The “How” Hurdle – Getting Started With Hosting Your WordPress Blog
(Photo by Tsutomu Takasu)
UPDATE: After reviewing the comment from GoDaddy I would like say that I am pleasantly surprised by how much the GoDaddy system has changed since the last time I used it. I apologize as I should have done some more recent research before posting. I am a bit bias in that I use HostGator, and really like it. I still think HostGator is the easier option, however I have removed the negative comments toward GoDaddy. Thank you to GoDaddy for reaching out and setting the record straight. I stand corrected.
Greg
“Okay, I’m going to do it…”
This is how it all starts at for agents at various trainings, seminars, and conferences all over the world.
“I’m going to start tomorrow, and I’m going to stick to it, everyday, every year, heck, I could do it forever!”
(Insert ”How Hurdle” here)
The “how” hurdle is the first obstacle most agents face after returning to the office full of excitement and ready to begin a new, undoubtedly “game changing”(Note: Sarcasm), project. They know this new technology is going to help, and they know what results they are looking for, but what they lack is the “how”. The “how” generally presents itself in step one, and if scaled properly on the first try, can usually be put in the rear view forever.
So, in my opinion, here is the easiest way to scale the “How” hurdle when setting up a wordpress.org blog. *Please note that none of the links contained in this blog post are affiliate links, and exist merely to help guide you through the process should you choose to use this post as a tutorial in the future. Also, there are many ways to go about setting up your wordpress.org blog and this by no means is the only solution, just what I think is the easiest from my experience.
“Ok, now what?”
As you probably know by now the main advantage and disadvantage to wordpress.org is the hosting aspect. On one hand you have the headaches of finding (and paying) for a place to host your blog. On the other, you get to choose what hosting site and associated features you want.
My recommendation is to host your blog with a service called HostGator. HostGator is a hosting service with great prices and even better customer support. As a matter of fact, as a self taught blogger and all around tech geek, I have needed help on a number of occasions, and their instant chat support has solved my problems every time. (well, my tech problems anyway…but that’s a whole different story)
Step One = Click, Step Two = Blog
For starters, HostGator is very easy when it comes to creating a wordpress database on your hosting account. With HostGator, its as simple as a click and its complete for you. No downloading, no code editing, no headaches… Just Done! This is arguably the hardest technical part and once you have this complete, you are essentially faced with plugins, themes, and aesthetic issues. Not to say designing the blog isn’t time consuming and difficult, but depending on your required level of customization, after the one click WordPress install is complete on HostGator, you are ready to blog!
So, if you’re thinking about blogging on a WP.org platform get to it. Your “how” hurdle has been cleared and you can be blogging tonight. No more excuses!
Detailed Instructions for setting up a WordPress Blog on HostGator
1. Choose Domain Name – If using HostGator for hosting services you can buy the domain durring your service purchase. If you already own a domain name on GoDaddy, NameCheap, or another registrar site, you will have to do a re-direct. If you don’t know what that means, click the “Live Chat Support” icon and they will walk you through the process.
2. Log into the HostGator Control Panel – (I hope this doesn’t need explanation)
3. Click on the WordPress logo – On the left side of the C Panel you will see a giant W with the words WordPress Quick Install below it… Click There
4. Fill out the requested information
5. Log In to your new blog – go to www.yoursite.com/wp-admin and log in. You should have received a user name and password in your email after quick install was complete.
6. Start Writing – You are ready to go. Now you can begin to customize your blog… Details on that in a later post!
Guest Post by Greg Grospitch of Grospitch.com
There are 8 responses to this post! Join in...
Ewwww. C Panel? Yuck.
Matt: Best option? Probably not. Easiest for most agents and better than GD? In my opinion, Absolutely.
Hi there. I work at Go Daddy, so I have an obvious bias about hosting providers. For that reason, I won’t try to sway any opinions with this post, but I do want to clear up an inaccuracy in this article.
In it, Go Daddy is criticized for requiring a lengthy manual install of WordPress. However, the truth is that we have a simple, automated install option, and we have had it for quite some time.
Similar to other providers, you just need to click an install button, plug in a few bits of info (like you’re preferred password and install folder), and the rest of the work is done for you. In case anyone needs it, we have a help article that guides you through the process of a quick-install for any of our available apps: http://x.co/YMUe
I have two blogs using Go Daddy and have really never had any problems, not to say others have not, but that is my experience. I have heard a lot of good things about Hostgator too.
Go Daddy – Please note the amended post. Thank you for the link and setting the record straight. I would love to interview you or someone from Go Daddy to see how your products can help our industry as well. Please email me your contact info at greg.grospitch@gmail.com
Thanks
Greg
I’ve set up quite a few blogs for Real Estate Agents and Mortgage Lenders using individual hosting accounts as well as the WordPress Multisite environment.
The WordPress Multisite setup that we’ve built and offered customers to test drive for free seems to work really well while overcoming a significant level of the “how hurdle” to get agents and brokers off and running quickly.
I also have used both GoDaddy and Hostgator and each have their advantages. My personal preference is HostGator as well.
I’m going to bookmark this and come back to it when I finally get the courage to set up a wordpress blog and site. I’m close, and I know it’s probably the best option long-term to have my own site, and with all the IDX plug-ins and SEO stuff available it seems like a no-brainer.
I prefer HostGator for hosting and must say that their tech support (if needed) is very good. They take care of business. There service is fast, hosting reliable and awStats reports are included in the service. You don’t have to pay for additional email addresses or better stats reports, it is all included. Have used both for several sites and found HostGator to be my favorite.