Creating a Professional Blog Website with AI: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

This chapter provides a step-by-step guide to creating a professional blog website using WordPress and leveraging the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Whether you are a complete beginner or have some website creation experience, this guide will walk you through the process of setting up your own blog, customizing its appearance, and efficiently generating content with the assistance of AI tools. This approach minimizes the need for coding and focuses on utilizing user-friendly graphical interfaces and AI-driven solutions to streamline website development and content creation.

WordPress: WordPress is a free and open-source content management system (CMS) primarily used for creating websites and blogs. It is known for its flexibility, user-friendliness, and extensive library of themes and plugins.

AI (Artificial Intelligence): In the context of website creation, AI refers to computer systems designed to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as generating text, designing logos, and automating various website management processes.

Getting Started: Domain and Hosting

The first crucial step in launching your blog is securing a domain name and web hosting. These are fundamental requirements for making your website accessible on the internet.

Understanding Domain and Hosting

• Domain Name: Think of your domain name as your website’s unique address on the internet. It’s what users type into their browser to find your site, such as yourblogname.com. Choosing a memorable and relevant domain name is important for branding and user accessibility.
• Web Hosting: Web hosting is the service that allows your website to be accessible online. It provides the server space where all your website’s files, content, and data are stored. Essentially, it’s the “land” where your website “house” is built and resides online.

Domain Name: A domain name is the address of your website on the internet. It allows users to easily find and access your site using a memorable and readable name instead of a complex IP address.

Web Hosting: Web hosting is a service that provides the server space and internet connectivity to make your website accessible online. It’s where your website’s files, databases, and content are stored, enabling users to access your site through the internet.

Choosing a Hosting Provider and Plan

For this guide, we will utilize Hostinger, a popular hosting provider known for its user-friendly interface, affordable pricing, and integrated AI tools. Hostinger offers various hosting plans, and for a blog leveraging AI, the Business plan is recommended.

Managed WordPress Website: A managed WordPress hosting service provides optimized environment, automatic updates, security features, and expert support specifically tailored for WordPress websites, simplifying website management for users.

• Hostinger Business Plan Benefits:
  • WordPress AI Tools: Access to Hostinger’s suite of AI tools designed to assist with various aspects of website creation and content generation.
  • Premium Features: Includes features such as:
    • 24/7 Customer Support: Reliable support available around the clock to assist with any technical issues.
    • Free CDN (Content Delivery Network): A network of servers that speeds up website loading times by caching content closer to users geographically.
    • Malware Scanner: Protects your website from security threats by regularly scanning for and removing malicious software.
    • Free Domain (with certain plans): Often included free for the first year with longer-term hosting plans, saving you the cost of domain registration.

CDN (Content Delivery Network): A CDN is a geographically distributed network of servers that cache static content of a website, such as images and scripts, to deliver content to users from the server closest to their location, improving website speed and performance.

Malware Scanner: A malware scanner is a security tool that detects and removes malicious software (malware) from a website or system, protecting it from threats and ensuring its security and integrity.

Purchasing Hosting and Claiming a Domain

1. Navigate to Hostinger: Go to hostinger.com and use the link provided in the video description for potentially better deals.
2. Select the Business Plan: Choose the Business hosting plan to access the WordPress AI tools.
3. Add to Cart and Choose Period: Select the duration of your hosting plan. Longer terms (e.g., 24 months) typically offer lower monthly rates. For initial testing, a 1-month plan is an option.
4. Create an Account or Log In: Create a new Hostinger account or log in if you are an existing user.
5. Complete Payment: Choose your payment method and securely submit your payment information.
6. Claim a Domain: After purchase, you will be prompted to claim a domain name. You can:
   • Register a New Domain: Search for an available domain name relevant to your blog topic.
   • Use an Existing Domain: If you already own a domain registered elsewhere, you can use it with Hostinger.

Domain Registrar: A domain registrar is an organization accredited to register domain names for the public. They manage the reservation of domain names and ensure their unique allocation.

Domain Privacy Protection

• WHOIS Privacy Protection: Hostinger provides free WHOIS privacy protection for all domains. This is a valuable feature that protects your personal contact information (name, address, phone number, email) from being publicly accessible in the WHOIS database, which is a public record of domain registration information. Without privacy protection, this information is visible to anyone who looks up your domain, potentially leading to spam and unwanted solicitations.

WHOIS Privacy Protection: WHOIS privacy protection is a service that hides the domain registrant’s personal contact information from the public WHOIS database, replacing it with generic contact details to protect privacy and reduce spam.

7. Complete Domain Registration: Fill in the required contact information for domain registration. With Hostinger, WHOIS privacy protection is automatically included, safeguarding your personal data.

Setting Up WordPress with AI on Hostinger

Once you have your domain and hosting set up, you can proceed with installing WordPress and configuring your website using Hostinger’s AI-powered tools.

1. Access Hosting Setup: After domain registration, navigate to your Hostinger account dashboard. You will likely be guided through the website setup process.

2. Choose Website Type: Select “Create a website” and then choose “Blog” as your website type. While this guide focuses on blogs, the principles are applicable to creating online stores or other types of websites.

3. Select Platform: Choose “WordPress with AI” as your platform. For absolute beginners seeking maximum simplicity, Hostinger’s Website Builder is an alternative, but WordPress with AI offers greater control and features.

   • Hostinger Website Builder: Simpler, template-based website creation tool, ideal for beginners prioritizing ease of use.
   • WordPress with AI: Offers more features and customization options, suitable for users who want greater control and are comfortable with a slightly steeper learning curve.

4. Create WordPress Account: Set up your WordPress login credentials (email and password). These are separate from your Hostinger account login.

5. Choose a Template: Select a pre-built template to quickly establish the initial design and layout of your blog. You can preview templates to find one that aligns with your vision. Templates provide pre-designed elements, images, and text layouts to streamline the design process.

Templates: In website design, templates are pre-designed layouts and structures that provide a starting point for creating a website. They include pre-arranged elements, images, and text placeholders, which users can customize.

6. Plugin Selection: Opt for pre-selected plugins to simplify initial setup. Plugins are extensions that add functionality to your WordPress website, and you can always add or remove them later.

Plugins: Plugins are software components that add specific features and functionalities to a WordPress website. They extend the capabilities of WordPress beyond its core features, enabling users to customize their sites with various tools and integrations.

7. AI Content Generation Setup: Utilize Hostinger’s AI content generation feature. Provide a description of your blog’s topic and target audience. The AI will use this information to generate initial content tailored to your website. The more detailed your description, the better the AI can generate relevant content.
   • Example Description: “Welcome to Python Playbook, your go-to resource for learning Python programming with humor. We offer quick tips, tutorials, and digestible analogies to make Python accessible and entertaining for beginners and experienced programmers alike.”
8. Select Domain and Server Location: Choose your domain name and select a server location geographically closer to your target audience for optimal website speed.
9. Complete WordPress Setup: Hostinger will finalize the WordPress installation and setup based on your selections.

Exploring the WordPress Dashboard and Website Preview

After the setup process, you will be directed to the Hostinger dashboard. From here, you can manage various aspects of your hosting and WordPress website.

1. Access the WordPress Dashboard: Within the Hostinger dashboard, locate and click the button or link to access your WordPress dashboard. This is the central control panel for managing your WordPress website.

Dashboard: A dashboard is a central interface that provides an overview and access to various controls and information. In WordPress, the dashboard is the administrative interface for managing website content, settings, and functionalities.

2. Preview Your Website: From the Hostinger dashboard or the WordPress admin bar (once logged into WordPress), find the option to “Preview Website” or visit your domain name in a new browser tab. This allows you to see your website’s current appearance based on the chosen template and AI-generated content.

Basic Website Customization: Logo and Initial Design

Now, let’s begin customizing your website’s appearance to align with your brand and topic.

Creating a Logo with AI Logo Maker

1. Access AI Logo Maker: In the Hostinger dashboard, navigate to the “AI Logo Maker” tool.
2. Describe Your Logo: Provide a brief description of your desired logo, including keywords related to your blog’s topic (e.g., “logo for blog with quick Python programming tutorials”).
3. Choose a Style: Select a logo style preference (e.g., “abstract”).
4. Generate Logos: The AI logo maker will generate several logo options based on your description and style choice.
5. Select and Edit (Optional): Choose a logo you like. You may have limited editing options within the AI logo maker, but you can download the logo and further refine it using image editing software if desired.
6. Download Logo: Download your chosen logo in a suitable format (e.g., PNG).

Uploading Logo and Site Icon

1. Access WordPress Customizer: From your WordPress dashboard, go to “Appearance” and then “Customize.” This opens the WordPress Customizer, which allows you to visually customize your website’s theme and settings.
2. Navigate to Site Identity: In the Customizer menu, find and click on “Site Identity.”
3. Upload Logo: In the “Logo” section, click “Select Logo” and upload the logo file you created with the AI logo maker or another logo you have prepared.
4. Set Site Icon (Favicon): A site icon (also known as a favicon) is the small icon that appears in the browser tab next to your website’s title. In the “Site Icon” section, upload your logo again or a simplified version of it. The recommended size is often 512x512 pixels.

Site Icon (Favicon): A site icon, also known as a favicon, is a small, distinctive icon associated with a website, displayed in the browser’s address bar, tab titles, bookmarks, and history lists to help users visually identify the site.

5. Publish Changes: Click the “Publish” button in the Customizer to save your logo and site icon changes.

Customizing Global Colors and Design Elements

1. Access Global Settings: In the WordPress Customizer, navigate back to the main menu and look for a section like “Global” or “General” settings.
2. Customize Colors: Within the global settings, you will typically find options to customize your website’s color scheme.
   • Predefined Palettes: Some themes offer pre-designed color palettes you can choose from.
   • Manual Color Selection: You can manually change individual colors for various elements like:
     • Accent Color: The primary color used for links, buttons, and highlights.
     • Text Colors: Colors for headings, body text, and other text elements.
     • Background Colors: Colors for website backgrounds and sections.
     • Button Colors: Colors for buttons in their default and hover states.

Typography: Typography refers to the style and appearance of text, including font families, sizes, line height, letter spacing, and other visual aspects, which play a crucial role in website readability and design aesthetics.

Hex Value: A hex value (hexadecimal color code) is a six-digit code used in web design to represent colors. It consists of a hash symbol (#) followed by six hexadecimal digits (0-9 and A-F), representing the intensity of red, green, and blue components of a color.

3. Experiment with Colors: Modify the color settings to match your desired brand aesthetic. You can use color pickers or enter hex values for precise color selection.
4. Customize Typography (Optional): In the global settings, you might also find options to change the website’s typography, such as font families and sizes.
5. Customize Buttons (Optional): Some themes allow you to customize the appearance of buttons globally, such as their shape, color, and text style.
6. Publish Changes: Click “Publish” to apply your color and design customizations.
7. Preview Changes: Refresh your website in a separate browser tab to see the updated design.

Editing the Homepage Content with the Block Editor

WordPress uses a block editor (also known as Gutenberg) to create and edit pages and posts. This visual editor allows you to arrange content using blocks for different elements like text, images, headings, and more.

Block Editor: The block editor (Gutenberg) in WordPress is a visual content editor that uses blocks to create and structure content. Each piece of content, such as text, images, or videos, is placed within a block, allowing users to easily arrange and customize page layouts without coding.

1. Navigate to Homepage Editing: From the WordPress admin bar (when viewing your homepage), click “Edit Page.” Alternatively, in the WordPress dashboard, go to “Pages” and find your homepage (often labeled “Front Page” or “Home”) and click “Edit.”
2. Understanding the Block Editor Interface: Familiarize yourself with the block editor:
   • Blocks: Each section of content is a block. You can identify blocks by the blue outlines that appear when you click on them.
   • Block Toolbar: When you select a block, a toolbar appears above it with options to edit that specific block (e.g., change text formatting, alignment, image settings).
   • Settings Sidebar: On the right side of the screen, you’ll find the “Settings” sidebar. This sidebar provides more advanced options for the currently selected block and for the page as a whole.
3. Edit Existing Content Blocks:
   • Text Blocks: Double-click on text blocks to directly edit the text. Use the block toolbar to change formatting (bold, italics, headings, lists, etc.).
   • Image Blocks: Click on an image block. Use the block toolbar or the “Settings” sidebar to change the image, adjust its size, or add alt text.

Alt Text: Alt text (alternative text) is a written description of an image in HTML code. It serves several purposes, including providing context for screen readers used by visually impaired users, improving SEO by describing images to search engines, and displaying text if an image fails to load.

4. Remove Blocks/Sections: To delete a block or section:
   • Select the block.
   • Click the three vertical dots (options menu) in the block toolbar.
   • Choose “Remove Block.”
5. Add New Blocks:
   • Click the ”+” icon (Block Inserter) typically located at the top left of the editor or within the content area.

Block Inserter: The block inserter in WordPress is a tool that allows users to add new content blocks to their pages or posts. It is accessed by clicking the ”+” icon and provides a library of available blocks, categorized by function, to insert various types of content elements.

*   **Browse Blocks:**  Explore the available blocks, categorized by type (Common Blocks, Formatting, Layout Elements, Widgets, etc.).
*   **Search for Blocks:** Use the search bar to quickly find specific blocks by name (e.g., "Heading," "Paragraph," "Image," "Button," "Container," "Columns," "Video," "Map").
*   **Insert Blocks:** Click on a block to insert it into your page.

Container (Block Element): In the context of block editors, a container block is a layout element that acts as a wrapper for other blocks. It allows users to group multiple blocks together and apply styling or layout settings to the entire group, enabling more complex and organized page structures.

6. Customize Block Settings: After adding a block, explore its settings in the “Settings” sidebar to customize its appearance and behavior (e.g., text alignment, font size, image styles, button links, etc.).
7. Use AI Assistance (if available): Some hosting providers like Hostinger integrate AI writing tools directly into the block editor. Look for options like “Ask AI” within text blocks or dedicated AI content creation features. These tools can help you:
   • Generate Text: Provide a topic or prompt, and the AI can generate text content.
   • Improve Existing Text: Use AI to refine grammar, change tone, shorten or lengthen text.
8. Update Page: Click the “Update” button (usually at the top right) to save your changes to the homepage.
9. Preview Page: Click “Preview” to see how your updated homepage looks on the live website.

Website Navigation: Header Menu and Links

A clear and intuitive navigation menu is essential for user experience. Let’s customize the header menu and ensure links are working correctly.

Editing the Header Menu

1. Access WordPress Customizer: Go to “Appearance” > “Customize” in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to Menus: In the Customizer menu, find and click on “Menus.”
3. Select Header Menu: Choose your “Header Menu” (or “Primary Menu,” “Main Menu,” depending on your theme) from the menu selection dropdown. This is the menu that appears at the top of your website.
4. Edit Menu Items:
   • Remove Menu Items: Click the dropdown arrow next to a menu item to expand it. Click “Remove” to delete it from the menu.
   • Rename Menu Items: Expand a menu item and change the “Navigation Label” to rename it (e.g., change “Blog” to “Articles” or “Tutorials”).
   • Rearrange Menu Items: Drag and drop menu items to change their order in the menu.
   • Add New Menu Items: Click “Add Items.” You can add pages, posts, custom links, categories, etc., to your menu.
5. Remove Unwanted Header Elements (Optional): Some themes may include elements in the header besides the menu, such as buttons or search bars. To remove these:
   • In the Customizer, look for a section called “Header Builder” or a similar name.
   • Identify the element you want to remove (e.g., a button).
   • Click the “Remove” or “Delete” icon associated with that element.
6. Publish Changes: Click “Publish” in the Customizer to save your menu changes.
7. Check Navigation: Visit your website and test the header menu links to ensure they lead to the correct pages.

Customizing the Footer and Contact Information

The website footer, typically located at the bottom of every page, is another important area to customize. It often includes copyright information, contact details, social media links, and newsletter signup forms.

Editing the Footer Widgets and Content

1. Access WordPress Customizer: Go to “Appearance” > “Customize” in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to Footer: In the Customizer menu, look for a section related to the footer, such as “Footer,” “Footer Builder,” or “Widgets.” The exact name will vary depending on your theme.
3. Identify Footer Sections/Widgets: Footers are often divided into sections or widgets. Widgets are self-contained content areas that you can customize. Common footer widgets include text areas, image widgets, social icons, newsletter forms, and copyright information.

Widget: In WordPress, a widget is a small, self-contained application that you can add to sidebars, footers, and other widget areas of your website to display specific content or features, such as text, images, navigation menus, or social media feeds.

4. Edit Footer Content:
   • Text Widgets: Click on a text widget to edit its content. You can change the text, add links, and use basic HTML formatting.
   • Image Widgets: Click on an image widget to change the image, adjust its size, or add alt text.
   • Social Icon Widgets: Edit social icon widgets to update the URLs to your social media profiles (e.g., YouTube, Twitter, Facebook). You may be able to add or remove social media icons.
   • Newsletter Form Widgets: If your footer includes a newsletter signup form, you may be able to customize the form’s text, button, and email settings.
   • Copyright Section: Look for a section to edit the copyright text, often located in a separate “Footer Bar” or “Copyright” area within the Customizer.
5. Remove Unwanted Widgets: If you want to remove a footer widget, click on it in the Customizer and look for a “Remove” option.
6. Add New Widgets: If you want to add a new widget to the footer, look for an “Add Widget” button or section within the Footer Customizer area. You can then choose from a list of available widgets to add to your footer.
7. Customize Footer Background (Optional): Some themes allow you to change the background color or image of the footer section. Look for background settings within the Footer Customizer options.
8. Publish Changes: Click “Publish” in the Customizer to save your footer customizations.

Setting Up a Contact Page

1. Edit Contact Page: From the WordPress dashboard, go to “Pages” and find your “Contact” page. Click “Edit.”
2. Customize Contact Form:
   • Form Fields: The contact page likely includes a contact form. You may be able to customize the form fields (Name, Email, Subject, Message) depending on your theme or plugins used.
   • Email Recipient: Configure where the contact form submissions will be sent. This is usually set in the form block’s settings or in your theme’s options. Ensure the email address is correct.
3. Update Contact Information: Edit the text content on the contact page to include your email address (and phone number, if desired). Make sure the email address is correctly spelled so users can contact you.
4. Social Media Links on Contact Page: If you want to include social media icons on your contact page (separate from the footer social icons), you can add a “Social Icons” block to the page and configure the links to your profiles.
5. Update Page: Click “Update” to save your changes to the contact page.
6. Test Contact Form: Visit your contact page on the live website and test the contact form by submitting a message. Check your email inbox to ensure you receive the form submission.

Email Setup and Newsletter Integration

Setting up a professional email address associated with your domain and integrating a newsletter signup form are important for communication and audience engagement.

Setting Up a Free Email Account with Hostinger

1. Access Email Accounts in Hostinger Dashboard: Navigate to the “Email” section in your Hostinger dashboard.
2. Select Email Plan: Choose the “Free Email” plan (if available with your hosting package).
3. Create Email Address: Choose your desired email address (e.g., [email protected], [email protected], or your personal name [email protected]). Set a strong password for your email account.
4. Create Email Account: Click “Create” to set up your email account.
5. Access Webmail: Hostinger provides a webmail interface to access your email through a browser. You can usually access it through a link in the Email section of your Hostinger dashboard.
6. Configure Email Client (Optional): You can also configure your email account to work with email client applications like Outlook, Thunderbird, or Apple Mail on your computer or mobile devices. Hostinger provides instructions for setting up email clients.

Setting up DKIM Records for Email Deliverability

DNS Zone: A DNS zone is a portion of the Domain Name System (DNS) namespace that is managed by a specific organization or individual. It contains DNS records that map domain names to IP addresses and other resources, enabling internet users to access websites and services.

TXT Record: A TXT record (Text record) in DNS is used to store text-based information associated with a domain name. It can be used for various purposes, including domain verification, SPF records (Sender Policy Framework), and DKIM records for email authentication.

DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): DKIM is an email authentication method that allows the receiving mail server to verify that an email was sent from an authorized mail server and that the email’s content has not been tampered with during transit, helping to prevent email spoofing and phishing.

1. Generate DKIM Record: In the Email section of your Hostinger dashboard, find the DKIM settings for your email account. Generate a DKIM record. This will typically provide you with two values: a “Name/Host” and a “TXT Value.”
2. Access DNS Zone Editor: Navigate to the “Domains” section in your Hostinger dashboard and select your domain name. Go to “DNS / Nameservers” or “DNS Zone Editor.”
3. Add TXT Record: In the DNS Zone Editor, add a new TXT record.
   • Record Type: Select “TXT.”
   • Name/Host: Copy and paste the “Name/Host” value provided by Hostinger for the DKIM record.
   • TXT Value: Copy and paste the “TXT Value” provided by Hostinger for the DKIM record.
   • TTL (Time to Live): Leave the default TTL value.
4. Add Record: Click “Add Record” or “Save” to add the DKIM TXT record to your DNS zone.
5. Verify DKIM Setup: Hostinger may provide a verification tool to check if the DKIM record is correctly configured. It can take some time (up to 6 hours or more) for DNS changes to propagate across the internet.

Integrating a Newsletter Signup Form

1. Locate Newsletter Form Widget: Identify the newsletter signup form widget in your website’s footer or another desired location (if your theme includes one).
2. Customize Form Text and Button: Use the WordPress Customizer or the widget settings to customize the text and button of the newsletter signup form.
3. Configure Form Submission Destination:
   • Default Email Address: By default, form submissions in WordPress are often sent to the administrative email address configured in your WordPress settings (“Settings” > “General” > “Administrative Email Address”). Ensure this email address is correct and accessible to you.
   • Specific Email Address (Widget Settings): Some newsletter form widgets allow you to specify a different email address to receive form submissions directly within the widget settings. Check the widget’s settings for options to configure the recipient email address.
4. Test Newsletter Signup Form: Visit your website and test the newsletter signup form by entering an email address and submitting the form. Check the designated email inbox (either the WordPress administrative email or the email address configured in the widget settings) to confirm you receive the form submission notification.
5. Consider Email Marketing Services (Advanced): For more advanced newsletter management features (e.g., automated welcome emails, subscriber list management, email marketing campaigns), consider integrating your newsletter form with an email marketing service like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or Sendinblue. Many WordPress plugins facilitate integration with these services.

Improving Email Deliverability with WP Mail SMTP

To enhance the reliability of emails sent from your WordPress website (including contact form submissions and newsletter signups), it is recommended to use an SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) service. WP Mail SMTP is a popular WordPress plugin that simplifies this process.

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol): SMTP is the standard protocol for sending emails over the internet. Using an SMTP service instead of the default WordPress email function improves email deliverability and reduces the chances of emails being marked as spam.

1. Install and Activate WP Mail SMTP Plugin: In your WordPress dashboard, go to “Plugins” > “Add New.” Search for “WP Mail SMTP” and install and activate the plugin.
2. Run Setup Wizard: After activation, WP Mail SMTP will prompt you to run a setup wizard. Follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Choose a Mailer: In the setup wizard, you will be asked to choose a mailer service. For a free option, “Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)” is mentioned as a good choice. Other options include SMTP.com, Mailgun, Gmail, etc.
4. Get API Key (if using Brevo or similar): If you choose Brevo or a similar service, you may need to create a free account on their website and obtain an API key. The API key is a security code that allows WP Mail SMTP to connect to the mailer service.

API Key: An API key (Application Programming Interface key) is a unique identifier used to authenticate requests to an API (Application Programming Interface). It acts like a password for applications to communicate with each other, granting access to specific functionalities or data.

5. Configure Mailer Settings: In the WP Mail SMTP setup wizard, enter the required settings for your chosen mailer service, including the API key (if needed), sending domain (your website’s domain name), and “From Email” address.
6. Complete Setup and Send Test Email: Finish the setup wizard and send a test email using the WP Mail SMTP plugin to verify that email sending is working correctly.

Creating Blog Content with AI and WordPress Posts

Now that your website is set up and customized, let’s focus on creating blog content using AI and WordPress’s post functionality.

Understanding WordPress Posts

• Posts vs. Pages: In WordPress, posts are typically used for blog articles, news updates, and time-sensitive content that is displayed in reverse chronological order (newest first). Pages are generally used for static content like “About Us,” “Contact,” “Privacy Policy,” and homepage content that is not time-dependent and usually part of the website’s main navigation.

Posts: In WordPress, posts are entries typically used for blog articles, news updates, or timely content. They are displayed in reverse chronological order and are often categorized and tagged for organization.

Pages: In WordPress, pages are used for static content that is not time-sensitive and is usually part of the website’s main navigation, such as “About Us,” “Contact,” and “Services” pages. They are not typically displayed in reverse chronological order like posts.

• Accessing Posts: To manage your blog posts, go to “Posts” in your WordPress dashboard.
  • All Posts: View a list of all published, draft, and scheduled posts.
  • Add New: Create a new blog post.
  • Categories: Organize your posts into categories (e.g., “Python Basics,” “Web Development,” “Data Science”).
  • Tags: Add tags to your posts for more granular topic classification (e.g., “variables,” “loops,” “if statements,” “beginner,” “tutorial”).

Creating a New Blog Post Manually

1. Go to “Posts” > “Add New”: In your WordPress dashboard, navigate to “Posts” and click “Add New.” This opens the block editor for creating a new post.
2. Add Post Title: Enter a compelling and informative title for your blog post in the “Add title” area at the top.
3. Write Content in Block Editor: Use the block editor to write your blog post content. Add text blocks, headings, images, videos, code blocks, and other elements as needed to create your article.
4. Format Content: Use the block toolbar and settings sidebar to format your text, insert images, embed media, and structure your content logically with headings and subheadings.
5. Add Featured Image (Optional): A featured image is a prominent image associated with your blog post that is often displayed at the top of the post and in post lists. In the “Post” settings sidebar (on the right), find the “Featured image” section and set a relevant image.
6. Add Categories and Tags (Optional): In the “Post” settings sidebar, find the “Categories” and “Tags” sections. Assign your post to relevant categories and add descriptive tags to help organize your content and improve searchability.
7. Configure SEO Settings (Optional): If you have an SEO plugin installed (like Yoast SEO or Rank Math), you can configure SEO settings for your post, such as the meta description and focus keywords.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization): SEO is the practice of optimizing a website and its content to improve its visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs), such as Google, with the goal of attracting more organic (non-paid) traffic.

Meta Description: A meta description is a brief summary of a webpage’s content that appears in search engine results pages (SERPs) below the page title and URL. It provides a short description to entice users to click on the link and visit the page.

8. Preview Post: Click “Preview” to see how your blog post will look on the live website before publishing.
9. Publish Post: Once you are satisfied with your post, click “Publish” to make it live on your blog.

Creating Blog Content with AI Content Creator

Hostinger’s AI Content Creator (or similar AI writing tools provided by other hosting providers) can significantly speed up content creation.

1. Access AI Content Creator: In your Hostinger dashboard, navigate to the “AI Content Creator” tool (or the equivalent AI writing tool offered by your hosting provider).
2. Choose Content Type: Select “Post” or “Article” as the content type you want to create.
3. Set Tone and Length: Choose the desired tone for your article (e.g., “witty,” “humorous,” “informative,” “professional”) and the desired length (e.g., “short,” “medium,” “long”).
4. Enter Topic and Keywords: Provide a clear topic for your blog post and relevant keywords related to the topic. The more specific your topic and keywords, the more relevant the AI-generated content will be.
5. Generate Content: Click “Generate Content” or a similar button to initiate the AI content generation process.
6. Review and Edit AI-Generated Content: The AI tool will generate a draft article. Carefully review the content for accuracy, clarity, and tone. Edit and refine the AI-generated text to match your style, add your own insights, and ensure it aligns with your website’s voice and quality standards. Pay attention to:
   • Fact-Checking: Verify any factual information presented by the AI.
   • Tone and Style: Adjust the tone and style to match your blog’s overall voice.
   • Originality: While AI can generate original content, it’s good practice to add your unique perspective and ensure the content is not simply regurgitated from other sources.
   • Code Examples (for programming blogs): If you are creating a programming blog, review and test any code examples generated by the AI to ensure they are accurate and functional.
7. Insert AI-Generated Image (Optional): Some AI content creators may also generate images. You can choose to use the AI-generated image as the featured image for your post or insert it within the content.
8. Publish or Save as Draft: Once you have reviewed and edited the AI-generated content, you can either:
   • Publish: Click “Publish” to immediately publish the post on your blog.
   • Save as Draft: Click “Save as Draft” to save the post as a draft for further editing or scheduling before publishing.
9. Optimize SEO (Optional): After publishing or saving as draft, optimize the post for SEO by adding a compelling meta description, relevant internal and external links, and considering readability improvements.

Internal Links: Internal links are hyperlinks that point from one page or post on your website to another page or post within the same website. They improve website navigation, distribute link authority, and help search engines crawl and understand website structure.

External Links: External links are hyperlinks that point from your website to a different website on the internet. They can provide valuable resources for readers, establish credibility by linking to authoritative sources, and contribute to SEO when linking to relevant and high-quality external websites.

Readability: In web content, readability refers to how easy it is for users to understand and comprehend written text. Factors affecting readability include sentence length, word complexity, paragraph structure, and use of headings and subheadings. Improving readability enhances user experience and engagement.

Managing and Displaying Blog Posts

1. Access “Posts” > “All Posts”: In your WordPress dashboard, go to “Posts” > “All Posts” to view and manage your blog posts.
2. Edit Posts: Hover over a post title and click “Edit” to modify an existing post.
3. Quick Edit: Hover over a post title and click “Quick Edit” to quickly change basic post settings like title, slug, date, categories, and tags.
4. Delete Posts: Hover over a post title and click “Trash” to move a post to the trash. You can permanently delete posts from the trash if needed.
5. Bulk Actions: Use the bulk actions dropdown menu at the top of the post list to perform actions on multiple posts simultaneously (e.g., move to trash, edit categories, edit tags).
6. Displaying Posts on Homepage or Articles Page: You can display your blog posts on your homepage or a dedicated “Articles” or “Blog” page using various methods:
   • Post Grid Block (Homepage): Use the “Post Grid” block in the block editor to display a grid of featured blog posts on your homepage. You can customize the number of posts, layout, and categories displayed in the grid.
   • Blog Posts Block (Articles Page): On your “Articles” or “Blog” page, you can use the “Blog Posts” block (or a similar block provided by your theme) to display a chronological list of your latest blog posts.
   • Theme Settings: Some WordPress themes have built-in options to configure how blog posts are displayed on the homepage or a designated blog page. Check your theme’s documentation or Customizer settings for blog display options.
7. Using Categories and Tags for Navigation:
   • Categories Menu: You can add a “Categories” widget to your sidebar or footer to display a list of your blog post categories, allowing users to browse posts by category.
   • Tags Cloud: You can add a “Tag Cloud” widget to your sidebar or footer to display a visually engaging cloud of your blog post tags, enabling users to find posts related to specific topics.

Final Touches and Going Live

With your website structure, content, and basic customizations in place, here are some final touches before launching your blog:

1. Review Website on Different Devices: Test your website’s appearance and functionality on different devices (desktop, mobile, tablet) and browsers to ensure it is responsive and user-friendly across various platforms.
2. Check Website Speed and Performance: Use website speed testing tools (like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix) to analyze your website’s loading speed and identify any areas for improvement. Consider optimizing images, using caching plugins, and ensuring your hosting plan is adequate for your website’s traffic.
3. Set Up Website Analytics (Optional): Integrate website analytics tools like Google Analytics to track website traffic, user behavior, and other valuable metrics. This data can help you understand your audience and optimize your content strategy.
4. Review Legal Pages (Privacy Policy, Terms of Service): Ensure you have necessary legal pages like a Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, especially if you collect user data or operate in regions with data privacy regulations. You may be able to generate basic legal pages using online generators or plugins, but consult with legal counsel for comprehensive legal compliance.
5. Promote Your Blog: Once your blog is live, start promoting it through social media, email marketing, online communities, and other channels to attract readers and build your audience.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully created a professional blog website using WordPress and AI. By following this guide, you have learned the essential steps, from setting up domain and hosting to customizing your website’s design, creating content with AI assistance, and configuring key features like navigation, contact forms, email setup, and newsletter integration. Remember that website creation and blogging are ongoing processes. Continue to customize, update, and promote your blog to grow your online presence and achieve your blogging goals. Good luck on your blogging journey!