This is Part 2 of the How to Start a Blog series.  If you missed Part 1 click here.  We left off on Part 1 with setting up a Hosting account.

3.  Changing your Nameservers
After you set up your hosting account you will need to change the Nameservers on your domain.  You will want to find the Domain Manager after you log in to the account you set up where you purchased your domain.  (If you purchased your domain from the same company that you purchased your hosting from you won’t need to do this.)

So where do you find your Nameservers?  You should have received an email from your hosting company that gives you your nameservers.  If you can’t find that email, they should also be listed in your Cpanel.

This sounds much more complicated than it is, but if you are feeling overwhelmed, call your hosting company and they will be able to help you.

4.  Installing WordPress
The next step is Installing WordPress.ORG to your website.  I believe that most of the Hosting Companies have done a lot to simplify the process of installing WordPress.  Many even have a one click install option.

I have come across some blogs where people from a more technical background recommend that you don’t use these easy installers, but I am not one of the techie bloggers.  When I started my blog I was told to use the Fantastico program in the Cpanel of my HostGator account, and that is what I did.

I won’t pretend to understand the difference, but if you are feeling brave and would like to try the more advanced method of installing WordPress my friend Kimberly Castleberry has some video tutorials that may help you.  Click here for that video.

To install WordPress the easy way you want to log in to your Cpanel (Control Panel).  To do this go to www.(yourdomain).com/cpanel.

Scroll down in your Cpanel until you find the Software/Services section and double click on Fantastico De Luxe.

You will see the section for Blog along the left.  You want to select the WordPress option.  Then you will see an option on the right for New Installation.  You will then need to set up your WordPress Account including your Username and Password.

Make note of  the username and password that you create.  You will need them to log in to the Dashboard of your new Blog.  This is something that you will be using a lot for as long as you continue to work on you blog.

5.   Using your WordPress Dashboard
The next thing you want to do is log in to your WordPress Dashboard.  To get to your Dashboard you want to go to www.(yourdomain).com/wp-admin.  I have recorded a short video to show you how to Navigate through your dashboard.

6. Changing the Theme on your Blog
The theme that you start with is pretty plain and boring.  You definitely want to change it to make your blog more unique and eye catching.  Changing themes is really simple.  Don’t stress to much about finding the PERFECT theme.  You can always change it later.  You just want to find something that you like to get you started while you begin to add content and build up your following.

Here is another short video to show you where to find themes and how to change them.

We will talk about adding Posts and Customizing your blog with Widgets and Plugins in the next post. In the mean time here is another post that will help you to see the big picture of how to be successful with blogging and some action tips that you can start taking now even before you have your blog completely set up.

If you are for ready for more then go to How to Start a Blog (Part 3)!