Setting up a blog using WordPress doesn’t have to be challenging even if you don’t know the first thing about blogging. With just a few simple steps to follow you’ll be blogging away in no time.

The best and fastest way to install WordPress software is to use Fantastico.

Fantastico is software included with most hosting companies that allows you to install applications like WordPress on your site easily. If you’re not sure if your hosting company supports Fantastico (most do), then contact their customer support.

If you see a Fantastico icon when you log into your hosting account, click on it. You’ll be taken to a page with many options. Look on the left side and you’ll see WordPress. Click the link and you’ll be brought to page with a few options.

These are easy options to fill out.

Choose the correct domain name that you want to install WordPress on. Don’t worry about installing in a directory. Leave that blank and it’ll post the blog on the home page of your site. If you’d prefer, put the word blog there and it will install on yourdomain.com/blog instead.

Come up with an administrator name.  Don’t use something like ‘admin.’ It makes your site easy prey to hackers. Choose your password. Write down your administrator name and your password in a secure place.

Enter your admin nickname. This will be your display name and can be changed later if you don’t like it. You can use your name, your company name, or your initials.

Enter the admin email.
This should be a working email address you have access to. Be sure to double-check it to prevent errors.

Next, choose your site name. Your site name can also be changed later in the administration settings.

Enter the description of your website. This is your tagline or slogan. Once you’ve done that, click ‘install WordPress.’  A page will come up prompting you to review your choices. If they’re correct, click ‘finish.’ If not, hit the back button and correct any errors.

Once you install WordPress, it will take a few seconds to a few hours depending on your site and system before the site is set up and you can begin customizing it. You can log into your WordPress website when it’s complete by going to www.yoursite.com/wp-login.php.

Enter the administrator username and password you chose earlier.

On the left side, look for a box that says ‘Settings.’ In that box, there will be multiple settings you can tweak including your site name, slogan, your local time, your email address and more.

If you have questions about these settings, consult with your customer support or read the WordPress Codex which contains a WordPress for Beginners section that answers the most common questions from new users.