Luke Hubbard

Wondering how to Blog? The easiest way to set up a blog is to use Wordpress. If you want to own your own domain (such as LukeHubbard.com), then you need to buy a hosting service and your customized URL. If this sounds confusing, don’t worry! Simply follow these easy steps, which I have divided into two parts, and you’ll be started in no time…

Part 1: How to Create a BlueVoda Account
1. Goto BlueVoda
2. Follow the steps to buy the hosting package you want. I recommend doing the annual billing so you wave the set-up fee.
3. Choose your domain name (URL). It’s important to choose a name relevant to the theme of your blog. I used my name, LukeHubbard.com, because I write about Internet stuff that I like.
4. Once you pay for the service, you’ll get a very important email confirmation with your login information including the login URL. Make sure to save this email for eternity!

Part 2: How to Install WordPress onto Your Domain
5. Login to your VodaHost control panel, which is commonly called a c-panel.” You’ll need the email that VodaHost sent you with your login information and IP address (Choose the IP address that VodaHost notes in the email).
6. Ignore the help screen pop-up box if it shows up. Just cancel and make it go away.
7. Click the blue smiley face near the bottom of the c-panel that is labeled Fantastico de Luxe. (It’s under the “Software/Services” section)
8. Select WordPress from the blog list on the left.
9. Click new Installation.
10. Select your domain name, your directory, and create a username/password, and fill out everything else. It’s easy set-up information.
11. Click on “Install WordPress”
12. You’ll get a screen with your blog administrative login information. Make sure to copy this info or select to have a copy emailed to you.

Now you’re ready to login to your WordPress blog and begin blogging! It’s all very easy and will probably take you less than 30 minutes to set-up.

Once you’re inside the WordPress application, you can play around with different header colors, create posts, and make new pages. It’s all very easy so don’t worry if you have absolutely no idea how to create a blog. You can do it!

Note that BlueVoda has some great WordPress video blog tutorials. They’ve made it extremely easy to understand how to set up and maintain a spiffy looking blog.

As far as web masters are concerned, or anyone else that has the dream of starting a website, there are basically two forms of Domain Parking: monetized and non-monetized

Monetized Domain Parking: This is when someone buys a domain name for the sole purpose of creating some crappy site with advertisements but no original content. Ever misspelled a company name in the URL box and found a basic looking site with random words somewhat related to your topic? Once you click on something, it then takes you to a page of sponsored search results.

The bad news about monetized domain parking is that it incentivizes companies to buy up all the cool domain names or misspells of others’ trademark terms. Ever wonder why so many web companies have stupid names like wazalahoolie or zappaldingalingo? Well, domain parkers are partially to blame for buying up all the cool names and leaving the rest of the world with crap available URLs.

The good news about monetized domain parking is that some of the website actually do provide quality results and lead users in the right direction.  

Non-Monetized Domain Parking: This is when you get to a website and you see the beautiful words “Under Construction” or “Coming Soon.”  My opinion is that if you have the wits to buy a web domain, you should be able to put something on a page other than “come back later.” Get your act together people! Either put up real content or temporarily fwd your domain to LukeHubbard.com …. jk