How to Start a New WordPress Site

Click "Start your website"

Enter an email, username, and password that are unique to you.

Click "Create your account"

Click the "Search…" field.

Type your name or a variation you'd ideally use in the URL. If you have a common name, consider adding a word like "writes" or "journalist" that will fit your professional goals.

Click "Select" next to the "Free" option. This will add "wordpress" to your URL. You can purchase your domain for ~$20/year and I consider it a good investment, but it isn't necessary.

Click "Start with Free." Everything you need to build a portfolio can be done for free.

Click "Start building"

Click "Portfolio" to see the basic portfolio layouts. There are other options in different categories as well, but Portfolio is a good place to start.

Once you find a theme you like, click "Start with [theme]" to launch the website builder.