Do you want to start a beauty blog? As part of my new series, Beauty Blog School, I’m sharing my best blogging tips and today I’ll show you how to get started with your blog.
This tutorial on how to set up a WordPress blog is not just for beauty bloggers.
Whatever your passion, I encourage you to set up a blog and see where it takes you. You’ll be up and running in less than 15 minutes.
Do it now! Don’t wait, the best time to start a blog is now. Starting a blog is one of the best things I’ve ever done and in three easy steps you’ll be ready to blog.
I’ve been a Bluehost customer for years and some of the links below are affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase. I only recommend companies I use and trust.
How to start a beauty blog
There are just three steps to get your started on blogging your best tips:
- Your domain name and host
- Installing WordPress
- Beautifying your beauty blog
1. Your domain name and web host
What do you want to call your blog?
My domain name is hairromance.com but did you know Hair Romance was originally going to be called Twist & Pin?! Brainstorm a bunch of names around your blog topic and head to Bluehost to see if it’s available. You get to buy your domain for free when you sign up for hosting.
I recommend Bluehost because I use them for all my blogs. I started off with the starter plan because it’s really good value.
You pay this in one lump sum but it saves you a lot over the 12 months. Plus you’ll also get your domain for free. It’s normally an extra charge to buy your domain from a domain host.
The final step is to enter your account details and choose your package. I recommend either the 12, 24 or 36-month packages.
There’s a few extra options to choose from but the only one I’d consider is the domain privacy. This stops your name and address from appearing on public directories like WhoIs.
Make sure you use your current email address as you’ll be sent your login details for the next step.
2. How to install WordPress
Check your email and once you get your confirmation from Bluehost, head back to login to your new blog!
WordPress is the system I use for my blog (and most of your favourite blogs do too). It’s so easy to install that it will only take a couple of clicks.
The cPanel is your dashboard for all your website services. All you need to worry about it is the WordPress icon under Website Builders.
Ignore the paid sections, you can totally do this yourself. Click Install.
Then select your domain and click Check domain.
Then click you agree to the terms & conditions and INSTALL NOW.
Now you’ll just need to wait a moment while it installs. You’ll be taken to a new screen and you can watch the progress in the bar at the top.
Once your install is complete, click on View Credentials.
Type your Admin URL into your browser and you’ll see a login window like below. Enter your username and password and say hello to your new blog!
You can change your password under Users to something easier to remember but make sure you make it a complicated password (you know, including letters, numbers and symbols).
Settle in and take a look around your new space on the internet!
3. Beautifying your beauty blog
Whether your blog is about beauty or another passion of yours, you want it to look lovely.
To dress up your new blog you have to choose a theme. WordPress offers some free themes here. Have a browse and choose one you like.
You can also use some premium paid themes, which is what I’ve done.
- Thesis Theme – this was the first theme I used on Hair Romance and it is great. I still recommend it.
- Genesis Theme – this is the theme I currently use on Hair Romance. You can then add on Studiopress themes, like the Foodie theme that I use.
- BluChic Themes – seriously pretty WordPress themes that work and are beautifully designed. I use the Olivie Theme on my other site Little Blog Big.
- Elegant Themes – another option for already created WordPress designs that are beautifully designed.
I’ve also used some great designers to help me with Hair Romance and I can recommend Swish Design and Crooked Micks.
So now you’re all set up with WordPress and your blog is ready to go!
Beauty Blog School will be back with more blogging tips next week.
Remember, you don’t need to do it all at once, but just start. I love blogging and if you have any questions, leave me a comment and I’ll answer you below.
Thank you for this post! I took your advice and the advice of Nike && just did it!! I am having a hard time with picking a free theme. Would you recommend against that?
Thanks so much, Ashley! It’s fine to go with a free theme, but check to see how often it is updated. As WordPress updates, your theme needs to stay up-to-date as well. I like to look for a theme that has active support and updates 🙂
Hi,
Thanks for your tips. i am using a free plan for wordpress.com, what are the advantages to use wordpress with bluehost?
WordPress.com is different to WordPress.org (although they’re both wordpress). The .Org is the one I would always choose as it offers more flexibility and options. The .com is a very basic free version of wordpress and has lots of limitations in design and functionality. For example, you can’t have ads. In the long term, it’s better to host your own blog and use WordPress.org 🙂
Thanks for the great tutorial and tips. Good information!
Thank you so much – Being 56 Being a Mom and Grand mother I did learn alot and also so much to share
I would like to start : Fifty Plus Baby Boomers ” Do you think there is a market for this
PS Being old haha still trying my best creating a BLOG ;-(
Kind regards
LIZ
Definitely, Liz! There’s always room if you have something to say and especially for a group that is not really represented in mainstream media. You should connect with Jo of http://lifestylefifty.com/ 🙂
How cool that you’ve started a school (rhyme totally unintentional there!). Learn from the best, I always say. Enjoy being a teacher, Christina. I think it suits you beautifully. x
oh thanks Bron! You are too lovely and I really appreciate your kind words xx
Yay! I’m soooo glad you’re doing this. I’ve been wondering about the Genesis theme and now I know it looks gorgeous. Thank you xx
Thanks Bele! Yes, I made the switch last year and love it. It’s so great as a responsive theme and it’s really easy to customise. Foodie is pretty popular but it’s so simple and clean that it’s easy to make it look unique. Maybe it’s not true, but for a few reasons I’m nervous about using a custom designed theme. I worry about how it will fare during wordpress updates and how easy it is to look after myself. I don’t want to keep paying for minor changes. I like using a popular theme as I know there’s lots of support for it if/when problems arise.
Love that you’ve started a Beauty Blog School and can’t wait for further installments 🙂
Thanks Jo! I get asked a lot about blogging so thought I should put all the answers in one place xx