Welcome to How to Build Your Own Website in 10 Minutes!
In this blog I will show you how to build your website in just a few simple steps!
Requirements: $10-$12 ( No need to pay for hosting for I can get you the BEST hosting around for a few pennies!) :)
We will be using Wordpress.
The two things you need to set up your website are a domain name (the web address people will go to, to find your site,ex: googles domain name is google.com) , AND a web hosting account ( this will give you a place to store your website so that it's accessible to people on the internet).
Okay! Now that you got that. Lets build our website!
STEP 1: We need to register a domain name. I strongly suggest you buy your domain names from namecheap.com. Here we can find ANY domain name you wish to use. Put your domain name you wish to use into the search bar and it will come up with .com, .org, .info, .edu,.. etc. Next it will tell you if your domain name is available ( Or not already bought by someone else). Once you have found the domain you wish to use. Hit "Add to Cart" button, then checkout button. Now it will ask you to create a namecheap account. Put in all the information and proceed with buying your domain name. The cost is roughly $10 a year to keep that domain name! That's cheap!
STEP 2: Now we need a hosting account! No problem! I'll show you how to get one for pennies!
Head over to Hostgator.com and click the big button labeled "View Web Hosting Plans". You will see a few plans available but I strongly recommend choosing the "Baby Plan" in the middle. It only costs about $8 a month but it allows you to host as many websites as you want on that account! On the next page it will ask you to enter your domain name. Enter your domain name you just bought into the box that says "Use an existing domain name:". NOW below this box you will see where it says "Enter a Coupon" PUT THIS IN THE COUPON BOX TO GET YOUR HOSTING FOR PENNIES! Enter the phrase "CHEAPSKATES". Hit "Continue to Step 2". Now make a username and fill out all the info and then put in your payment details. Then hit "Create your Account" once your payment is completed. Now you have everything you need to create your website!
STEP 3: Now go back to namecheap.com so we can link your domain name to your hosting account. Login to your namecheap account. Go to the domain section at the top left and then click manage domains. Click the domain name you just registered. Now on the left hand side click "Transfer DNS to Webhost". You will now see a few text boxes where you can enter your name servers. Basically these just tell namecheap where your website is located. To get your name servers open up your email that hostgator sent you. In this email you will see 1st Nameserver followed by an address and 2nd Nameserver followed by an address. Now copy your first nameserver address and go back to namecheap and put it into your textbox marked "1", next copy the second nameserver address and go to namecheap and put it into the textbox marked "2". Now hit "save changes" and now your domain and hosting account are now linked! We are almost done!
STEP 4: Now we are going to set up your website using WordPress. WordPress is a blogging software that makes it easy to create and manage your website. Don't worry if you want more than a blog because WordPress is extremely flexible and is actually a whole content management system that can be turned into almost any kind of website that you want. To set up WordPress, head on over to your email you got from hostgator and click on the link that says "Your Control Panel". You will then be asked to put your hosting username and password in (which you can also find in your hostgator email). Once you log in scroll down under software and services and click the little smiley face labeled Fantastico De Luxe. Once your on that menu click the WordPress option. Click "New Installation" and then ALL you have to do is enter in a username and password under "Admin Access Data" and then add your nickname, site name, website description and an email address. Now click "Install WordPress" then "Finish Installation".
STEP 5: Now you may see your website by typing in its domain name url. It looks a little bland doesnt it? No problem! Head over to "yourwebsitesname.com/wp-admin/ . Now you must login to wordpress through the username and password you have just created. Now you can access your websites administrative section. This is where you can add cool looks to your website as well as adding new content to it. To change the appearance click "Appearance" on the left side and go to "Themes". Then click "Install Themes" option at the top. Here you can choose from thousands of awesome themes for your site. You can also find thousands of over themes by just doing a google search for WordPress themes. To add some content head over to where it says "Posts" and hit "add new". The best way to get better with WordPress is to just play around with it and eventually you will become fluent with how to use it.
Well thats it! It may take a little bit longer the first time you do it but once you get the hang out it you will eventually see how easy this stuff really is!
