Today there are plenty of people who are making money through their blog. If you ever wish to be one of them, then it is must for you to know the essential thing for starting a blog and for making a handsome of money from it.
That’s why I have written this article in-depth to know how to start a WordPress blog with SiteGround and make it profitable. So let’s see how to do it.
Before that, it’s my request to read all the essential steps to before starting a blog, because you never know if you miss any paragraph, might be you miss-out any tricks or necessary info about it. So be with me for a while, and you will indeed, after reading this post able to create your blog.
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How to Start A WordPress Blog With SiteGround
There are several ways to build a blog. You can create a blog free of cost using free outlets like blogger, Weebly, WordPress, etc.
If you select a free blogging platform, then you have infrequent access to several features like themes, plugins, etc. And you can’t even correctly modify your blog to make it execute well on Google search.
If your blog can’t be able to rank on Google search result, then there is no value to creating a blog as no one will see it except you.
But why should you go for SiteGround for creating WordPress Blog?. Let’s get more into it.
Overview of SiteGround Hosting
Established in 2004, SiteGround has grown to become one of the most prominent hosting firms on the internet. Its headquarter is placed in Sofia, Bulgaria, with data centres in three continents and offices in six locations.
SiteGround is also one of the extremely used and top-rated hosting firm in the WordPress community, gratefulness of its distinct in-house WordPress speed and safety solutions developed to make your website as safe and quick as possible.
That’s not all; the firm is even famous for its outstanding 24/7 support. That is why they are an official “WordPress” recommended web hosting provider. SiteGround includes lots of great features (more on this later), including:
- Automatic upgrades
- Inbuilt WP caching
- CDN
- One-click staging
- GIT version control
They are indeed one of the few hosting brands providing location-specific hosting with 3 data centres in the United States, Asia, and Europe.
Well, if you not yet convinced as to why you should select SiteGround somewhat of other hosting options? Let’s see a few of its core features, maybe that will help you elect.
Why Choose SiteGround?
Here we have briefly spoken of about its incredible features of SiteGround hosting, below are a few of the primary things that made me love the company:
1. Speed and Performance
While price often plays an important role when selecting a hosting solution, you cannot give-and-take on speed and performance.
In case you don’t know, speed is one of the most crucial performance metrics that you should ever stare for. A quicker blog provides an excellent user experience and increases your SEO at a similar time.
In fact, according to StrangeLoop, one second wait can direct to a 7% loss in conversions, 11% fewer page views, and a 16% penalty in customer satisfaction.
SiteGround do’s plenty of promises about site speed throughout their website. And from the multiple tests on the web about this, they stood up to their words.
SiteGround works an incredible job with resource allocation. By definition, a shared hosting server lots of resources among several buyers. So it’s necessary to get the allotment right.
They also have a very remarkable uptime when related to industry standard:
Also, it’s worth mentioning that SiteGround was one of the first hosting solutions to build PHP7 standard. And they keep rolling out incredible speed features for all accounts.
2. Feature Set and Integrations
SiteGround has a fantastic feature set – particularly if you’re more tech favoured. They offer endless databases and email accounts.
They also give you a daily backup, which is a great safety net feature if your backups fail. Excitingly, the firm has an easy user account backend and utilises the industry-standard cPanel to organise your server.
For the GrowBig and GoGeek accounts, you receive a free website transfer as well as an independent site builder. While none of these features is excellent, they do put them above plenty of prominent hosting brands.
Additionally, SiteGround has limitless unique developer-oriented features too. They merge pretty well with Cloudflare CDN. At its “GoGeek” plan, you obtain free PCI compliance as well as free Git & directing areas. These are very beneficial to have combined.
That’s not all; SiteGround also offers you a free SSL that installs at a click of a button. This excludes a substantial challenge to going HTTPS / SSL with WordPress.
Finally, SiteGround sifted from static cache to NGINX direct delivery in December 2019. This indicates an improved loading speed of your website plus more advantages.
3. Website Migration
Another excellent reason why I highly advise SiteGround is due to its stress-free WordPress website migration process.
Practically, if you already possess a self-hosted WordPress site and you wish to shift to SiteGround, they make the full migration process very simple.
They have a superb plugin called “SiteGround Migrator,” which you can utilise to shift your standing site over to SiteGround quickly.
Although, the SiteGround team will assist you in shifting your site free of cost if you are on the GrowBig or GoGeek plan. Yet, if you select the StartUp plan, you can utilise the SiteGround Migrator plugin to migrate your WordPress site effortlessly.
Shifting a WordPress website with the plugin is seamless as it just involves some simple steps. So anyone (even a total beginner) should be apt to finish off the process by himself.
Though, if you wish for the peace of mind that comes from knowing that a professional has shifted your website for you and everything has been shifted correctly, then the GrowBig or GoGeek plan probably be your most excellent option.
4. Excellent Customer Support
SiteGround’s support is amazing. To be truthful, apart from WPX Hosting, I have never recognised any other hosting brand whose support is as decent and responsive as that of SiteGround.
Firstly, they are understandable and super responsive across many of channels – including phones.
Secondly, they have mostly capitalised in a custom information base with comments client support monitoring system.
Thirdly, it’s obvious that they also invest very well in their workers because their workers always host technical events to train developers.
Even their consumer survey result indicated that 95% support satisfaction, 97% uptime satisfaction, 97% security satisfaction, and 93% speed satisfaction from their users
And if you are not satisfied yet, then maybe see their Facebook and Twitter polls will do the magic. All-around, SiteGround is a robust hosting solution, and I will approve it any day, anytime.
Now, let’s instantly look at the pros and cons of SiteGround before we move ahead to know how to begin a blog with SiteGround.
Pros of SiteGround
- Super-fast servers: However, their each and every server are well optimised for speed. They are bounded with the latest hardware, such as SSD drives and custom software, to assure that your website is super-fast.
- Remarkable Customer Support: SiteGround’s customer support is amazing. They give you a 24×7 live chat, phone, and ticket assistance.
- Free SSL and CDN: They provide you with a swift format of free SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt and Cloudflare free CDN.
- Top-notch security: Websites hosted on their server are frequently scanned for malware and other safety issues. Additional protection is also available via the paid SG Site Scanner add-on.
- Staging sites: The top-level GoGeek plan contains a helpful organising tool, but the StartUp plan doesn’t.
- Uptime checks and guarantee: SiteGround ensures you about their uptime of 99.9% yearly.
Cons of SiteGround
- Limited Storage: Their hosting plans feature limited storage. But this storage is sufficient, and if you are just beginning, then you will possibly never need extra storage.
- High renewal cost: Their intro prices are incredibly competitive, generally because they are for any signup period. Yet, they possess an expensive, standard renewal pricing related to the industry standard, primarily for the StartUp plan.
How to Start a WordPress Blog With SiteGround In 2021
Before getting ahead to discuss how to start a WordPress blog with SiteGround, you have to decide about a niche.
However, I think by now; you must have decided on a niche for your upcoming blog. But if not, then you should go and see on Youtube their are plenty of video about the best niches. So now let’s get started:
Step 1: Pick a Hosting Plan
The first step towards beginning a blog with SiteGround is to select an adequate hosting plan. SiteGround provides you with a different hosting plan according to your funding and necessity.
As the firm offers three hosting plans (StartUp, GrowBig, and GoGeek). We will take about these plans more so that you can make your selection quickly.
1. SiteGround StartUp Plan
The StartUp plan is essentially for beginners who want to drive one website and are just starting. The plan goes for only $3.95 per month.
If you are an entirely being your career as a blogger, who like to create a WordPress blog and has a limited budget, then I would tell you to go for this plan.
- One website install
- 10 GB web space
- 10,000 monthly visitors.
- Plus, all essential features (Free site builder, free SSL & HTTPS, 24×7 support, free daily backup, free Cloudflare CDN, SSH, unlimited MySQL, unmetered traffic, 3o days money back guaranteed)
2. SiteGround GrowBig Plan
This plan is an excellent value for someone who governs multiple sites. It will enable you to admire the StartUp plan features (plus premium features). The plan goes for just $5.95 per month.
Besides from all the essential features that appear with the StartUp plan, the GrowBig plan features:
- Host unlimited websites
- Free website transfer
- 20,000 monthly visits
- 20 GB web space
- Advanced on-demand backup
- Super responsive times
- WordPress staging
- The Super Cacher which ultimately enhances the website performance
3. SiteGround GoGeek Plan
The GoGeek package is excellent for people who operate e-commerce websites or larger sites. It’s nearly the most significant web hosting plan from SiteGround and charge you only $11.95 per month.
Similarly, the GoGeek plan arrives with everything the StartUp and GrowBig plan offers, plus:
- 100,000 monthly visits
- 30 GB web space
- Advanced priority support
- The highest tier of server resources
- One-click Git repo creation
- White-label site management
From all these plans, select the one that helps best for you. But I highly advise the GrowBig plan as you can host numerous websites and will have entry to more premium features.
Step 2: Choose a Domain Name
Now that you have chosen your preferred SiteGround hosting plan, the second step is to get a domain name for your site. It’s necessary to select an exact name for your site. There are several domain name generating tools that can assist you with the process.
Here are a few things you should understand while asking for a name for your blog:
- Utilise your name if your site is a personal brand. If not, utilise a branded domain
- Grab a name that is simple to spell and remember
- Short domain names are always decent
- Prevent symbols, numbers, and hyphens
- Select a relevant extension (the .com extension is the most prominent and widely used)
Meanwhile, if you already possess a domain name, then you can completely tick the “I already have a domain” button and add your domain to continue.
But if you don’t possess, then you need to create a new domain name with SiteGround. Just click on the “Register a new domain” button. This will charge you $15.95 per year.
Enter your domain name and stay for a while to confirm its availability. Like I told you before if you already possess a domain name and only want to switch your site, SiteGround gives you a free website transfer.
Great, you have now finished the second step, let’s continue with the 3rd step.
Step 3: Configure your account Information
Now that you have selected a hosting plan and also verified your domain name, the next step is to configure your hosting account. This includes adding your account, personal, and payment information.
- Account Information
The first step here is to build your SiteGround account login sections, which contains your email address and a password:
This will be your SiteGround hosting cPanel login section, so you need to assure you utilise an extremely strong password.
- Personal Information
Once you have added your email and selected a secure password, the next step will be to enter your personal information:
This includes:
- Name
- Address
- Mobile Number
- Country
- Payment Information
And it’s now time to spend money on your SiteGround hosting service. Here’s where you will require to add your card details.
SiteGround Hosting approves three types of cards:
- Master Card
- American Express
- Visa
You can scroll down completely to watch the total amount you will spend. Add your payment details and continue to the next step.
- Configure SiteGround Hosting Plan
Now that you have filled in your payment detail let’s go and enter your buying information. In this area, you are required to select or verify the following:
Hosting Plan: Confirm the SiteGround Hosting plan you agreed on earlier, I have already suggested you go for GrowBig plan.
Server Region: SiteGround has three primary servers around the world; you will ask to select one that is closest to your mark audience. For me, my target audience is in the U.S, which is why I chose the U.S.
Hosting Period: Select a hosting period. Remember, while the initial price is very inexpensive, SiteGround’s renewal fee is pretty high. So, I would advise you to purchase up to 2-3 years’ worth of hosting. In this manner, your blog must have begun making money to wrap up the high renewal fees before it ends.
Still, if you can’t afford to spend for that long, then go for their 12 months billing at least.
Domain Registration: If you don’t possess a domain name still, and you are registering a new domain name with SiteGround, then you need to spend $15.95 for the unique domain.
Domain Privacy: Because you are enrolling the domain with SiteGround, they will give you free domain privacy. This says that your data, such as name, address, phone, etc. will be protected from the general public.
SG Site Scanner: Actually, SiteGround is already a highly safe hosting solution. So you don’t need this service. So there’s no need to spend the additional $19.20 per year for this service.
So don’t overthink about the SiteGround Site scanner and just continue with the default SiteGround safety. Now, check and confirm that all the data you added is accurate.
If everything is accurate, go forward and click on the “Pay Now” button to finish off your payment. Now, you have a premium hosting account. Let’s now go and install WordPress on your server and develop your blog
Create Your Blog and Install WordPress
Once you have finished your payment, you can directly login to your SiteGround hosting account dashboard. From the Dashboard, you can effortlessly govern your cPanel, billing, support, etc.
To build your blog, take a look at the right side of your dashboard, you will see a rocket man with a “set up in 2 min” control. This feature will assist you in building your WordPress blog on SiteGround
So go forward and click on the button to proceed. Clicking on this button will immediately take you to the setup wizard.
Here you have to select an option:
- Start a New Website
- Transfer an existing website
- Do it your way
Because we are beginning from scratch, you will have to choose the “start a new website” option. Now, select your category of the website and install WordPress.
After you have finished this step, add the login details that you will be utilising to access your WordPress dashboard later. This contains your email address, username, and password. Keep in mind to use a robust password, and the one you will not forget.
Now you see that you have successfully installed WordPress on your hosting server.
Step 4: Login Your WordPress Dashboard
Now that you have installed your blog, let’s instantly enter into your WordPress dashboard. To do this, visit “yourdomain.com/wp-admin,” and you will be sent to where you will add your username and password:
Enter your username and password, and you will be taken to the WordPress dashboard. This is where you can monitor your whole WordPress site.
Step 5: Install a Theme and Plugins
You now remember how to start a WordPress blog on SiteGround. The second thing is to customise the design of your recent website by installing a theme.
Good enough, the WordPress storehouse is made up of limitless beautiful free themes. Solely select any of them.
Sometimes, though, you might turn out not finding your desired free theme. In that case, just search on Google for “best premium WordPress themes” to obtain what you want
Apart from that, WordPress equally has plenty of plugins that will add many features to your blog. Relying on the functionalities you need, search the plugin section, and you will see it all.
Again, if you are not apt to find a good plugin, a Google search will moreover reveal a lot to you.
Step 6: Start Blogging
Your SiteGround powered WordPress blog is presently up and completely running. Go forward and publish your initial blog post.
On your WordPress dashboard, tap on “Posts” on the left sidebar menu, and select “Add New.”
Here, you will notice the WordPress post editor. That’s exactly where you will be writing your blog posts. You also have the choice to add pictures, videos, and GIFs to your posts by tapping on the “Add Media” button.
Besides, the WordPress post editor has many other valuable design features you can utilise on your blog.
When you are done writing your blog post, tap the “Publish” button on the top right corner of the editor to publicise it.
How to Make Your Blog Successful?
As you have finished the entire blog creation procedure on SiteGround hosting. Now to make your blog profitable, you have to install the best WordPress theme for blogs.
I suggested you use the Genesis framework, which is simple and well coded. It is awesomely quick and simple to use.
You can install the top SEO plugins, which are extremely beneficial to make your WordPress blog rank higher on Google search results.
Recommended WordPress Plugins:
- Yoast – Helps in On-page SEO.
- Redirection – To divert post or pages on a provisional or permanent basis.
- Imagify – To optimize your website images.
- Jetpack – For sharing, security and several purposes.
Final Verdict
As I said you earlier that this guide will be a detailed process on how to start a WordPress blog with SiteGround. I hope I have been apt to keep to that promise.
After this post, I also wish you will go forward and begin your blog with SiteGround instantly. You don’t need to spend any more time on this, take action now and build that blog you have always liked.