Last Updated on May 14, 2020 by Freddy G. C.
If you are looking to build your own blog, you are in luck; today you will learn how to build a successful WordPress blog online, step by step.
I’m going to share with you an EPIC Guide on How to Build a Successful WordPress Blog Online!!
How to Build a Successful WordPress Blog Online
Here is what you will learn….
- How to Buy & Setup a Domain Name from GoDaddy.com
- How to Setup a Hostgator.com Hosting Account for your Domain
- How to Install WordPress Blogging Platform on a Domain Name
- How to Setup a Brand New WordPress Site
- How to Install WordPress Theme & Plugins
- How to Optimize your WP Blog Site for the Search Engines
- How to Monetize your Blog
- How to Create Valuable Content for your Blog
- How to Market/Promote your Content on the Internet
- How to Build a Social Following Online
- How to Capture Leads & Build an Email List
- How to Convert Traffic & Leads into Sales
- How to Organize Yourself to Build a Successful Blog Online
As you can see, there is a lot of information to learn here, so get comfortable and get ready for this epic ultimate guide. :)
This is an epic 8,100+ words guide, to teach you how to build a successful WordPress blog online, step by step!!
This is a very long blog post, here is a quick navigation list for quick access:
The first step would be to buy a domain name, a hosting service, and install the WordPress Platform.
To help you with this entire process, I have recorded simple quick video tutorials to show you how I do it myself from scratch.
The initial process of building your own self-hosted WordPress blog site from scratch is very simple – the challenge will come with the content and the traffic, later on.
I hope you are ready to take massive action once you learn this information.
If you really and truly want to build a successful wordpress blog site online, you will take massive consistent action!
I remember the first time I got online to learn all I could learn on how to make money with my own website.
I didn’t even really know what a Blog was at that time – I was only 22 years old when my curiosity to make money from the internet began.
And, being a high school drop-out, did not stop me from learning and building up my own knowledge on the things I loved to know more about.
School was never really for me, and much less “College”.
I still got my GED, though, and even when I changed my mind and wanted to try to make the right decision to go to College, I could not afford it.
So …
I ended up having a BIG Dream of making money from the internet with my own website.
My dreams are finally coming true.
After long years, my entire life is starting to change, thanks to blogging.
And now I help a lot of people with the knowledge I’ve learned throughout the years. I really care! …. you know .. :)
I have failed many times, but I never gave up.
Now, I want to share with you the right process you need to follow, to build a successful WordPress blog online, and so you can change your entire life too! :)
Anyways, I’ll stop talking about my story, I’ll tell you more about it later on. Don’t forget to
[OptinLink id=3]subscribe for blog updates![/OptinLink] ;)
Let’s get down to business and start this epic guide on how to build a successful WordPress blog online!!
I’m going to keep the information for the initial process of buying the domain name and hosting account very simple – because you also have video tutorials you can follow.
What I’m going to focus more here, will be the Traffic Generation process and converting that traffic into leads and sales.
Let’s get started….
How to Build a Successful WordPress Blog from Scratch
Step 1
Buy Domain Name
There are many sites you can buy a domain name from, but the one I’m going to use for this tutorial is GoDaddy.com.
As you probably saw in the video tutorials – the process of finding and buying a domain name is very simple.
If for any reason you would like to check out other sites where you can buy a domain name – here is a list:
- Register.Hostgator.com
- Register.com
- DomainSite.com
- Domain.com
- Gandi.net
- Name.com
- 1and1.com
- NameCheap.com
- NetworkSolutions.com
I don’t think I need to explain exactly how you buy a domain name because the process is very simple, right. haha :D
All you have to do is sign up for an account at GoDaddy.com – and then search for the domain name you like for your new blog.
Try to pick something Short&Sweet. You don’t want to have a very long domain name. Also, avoid Hyphens.
The most recommended Domain Name Extension is the .COM, but there are many you can choose from.
Each Domain Name will have a different price, so you can go with the one you can afford at the moment.
Once you have bought your Domain Name – it is time to invest in a Hosting Service.
You can also get a Hosting Service from GoDaddy.com, but the one I personally use and recommend is Hostgator.com.
Of course, you are free to use any Hosting Service that works best for you. This is just what I personally recommend.
Step 2
Buy & Setup Hosting Service
Most of the Sites where you buy a Domain Name from also provides you with a Hosting Service, but the one I’m recommending you for this process is Hostgator.com.
But, feel free to look at other Hosting Services you want to use – below is a list of other recommended Hosting Service Sites you can check out:
- iPage.com
- JustHost.com
- Web.com
- NetworkSolutions.com
- BlueHost.com
- FatCow.com
- WebHostinghub.com
- GoDaddy.com
Just like the process of buying a Domain Name – getting the Hosting Service is very simple as well.
All you have to do is find the best Hosting Site that works best for you, find the best hosting deal for your site, and just buy the service.
The next thing would be to set up the Hosting Account for your brand new Domain Name.
In this tutorial, I am using a GoDaddy.com Domain Name with a Hostgator.com Hosting Service.
Hostgator.com
The Hosting Plan I recommend to get started with, is the “Baby-Plan”
How to Setup the Hostgator Hosting Account with the GoDaddy Domain Name
Login to your GoDaddy.com Account & Click on Domains
Find your Domain Name & Click on Launch
Find Name Servers & Click on Manage
You will need to Copy the Name Servers from your Hostgator Hosting Account
Login to your cPanel Account from Hostgator
Scroll all the way down & look for the Hostgator ‘Name Servers’
Now, let’s go back to the GoDaddy Page to Update the Domain Name Servers
Click on Custom & then Click on ‘Add Nameserver’
Go back to your Hostgator cPanel – Copy & Paste the Name Servers
Once the Nameservers have been updated – there is one more step.
You will need to add your new Domain Name to your cPanel Account on Hostgator.com.
On your cPanel Account – go to Addon Domains
Fill out the short form & ‘Add Domain’
All of the changes in the Domain Name and the Hosting Account take a little bit of time to take effect.
Wait at least 20 minutes before you try to install the WordPress Platform.
Take a quick break. Go for a walk or go make something to eat real quick.
Step 3
Install the WordPress Blogging Platform
Once your Domain is ready to go and ready to work with – it is time to use a software to install the WordPress Blogging Platform on the Domain Name.
You can do this process manually too, of course, but why do that when you can do it from your Hostgator cPanel Account.
Go to your Hostgator cPanel Account & Click on ‘Quick Install’
Click on ‘Install WordPress’ & then Click on New Installation
Pick your New Domain Name, Fill out the Form & Click on ‘Install WordPress’
You are now done with the WordPress Installation and you are almost ready to start blogging and building a successful WordPress blog site! ..
Once the installation is finished, make sure you bookmark and save the Login Link and login details.
It is time to setup your new WordPress Blog Site!
Step 4
WordPress Initial Setup
Before you start publishing content on your brand new WordPress Site – you have to change a couple of things.
This is just a general setup for a brand new WordPress Site.
Follow the information below to get it done.
Go to the ‘Writing’ Section Under Settings
Here is where you will add more Pinging Sites under the “Update Services” Section.
This will help you get your content indexed in the search engines fast. To get my personal List of Pinging Sites – Click Here.
Copy & Paste that List Here:
Go to the ‘Permalinks’ Section Under Settings
Here is where you need to change the way your URLs will be created for every blog post you publish.
Of course, it is up to you how you want your URLs to be – but the one I personally use and recommend is the one I show you in the image below.
The next thing you want to do is create the Menus you want to use for your site.
Right now you might not have a lot of Pages to create but you still want to have the 3 basic menus for a website ready; Header Menu, Secondary Menu & Footer Menu.
Go to the ‘Menus’ Section Under Appearance
You want to create a new menu, give it a name, add any page you want, and save it.
You should create 3 basic menus; one for a Main Menu, one for a Secondary Menu, and one for a Footer Menu.
Depending on the WordPress Theme you are using, you will see options to assign each menu you create to a menu on the site.
Take a look at the image below, to see what I’m talking about here.
The next thing you want to look at and set up is the Widget Area.
This is where you have control over what goes on the Side of your Blog.
If you have no idea how to organize everything, then simply go to other blogs and see how they have their widgets.
Modeling after other popular blogs online is how you will learn and get your own ideas for your own blog.
Play around with the Widgets and see what works for you. But, remember to not over-crowd your site with too many unnecessary Widgets.
Again, pay attention at how successful blogs organize their sidebars.
Go to the Widgets Section Under Appearance
Also remember; after you install new plugins, you might want to go back to the Widgets Section to see more widgets provided by some of your plugins.
This is basically the initial setup I would do for a brand new WordPress Site.
Feel free to play around with your WP Dashboard and get familiar with everything.
If you still want to learn more on how to use everything in your Dashboard, just look on the internet for more information.
No one taught me how to do everything here. I had to do my own research and take time to study. Google and Youtube were my best teachers.
But, the best way I’ve learned to use something, was by just playing with it and sometimes making mistakes. Making mistakes helped me learn even better and faster.
Step 5
Install WordPress Theme & Plugins
It is time to look for a good & simple Theme for your new WordPress Blog!
You also need to find & install the necessary plugins to help you create a powerful blog site.
There are thousands of Free Themes you can choose from and thousands of Plugins to play with.
But, I will recommend you what I know and what will help you build a fast loading WP Blog online.
If you install a bad Theme and install too many Plugins, that could really hurt your blog online.
I had many problems with Themes and with Plugins before.
Now, I will share with you the way I build blogs today – so you don’t make the same mistakes I have already made.
It’s time to look for the theme you want to use.
The one I use and I recommend is the Swift Basic Theme. They have a Free and Paid Version.
In order to look for Themes – go the Themes Section under Appearance
Next, click on ‘Add New’ & Look for the Swift Basic Theme
Once you have picked a theme you want or the one I recommended, and installed it – take a time to get familiar with the theme’s options and feel free to play around with it.
It will be helpful if you take a little bit of time to learn about your theme and learn how to use it to customize your blog the way you want it.
After you are done setting up the Theme – it is time to install the Plugins you are going to use.
There are thousands of Plugins to choose from and too many to get carried away with. So be careful! lol :D
When I started building my very first blogs online, I went crazy with the plugins and installed ‘too many’.
I would recommend you to not install more than 35 plugins. And the less the better!
I’m going to recommend you the plugins I use myself. Some are Free Plugins and some are Paid plugins.
Click Here to get my personal List of Plugins.
Go to Plugins & then Click on ‘Add New’
Once you have installed all of the Plugins you want and the ones I recommend – you want to set all of them up.
Oh, by the way, there are some free plugins in my list which you will not find anywhere – but you are in luck! … I’m going to share them with you. I just ask that you share this epic tutorial with others online, in return. Thanks! :)
Once you download these plugins in a .zip file, to your computer, here is how to upload them to your WP site:
Take a time to go through all of your plugins, learn as much as you can about each one of them and then set them up.
It is important to learn about each one of your plugins.
You want to become the master of your WordPress blog site – and the best way to accomplish that, is to learn how everything works.
I highly recommend you to keep the number of plugins you use – as low as possible.
Especially if you are using a Shared Hosting Service, and you most likely are, because that is the most convenient Hosting plan to get started with.
As your traffic grows, your CPU Usage will go up and a Shared Hosting Service will not cut it anymore.
But, more traffic to your site means more money in your pocket, and that means you will be able to invest in your own dedicated server.
It will take a long time before you will need to move to your own dedicated server, so don’t even worry about it right now.
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Hi Freddy,
This is a “massive guide” on how to set up a WordPress blog. For newbies, this is a must read guide if they want to start an online business. For the experts, this is a reminder of the basics they might have forgotten.
To build a WordPress blog is one thing, but to run a SUCCESSFUL blog is another thing! So, yes, massive action, self-discipline and the will to succeed must be the trademark of every WordPress blogger.
Blogging is simple but not easy! With WordPress the steps are simplified and with pure determination the BUMPS of blogging will be overcome!
I left the above comment in kingged.com where this post was found.
Hey Sunday!
Yeah, this is a very long blog post with tons of value for a newbie online!!
I took the time to create the best guide to build a successful WordPress blog online from scratch as possible. I know many will benefit from this knowledge!
And yeah, I would say building a strong self-discipline to put in all of the work online, is necessary!
You have to be willing to take massive consistent action! … there is no way around it ;)
I’m glad you found this post helpful!
Thank you for coming by and leaving a comment!
Have a great week! :D
Hi, Freddy,
WOW!! I originally had a much different comment, basically saying that I thought it was a mistake to lock an entire blog post, etc., etc.
But I see you’ve changed your mind, and I am very glad to see that, my friend.
I think the BEST point you made over all and the greatest takeaway as to do with mindset – not blaming others for our lack of success. This is GOLD, and oh so wonderful advice.
Thanks for sharing. ?
˜Carol
P.S. Spreading the word…
Hey Carol!!
Well, it was working fine for me. But, I’m also a bit of an SEO geek lol …. and there are some good keywords that I optimized this entire epic guide for. So, I had to rethink my entire strategy with this “locked content strategy”.
Now, I see this guide is still converting the same with the PDF optin feature. In the end, everything is turning out very well. This epic guide will get a lot of organic traffic and still convert leads! … everything does happen for a reason online, and in life! :) haha ..
I’m glad you found this very valuable. I did my best to explain everything in the best way possible. I really want people to learn the real knowledge on how to build a successful WordPress blog online!
Taking 100% response-ability for the results I was getting online, was the breakthrough I needed to find my success. It is all about digging within, to find the right answers to why you are not where you want to be online (and in your life).
Mindset is so important in this entire process. 80% of the recipe for success, is mindset. If you read self-development books, and wealth books, that is what they all talk about. Success comes from the Mind.
One of the books that taught me this, was Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. I highly recommend people to read that one book!
Thank you for coming by and leaving a comment, Carol! … and thank you very much for the support!
I really appreciate that!
Keep up the great work yourself!
Have a fantastic week! :D
Hello Freddy,
OMG so long and comprehensive guide. The Best Post for the newbie bloggers indeed. I wish I had read this guide when I created my WordPress blog. You were utter right when you wrote ‘If you don’t have the right mindset, you can get frustrated easily, and get discouraged thinking this does not work’.
We really need to have a mind set before we start blogging. It really takes a lot of efforts and hardwork to establish a blog and lead it to the success. Thumbs up to the hardwork you have put in the post. Thanks for the Epic share! :)
Hi Sonam!!
I’m very glad you found this epic guide valuable! :) … that makes me a happy blogger! haha
I always do my best, to become the best, and deliver the best! …
And I invite others to get on this journey with me. Let’s all do our best, to become the best, and deliver the best!
yeah you are very right, Sonam. Mindset is very important for success anywhere. If your mind is not right, then your results in life will not be right!
That is just how things are in life.
Life and success starts within. It starts in the mind and heart. This is why you must work on yourself, your beliefs, your mind and heart. Success will start within. There is no doubt about that!
It was my pleasure to put this together to help out the new bloggers out there. I know this guide is going to help a lot of people online!
Thank you for coming by and leaving a comment!
Keep up the great work as well!
Have an awesome week! :D
Hi Freddy,
What an EPIC blog post here. I was amazed at you, Freddy. I see that your life story is quite interesting (it’s somewhat similar to mine) and I believe, you will be influential in the future. :)
College gives me nothing. But, I aspire to create a seminar at my college someday. I continue to learn and hold tightly my dreams. :D
Well, when I started blogging, I was also swept away as much as possible to install plugins on my blog, and finally, my blog was having problems on the server..hahaha :lol:
I agree with you about consistency. Neil Patel is often said that to be successful in blogging, then you should learn about the blog consistently.
I have many things to say to you. I hope you can share your life story more. I think you are a depiction of me in the future. :)
Thanks for sharing this. Enjoy your weekend!
I left the above comment in Kingged where this post was found.
Regards,
Nanda
Hi Nanda!
I’m here to inspire, motivate, teach, and awaken the mind, my friend! ;)
I’m glad you can relate to me and that you are learning!
I didn’t even get to college man! … so you already have a big advantage over me!
You will make it happen, and you will accomplish all of your goals and dreams in life. I don’t just think it, I know it, and I believe it. I believe in you already dude!
I’m happy to contribute to your online journey. That is very motivating to me! :)
And yeah, you need to be careful, and smart with your WordPress plugins. That is for sure! haha :p
Neil Patel is one of my big role models! ..
We both love Taco Bell food! lol ..
I have learned so much from him, and I still do. The learning curve never ends. And that is what keeps us growing and moving forward in life.
Consistency is one of the most important keys to success in life!
Thank you for coming by and leaving a comment man!
Keep up the great work yourself!
Have a fantastic week! :D
One of the best step by step guide I have read about setting up WordPress blog successfully. Online business and bloggers who are about to create their website should read this one first. This will be their guide for a successful process.
Hi there!
I am glad you found this epic guide valuable! :)
That was my mission with this blog post!
I know, for sure, this will help many new bloggers and business owners who want to set up a blog for their company.
I always do my best to deliver the best!
Thank you for coming by and leaving a comment!
Have a great weekend! :D
I’ll see you around! ….
What a post Freddy. Sure it’s going to help many people. Step by step guide :)
One thing you could add to really round it out, is security. Sadly these days it’s a necessity. Every day I see people trying to break into my blogs.
Great share :)
Hey Ron!!
Good to see you around here man! …
Great point there man! .. I think I’m going to add that in here. I did find a good way to protect my blog, from all of these bad, mean, people lol
Thank you very much for adding that in your comment. I appreciate it :D
Keep up the great work yourself!
I’ll see you around ….
Yes, way to many bad people out there.
I’ve tried quite a few security plugins and Wordfence has done the best for me. Best it can anyways. Plus it gives you the IP’s to ban in cpanel.
Yeh I agree with you there!
Well, I am using just one plugin to help me prevent people from hacking my WordPress site – it is called; Rublon.
It is the best one I have seen, so far. You actually have to Confirm your Login through your email. It sends a login confirmation email before letting you log in. I think that is a genius idea for this security plugin. It is simple and powerful! ;)
I’ve created my website using Wix and wish i would have read this blog before I did so and used wordpress! No matter what platform you are using, a lot of the information in this post is still relevant. Thank you for your time in creating this post. I am constantly improving on my website and I am always looking for guest bloggers! I really like your content and am interested in having you write an article so if you could contact me that would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Eric!
I’m very glad that you found this knowledge useful!
Even if you are using a different blogging platform. There is a lot of valuable knowledge that can be applied to any blog online.
Just keep on learning, and keep on taking massive consistent action!
Now, regarding your offer – I’ll send you an email soon. I am very busy these days. But I’m always open for guest posts, for sure! :D
Keep up the great work man!
And thank you for passing by and leaving a comment!
Have an awesome week!
I’ll see you around ….
That’s insane. You nailed it.
This is one of the best WordPress blog guide I have ever read. If anyone want to build a WP blog, then I will recommend him/her to read this guide. You have explained every single step in detail, which impressed me the most.
Going to share this article with my fellow blogger friends, and I hope they will like it too.
Regards
Hi Rahul!
I am very happy to hear that! :D
I did my best to deliver a detailed step by step guide on how to build a successful WordPress blog online – for newbies ;)
I would really appreciate your support and thank you very much for sharing this with others!
Keep up the great work my friend!
Have a fantastic week! :D
I’ll see you around! …
What a great guide, Freddy. It must have taken you a long time to write, but it’s worth it!