Brand new site

If you’re starting at WordPress.com, then the process is super easy.

Go to WordPress.com and register.
Choose a template and start blogging. That’s it!
Th choosing of the template will be the hardest part since there are so many nice ones.

Once you’ve been on .com and you’ve decided you want more, then go to bluehost and set up hosting. Purchase your domain, etc… Get everything set up and install WordPress. Bluehost has a one-click install in the cpanel and their support if excellent. So if you have any questions they can help.

Then go through the WordPress install, set up your settings, install your theme.

Now go back to WordPress.com and go to Tools > Export. This will give you all of your WP content in a xml file.

Go to your new WP site on Bluehost and go to Tools > Import. You’ll be asked to install a plugin, do that, and then do the import. Don’t forget to check the box, download all the media (or something like that).

That’s it. You’ll be now on Bluehost running www.ads-software.com.
Now do bear in mind that once you are on your own, you need to take care of all the updates/backcup/spam yourself.

Good luck and hope this info helps.

I decided to teach myself WordPress on WordPress.com first before paying for hosting

Costs aside, I think you have a good plan. Just be a bit careful, though, since the premium stuff at .com that is free here can add up rather quickly. So, I would suggest you begin there and then seriously consider moving when you begin reaching for your credit card.

Costs aside, I think you have a good plan. Just be a bit careful, though, since the premium stuff at .com that is free here can add up rather quickly. So, I would suggest you begin there and then seriously consider moving when you begin reaching for your credit card.

Regards your comments leejosepho I am a little confused.

– What do you mean by Premium stuff ?
– You suggest I begin where ?
– What costs are associated with running www.ads-software.com on a BlueHost hosting sever other than the 5 dollars a month or so ?

Mike

– What do you mean by Premium stuff ?

First, please know I do not mean to in any way sound critical of wordpress.com. I have had a site there myself and had no trouble at all there.

Here are some differences you might review:
https://en.support.wordpress.com/com-vs-org/

Customizing a theme, using plugins and such could end up costing you more than paying a host so you can do those things for free…but then on the flip-side of that, you will want to learn more about managing a self-hosted website concerning certain matters of security, database access and things typically done via cPanel (at your host) and FTP access (locally).

What costs are associated with running www.ads-software.com on a BlueHost hosting sever other than the 5 dollars a month or so ?

Domain name registration will be required, then I also have a dedicated IP, domain privacy and domain backup for just a few dollars more…and other than that, I have no need for anything more available there.

Customizing a theme, using plugins and such could end up costing you more than paying a host so you can do those things for free

– You mean customising themes in WordPress.com or www.ads-software.com?
– Why will it cost me anything?

Domain name registration will be required, then I also have a dedicated IP, domain privacy and domain backup for just a few dollars more

– I knew about domain name reg but what is dedicated IP, domain privacy and domain back up?

Mike

– You mean customising themes in WordPress.com or www.ads-software.com?
– Why will it cost me anything?

Overall, www.ads-software.com never charges anyone for anything where wordpress.com is more like an incubator (at least for me, and with apology to anyone who might be offended) where some things can only be done after a premium service has been purchased where something such as a plugin from www.ads-software.com — https://www.ads-software.com/plugins/ — could do the same (or maybe even more) at a self-hosted site (such as at BlueHost or wherever) for free. However, I do not know any details about availability or cost at wordpress.com since I had never used anything extra there.

– I knew about domain name reg but what is dedicated IP, domain privacy and domain back up?

I would guess almost any Host you might choose would have a dedicated IP available, and here is what BlueHost says about the difference of having one:
https://my.bluehost.com/cgi/help/426

Then, domain privacy is something that will hide all your personal information whenever someone might do a “Who Is?” search:
https://who.is/whois/nnysandbox.net

As to domain backup, I had been considering dropping that extra at my host until about a week ago after I had crashed my entire domain (three sites) and it only took a Support Tech about 3 minutes to put it all back to how things had been just prior to my falling asleep in the living room a few hours before I had made the mess. So, for just a very few dollars more, you also might find it easier to sleep well whenever you must! ??

Ok I was not aware of the extra charges and premium service etc at WordPress.com so I know what you meant now.

I guess I will probably only export the bare bone structure of the site on WordPress.com and not do anything fancy until I am on www.ads-software.com. Or even start again on www.ads-software.com after I have mastered WordPress.com.

The Dedicated IP address sounds like a valuable feature an something that I will probably need for sure if the site takes off at all. I assume there will no problem upgrading from shared IP later ?

The domain privacy thing I am trying to work out the value if it – just for confidentiality so your details don’t appear?

And the domain back up basically sounds like an insurance cover for tech support? Am I right ?

I think they may be all features sort having but certainly something I will consider further down the road. What are the ball park prices for these additions?

Mike

By the way thank u Christine…. That was a very detailed descriptionkf what I would need to do – sounds like a process I will follow.

Mike

The Dedicated IP address…will no problem upgrading from shared IP later ?

No problem at all, as far as I know. Just add it to your shopping cart and check out.

The domain privacy thing I am trying to work out the value if it – just for confidentiality so your details don’t appear?

Yes, it lets you keep your personal identity, street address, phone number and e-mail address private.

And the domain back up basically sounds like an insurance cover for tech support? Am I right ?

No, Tech Support is free, but having the backup service is like experiencing that TV commercial where someone puts your crashed car back together as you watch for a bit.

What are the ball park prices for these additions?

Far from expensive on shared servers and I do not recall any actual numbers at the moment, but a host’s Sales Desk is typically just a phone call away.