A Beginner's Guide to Getting Started with Bluehost for Small Blogs and Websites
- Side Hustling Experts
- Dec 5, 2025
- 4 min read
Starting a small blog or a beginner website can feel overwhelming. You want a platform that is easy to use, reliable, and affordable. Bluehost is one of the most popular hosting providers that fits these needs perfectly. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about getting started with Bluehost, so you can launch your site with confidence and focus on what matters most—creating great content and growing your online presence.
Bluehost stands out as a beginner-friendly hosting provider for several reasons:
Easy setup process: Bluehost offers a simple, step-by-step setup wizard that guides you through registering your domain, choosing a hosting plan, and installing WordPress.
Affordable pricing: Their plans start at low monthly rates, making it accessible for side hustles and small blogs without breaking the bank.
Reliable uptime and speed: Bluehost guarantees 99.9% uptime, ensuring your site stays online and loads quickly for visitors.
24/7 customer support: If you run into any issues, Bluehost’s support team is available around the clock via chat, phone, or email.
Free domain for the first year: When you sign up, Bluehost includes a free domain name registration, saving you extra costs.
These features make Bluehost an excellent choice when you are just getting started with a beginner website or small blog.
How to Sign Up and Set Up Your Bluehost Account
Getting started with Bluehost is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step overview:
Choose a hosting plan
For small blogs or beginner websites, the Basic plan is usually enough. It supports one website, includes 50 GB of storage, and unmetered bandwidth.
Register your domain
You can register a new domain for free during signup or use a domain you already own.
Create your account
Enter your personal and payment information to create your Bluehost account.
Set up your password
Choose a strong password to secure your account.
Select extras
Bluehost offers add-ons like domain privacy protection and site backup. Domain privacy is recommended to keep your personal info safe.
Complete your purchase
Review your order and complete the payment.
Once your account is active, Bluehost will guide you through installing WordPress or another website builder.
Installing WordPress on Bluehost
WordPress is the most popular platform for small blogs and beginner websites because it is flexible and easy to use. Bluehost makes installing WordPress simple:
After logging into your Bluehost dashboard, look for the “My Sites” tab.
Click “Create Site” and enter your site name and tagline.
Choose your domain from the dropdown menu.
Bluehost will install WordPress automatically.
Once installed, you can log in to your WordPress dashboard to start customizing your site.
This process usually takes just a few minutes, even if you have no technical experience.
Customizing Your Website for a Small Blog or Beginner Website
After installing WordPress, you can customize your site to fit your style and goals. Here are some tips:
Choose a theme
WordPress offers thousands of free and paid themes. Pick one that looks clean and matches your blog’s topic. For example, if you’re starting a food blog, look for themes designed for recipes and images.
Install essential plugins
Plugins add extra features to your site. For beginners, consider:
- Yoast SEO for search engine optimization
- Akismet for spam protection
- Jetpack for site security and performance
- WPForms for creating contact forms
Create key pages
Start with an About page, Contact page, and a Blog page. These help visitors understand who you are and how to reach you.
Write your first blog post
Use the WordPress editor to create and publish your first post. Keep it simple and focused on your niche.
Tips for Managing Your Small Blog or Beginner Website on Bluehost
Once your site is live, managing it well will help you grow:
Regularly update WordPress, themes, and plugins
Updates improve security and add new features.
Back up your site
Bluehost offers backup options, or you can use plugins like UpdraftPlus to schedule automatic backups.
Monitor your site’s performance
Use tools like Google Analytics to track visitors and understand what content works best.
Engage with your audience
Respond to comments and encourage readers to subscribe to your newsletter.
Keep your content consistent
Posting regularly helps build your audience and improves your site’s search ranking.
Common Questions When Getting Started with Bluehost
Can I switch plans later?
Yes, Bluehost allows you to upgrade your hosting plan as your site grows.
Is Bluehost good for e-commerce?
Bluehost supports WooCommerce, a popular WordPress plugin for online stores, making it a good option if you want to sell products.
Do I need technical skills?
No, Bluehost and WordPress are designed to be beginner-friendly. Their support team can help if you get stuck.
How long does it take to get my site online?
You can have your site live within an hour after signing up and setting up WordPress.