How to Start a Blog with Hostmonster

I recommend anyone who wants to blog for real to buy a domain name and self-host their blogs. There is nothing wrong with having a blogger or wordpress.com blog, but I think the couple bucks you will spend for self-hosting will further commit you to writing the blog.

Additionally I believe hosting your own blog with your own domain name gives your blog a better look, it's easier for people to remember the name, and you have much more freedom with what you can do. Plus, YOU will own it. No company will have a say in what you do with your blog because it will be yours.
CREATING A BLOG FROM SCRATCH

It's easiest to start a blog from the beginning, which I will explain now, but you can also transfer a wordpress.com blog to self-hosted wordpress easily. Here are the steps for starting a blog from the very beginning:

1. Click "Sign Up Now" at your chosen host's website. I chose to host this blog on Hostmonster (at $6.95 per month or less if they have a special deal) because they have a good reputation and the ability to one-click install Wordpress (it's SUPER EASY). I have been with them for over two years and they have never let me down and helped me through every technical issue I've encountered.
   The rest of these steps are specific to Hostmonster, but if you decide to use another company, you can probably still figure out what to do from these steps because they are all very similar. Note: if you decide to go with Hostmonster and use this how-to guide because it is easy and awesome, I'd appreciate it if you use the affiliate link so I can earn money to support my blog.
2. In the "I Need a Domain" option, fill in your DESIRED domain name. For example: amerrylife.com Choose the ".com" extension, unless you have a good reason not to and don't enter the "http://www." part of a domain. Think about your domain name first and don't get frustrated if your first choices are taken. Something good will come to you, but make sure you have a domain you will like for a long time.
3. When domain name is available, you'll be asked to fill in your billing information. Make sure you enter a complicated password (write it down somewhere) that will keep your information safe. When you sign up you will have to pay for a year of hosting up front, and your domain name will come with that package.
4. Once your account is active, login to Hostmonster and go to the Hostmonster Control Panel (cPanel).
   
5. Near the bottom of the page, in the "Software/Services" section, click the Wordpress icon.
6. Under Installation Options click the green "Install" button to install a new version.
   
7. In the box under "Where would you like Wordpress installed?" your domain name should appear. For example, it should say in the box: http://www.yourdomain.com. If there's any chance you will ever want to create a website to accompany your blog, you may want to consider typing "blog" in the box on the right. This would install your blog at http://yourdomain.com/blog. This is a good option if you feel you want to create more than just a blog and you can always later set up a redirect so traffic to http://yourdomain.com goes to http://yourdomain.com/blog where your blog is.
8. Read the legal information, and if you agree, check the box and complete the install.
9. Login and start blogging.

That's all there is to it! Easy as pie! Now enjoy your blogging days! (Advice originally from the blog post on how to start a weight loss blog.)