Bluehost – Hosting Setup

Step-by-Step Guide – Bluehost Account Sign-up

(download pdf)

1. Choose your domain name. Prior to signing up for web hosting, it is best to choose your domain name. For a detailed step-by-step guide with helpful tips on choosing a keyword enriched domain name, see my “Choose a domain name” guide. If you already have a domain name, proceed to the next step.
2. Click on the bluehost link in the upper right hand column of this web page.  By clicking this link, I earn a commission. Alternatively, you may go to bluehost directly.
3. On bluehost.com, click on the “Sign up Now” button.
4. Where it says, “I Have a Domain Name”, fill in the box, then press the NEXT button. (You don’t need to type “http://www”.) (Alternatively, you can click on “I Need a Domain Name”.) On the next screen it will say, “Congratulations, the domain you requested, example.com, is available. If it is unavailable, choose a different domain name and try again.
5. Pay for your new hosting plan. Under “Account Information”, be sure to fill in each box that has an asterisk next to it. For convenience, I recommend paying for at least one year of service. You can save money by paying for two years.
6. Under “Package Information”, uncheck the two boxes, “SiteLock Domain Security” and “Premium Backup Service” if available.
7. Under “Billing Information” fill in the blanks using your own credit card information. The CVV2 Code is the three-digit code located on the back of your card. Remember to check the box next to “I confirm I have read….” I always copy and paste the “Terms of Service” into a text document and save it as a digital file, but that’s up to you.
8. Click the “NEXT” button. Congratulations! You have successfully paid for your plan. You will receive a confirmation email.
9. Now click on “Create your Password”.
10. On the password page, select a password that meets the criteria written in red. Once you have entered a password that meets their criteria, (indicated by the green circled check mark) click the button that says “Change Password”.
11. On the next screen, you will have the opportunity to login to your new account. Type in your domain name and password in the boxes provided.
12. When you see the “Welcome New User” window, you’ve completed the bluehost account setup process.

If you would like to proceed to setting up WordPress, please see my “Install WordPress in Bluehost” guide. Or if you would like to learn more about your Bluehost account, click on the “Get Started Now Button”.