When you decide to have your own hosted WordPress blog (an excellent idea) you need a few things.

1. A domain name. Choose this name carefully and whatever else you do, make it a .com name, not .biz, .org, .tv or any of the other extensions you will see. People are used to looking for .com domains. An excellent, easy and low cost domain registrar is Domain Solutions Today.

Not only is it easy to get your domain, it is easy to point your domain to your new host when you get one. This company walks you through it step by step.

2. Excellent Hosting! The Wizard  recommends Hostgator.

3. IThemes themes – you will LOVE these themes. 

I particularly recommend Flexx – there are many colors and designs available for Flexx and it’s easy to work with.  The last time I checked there were 18 Flexx themes to choose from!

If you are a bit more experienced, Builder is for you!  Click on over there and watch the video about Builder.  Remember, I said a BIT more experienced. 

4.  Backing Up – Nothing short of Backup Buddy will do!  It not only backs up your database, but wordpress and your theme files.  You can schedule backups too so you can set it and forget it – until you need it, that is.

5.  Want to turn your blog into a money making machine?  Turn it into a membership site easily with WishList Member.  WishList Member is a solution built for "everyday people"
that means you don’t need to be a technical genius to figure it out.  Plus it was BUILT just for WordPress!!  Check it out – I think you’ll like it.

6.  You need a shopping cart.  I recommend and use 1 Shopping Cart.  You can start out with just the autoresponder but when you want to start selling stuff it’s an easy upgrade.  The good news is that it integrates with WishList Member.  You can create forms for your optin very easily.  Look to the right, at the top and you’ll see a form I created for The WordPress Wizard.

7.  Think you don’t need something as big as 1Shopping Cart right now?  AWeber is the solution.  You can use AWeber as your autoresponder and PayPal to collect money.  An easy and inexpensive way to get started.  I use 1Shopping Cart but have set up many sites for clients with AWeber and PayPal!