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Reflecting on my blogging/small business/Social Enterprise/freelance/author journey, I realised the most intimidating part was getting a blog or website up and running. That’s the crucial step that prevents so many people from getting started – the how and the budget. Especially if what you want to create is new. You don’t want to throw £100’s at it yet (if ever), and the steps can seem confusing if you’ve never done them. I’ve created a video to hand-hold you through that bit so that you end up with a snazzy blog or website built on WordPress, just like mine – this very one, in fact.

What this tutorial walks through

This tutorial culminates years of experience, trial and error, and countless cups of tea! For less than £63 (even less if you choose a cheaper ‘theme’), and within an hour or two, you can get the foundations built. How frikkin’ exciting is that?!

We’ll walk through:

• buying your domain
• setting up the server / hosting
• adding your theme to WordPress
• pointing your domain to your server
• adding the SSL certificate (so you have a padlock next to your URL denoting its safety for visitors)

Those steps take less than 35 minutes – I timed it.

What I don’t cover

The tutorial doesn’t include a page-by-page walkthrough of customising your chosen theme. Usually, the theme developer provides instructions when you purchase the theme from them. In my experience, they’re really generous in providing after-purchase support if you get stuck.

The customisation can take a few hours. I’d recommend printing the instructions provided with your purchase and systematically walking through them, one at a time. It will all look alien to you if you’ve never used WordPress before, so give yourself grace and space to find your feet. Take breaks often.

Before you start

At the very least, you must have decided on a website theme – a design – and purchased that. There are tons of free ones available. I always tend to purchase themes simply because I want that extra bada-bing. Creative Market is where I typically head because there’s so much choice, the developers are super helpful, and the websites I’ve created from the themes I’ve purchased are beautiful.

Note: this tutorial shows how to create a website using WordPress, so those are the themes you’d be looking at if you want to follow the tutorial – search for WordPress Themes on Creative Market or Etsy. Or Google “free WordPress themes“.

This website www.jaynehardy.co.uk was built using the Birthday Cake theme from Creative Market $65.

What I spent

My new project, which you see me create in the video below, has used the Jelly Bean theme from Creative Market $40.

I purchased the .com and .co.uk domains which cost £10 each.

The server I chose will cost me $14 per month.

Total today spend, including first month’s server cost, roughly £63*

*I could have saved money by buying just one domain, buying the domains from elsewhere, and/or using a free theme.

When you’re ready…

If you want to create your new blog or website along with me, I’d recommend having the following URLs open:

Google Domains – if you decide to go ahead with Google Workspace, then use this code to get a 10% discount for the first year: F76CECNPNTLUGFD

Cloudways – my preferred server host; they’re incredible in live chat if anything goes wrong and the servers are really reliable. Click here: to receive 15% discount for your first 3 months.

Your email inbox (to verify bits and bobs)

Away we go – let’s build a blog / website