Build Your Own Ghost Blog from Scratch: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you're looking to create a new blog from scratch, hosting it on The Ghost Cloud might seem too expensive. Starting in 2024, accessing the API will require a $25 monthly subscription, totaling $300 annually. In my opinion, that's quite steep.

If you don't need all the premium plugins and themes offered by Ghost Cloud, you might reconsider whether it's worth the yearly cost. Instead, you can create your blog from scratch by hosting it yourself or choosing a more affordable provider.

In this blog post, we’ll guide you through setting up a new Ghost blog from the ground up for just $5 per month. This approach will save you money and provide you with unlimited access to the API, as well as full control over themes and plugins.

We’ll walk you through the entire process step-by-step, including setting up a new server, configuring your domain, installing Ghost, and customizing your blog to suit your needs.

Let’s get started.

Step 1: Install Ghost on DigitalOcean

To begin, we'll use DigitalOcean to host your new Ghost blog. DigitalOcean offers a straightforward setup process with ready-to-use appliances.

1. Sign Up for DigitalOcean: If you haven't already, sign up for DigitalOcean.
2. Create a New Droplet: Navigate to the DigitalOcean Droplets page and create a new droplet.

1. Select Ghost from the Marketplace: Choose a droplet from the marketplace that has Ghost pre-installed.

1. Choose a Plan: Select a plan that fits your budget. For starting out, the basic plan is sufficient.

1. Launch the Droplet: After a few minutes, your instance should be up and running. Make a note of the IP address and the SSH key or password you selected during the creation.

Step 2: Configure the Domain

A professional blog typically requires a custom domain. If you already own a domain, you can use it. Ensure you have access to your domain's DNS settings to configure it accordingly.

If you don't have a domain yet, consider registering one through providers like Namecheap (my favorite) or GoDaddy (which I find a bit more complicated).

If you’re not ready to purchase a domain, you can initially access your blog using the IP address of your DigitalOcean instance. However, it's recommended to set up a domain early on for easier access and branding.

Step 3: Complete the Ghost Setup

With your server and domain ready, it's time to finalize the Ghost installation.

1. Access Your Server via SSH:

   ssh root@your_server_ip

1. Initial Ghost Configuration: Upon first login, Ghost will prompt you for details related to your domain and email.

• Domain Name: Enter your custom domain (e.g., yourdomain.com). If you don't have one yet, you can use the server's IP address.
• Email Address: Provide an email address to be used for SSL and administrative purposes.

Press enter to proceed with the setup.

Ghost will handle the installation, set up SSL via Let's Encrypt, and start the service.

1. Access Ghost Admin: Once the setup is complete, navigate to http://yourdomain.com/ghost/ to access the Ghost admin panel. Here, you can create your admin account and start customizing your blog.

Step 4: Customize Your Blog

Now that Ghost is installed, you can personalize your blog to match your vision.

1. Choose a Theme:

   • Navigate to the Design section in the Ghost admin panel.
   • Browse available themes or find free and premium themes that suit your style.
   • Upload and activate your chosen theme.

2. Install Plugins:

   • Ghost doesn't use traditional plugins like some other platforms, but you can integrate various third-party services and customize functionalities through code or integrations.
   • Explore available integrations in the Integrations section.

3. Configure Settings:

   • Update your site title, description, and other settings under the Settings tab.
   • Set up navigation menus, social links, and other preferences to enhance your blog's functionality.

Step 5: Launch Your Blog

Before going live, ensure everything is set up correctly.

1. Test Your Site: Visit your domain to see your blog in action. Check that all links work, the theme displays correctly, and everything functions as expected.

1. Optimize for SEO:

   • Use Ghost’s built-in SEO features to optimize your posts.
   • Consider integrating additional SEO tools if necessary.

2. Set Up Analytics:

   • Integrate Google Analytics or other analytics tools to monitor your blog’s performance.

3. Backup Your Site:

   • Regularly back up your Ghost content to prevent data loss. You can use tools like Ghost-Backup for this purpose.

Wrap Up

In this blog post, we walked through the process of creating a new Ghost blog from scratch. Here's a quick recap:

1. Set Up a Server: We used DigitalOcean to host the Ghost blog, leveraging their marketplace for an easy setup.
2. Configure Your Domain: Linked your custom domain to your server for a professional web presence.
3. Complete Ghost Setup: Installed and configured Ghost, setting up essential details like domain and email.
4. Customize Your Blog: Chose a theme, configured settings, and personalized your blog to fit your needs.
5. Launch Your Blog: Tested and optimized your blog to ensure a smooth launch.

By self-hosting your Ghost blog, you gain more control and flexibility while saving money compared to using Ghost Cloud. For more detailed information, you can refer to the Ghost documentation.

Happy blogging!