My first step – choose a name and register it

Ok. So I’d decided to start this blog as my first step. These are the first decisions you have to make in setting up your blog.

1. To host or not to host.

   The main decision to be made here was whether you want to use a website that manages blogs, like blogger or wordpress, or to go with a web host where you get a company just to store and allow access to your blog, but where you manage it. The WordPress comparison of the difference between wordpress.com (where they manage it), and wordpress.org (where you do), gives a good review of the pros and cons. The vast majority of professional bloggers use wordpress.org.

   I decided that I’m not ready for the whole process of hosting, so I went with wordpress.com.

2. Choose the name.

   A good name is very important for any blog. The biggest problem is finding a name that hasn’t been used already. You can check if domain names are available online.

   I put a lot of effort into choosing a name that went well with what I was trying to do. I brainstormed for a couple of hours and came up with www.startwritenow.com.

3. Register the name.

   You need to use a registry site to register your chosen name.

   I used the register.ie website, because I’m in Ireland, but there are many to choose from. There is a charge for having the name. I paid €14.99 for a year.

So now you have a name, and nobody can take it. Next we’ll look at linking your name and WordPress.

Photo by: powerbooktrance