How To Start (Or Switch To) A Self-Hosted Blog

Step 2: Pick a domain name.

When I switched to self-hosting, my blog was still foodsforthesoul.wordpress.com. I did not own my own domain name. When you sign up, the hosting company requires a domain name and usually offers the first year free if you don’t already have one. (If you already paid to drop the “wordpress,” “blogspot,” or other third-party host from your URL, simply enter the web address where you’re currently located.) After the first year, you’ll shell out an annual fee of $10-15 to maintain your domain name.

 

The best domain names match the title of your blog—without any hyphens, underscores, or other extraneous characters. If “yourawesomenewblog.com” is taken, try for .net or .org first before changing your blog’s title or adding extra characters.

 

 

 

Other Steps in This Series…

The Cheat Sheet

Step 1: Pick a Host

Step 2: Pick a Domain Name

Step 3: Pick a Website Builder

Step 4: Pick a Theme

Step 5: Save, Export, and Upload Your Content

Step 6: Install Analytics

Step 7: Add Email and RSS Subscription Options

Step 8: Reach Out to Old Readers

Step 9: Add Advertizing

Bonus: 4 Features of a Successful Blog