The benefit of having a Self Hosted WordPress Blog is that you completely OWN it. I made the move from Blogger.com to WordPress.org on January 2012 and it was the best decision I could have ever made.
This tutorial will show you how to setup a NEW WordPress Blog. If you want to switch your current Blogger.com blog to WordPress then check out this DIY Book. We also do transfers for new custom designs or past customers.
Step 1 – Choose a Domain
You will need to purchase your own domain name. I like to purchase my domain names through GoDaddy. Reason being is that I can find many coupon codes on the internet for GoDaddy. Helps save a little money. I will be using GoDaddy for this tutorial.
Step 2 – Setup a Hosting Account
You will need to purchase a hosting service account. Two hosting services I highly recommend are BlueHost or RFE Hosting. For this tutorial I will be using RFE Hosting.
Step 3 – Set Your Nameservers
RFE Hosting (or BlueHost) will send you a welcome email after purchasing an account with them. You will see two lines that look similar to this:
Nameserver 1: ns1.rfehost.com
Nameserver 2: ns2.rfehost.com
(note: only use the nameservers that are mentioned in your welcome email not the ones listed above)
Log into your GoDaddy account and click on “My Account” then click on the plus sign next to “DOMAINS”. See image below. Click on image to see a larger photo.
Click on “Launch” next to the domain name you want to use for your WordPress Blog.
Next click on “Set Nameservers” then check the circle that says “I have specific nameservers for my domain.” Enter your Nameserver 1 & 2 information where indicated (the nameserver info you received from your welcome email). Click “Ok” when done.
The nameserver change will take anywhere from 24-48 hours to update.
Step 4 – Install WordPress
After the nameserver has updated (wait at least 48 hours after nameserver change), log into your cpanel account by visiting yourdomain.com/cpanel/. Refer back to your welcome email for your login information.
After you’re logged in click on Fantastico De Luxe.
Choose “WordPress” on the left sidebar then click on “New Installation”.
Enter your information as shown below. Click on the image to see a larger photo.
Click on “Install WordPress” then on the next page click “Finish Installation” and you’re done! 
You can log into your WordPress blog by typing this into your web browser yourdomain.com/wp-admin/
Great information! Thanks for sharing! I know I need to make the switch, but haven’t done it yet. I need to just take the plunge!
You are welcome
Very useful information. I didn’t realize some of this and you have enlighted me. Thank you!
This is exactly what I needed! Thanks.
I use SquareSpace and I love it. I’m writing for another blogger that uses WordPress. She has asked that I send her the html for my posts. SS does not give me access to the html code so I have been duplicating the post in a WordPress free account that I set up at WordPress.com. The issue I am running into is that my iframe code doesn’t work in wordpress.com when trying to put in Vine videos. When I enter the html it just deletes it (I’m using code directly copied from a tutorial on how to enter Vine video into a WordPress blog post…and the code works on the blog posts example that I copied it from. It even works in my SS blog so I don’t think it’s bad code). Do you think it is bc I am not doing the full blown self hosting as you have explained how to do in this post? Help please!