While this massive audience on YouTube presents a major opportunity for content creators to earn income through their videos, building a profitable YouTube channel takes time and requires the right monetization strategies consistently. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore 6 effective ways to turn your YouTube channel into a lucrative source of income.

1. Optimize Your YouTube Channel for Maximum Visibility

If you haven’t created your YouTube channel or you’re wondering how to optimize your YouTube channel to ensure your videos are being discovered, watched, and shared, you can take the following steps to make it more possible for your channel to be primed for success.

Select a Profitable, In-Demand Niche

There are many types of niches on YouTube:

If you have no idea of what your channel will focus on, you should spend some time on it. This could decide what your channel name should be and how you can write a description for it. 

In general, you should research different niches to find one that:

• You’re passionate about and can create quality content for.
• Has significant viewer demand and advertiser opportunities.
• Isn’t saturated with too much competition already.

You can use Google Trends to find rising niches.

To get a deeper understanding of user growth and trends, utilize Social Blade.

Pick a Good YouTube Channel Name

Success on the platform involves multiple elements. Although your channel name is not a key factor for success, choosing the right one is an important step in establishing your brand and identity on the platform. It is like the front door to your content.

You can get some YouTube channel name ideas and suggestions by utilizing an online YouTube Name Generator.

Or you can brainstorm a name. But you need to make sure that it adheres to YouTube community guidelines. Then you can take the following tips:

• Use numbers or phrases unique to you
  
  Incorporate numbers or words that are meaningful to you.
  
  Or use an inspirational phrase or quote that motivates you.
• Get creative with puns or wordplay
  
  Clever puns and wordplay stand out, like “BeautyByTheBook” for makeup tutorials.
  
  Brainstorm rhymes, homophones, idioms, or funny spins on phrases relevant to your niche.
  
  Just keep it clear what the pun means. You want viewers to “get it”.

If you want to change your YouTube channel name, follow the steps below.

1) Go to studio.youtube.com and log into your account.

2) Select Customization from the left navigation menu. Under the Basic info section, you should be able to edit your name, as well as the description. 

Once done, click on the button PUBLISH for the changes to take effect. 

High-Quality Content is Key

After setting up your channel, the key to growth is creating high-quality, value-driven content that converts viewers into engaged subscribers.

Below we’ll walk you through the steps to create value-packed content that converts viewers into loyal fans.

Step 1 – Choose the Right Topics and Keywords for Your YouTube Videos

To understand your target viewers, you should do keyword research. Those words and phrases are what users enter into the YouTube search bar to find videos they want to watch. When you find the right keywords, you can include them in your video’s title, thumbnail, and description, which makes it possible for your video to appear higher in YouTube search results.

Below are some tools you can utilize to find keywords for your YouTube videos and tailor them for your target audience:

• YouTube Search

When doing keyword research for YouTube, you can directly type potential keywords into the YouTube search bar and you should see a list of automated suggestions. Here we suggest you sign out of YouTube.

“These are called search predictions. These predictions come from possible search terms related to what you’re looking for and what other people have already searched for. “^[2]

After inputting the whole phrase, check the search results that show the current videos that rank for that keyword. Browse those videos to analyze how optimized they are for the keyword. Check the keywords in their title, description, and tags.

• Google Trends

Yep, you read that right. Google Trends again! It is a free tool from Google that allows you to analyze search volume patterns and trends for keywords and topics over time. 

What you have to do is enter some words into Google Trends. For example, if you plan to make how-to videos, you could input terms like “how to”. You can select a specific country, customized time frame, or category. When you hit Enter, Google Trends will then display a graph showing the search volume trends for the terms, as well as other keyword ideas.

• Keyword Planner

Google’s Keyword Planner provides useful data on search volume and keyword ideas that can inform keyword selection for your YouTube videos. It generates related keywords and long-tail variations around your initial inputs. It also displays competition metrics. 

• Semrush Keyword Analytics for YouTube

This is a paid tool, but you can take advantage of its free trial.

The key features Semrush keyword analytics for YouTube provides for researching and analyzing keywords include:

– Keyword competitive rate

Rates keywords on a 0-100 scale based on competition, allowing you to identify easier keywords to target.

– Search volume data

Shows daily/weekly/monthly searches for any keyword so that you can quantify traffic potential.

– Keyword ideas

Generates some long-tail keyword suggestions related to your seed keywords.

– Most viewed videos

Shows the top ranking and most viewed YouTube videos for any given keyword you input.

Step 2 – Make High-Quality Videos for YouTube

Now that you’ve brainstormed hot topics and found the easy-to-rank keywords, it’s time to create professional videos that grab attention. This can include:

• Camera recordings
  
  Invest in a digital camera capable of recording vibrant, cinematic 4K resolution footage. And cameras from brands like Sony, Canon, and Nikon are great options. Although it may seem like a substantial upfront expense, it’s an investment that significantly impacts the quality and potential revenue generation of your YouTube channel in the long run.
  
  To improve the way things are filmed, set up proper lighting with softboxes, reflectors, and diffusers. Position the camera on a tripod. You can also use an external microphone to capture crisp audio.

• Screen recordings
  
  You might be working on troubleshooting guides, gaming walkthroughs, or other how-to explanations. The screen recordings can be effective.
  
  To create high-quality screen recordings, use dedicated screen recording software like OBS Studio. Set an appropriate resolution like 1080p. A frame rate of 30fps or 60fps is recommended.
  
  
  OBS Studio Video Settings
  
  To reduce lag, close unnecessary programs and browser tabs before recording. When editing your recorded videos, use text overlays, graphics, zooms, and cuts to highlight key information to viewers.
• Animated explainers
  
  Animated explainers work well when you need to clearly explain complex topics, tell an engaging brand story, or make dry subjects more entertaining.
  
  To create effective animated explainers for YouTube videos, utilize software like Vyond.

Step 3 – SEO Optimization for Maximum Discoverability

After putting a lot of effort into making quality videos, there’s one more important step to take – doing on-page SEO through your title, descriptions, tags, and thumbnails to significantly boost your videos’ visibility and attract more viewers.

Follow these best practices:

• Optimize your video titles
  
  A compelling video title not only accurately represents your content but also incorporates your primary keyword.
• Craft descriptive descriptions
  
  Write informative and well-structured video descriptions. Include your target keywords naturally within the description while providing context about your video’s content.
• Create custom thumbnails
  
  “Video thumbnails let your audience view a quick snapshot of your video. You can choose from the options YouTube automatically generates, or upload your own if your account is verified. “^[3]
  
  Thumbnails, as well as titles, are the elements that are often the first impression potential viewers have of your content. So you should select an eye-catching thumbnail that may entice users to click from the video you created. Or use a high-quality image relevant to your video topic. Canva can be one of the great resources for images.
  
  
• Tags matter
  
  A tag that directly relates to your content helps YouTube’s algorithm understand your video’s topic. You can include a full suite of relevant tags or tag more strategically with the use of the #1 YouTube video tag tool – TubeBuddy.
  
  
  
  If you want to make changes to the titles, descriptions, thumbnails, and tags of the video you have published, simply select Content from the left menu. Under the Videos, select the video you want to make adjustments and click on the Details icon.
  
  
• Monitor and adapt
  
  Now you’ve published your videos. Next, you need to regularly track vital metrics like views, watch time, audience engagement (comments), as well as subscribers to your channel.  
  
  YouTube Analytics is the gateway to finding a wealth of data and understanding your audience. Select Analytics from the left menu and you should see an overview. To view details, go to Content.
  
  
  
  How to leverage YouTube Analytics for channel success?
  
  The first step is to keep a close eye on each metric, as well as audience retention. Look for patterns and trends. Then identify your most popular videos and analyze what sets them apart. If you find that certain video elements consistently perform well, replicate them in your new content. Conversely, make changes accordingly.
  
  And interaction matters. When necessary, respond to comments and consider viewer feedback.

2. Join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP)

Undoubtedly, producing videos itself doesn’t help you get paid. You need to monetize your channel. The YouTube Partner Program (YPP) provides creators access to monetization features. 

Am I Eligible?

To apply to the YouTube Partner Program, you’ll need to reach either of the below eligibility thresholds.

• 1,000 subscribers with 4,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months,
  
  OR
• 1,000 subscribers with 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days.

YouTube Partner Program Eligibility

Note that the thresholds are subject to change so creators should check the official YouTube Partner Program site for the most up-to-date requirements.

If you’re not currently qualified, no worries! Continue to grow your YouTube channel. And you can take a simple step to get notified when you’re eligible.

How to Get Notified When You Reach the Requirements to Apply

1) Sign in to YouTube.

2) In the top right, click on your profile picture. Then select YouTube Studio.

3) In the left menu, click Earn. Scroll down until you see the section How do I join?. From there, you should see the button EMAIL ME. Click on it. 

You’ll get an email once you’ve met either of the aforementioned eligibility thresholds.

Benefits of Becoming a Partner

Joining the YouTube Partner Program comes with perks. 

• Ad Revenue
  
  Earn from ads and YouTube Premium on the Watch Page and in the Shorts Feed.
  
  Receive 55% of the net revenues of the Watch Page Ads and 45% of the revenue of Shorts Feed Ads. ^[4]
• Channel Memberships
  
  Fans pay a monthly fee for exclusive perks like custom emoji. And you receive 70% of net revenue. ^[5]
• Super Chat, Super Stickers, and Super Thanks
  
  With Supers, you can build relationships with fans and earn each time a highlighted chat or animated message is purchased.
• Shopping
  
  Your fans can browse and buy products from your store, or products you tag from other brands through the YouTube Shopping affiliate program.

Whenever you manage to apply to the program, turn on these features. Below are the step-by-step guides.

How to Turn on Ads

1) Go to YouTube Studio.

2) Select Content in the left menu. 

3) Select a video.

4) In the left menu, select Monetization.

5) Choose the type of ads that you want to run. Then click Save to save the changes.

How to Turn on Channel Memberships

1) Sign in to YouTube Studio.

2) In the left menu, click Earn.

3) Click the Memberships tab. This tab will only surface if your channel is eligible.

4) Click Get started and follow the on-screen instructions.

5) If it’s your first time in the Memberships section, follow the on-screen instructions to sign the Commerce Product Module (CPM).

How to Turn on Super Chat, Super Stickers, or Super Thanks

1) Sign in to YouTube Studio.

2) In the left menu, click Earn.

3) Click the Supers tab. This tab will only surface if your channel is eligible.

4) Click Get started and follow the on-screen instructions.

5) If it’s your first time in the Supers section, follow the on-screen instructions to sign the Commerce Product Module (CPM).

6) Once you’ve completed all the instructions, all Supers products will surface on your eligible:

• Live streams and Premieres (Super Chat and Super Stickers)

• Long-form videos and Shorts (Super Thanks)

How to join the YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program

1) Sign in to YouTube Studio.

2) From the left menu, select Earn.

3) Under Programs, click Join Now.

4) Review and accept the YouTube Affiliate Program Terms of Service.

To learn how to tag products, watch the video below.

To check how much your channel has earned, you can go to Analytics and see the report.

3. Sell Custom Merchandise

Unlike the YouTube Partner Program, selling custom merchandise to your audience to make money has no eligibility criteria. But it would be better after your YouTube channel gains sizable viewership. Products can include T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, phone cases, and others.

You can design branded merchandise featuring your channel’s logo or characters. These are then sold through platforms like Teespring, Merch by Amazon, or Shopify.

To display and promote your merchandise, you can mention your merch store in the description box under all your videos. The integration on some platforms may also allow you to add a merch shelf below videos.

You can also feature it across the top of your YouTube channel’s homepage.

4. Use Affiliate Marketing Links

Apart from the methods mentioned above, you can also make money by promoting other companies’ products on your YouTube channel in exchange for a sales commission. Note that these affiliate links are for any company’s products across the internet, not just those tagged through YouTube shopping. 

As a YouTuber, you can join affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, eBay Partners, ShareASale etc. related to your niche. Find the products you want to promote and get the unique affiliate links. In your video descriptions, mention the products and include the affiliate links. If viewers click on the links and buy the products. you’ll earn a commission. 

Below is an example.

5. Get Paid Brand Sponsorship Deals

One lucrative way for you as a YouTuber to monetize your audience and influence is through paid brand sponsorships and integrations.

This involves collaborating with relevant brands to create sponsored videos promoting their products/services to your target viewers. Usually, rates are negotiated based on your channel stats and demographics.

To get sponsorships for your YouTube videos, you should:

• Create high-quality content and build up your subscriber base and views
  
  Brands want to sponsor creators with big engaged audiences in their target demographic.
• Identify relevant brands
  
  Try to research companies in your niche that would resonate with your audience and content style.
• Reach out for partnerships
  
  Email sponsorship inquiries and contact brand marketing teams. You can usually find contact information from the contact page or page for affiliate marketing from a brand’s official website. For example, you can easily find the contact information on Wondershare’s Contact Us page.
  
  
• Pitch effectively
  
  In your email or messages sent to them, you should present your value proposition, channel analytics, successful case studies, and custom integration ideas.
  
  After you get their replies, negotiate the sponsorship deals that are beneficial for both parties. When everything is settled down, work on your content.

6. Live Stream to Boost Supers

Remember the Super Chat & Super Stickers feature you unlock after joining the YouTube Partner Program? Try to make the most of it through live streaming!

To effectively earn more from Supers with live streaming, there are some practices to follow:

• Stream on a consistent schedule so viewers know when to watch and make time for your live broadcasts.
• Strategically promote your upcoming streams on YouTube, social media, and in your videos to maximize live viewership.
• Actively interact with viewers during streams by inviting Super Chats on hot topics, thanking supporters, and reacting to comments in real time.

To see revenue reports for Supers, go to YouTube Analytics > Revenue > How you make money.

In summary, diversifying your YouTube monetization strategy beyond just ad revenue is key to earning a sustainable income from your channel. Focus on creating high-quality content, growing your audience, and leveraging all available options through the YouTube Partner Program.

By staying persistent and continuing to add value for your viewers, you can turn your passion into a profitable YouTube channel.

The post How to Make Money on YouTube: 6 Proven Ways in 2023 appeared first on Super Easy.

Start your business hassle-free

Whether you’re a DIY-er or need someone to hand-hold you through the process, LegalZoom has got you covered.

$0 filing fee.

Start Now

Imagine this: You’ve spent years nurturing a brilliant idea, countless sleepless nights perfecting your business plan, and endless conversations fueling your entrepreneurial spirit. Finally, the moment has arrived to turn your aspirations into reality. You’re ready to set up your own limited liability company (LLC), a business structure that provides business owners with liability protection, more flexibility, and fewer costs over a corporation.

But where do you begin? Don’t worry. In this article, we’ll guide you through each step, so that you can start your business without any hassle…

Step 1: Choose a name for your LLC

When starting an LLC, one of the crucial decisions you’ll make is choosing a name for your company. Your LLC name not only represents your brand but also needs to comply with state requirements. Follow these guidelines to select an appropriate name for your LLC:

1) Consider Your Target Audience

Think about how your potential customers will react to your LLC’s name. While it’s important to make a memorable impression, ensure that the name resonates with your target market.

2) Comply with State Requirements

Research the specific naming requirements set by your state’s Secretary of State or Department of State. Generally, most states have the following rules:

• Your LLC name must be unique and distinguishable from other registered business entities.
• Include a business entity identifier such as “Limited Liability Company,” “LLC,” or an accepted abbreviation.
• Avoid using restricted words or phrases that imply government affiliation or certain industries (e.g., “bank” or “insurance”) unless authorized.

3) Verify Availability

Before finalizing your LLC name, check if it’s available for registration. Most states provide an online database where you can search for existing business names. Ensure that your desired name isn’t already in use by another company.

4) Future Flexibility

While choosing your LLC name, keep in mind that you have the option to change it in the future if needed. You can operate your business using a “doing business as” (DBA) name, which is different from your registered legal name. This allows flexibility to adapt your LLC’s name as your business evolves.

5) Secure a Matching Domain

Even if you don’t plan to create a website immediately, consider registering a matching domain name for your LLC. This secures your online presence and enables you to have a professional email address with your company’s name.

Remember, selecting the right LLC name is crucial for building your brand identity and complying with legal requirements. Take your time to brainstorm and evaluate potential names, ensuring they align with your business goals and resonate with your target audience.

Step 2: Choose a registered agent

After selecting a name for your LLC and ensuring its availability, the next step is to choose a registered agent. A registered agent is responsible for receiving official and legal documents on behalf of your LLC and forwarding them to the appropriate person within your business. They ensure that your business doesn’t miss any critical paperwork.

How to choose a registered agent

The qualifications for a registered agent vary by state, but generally, they must meet one of the following criteria:

1. Individual Resident: The agent must be a state resident who is at least 18 years old and has a physical address within the state. This address is referred to as the “registered office.” This ensures that important communications, such as legal notices or service of process, can be received promptly.
2. Authorized Company: The agent can be a company that is authorized to provide registered agent services in the state. These companies specialize in serving as registered agents for businesses.

While you have the option to be your own registered agent or appoint a friend, partner, or employee, it’s important to consider the responsibilities and availability required for this role.

For instance, being your own agent means you can be personally served with a lawsuit in front of employees and customers at your place of business. Additionally, your name and address will become part of your business’s public records, which may be a concern if you have a home-based business or value privacy. Registered agents often receive a significant amount of other mail addressed to the business, which you may not want to manage on an ongoing basis. Furthermore, if your business changes locations or your agent leaves the company, you must remember to update your registered agent information with the state.

If you decide to choose an outside registered agent, consider the following tips. Look for a reputable agent with a proven track record in providing registered agent services. This ensures that they handle the documents promptly and reliably. If you plan to do business in multiple states, it may be beneficial to hire an agent who can act on your behalf in all those states.

Step 3: File your articles of organization

To register your LLC, you will need to fill out a particular form issued by the Secretary of State’s office in your state. Typically, you will be asked to provide:

• Business name
• Principal place of business address
• Purpose for forming the LLC
• Management structure (member-managed or manager-managed)
• Registered agent’s name and address
• Duration of the LLC, if applicable

The cost of filing for the LLC Articles of Organization differs from state to state, usually falling in the range of $50 to $200. Many states offer online filing options for convenience.

The processing time for LLC formation documents can usually take a couple of days (sometimes weeks). Once your paperwork is approved, you will receive a certificate of formation from the state, confirming the formal registration of your LLC. This certificate will be essential for various purposes, such as opening a business bank account, obtaining a tax identification number, or securing a business loan.

Step 4: Write an LLC operating agreement

Creating an LLC operating agreement is an essential step in establishing a clear framework for how your limited liability company will operate.

Unlike a business plan, the operating agreement is a legally binding document that outlines the specific guidelines and rules governing your LLC’s operations. It covers various vital details, which may include:

• the rights and responsibilities of LLC members,
• the authority granted to non-member managers, the management structure (such as a single manager or a board of managers),
• the process for hiring or terminating managers,
• the scope of the LLC’s activities,
• the procedures for admitting new members,
• the protocols for a member’s exit from the LLC,
• the distribution of profits among members, and the conditions under which the LLC may be dissolved.

By explicitly defining the relationships between you, the other LLC members, and the LLC itself, the operating agreement plays a vital role in helping LLC owners and members define their rights and obligations, thereby minimizing potential disagreements and conflicts.

In addition, while filing the operating agreement with the state is generally not required, it is recommended to create the LLC operating agreement, especially at the early stages of your business – when all members are committed to a shared vision and can actively participate in negotiations and drafting.

Step 5: Apply for Tax Identification Numbers

Now that your LLC is a legal entity, you will need to initiate the necessary procedures with the federal and state governments to fulfill your LLC’s tax obligations.

Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)

The EIN, also known as a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or Federal Tax ID Number (FTIN), acts as a Social Security number for your company. It serves as a unique identifier for tax reporting purposes and is necessary if you have employees or multiple members in your LLC.

An EIN is not mandatory if you are a single-member LLC without employees. To determine whether you need an EIN for your business, the IRS provides a helpful checklist on its website. If you determine that you need an EIN, the process of obtaining one is straightforward and free. You can register for an EIN online through the IRS website.

Once you obtain an EIN, you can use it to open business bank accounts, pay income tax, file tax returns, and perform various other duties.

State Tax Identification Numbers

Depending on the requirements of the state where your business operates, you may also need to acquire a state tax identification number for your LLC.

Many states have their own tax identification number or registration process that you need to follow. Some states automatically assign a tax ID number to your LLC upon formation, while others may require you to register with the Department of Revenue, Taxation, or a similar department to obtain the number.

Having a state tax identification number is important as it allows you to meet your LLC’s tax obligations at the state level. It also enables you to sell products or services, hire employees, etc.

Step 6: Obtain licenses and permits

LLCs may require additional licenses, permits, or certifications to ensure lawful operation within the state. These authorizations are typically granted by governmental bodies – at the state, county, or local levels.

• Sales tax permit: If you engage in selling taxable goods or services in a state that imposes a sales tax, it is likely that you will require a state-issued sales tax license or seller’s permit. This permit allows you to collect sales tax from customers and submit it to the state.
• General business licenses: Some states mandate that all registered businesses hold a general business or operating license. Alternatively, your city or county may have its own requirement for obtaining a business license.
• Industry-specific licenses: Various licenses are granted by federal, state, and local authorities to regulate businesses, covering a wide range of activities such as liquor sales, occupancy permits, and commercial fishing licenses.
• Out-of-state registration: If your LLC has a presence in a state other than the one where it was formed, you will need to register as a foreign LLC in that particular state.
• Doing Business As (DBA): If you operate your business under a name other than your legal name, you typically need to file a DBA. However, if your LLC solely uses its official name, a DBA is not necessary. DBA requirements vary by location, and you may need to file with your city, county, or state. Industry trade associations and local/state government offices can provide valuable guidance in determining the specific licenses and permits required for your business.

Step 7: File state reports and taxes

Last but not least, it is important to maintain an active status and ensure compliance with the state requirements. This includes filing an annual report to provide updated information about your business.

An annual report, also known as a “statement of information”, provides your state with updated information about your business, including any changes since your last filing. It helps the state inform you of any additional requirements, such as licenses needed to continue operating your business.

What to include in your annual report:

• Your LLC name, office address, and the information of your registered agent (if applicable).
• Your LLC number
• Additional details such as the names and addresses of members and managers, business purposes, authorized signatories, and more.

To file your annual report, you can use the online filing option provided on the official website of your state. Each state may set its own filing fees, which can range anywhere from $50 to $500.

Summary

That’s it – 7 simple steps to help you form your own LLC. Hopefully, you’re well on your way to establishing your own LLC. While the process may seem straightforward, it’s always beneficial to seek professional guidance. They can help you navigate any legal complexities, ensure compliance with regulations, and provide valuable insights to help your LLC thrive.

Credits:

• Image by jcomp on Freepik
• Image by pressfoto on Freepik
• Photo by Olga DeLawrence on Unsplash
• Image by rawpixel.com
• Image by Drazen Zigic on Freepik
• Image by DilokaStudio on Freepik
• Image by jannoon028 on Freepik

The post How to Start an LLC in 7 Easy Steps (2023) appeared first on Super Easy.

Note: This guide uses WordPress as the site building platform. WordPress has been the most popular CMS (content management system) and site building platform since 2011.

There are mainly two ways to create a website:

Automatically (recommended): These days, many web hosting companies have integrated one-click installation for WordPress. If you don’t have time, patience or Linux server knowledge, we recommend that you select the WordPress Hosting plan from well-established and reliable web hosting companies.

Manually (not recommended for beginners): If you’re comfortable playing with codes and commands, and you have the time and patience, just follow the step-by-step instructions in this post to start creating your website manually.

Create a WordPress site automatically

To create a WordPress site automatically, you just need to select a WordPress hosting plan that has integrated one-click installation for WordPress.

There are hundreds of thousands of web hosts out there, and most of them meet the WordPress minimum requirements. We know that it can be a chore for you to choose one from the crowd, so we’ve picked the best WordPress hostings for you:

• Bluehost
• DreamHost
• SiteGround

According to WordPresss.org, the hosts above represent some of the best and brightest of the hosting world. The listing includes criteria like: contributions to WordPress.org, ease of WP auto-install and auto-upgrades, size of customer base, design, ect.

Bluehost

Powering over 2 million websites, Bluehost provides WordPress hosting plans that are tuned for WordPress: WordPress-centric dashboards and tools, along with 1-click installation, a FREE domain name, email, FTP and more. The WordPress hosting plans from Bluehost is easily scalable and backed by 24/7 support by in-house WordPress experts.

To create a website with the WordPress hosting plan from Bluehost:

1. Go to Bluehost.com.
2. Choose the WordPress hosting plan that suits you the best.
3. If you already have a domain, type it there. If not, Bluehost offers Free domain for the 1st year, so you can pick up a domain from Bluehost.
4. Fill in your information and choose your hosting length.
5. Complete the payment process and create your account.
6. Log in to Bluehost and use “one-click WordPress install” to Install WordPress.

That’s it! With just one click, your WordPress site will be automatically installed quickly.

DreamHost

DreamHost is another famous WordPress hosting provider which has been committed to WordPress and its community for over 10 years. The WordPress hosting plans from DreamHost are optimized for WordPress, offering choice, performance and value for new users and experts alike.

What’s more, DreamHost’s support team are WordPress experts who actively contributes to the WordPress community, so if you’re new to website, at DreamHost, you just need to foucus on content creating, since their team of experts will handle everything for you.

DreamHost offers reliable, lightning-fast hosting solutions optimized for WordPress. Based on your needs, you can choose from the following WordPress hosting plans at DreamHost:

• WordPress Basic: the most affordable way to get all the basics for your WordPress site.
• DreamPress: managed WordPress hosting. Hassle-free, high-performance WordPress to grow your business.
• WooCommerce Hosting: fast, secure, and optimized for Woocommerce.
• VPS for WordPress: US-Based VPS (Virtual Private Server). Expandable RAM & Storage. Unhindered Performance. Managed Security. A powerful solution for those with multiple WordPress sites, or anyone who just wants control over their WordPress resources.

To create a website at DreamHost:

1. Go to DreamHost.com.
2. Choose your WordPress hosting plan to sign up.
3. If you already have a domain, type it there. If not, just pick up a domain at DreamHost. For some WordPress hosting plans, DreamHost offers a free domain for the frist year.
4. Fill in your information and choose your hosting length.
5. Complete the payment process and create your DreamHost account.
6. Log in to DreamHost to Install WordPress with 1-click.

SiteGround

SiteGround is a web hosting provider founded in 2004. At SiteGround, you can manage your WordPress sites easily and with more freedom. SiteGround provides the tools like one-click install, managed updates, WP-Cli, WordPress staging and git integration, which can help you easily create and manage your WordPress sites. Besides, SiteGround has a very fast support team with advanced WordPress expertise available 24/7!

Currently there are 3 WordPress Hosting plans at SiteGround:

• StartUp: $3.99/mo. (Discounted from $14.99/mo.); ~ 10,000 Visits/mo.
• GrowBig: $6.69/mo. (Discounted from $24.99/mo.); ~ 100,000 Visits/mo.
• GoGeek: $10.69/mo. (Discounted from $39.99/mo.) ~ 400,000 Visits/mo.

For more information about these plans, please visit Compare Hosting Features page.

Note: SiteGround requires an annual purchase paid in advance for the special price to apply. Special prices are applicable for your first invoice. For all subsequent renewals regular prices apply.

Create a WordPress site manually

If you’d like to create a site manually, just follow the step-by-step instructions below.

Before starting

Before starting, you need to make sure that you have the following:

• A virtual private server (VPS) that is running on Ubuntu 20.04
• The root user credentials (check with your VPS provider if you don’t know)
• Connect your domain name to your VPS server (refer to this article if you don’t know how)

Note: This guide will detail how to buid a WordPress site from scratch. In this guide, the site will be built using Ubuntu 20.04 + NGINX + PHP 7.4 + MySQL.

Step 1: Login to your VPS as the root user via Secure Shell (SSH)

The whole process would be much easier if you login to your VPS as the root user. To login as the root user:

1. Launch the Terminal app. For Windows users, you can use Windows Terminal app or Windows Powershell; for Mac user, use the Terminal app.
2. Execute the following command to Login to your VPS as the root user via SSH.
   ssh root@your server's public ip address -p 22
   for example, if your server’s public ip address is 12.456.78.901, then you should enter ssh root@12.456.78.901 -p 22
3. Enter the root password and press Enter to login. For security reasons, the password will be insivible when you’re typing.

When you see “Welcome to Ubuntu 20.04…”, and the current user in the Terminal app has switched to root@xxxx, it suggests that you’ve login to your VPS as the root user.

Step 2: Install NGINX

Execute the following command to install NGINX:

apt install nginx

Vist your server’s public ip address on your browser. If you see the following “Welcome to nginx!” page, it suggests that you’ve installed NGINX on your VPS.

Welcome to nginx!
If you see this page, the nginx web server is successfully installed and working. Further configuration is required.
For online documentation and support please refer to nginx.org.
Commercial support is available at nginx.com.
Thank you for using nginx.

Note: if you don’t see the “Welcome to nginx!” page, make sure that the firewall port 80 on your VPS is open.

Step 3: Install PHP and its extensions

1. Execute the command below to install PHP and its extensions:

apt install php-fpm php-mysql php-gd php-curl php-dom php-mbstring php-imagick php-zip

Step 4: Install MySQL

1. Execute the command below to install MySQL:

apt install mysql-server

2. After the command above is complete, execute:

mysql_secure_installation

3. You’ll be asked if you’d like to setup VALIDATE PASSWORD component. Enter Y and press Enter.

4. Enter 2 to select the strong of the password calidation policy, then press Enter.

There are three levels of password validation policy:
 LOW    Length >= 8
 MEDIUM Length >= 8, numeric, mixed case, and special characters
 STRONG Length >= 8, numeric, mixed case, special characters and dictionary                  file
 Please enter 0 = LOW, 1 = MEDIUM and 2 = STRONG: 2

5. Set a new the MySQL password. The new password should contain numbers, mixed case and special characters. Re-enter the password to comfirm.

6. Enter Y and press Enter to continue with the password you provided in step 5.

7. Enter Y and press Enter, then repeat three times to romove anonmous users, disallow root login remotely, remove test database and reload privilege tables.

8. Run the command below and enter the password you set in step 5 to login to MySQL. When you see “mysql>” in the buttom, it suggests that you’ve entered MySQL.

mysql -uroot -p

9. Execute the command below to create a database named wordpress:

CREATE DATABASE IF NOT EXISTS wordpress DEFAULT CHARACTER SET = utf8mb4 DEFAULT COLLATE = utf8mb4_general_ci;

If you see the following prompt, the database creation is successful:

Query OK, 1 row affected (0.01 sec)

10. Execute the command below to create a database user named wordpress to operate the  wordpress database created in step 9. You’ll need to set your own password in the password part of the command.

CREATE USER 'wordpress'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'password';

For instance, if you want to set the password to Pw20220213*, then the command should be:

CREATE USER 'wordpress'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'Pw20220213*';

11. Execute the folllowing command below to grant the user wordpress all privileges on the wordpress database.

GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON wordpress.* TO 'wordpress'@'localhost' WITH GRANT OPTION;

12. Run the command below to flush database privileges:

FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

13. Run the command below to exit MySQL:

exit;

Step 5: Download the WordPress Installer

1. Run the command below to download the latest WordPress installer to the path /var/www, and name the download file as wordpress.tar.gz:

curl https://wordpress.org/latest.tar.gz -o /var/www/wordpress.tar.gz

2. Go to the /var/www directory:

cd /var/www

3. Unzip the wordpress.tar.gz downloaded earlier to the current folder:

tar -zxvf wordpress.tar.gz

4. Modify the user group permissions for the folder /var/www/wordpress:

chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/wordpress

Step 6: Modify the NGINX configuration file

Follow the steps below to modify the NGINX .conf file.

1. Make a copy of the default .conf file. You’ll need to replace “domain” in the command to the domain name of your site.

cp /etc/nginx/sites-available/default /etc/nginx/sites-available/domain.conf

2. Use the Vim editor to open the NGINX .conf file for modification. Remember to replace “domain” in the command to the domain name of your site before executing the command.

vi /etc/nginx/sites-available/domain.conf

Note: if you’re told that bash: vi: command not found., execute the command below to install Vim first:

apt install vim

3. Once you opend the NGINX .conf file, press the i key on your keyboard to start editing and modify the NGINX .conf as follows. Then press Esc on your keyboard to quit editing. Enter :wq to save the changes and close the .conf file.

server {
  listen 80;
  listen [::]:80;
 
  root /var/www/wordpress;
  index index.php;
 
  server_name {your-domain};
 
  location / {
    try_files $uri $uri/ =404;
  }
 
  location ~ \.php$ {
    include snippets/fastcgi-php.conf;
    fastcgi_pass unix:/var/run/php/php7.4-fpm.sock;
  }
}

Note: remember to replace {your-domain} with the domain name of your site. For example, if the domain name of your site is example.com, then the server_name part in the .conf file should be server_name example.com;.

Besides, when writing this guide, the PHP version I installed is PHP 7.4. Remember to replace it with the version you installed when modifying the configuration.

You can run the command php -v to check the corresponding PHP version installed on your VPS server.

4. Run the command below to remove the default configuration in use:

rm /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/default

5. Sync the modified .conf file to the path: /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/. Before executing the command below, you need to modify the the {domain} part.

ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/{domain}.conf /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/

6. Test the NGINX .conf file:

nginx -t

7. Reload the NGINX .conf file to take effect:

nginx -s reload

Step 7: Install WordPress

Follow the steps below to install WordPress:

1. Vist your website through the domain name. if your domain is propgated, you should be able to see the Choose WordPress Lanague screen (wordpress setup-config.php). If your site won’t open, try to visit your site through the public ip address of your VPS server instead.

Select WordPress language and click Continue.

2. Click Let’s go!

3. Enter the wordperss database connection details. Here we just need to modify the Username to wordpress, and enter the database password you set in step 4-10. Then click Submit.

4. Click Run the installation.

5. On the welcome screen, enter your site title, WordPress username & password, and your WordPress admin email, then click Install WordPress.

6. When you see the Success screen, congrats! WordPress has been installed on your VPS.

Step 8: Enable HTTPS

To encrypt data transferring to and from your server, you need to enable HTTPS. Besides, HTTPS has been a ranking signal in Google search ranking algorithms since 2014, which means that sites using secure and encrypted connections will rank better.

To enable HTTPS, you need to get a certificate from a Certificate Authority. In this part, you’ll learn how to get a free certificate for your website’s domain from Let’s Encrypt, a nonprofit Certificate Authority providing TLS certificates to 260 million websites. Here’s how:

1. Login to your VPS as the root user via Secure Shell (SSH).

2. Execute the following comands in sequence:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install certbot
sudo apt-get install python3-certbot-nginx
certbot --nginx

3. Enter your email address for urgent renewal and security notices, then press Enter to continue.

4. Enter A and press Enter to agree to the Terms of Service. Then enter n and press Enter to not share your email address with the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

5. When the certbot ask you which domain names you would like to activate HTTPS for, enter the number next the domain name and press Enter.

Which names would you like to activate HTTPS for?
 
1: example.com
 
Select the appropriate numbers separated by commas and/or spaces, or leave input
blank to select all options shown (Enter 'c' to cancel): 1

6. Enter 1 or 2 to choose whether or not to redirect HTTP traffic to HTTPS, removing HTTP access. Since this is a new site, so here I’d like to enter 2 to redirect HTTP traffic to HTTPS.

Please choose whether or not to redirect HTTP traffic to HTTPS, removing HTTP access.
 
1: No redirect - Make no further changes to the webserver configuration.
2: Redirect - Make all requests redirect to secure HTTPS access. Choose this for
new sites, or if you're confident your site works on HTTPS. You can undo this
change by editing your web server's configuration.
 
Select the appropriate number [1-2] then [enter] (press 'c' to cancel): 2

7. Run the command below to start creating a scheduled task for the certificate renewal:

crontab -e

8. Enter 2 and press Enter.

Select an editor.  To change later, run 'select-editor'.
 /bin/nano        <---- easiest
 /usr/bin/vim.basic
 /usr/bin/vim.tiny
 /bin/ed 
 Choose 1-4 [1]: 2

9. Press the i key on your keyboard to start editing. On a new line, add the following command:

0 0 */5 * * /usr/bin/certbot renew &>/var/log/certbot-renew.log

Then press Esc to stop editing. Enter :wq on your keyboard and press Enter to save the changes.

10. Launch your browser to visit your site. You’ll see your site has enabled HTTPS, and even if you’re visiting the http URL, it will automatically redirected to the https URL.

Hopefully, after reading this article, you’ve learned how to create a website. Feel free to drop a line if you have any questions or suggestions on this topic. Thanks for reading!

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