to log into your account, you’re now ready to install WordPress!

Step #2: Time to install WordPress

As you can see from the image below, Bluehost has worked hard to make this one of the easiest steps with a “one click” installation process.

In your cPanel, simply scroll to “MOJO Marketplace” and choose the “One-Click Installs” button. This will take you to “Scripts and Platforms” inside the MOJO Marketplace.

You will notice that the “Blogs” section is at the very top. All you’ve got to do is click on the WordPress icon on the first row of icons.

Once this is finished you’ll be taken to a screen with your Blog URL, Login URL, username, and password. You will also receive an email from Bluehost with this information.

You’ll need your password in the next step.

The installation window should now be open.

Now click on the green “Start” button. This will begin the WordPress installation process, which has a few easy steps.

Step 1: Choose where you want to install WordPress. This should be your domain name. (See Box 1 in the image below).

Next, click on “Check Domain,” (Box 2). This will ensure that the domain is properly assigned and pointing to your account.

Note that you may get a warning that you are overwriting files. However, as long as you don’t have another website built on that domain, you can check the box and continue.

On the other hand, if you do have other sites built, please make sure you’re not overwriting something important.

Step 2: Advanced Options. This section allows you to set up your own username and password for your WordPress installation.

So, please check the box that says, “Show advanced options”.

Let me strongly suggest that you do not use “admin” as your username. Also, please a very strong password.

Please make sure that you check the box that says “Automatically create a new database for this installation”. Except of course, you want to use an existing database that’s already set up that .

Step 3: Once you’ve read the terms and conditions, check the appropriate box to confirm that you’ve done so.

Finally, click the green “Install Now” button.

The installation progress

Next, you’ll see the installation progress page.

Once WordPress is fully installed, you will be given your website or blog URL, the admin login URL, your username, and password. You will also receive this information, except your password, via email direct to in your inbox.

For obvious reasons, do make sure to keep them safe.

Step #3: Log into WordPress

Click on the “Admin URL” link. This will take you to the WordPress login page, which similar to the image below:

Now enter your username and password.

You should now be looking at your WordPress dashboard.

This is sometimes also referred to as the WordPress “back-end.”

In a nutshell, the front-end is what your readers see—your normal blog site. On the other hand, the back-end is what you, as the Admin see. How you control what appears for your readers on the front-end.

Step #4: Write Your First Post

Click on the “Posts” and “Add New” options in the left-hand side menu. You should now see the New Post screen.

Enter the title of your post, perhaps something like, “Welcome to My Self Hosted WordPress Blog!” (I know, genius, right?)

Now write your first post underneath the Title field (Box 2).

Perhaps you could explain why you are starting your blog, the topics you plan to write about, and how often you intend to post.

At the top right of the page, you can click on “Save draft” to save what you’ve written so far, and “Preview” to preview the blog post. And, when you’re ready, simply hit the “Publish” button for your blog post to go live!

Top Tip: When thinking of how to create self hosted wordpress blog posts, it’s always better to under-promise and over-deliver.

FAQs on How to Install Self hosted WordPress

Now to the Q&A on how to create a self hosted blog or website.

How to make a self hosted blog – Your turn

In this blog post, we’ve shown you how to start a self hosted WordPress blog in 15 minutes or less. We’ve provided a detailed comparison between WordPress.org vs WordPress.com.

We’ve also answered the question, “what does self hosted wordpress mean”?

It’s now your turn.

Let me ask you, what do you think of self-hosted WordPress?

And where are you in your blogging journey?

Please leave a comment and join our conversation.