I've started a series of articles about bringing another revenue stream into your arts and crafts business by starting a monetized blog. In an earlier article, I discuss Wordpress.com and Wordpress.org, explaining that while .com is free, you can only have a monetized blog using .org.
I got off my duff and set up my domain name and blog hosting with DreamHost, which is one of the hosting services recommended by Wordpress. I've since received a few emails from DreamHost advising on my next steps to get my monetized blog up and running. I've set aside a day so let's get going!
Picking a Blog Host
The fact that I went with DreamHost is not a recommendation on which host you should choose as there was no particular reason why I went with DreamHost although they are one of the hosting companies recommended by WordPress.org for their 5-Minute Installation. Much appreciated, each step I needed to accomplish was sent to me in different emails by DreamHost. That provided a paint-by-number system for me to follow.
The first step was to set up my email accounts and change my FTP password. Selecting the Create New Email link, following the instructions on the screen, it's very easy to set up email boxes and have the email from this account forwarded to an email account I regularly check. Next, it's time to change the FTP password by selecting Manage Users on the web panel > Edit.
WordPress.org User Admin
As I am somewhat apprehensive about new processes, I opted to read and print the Readme documentation before I got started. For new tasks, such as this, I set up a binder system with all related emails, instructions and passwords that I keep for as long as I feel is necessary - sometimes I never get rid of the documentation.
It's a fine line between hoarding and erring on the side of caution! As I am not updating or migrating a blog, I skipped that part of the read me documentation and moved onto the task at hand - my 5-minute install.
Logging Into WordPress.org
Walking Through the WordPress.Org Dashboard
While it is tempting to just get started, I recommend you select Learn more about getting started, which is located on the right-hand side of your dashboard. This walks you through your first steps using WordPress. Unless you are already familiar with WordPress.org blogs, I recommend you print and read through this tutorial.
Make sure you check out the Planning Session and Using the Information sections. The information contained in each will help you with your next steps which are Customize Your Site and Add an About Page. While I have been procrastinating setting up this blog, I have in my spare time written a few blog posts (although actually, my time would have been better served writing my About page).
Having a strong About page, is akin to having good descriptions for your arts and crafts products. Customers love a back story. Presenting in a cohesive fashion information about yourself and the purpose of your blog is key to attracting and keeping visitors to your blog.
