⚠️ Affiliate Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you purchase through our links — at no extra cost to you.

⚠️ Affiliate Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you purchase through our links — at no extra cost to you.

How-to guide

How to sign up for Bluehost in 5 minutes — step by step

HostSmart.blog June 2026

What you'll have in 5 minutes

A live Bluehost account with your domain registered, hosting active, WordPress ready to install, and a professional business email address set up — all from the WordPress.org recommended host, from $3.99/month.

Getting started with Bluehost is genuinely straightforward. This guide walks you through every step — from clicking the signup button to having your account fully set up and ready to build your website. No technical knowledge required.

👉 Click here to go to Bluehost and follow along →

Step 1 — Choose your plan

When you land on Bluehost's website you'll see their hosting plans. For most small business owners the choice comes down to two:

Starter

$3.99/mo
  • 1 website
  • 10GB SSD storage
  • Free domain (1 year)
  • Free SSL certificate
  • 24/7 phone support

Best for: Getting one site online fast

💡 Which plan should you choose? If you only need one website right now, Starter is perfectly fine. If you think you might add more sites or want domain privacy protection included, go Business. You can always upgrade later.
1

Click "Get started" on your chosen plan

Go to Bluehost via this link and click the Get Started button under your chosen plan. Using this link ensures you get the current promotional pricing.

Step 2 — Register your domain name

2

Choose your domain name

Type your preferred domain name in the search box — e.g. yourbusiness.com. Bluehost will check if it's available. If it is, it's included free for the first year. If your first choice is taken, try a variation or a different extension like .co or .net.

💡 Choosing a domain name: Keep it short, easy to spell, and as close to your business name as possible. Avoid hyphens and numbers. A .com is ideal but not essential — what matters most is getting online.
3

Or use a domain you already own

If you already have a domain registered elsewhere, click "Use a domain you own" and enter it. You can point it to Bluehost after signup by updating the nameservers at your registrar.

Step 3 — Create your account

4

Enter your account details

Fill in your name, email address, and create a password. Use a professional email address if you have one. Your email is where Bluehost will send your account details and receipts.

5

Choose your billing term

You'll see options for 12, 24, or 36 months. The longer the term the lower the monthly rate. The 12-month plan at $3.99/month (Starter) is a good starting point — you get the promotional rate without committing for 3 years upfront.

⚠️ Watch the add-ons at checkout: Bluehost will show several optional add-ons during checkout — SiteLock security, CodeGuard backups, and others. These are not essential for most small business websites. Uncheck anything you don't need to keep your costs down. You can always add them later.
6

Enter your payment details and complete purchase

Enter your credit card details and click Submit. Bluehost accepts all major cards. Your account is created immediately after payment.

Step 4 — Set up WordPress

7

Log into your Bluehost dashboard

Check your email for your Bluehost login details. Go to bluehost.com and click Log In at the top right. Enter your email and password to access your dashboard.

8

Install WordPress with one click

In your dashboard click "My Sites" then "Create Site." Bluehost's guided setup walks you through naming your site and installing WordPress automatically. The whole process takes about 60 seconds.

9

Choose a theme

Bluehost shows you a selection of free WordPress themes during setup. Pick one that suits your business style — you can always change it later. Good free options for small businesses include Astra, Kadence, and Hello Elementor.

10

Log into WordPress and start building

Click "Log in to WordPress" from your Bluehost dashboard. You're now inside WordPress — the control centre for your website. Add your pages, content, and images. Your site is already live on your domain.

Step 5 — Set up your business email

11

Create a professional email address

In your Bluehost dashboard go to "Email" and click "Create." Set up hello@yourdomain.com or yourname@yourdomain.com. A professional email at your own domain makes an immediate impression on customers and clients.

You're live — what now?

Your Bluehost account is set up, WordPress is installed, and your domain is live. Here's what to focus on next:

Add your key pages

Home, About, Services, Contact. These four pages are all you need to start looking professional online.

Install essential plugins

Yoast SEO (for Google rankings), Wordfence (security), and WPForms (contact form). All free, all essential.

Submit to Google Search Console

Tell Google your site exists so it starts appearing in search results. Free at search.google.com/search-console.

Ready to get started?

Bluehost from $3.99/month — free domain, free SSL, 24/7 phone support, 30-day money-back guarantee. WordPress.org recommended.

Sign up for Bluehost now →
This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through our links we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices shown are introductory rates as of June 2026 — always verify current pricing on Bluehost's website before purchasing.
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Affiliate disclosure
HostSmart.blog is an independent review and information site. We earn commissions when you purchase through our affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. Prices and features shown are subject to change — always verify current pricing directly on Bluehost's website before purchasing.