HOW DO I START A WORDPRESS BLOG

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in Ecommerce SEO Services and have developed comprehensive guidance on How do I Start a Wordpress Blog?.

Starting a WordPress blog is one of the best ways to share your ideas, showcase your expertise, and grow your online presence. Whether you want to start a personal blog, promote your business, or generate income through content, WordPress provides a flexible and user-friendly platform to help you achieve it.

This article explains step by step how to start a WordPress blog, from setting up your website to publishing your first post.

Step 1: Choose Between WordPress.com and WordPress.org

There are two versions of WordPress, and choosing the right one is your first important decision.

  • WordPress.com is a hosted platform where WordPress manages your website for you. It’s easy to use but has limited flexibility and requires paid upgrades for features such as custom domains or plugins.

  • WordPress.org is a self-hosted version that gives you full control over your website. You’ll need your own hosting provider, but you can install any theme, plugin, or monetisation tool you like.

If you want complete freedom and plan to grow your blog long term, WordPress.org is the better option.

Step 2: Choose a Domain Name and Hosting Provider

Your domain name is your website’s address (for example, www.yourblogname.co.uk). It should be short, memorable, and relevant to your blog’s topic.

Once you’ve chosen a name, you’ll need a hosting provider to store your website files. Many hosting companies, such as Bluehost, SiteGround, or Hostinger, offer one-click WordPress installation and affordable packages that include your domain name.

Look for hosting that provides:

  • Reliable uptime (99% or higher).

  • Good customer support.

  • SSL certificates for site security.

  • Scalability for future growth.

Step 3: Install WordPress

After purchasing hosting, most providers allow you to install WordPress with a single click. Once installed, you can access your dashboard by going to yourdomain.co.uk/wp-admin and logging in with your username and password.

From here, you’ll manage your blog, create pages, install plugins, and publish posts.

Step 4: Choose and Customise a Theme

A theme controls how your WordPress blog looks. Thousands of free and premium themes are available in the WordPress directory or from third-party developers.

To choose a theme:

  1. Go to “Appearance” > “Themes” in your dashboard.

  2. Click “Add New” and browse by style, popularity, or feature.

  3. Preview different themes to see how they look.

  4. Once you find one you like, click “Install” and “Activate.”

You can then customise your theme’s colours, fonts, and layout using the WordPress Customiser. Choose a clean, mobile-friendly design that reflects your brand and makes your content easy to read.

Step 5: Install Essential Plugins

Plugins add functionality to your WordPress blog. While it’s best to avoid installing too many, a few key plugins can greatly improve performance and SEO.

Recommended plugins include:

  • Yoast SEO: Helps optimise your blog posts for search engines.

  • WPForms: Allows visitors to contact you easily.

  • Akismet: Filters spam comments.

  • UpdraftPlus: Creates automatic backups.

  • Site Kit by Google: Connects your blog to Google Analytics and Search Console.

To install a plugin, go to “Plugins” > “Add New,” search by name, and click “Install Now.”

Step 6: Create Key Pages

Before publishing your first blog post, create a few essential pages that make your site look professional and trustworthy. These include:

  • Home Page: Introduces your blog and what readers can expect.

  • About Page: Shares your story and the purpose behind your blog.

  • Contact Page: Provides a way for readers or clients to reach you.

  • Privacy Policy: Explains how you collect and use data, required for legal compliance.

You can create pages by going to “Pages” > “Add New” in your dashboard.

Step 7: Write and Publish Your First Blog Post

Now it’s time to start blogging. Go to “Posts” > “Add New” to open the editor. Write a headline that captures attention, structure your content with headings, and use short paragraphs for readability.

Add images or videos to make your post engaging, and include relevant keywords naturally to help your content appear in Google searches. Once you’re happy with your draft, click “Publish.”

Be consistent with your posting schedule—regular content keeps readers engaged and signals to Google that your site is active.

Step 8: Optimise for SEO

To grow your audience, optimise your blog for search engines. Key steps include:

  • Using keywords in titles, meta descriptions, and headings.

  • Writing descriptive image alt text.

  • Linking to related posts within your blog.

  • Earning backlinks from reputable websites.

  • Ensuring fast load times and mobile compatibility.

These techniques help your blog rank higher in Google and attract more organic visitors.

Step 9: Promote Your Blog

Once your blog is live, share it widely to attract readers. Promote posts on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter). You can also:

  • Join blogging communities.

  • Guest post on other sites.

  • Build an email newsletter to stay connected with subscribers.

  • Engage with readers through comments and forums.

The more you share your content, the more visibility your blog will gain.

Step 10: Keep Learning and Improving

Successful blogging takes time and consistency. Track your performance using Google Analytics to understand what topics attract the most visitors. Experiment with different headlines, layouts, and content types to find what resonates best with your audience.

Over time, your writing will improve, your SEO will strengthen, and your blog will become a trusted source of information in your niche.

Expert Advice from Lillian Purge

  1. Plan before you publish. Outline your blog topics and posting schedule early.

  2. Focus on quality. Well-researched, helpful content performs better than rushed posts.

  3. Be patient. SEO and audience growth take time, but consistency pays off.

  4. Engage with readers. Respond to comments and emails to build loyalty.

  5. Keep your site updated. Regular maintenance improves security and performance.

Starting a WordPress blog is simple, but building one that grows takes effort, strategy, and persistence. With the right setup, consistent content, and a clear vision, your blog can become a valuable platform for both your readers and your business.

We have also written in depth articles on How Do I Change Font on Wordpress? and How to Backup Wordpress Site as well as our Wordpress Hub to give you further guidance.