| In this article, I am going to walk you through the 6 | | | | that lists various options like "Organize", "Locking", |
| simple steps to setting a website or blog for your | | | | "Cash In" and "Upgrade". |
| home based business. I recommend having your own | | | | Select your domain by checking the box to the right of |
| website even if the opportunity you are associated | | | | it, and then click on the "Nameservers" option at the |
| with provided you an affiliate link. | | | | top. |
| The platform I am going to use is WordPress. | | | | A new window will pop up. There will be 4 options. |
| WordPress allows you to set up either a blog, or you | | | | The bottom option will read "I have specific |
| can create pages and close comments and just use it | | | | nameservers for my domains." This is the one you |
| as a regular website - which is what I do. | | | | want to select. Underneath that selection, will be boxes |
| I like the WordPress format because it is very easy. | | | | where you can enter the nameservers you received |
| You don't need to know any html coding. For those of | | | | in your email from HostGator. Copy and paste the two |
| you like me who need a website, but don't have time | | | | nameservers into the appropriate boxes. (ie. The |
| to learn html or the money to pay someone else to do | | | | nameserver that follows NS1: in the email, you would |
| it for you...this tutorial will be very helpful. | | | | copy and then paste into the Nameserver 1 box.) |
| Before we get started, you will want to open 3 tabs in | | | | Then click OK. |
| your browser. On the first tab, login to your email. On | | | | What we just did was tell GoDaddy that we don't |
| the second tab, pull up On the third tab, go to Having | | | | need them to host the site anymore. This change can |
| these 3 tabs open will allow you to easily switch | | | | take between 24-48 hours to take effect, so when |
| between websites as we go back and forth setting | | | | you type in your address directly into the browser, you |
| everything up. | | | | will still see the GoDaddy advertisement until the switch |
| 1. Decide on a domain name. | | | | is made. |
| Ideally, you want your site to be the name of your | | | | 5. Fantastico De Luxe |
| business. This way, people will have a much easier | | | | In the same confirmation email that your nameservers |
| time remembering the name of your website. | | | | came in, there will also be a link to your control panel |
| If you need a site that is not just for one business, but | | | | for your website. Under that link in the email, there will |
| perhaps a set of affiliate products you are trying to | | | | also be a username and password that you will need |
| promote, you will probably want to use your name as | | | | to access the control panel. |
| the domain name. | | | | Click on the link, it should open a new tab, and then |
| This allows you to brand yourself instead of just your | | | | enter your username and password. This will open up |
| business. In this case, it would be appropriate to include | | | | your control panel. |
| some information about yourself so that people can | | | | Your control panel has a lot of helpful features and |
| get to know you. | | | | information. For example on the left sidebar there is an |
| People Buy From People They Know And Trust. | | | | option to see how much traffic your site is getting. |
| 2. Register your domain name. | | | | Underneath the Domains section, you can redirect a |
| I personally use to register my domain names. Their | | | | website or create subdomains. After you finish setting |
| service is easy and their prices are generally quite | | | | up your website, I would recommend spending some |
| competitive. | | | | time in your control panel and getting familiar with the |
| On their homepage there will be a box that will allow | | | | different features. |
| you to search the availability of your domain name. | | | | Now, go down to the section called Software / |
| When setting up a domain, you always want to make | | | | Services. This section will be down toward the bottom |
| it a ".com", NOT a ".info" or ".net". Dot com's are what | | | | of the page. In this section you will see a blue smiley |
| most people will remember easily... and that's what | | | | face with the title "Fantastico De Luxe". Click on the |
| we're going for. | | | | smiley face. |
| I also would NOT recommend using any hyphens in | | | | This will open the Fantastico Home. On the left sidebar, |
| your name (ie. Bobs-Toys-and-Treats.com). Hyphens | | | | there will be a list of scripts that Fantastico can install. |
| make things easy to read, but they are harder to | | | | We want to select WordPress. It will be under the |
| remember. When someone is talking about your site, | | | | "Blogs" section. |
| they are not going to remember all the hyphens. They | | | | Once WordPress is selected, it will bring up a new |
| are going to tell their friends about Bobs toys and | | | | page. We want to select "New Installation" on this |
| treats dot com (ie. bobstoysandtreats.com). Not | | | | page. Another page will pull up. |
| remembering the hyphens could lead your customer to | | | | This is where we select which domain we would like |
| your competitor's website. | | | | to set WordPress up on: next to "Install on Domain", |
| The registration with GoDaddy is very easy and | | | | select your domain. Below that it will read, "Install in |
| straight forward. Once you select the domain you | | | | Directory". Leave this box blank. |
| want, you continue through their process to purchase | | | | In the next two boxes below, you will select a |
| the domain. Once your domain is paid for, we are | | | | username and password to access your WordPress |
| going to move on to hosting. | | | | blog. |
| 3. Set up hosting for your domain name. | | | | Then finally, in the last set of boxes, you will just put |
| Hosting provides your domain name with a home. A | | | | your email in the box next to "Admin e-mail", and then |
| hosting company is going to have many computers | | | | click "Install WordPress". |
| hooked up to the internet. When you place your | | | | 6. Customizing your blog/website. |
| domain name on their computers, you are making your | | | | Like I said at the beginning, even though we are using a |
| domain available to everyone on the internet. | | | | blog format, it is not necessary that you set this up like |
| This would be similar to setting up a business in town. | | | | a blog. You can create pages and turn off the |
| First you need to register your business with the | | | | comments on each page and use WordPress to |
| county business license office (selecting a domain | | | | create your website. |
| name). Then you would find somewhere to set up | | | | WordPress is probably one of the easiest programs |
| shop....perhaps a rented building on Main St. or a rented | | | | to use, and it is already included with the cost of your |
| suite in an office building. This is what hosting is. You | | | | hosting, so you do not need to pay an additional fee |
| are renting a spot to put your website. | | | | (Bonus!!) |
| There are quite a few good hosting companies out | | | | WordPress offers several different themes to choose |
| there. I personally use HostGator is easy to use. And | | | | from. It also offers a large selection of plugins. Plugins |
| that's what we're going for.... Simplicity. | | | | are computer programs that work with a host |
| On the homepage for HostGator.com, you will want to | | | | application, in this case WordPress, to provide a |
| select "View Web Hosting Plans", and then pick which | | | | specific function. |
| one is right for you. If you are just starting out, either | | | | For example, one plugin that I use in my WordPress |
| the "Hatchling Plan" or the "Baby Plan" will probably suit | | | | site is "My Page Order". This plugin allows me to put |
| you well. The only difference between the two is the | | | | the pages that I create in the order that I want them. |
| number of domains that can be hosted. | | | | If you need a certain function, you can search plugins |
| Finish setting up your account (which is very easy...just | | | | right from your WordPress back office, download the |
| follow HostGator's instructions) and then check your | | | | one you want and begin using it immediately. |
| email for your confirmation email from HostGator. In | | | | Being such a popular program, you will find a wealth of |
| this confirmation email, you will be given two | | | | information on WordPress when you Google it. This |
| nameservers: NS1 and NS2. | | | | also comes in very handy if you run into problems or |
| There may also be a Verification email from | | | | have questions. |
| HostGator. If they need verification, the easiest way to | | | | I don't know about you, but I would rather run into a |
| do this is to call into their 800 number and verify your | | | | problem that I can have fixed in 5 minutes just by |
| information. | | | | running a Google search for the solution, than to have |
| 4. Changing your nameservers on GoDaddy. | | | | a problem that I have to call my programmer or |
| So you have received your email and you have | | | | website designer to fix. (Not to mention, they are going |
| scrolled down to the part of the email that lists your | | | | to charge me - whereas the Google search was |
| nameservers. Login to your account with GoDaddy (if | | | | free.) |
| you are not logged in already). | | | | Well, with these 6 steps you will have a website up |
| On your main account page, you will see a section | | | | and ready to fill with content, videos and testimonials |
| called "Domains". Your domain name should be listed in | | | | that will help your business grow. I hope you found this |
| this section. On the title bar where it reads "Domains" | | | | tutorial to be straight forward and easy, and I wish you |
| on the left, there will be a "View Domain Manager" link | | | | the best of luck in your new adventure as a |
| on the right. Click on "View Domain Manager". | | | | webmaster. |
| This will bring up your domain name under a title bar | | | | |