Over time, I started connecting with other photographers online and began using my blog as a way to share the new editing tricks I learned. Before I knew it, my blog had transformed into what it is today: an education platform to help photographers learn more about editing their photos.

If you’ve been considering starting a blog for your business, this post is for you! I’ll show you step-by-step how to start a WordPress blog with Siteground.

Step 1. Choose a Hosting Plan

Siteground has three hosting plans to choose from:

• The StartUp Plan – perfect for someone getting started with their first blog or website.
• The GrowBig Plan – great if you have multiple websites or need more space.
• The GoGeek Plan – best for people with larger sites like e-commerce stores.

I recommend choosing the StartUp Plan to begin. If you decide you need more space or features later, you can always upgrade when the times comes. When I signed up with Siteground, I was switching from a different hosting company, so I chose the GrowBig plan. It comes with a Free Website Transfer, which means I didn’t have to worry about moving my website myself.

Step 2. Choose your Domain Name

Here, you can choose to purchase a new domain or sign up with an existing one.

If you’re creating a new domain, this is where you’ll decide what you want your blog or site to be called. Consider all the topics you might blog about, or what your passions are and try to come up with a good name. You may want to consider how easy it is to spell or remember. Be sure to Google any potential choices to make sure they aren’t already being used.

If you’ve got a personal brand, maybe you’ll want to just use your own name. The choice is yours!

Step 3. Set up your Account & Complete your Order

Once you’ve chosen your domain, you’ll need to enter your information to complete your purchase.

Step 4. Account Created Successfully

Yay! You’re all set up with Siteground. Now, click ‘Proceed to Customer Area’, or login to Siteground via the welcome email, and let’s add WordPress!

Step 5. Install WordPress

Once inside the Customer Area of Siteground, select the ‘My Accounts’ tab at the top of your screen. Then, click the orange “Go to cPanel” button.

Then, under the ‘Autoinstallers’ section, select ‘WordPress’.

Next, click the blue ‘Install’ button. On this page, you’re asked to enter your site information. If you’re like me, and not very tech-savvy, you can click the ‘Quick Install’ button to narrow down the information that you have to enter so it’s not too overwhelming.

(Notice that I don’t have anything listed for the “In Directory” box. You don’t have to fill this in unless you have a specific purpose for doing so.)

When you’re finished entering your information, click the ‘Install’ button at the bottom.

That’s it! You just started your blog!

Now, you can start customizing the design and write your very first blog post.

If you have any questions, shoot me an email. I’d be happy to help!

Related Posts:

• Pricing for Photographers
• Resources for Photographers
• Digitally Delivering Client Galleries – A List of Online Gallery Services for Photographers

Styled stock photography by Katie Picard of Emeryhouse.