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I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! If you don't celebrate Thanksgiving, then I hope you at least had some time with family and friends and found something for which to be thankful.
1. Pick your domain
A good website starts with a good domain (episode 19). You may already have a domain, or you may need to register one when you start your website.
2. Get a web host
There are thousands of web hosts, but I recommend just two: Site5 and BlueHost. Their features are almost identical, with the follow few differences.
| Site5 HostBasic | Site5 HostPro | BlueHost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domain registration | $9.96/year | $9.96/year | Free first year, $11.95 after that |
| Websites | 1 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Website migration | Free | Free | Not offered |
| Satisfaction guarantee | 45-day, 100% refund | 45-day, 100% refund | Anytime, prorated refund |
| Monthly price (12-month) | $5.95 | $9.95 | $7.95 |
| Annual price without promos | $81.36 | $129.36 | 107.35 |
I personally use Site5‘s HostPro package and have been very happy.
3. Install and configure WordPress
Most website control panels have an easy way to install WordPress.
If you host with Site5, go to your “SiteAdmin” (Cpanel for any similar web host), click on Fantastico, then WordPress.
If you host with BlueHost, go to your Cpanel, click WordPress under SimpleScripts Installation.
Follow the instructions to easily install WordPress. If the system installs an old version, you can update through the WordPress admin.
4. Install and configure plugins
Pick the right set of WordPress plugins for blogging and podcasting (episode 41).
5. Publish content
Now it's time for you to create your story by publishing quality content! In everything, make your message the focus.
Need help?
If this is a bit too much, or you'd like your website to look better than a standard WordPress theme, then please hire me to design either a customer header image or your whole website! Email Daniel@DJosephDesign.com or call (903) 231-2221.
What do you do when you don't feel like podcasting?
I'd like a future episode to share how we podcasters give ourselves a kick in the pants to podcast when we don't feel like it, or how we refocus, or how we get new inspiration to keep going.
Need personalized podcasting help?
I no longer offer one-on-one consulting outside of Podcasters' Society, but request a consultant here and I'll connect you with someone I trust to help you launch or improve your podcast.
Ask your questions or share your feedback
- Comment on the shownotes
- Leave a voicemail at (903) 231-2221
- Email feedback@TheAudacitytoPodcast.com (audio files welcome)
Connect with me
- Subscribe to The Audacity to Podcast on Apple Podcasts or on Android.
- Join the Facebook Page and watch live podcasting Q&A on Mondays at 2pm (ET)
- Subscribe on YouTube for video reviews, Q&A, and more
- Follow @theDanielJLewis
Disclosure
This post may contain links to products or services with which I have an affiliate relationship and may receive compensation from your actions through such links. However, I don't let that corrupt my perspective and I don't recommend only affiliates.
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Daniel,
Very nice post. It's sparked an interest in me to look into pocasting myself. I just thought I'd throw in my 0.02 cents and say that I think HostGator is probably the best WordPress host out there… Also, it should be mentioned that it is of utmost importance to keep your "core" WordPress and all plugins up to date in order to avoid your site being hacked. Again, great post.
Wonderful! How do you come to find my podcast?
HostGator is good, too. In fact, HostGator and Site5 use the same servers from ThePlanet.com.
ThePlanet.com redirects to SoftLayer.com. Were they acquird?
I personally feel that for non-technical people WordPress is too much of a hassle (installing, managing, updating and cleaning up hacked wordpress instances because they weren’t updated 🙁 ). I would rather recommend managed services like blogspot, wordpress.org or squarespace.
I’m not sure I agree. While other services are generally easier, they’re not easier for doing things the best way. Blogspot and WordPress.com are terrible for making an effective podcast site, but they’re great for blogs.
Hello Daniel First of all let me tell you your podcast is always informative and i enjoy very much listening to them , however can you tell me how is the service of hostgator
HostGator is good for hosting a website. Sign up through http://theaudacitytopodcast.com/hostgator and use promo code “noodle” to save more on your registration!