How to Create a BLOG - Part 1 (Hostinger Website Builder Tutorial)

Introduction

In this tutorial, we'll guide you through the process of creating a blog using the Hostinger website builder. This is part one of a two-part series, where we'll focus on setting up your blog, choosing a hosting plan, and customizing your website's layout. Following this guide will help you get started with blogging, even if you're a complete beginner.

Step 1: Choose Your Hosting Plan

1. Visit Hostinger's Website

   • Go to the Hostinger website and navigate to their hosting plans.

2. Select a Plan

   • Review the available plans, typically including options like Premium and Business.
   • Consider your needs:
     • Premium plan is generally sufficient for most beginners.
     • Business plan offers additional features such as daily backups and enhanced performance.

3. Understand Pricing

   • Prices vary based on the subscription length (e.g., 1 year, 2 years, or 4 years):
     • Premium plan can start as low as $4/month with a 48-month commitment.
     • Business plan typically costs more but includes extra features.

4. Add to Cart

   • Select the plan that suits you and add it to your cart. Don't forget to apply any discount codes (e.g., MEY for 10% off).

5. Choose a Domain Name

   • During the checkout process, you will have the option to register a domain name. Take your time to select a relevant and memorable domain for your blog.

Step 2: Set Up Your Blog

1. Access Your Dashboard

   • After purchasing your hosting plan, log into your Hostinger account. You will see your dashboard with options for managing your websites.

2. Select a Template

   • Click on "Create New Website" and choose the Blog category to view templates geared towards blogging.
   • Preview different templates to find one that resonates with your blog's theme.

3. Customize Your Template

   • Once you select a template, you can start customizing it.
   • Use the drag-and-drop feature to rearrange elements on your homepage, add new sections, and modify existing content.

4. Edit the Header and Footer

   • Customize your website's header and footer to include your logo, navigation menu, and social media links.
   • Ensure that your design is cohesive and represents your blog's identity.

Step 3: Set Up Blog Categories

1. Create Categories

   • Before you start writing blog posts, create categories that will help organize your content. For example:
     • Self-Care
     • Journaling
     • Quotes
     • Book Recommendations

2. Manually Create Category Pages

   • Navigate to the "Pages" section in the dashboard.
   • Create individual pages for each category and link them to your blog's navigation menu.

3. Edit Blog List Settings

   • For each category page, edit the blog list settings to display posts from the corresponding category.

Step 4: Configure Additional Settings

1. Setup SEO and Analytics

   • Utilize built-in SEO tools to optimize your blog for search engines.
   • Integrate Google Analytics for tracking your website's performance.

2. Add Essential Pages

   • Consider creating an About page and a Contact page to enhance user experience and provide your audience with essential information.

3. Preview Your Website

   • Regularly preview your website to see how changes look in real-time. Ensure everything is functioning properly before going live.

Conclusion

In this first part of the tutorial, you learned how to set up your blog on Hostinger, select a hosting plan, and customize your website. The next step will be to create and publish blog posts, which we'll cover in part two. Feel free to start brainstorming blog post ideas or topics you’d like to cover in the next tutorial. Happy blogging!