Last Updated on November 3, 2021 by Kelly Thoreson
Do you want to start a blog and have decided on HostGator hosting? Great choice! Below we will cover, step by step, how to register your domain and set up hosting with HostGator.
NOTE: If you have already purchased your domain, read this post instead: How to Host Your Domain With HostGator.
Why HostGator Hosting?
I use HostGator to host all my blogs and I have been very happy.
It’s low cost, user friendly and their customer service rocks socks!
If you want to learn more about how HostGator stacks up against the competition, check out Blogfiti’s web hosting comparison here:
How to Register & Host Your Domain With HostGator
1. Go to HostGator
The first step is to go to HostGator’s website.
2. Click Get Started
3. Choose Your Plan
Don’t get too hung up on which plan to choose, you can change this later if you’d like.
The Hatchling Plan (cheapest) works well for most new blogs and small business websites.
4a. Chose Your Domain Name
4b. What if My Domain Isn’t Available?
If it’s not available, the search box will be shaded in red and underneath there will be a list of related suggestions for your URL.
Stay flexible and don’t stress too much!
Related reading: How to Use Domain Name Generators for Endless Blog Name Ideas
4c. Do I Need Privacy Protection?
A quick note on the Privacy Protection option: for the love of all things good, pay the extra $15 a year for privacy protection.
I decided to test out if privacy protection was worth it once by not opting into it. This was a decision I came to regret.
20+ telemarking calls a day later … plus countless spam emails … and I was wishing I was a less curious person.
You can learn more about what Privacy Protection entails here.
5. Add Your Billing Info
After you’ve found a domain name that’s available and to you’re liking, go ahead and fill in your billing information.
6. Choose Your Add-Ons
You don’t need to know right this minute which add-ons you need, you can add them later.
7. Review Your Order
8. Click Check Out Now
Conclusion & Next Step
That wasn’t so bad and now you’re one step closer to being a blogging mogul!
Now that you have secured your domain name and set up HostGator as your host, you’ll need to link it to your website by transferring your nameservers.
I know that sounds super scary (cause what the hell are nameservers anyway?) but don’t worry, I have created a tutorial just for this purpose!
Next Step: How To Change Your Nameservers for HostGator