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This post is a part of a larger tutorial on how to start a food blog. To learn more about web hosting services and all the features you need to consider before choosing a web hosting company, please read How to Start a Food Blog.
How to set up web hosting with SiteGround and Bluehost?
Once you choose a reliable web host provider, setting up a hosting account is quite easy. In this post, we will show you how to set up web hosting with SiteGround and Bluehost, two web hosting companies whose services we personally use.
Setting up web hosting with SiteGround
Step 1: Choose a hosting plan
To choose a hosting plan, open the SiteGround homepage and go to the section Web Hosting. In this section, SiteGround offers you three shared hosting plans suitable for food bloggers: StartUp, GrowBig, and GoGeek.
The StartUp plan is a great option for a small and medium-size blog, personal, or business website. It provides all essential features like email accounts, SSL, CDN, SSH, 24/7 support, and others. If your site starts to get more than 10,000 unique visits per month, you will outgrow this hosting plan.
The GrowBig plan gives you premium features like advanced caching, the option to add collaborators, on-demand backups, and WordPress staging. This plan is designed to accommodate either a single more heavily-trafficked website or multiple average-size websites. If you have a really heavily-visited or resource-intensive website then the GoGeek plan is your best option.
The GoGeek customers receive more resources and premium support. This plan is great for average-sized e-commerce websites because it can accommodate a much larger product line!
Once you choose a hosting plan, click on the button Get plan to buy it.
Step 2: Choose a domain name
You will be redirected to the next screen where you can choose to buy a new domain, or sign up with an existing one.
SiteGround offers a wide range of domain extensions at awesome prices. If you want to register a new domain, just enter the domain name you want to register and follow the steps to enter your info and payment information. If the chosen domain name is not available, you will be notified so that you can choose another one that is available.
If you already have a domain, check the option I already have a domain, enter the domain name, and click Proceed.
Step 3: Review and complete the order
You will be redirected to the next screen where you can enter your info and payment information. Once you are done, review your order, and click Pay Now.
When the payment gets through, you will receive the following notification (see image below):
By clicking Proceed to Customer area you will be redirected to the SiteGround dashboard.
Step 4: SiteGround dashboard
SiteGround dashboard enables you to launch sites in just a few clicks, purchase all kinds of additional services, open email addresses, and use a variety of other tools that SiteGround offers.
Setting up web hosting with Bluehost
Step 1: Get started
To choose a hosting plan, open the Bluehost homepage, and click on the green Get Started button.
Step 2: Choose a hosting plan
Bluehost offers four shared hosting plans for blogs: Basic, Plus, Choice Plus, and Pro.
Choose the plan that’s right for you by clicking the Select button.
Step3: Choose your domain name
This step requires you to create a new domain or use a domain you already own. Once you are done, click Next.
Step4: Fill in your account information, package, and payment information
In the Account Information section, enter your personal information or signup with your Google account.
In the Package Information section, you can choose your account plan (12 months, 24 months, 36 months) and package extras (all the services that you want to be included in your package). It’s best if you uncheck all additional options because you can easily add them later if needed.
In the Payment Information section, you will be required to enter your payment information. Once you are done, carefully review your order and info one more time and click Submit.
When you get the notification of a successful purchase, click Create Account and you will be taken to the Bluehost dashboard.
Step 7: Bluehost dashboard
Once in the Bluehost dashboard, you can start creating your site, open email addresses, and use a variety of other tools that Bluehost offers.
