Domain Names and Web Hosting

Having your own domain name and web host could be the best evangelism software choice for you. A domain name will cost you about Ten (10) dollars a year. A web host will cost you around Eighty (80) dollars a year. This option allows for more flexibility than a free blog. I recommend this option as it allows you to set up an additional 24 blogs/websites for no additional money. Your Ninety (90) dollars a year gives you the ability of having up to 25 blog/websites.

Domain Name

A domain name is the web or URL address of your blog. You should try to think of a domain name that will match your site. Then you need to do a search to see if the domain name is available. I use www.goodnewsdomains for this.

Type the domain name you would like to have in the search bar. Many domain names are already taken so will probably have to get creative to find a domain name that works for you. If the domain name is taken, the search results will include a list of ideas of name that are close and available. Once you choose a name go ahead and register it. When you are signing up for anything make sure you write down the information you use (user name, password, etc.) because you almost always need it later.

Once you enter you name and password click Continue and you will be at the Registration and Checkout Options screen. Follow all the directions and once your information is entered you will see a screen that says Thank You for your Order. Press Login to My Account.

Type in your Customer number and Password and hit Secure Login. The first time you do this you will get a screen asking for a Call in PIN number. Enter in a 4 digit pin (write it down) and press Save.

Web Host

There are a lot of web hosts choices available. I use GoodNewsDomains.com for this service as well. They have reasonable prices and I like their control panel for working with WordPress. At the welcome screen hover the mouse on the Web Hosting button and on the drop down menu press Hosting Plans.

I suggest using the Linux server deluxe plan. Click on Add and then follow the directions (don’t forget to write down your user name, password, account number, etc). You will get a screen asking you to customize your order. You can always come back and upgrade later. Read through and click Continue. If you are offered a service called Website tonight select NO. We are going to use WordPress. Give all the necessary payment information and you will get another Thank You for Your Order. Click on Login to My Account. Hover the mouse over Web Hosting and on the drop down menu press My Hosting Account. You will see this:

Click on Setup Account. Read the Hosting Service Agreement and click Next. Enter a user name and password (write it down) and click Next. Select a domain name from your list (you probably only have one) and click Next.

Go with the default setting on this screen and click Next. Review the information and click Finish. The account is now pending setup. This normally takes anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour. Once your site is active you need to install WordPress.

Go back to the GoodNewsDomains.com site and hover your mouse over the Web Hosting button and a drop down menu will appear. Click on My Hosting Accounts.

Log in with your Customer Account number and Password. At the next screen your hosting account will be listed and there will be a link that says Open or Manage Account. Click on the link and you should see the Hosting Control Center screen.

You need to find the Value Applications link and click on it.

Find the Show all applications link and click on it. Scroll down the page until you find the WordPress application.

Click on the WordPress button. Click on the Install Now button. You will then be asked what domain you want to use. Click on the domain name and click Continue. You will then be asked for a Database description and database password. Type in a description for your database. I use the name of my blog but you can call it anything. Enter a Password. Make sure you write down this information. Click Next and you will be asked to choose an install directory.

The screen will have wordpress typed in it. You need to put your cursor in the box and delete wordpress. For this installation you want that folder to be blank.

Once its blank click Next. Now enter your admin name, password, a working email address, and your blog title. You can always change the title in the future if you need to. After your title is in click Finish. It will take up to an hour for your blog to be set up with WordPress. You can check to see if your blog is installed by typing in your domain name in your web browser. Once its installed you will see your blog. Congratulations!