Guest Post – How to Get Your Website Online Before 2012
If getting your own website built and online for your work at home business was one of your goals this year, there’s still time! You can get your website online in an afternoon with these five easy steps:
1. Choose and register your domain name.
The first step is that you’ll need to decide what domain name you’d like to use. It might be www.yourname.com or www.yourbusiness.com.
2. Create your website hosting account.
You can take care of this at the same time as step 1. Companies like BlueHost and HostGator will handle both your domain registration and your website hosting account for you. It’s usually okay to go with their smallest package option. You can always upgrade later if you need to.
3. Install WordPress using Fantastico.
Once you’ve registered your domain and setup your hosting account, watch for an email from your website host letting you know that you’re ready to go. It will include a username and password for your hosting account’s cPanel where you can login and install WordPress.
4. Choose and install a theme.
WordPress makes it easy to get a professional website up and running quickly because there are thousands of free themes for you to choose from. You can browse themes at http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/ to see what’s available free.
You might also look at the premium themes from StudioPress and WooThemes.
Don’t let yourself get too stuck on choosing a theme. You’ll be able to change it later with a few clicks.
5. Create your pages and add content.
After you’ve chosen a theme, the next step is to add your content. You can do that under “Pages” -> “Add New” in your WordPress admin area.
Remember, your website will always be a work in progress and that’s okay! The sooner you get started, the sooner you’ll be online and managing your very own website.
Want more help getting your website online? Grab your spot in Michelle’s online video course and learn how to build your own websites with WordPress at michelleshaeffer.com/wordpress You’ll get checklists, resources and more to guide you through each step in the process.
Michelle Shaeffer’s Twitter profile describes her as: “Caffeine powered, Libertarian gal enjoying life with my kids and husband. Empowering entrepreneurs.” That sums it up nicely. You can find her at helping to simplify online business at MichelleShaeffer.com or serving up ideas for bloggers at DailyBloggingIdeas.com.
