How To Buy Your First Bitcoin Using Coinbase

Bitcoin has become a real deal & many of netizens are yet to purchase their first bitcoin. In this guide, I will share every step you need to follow to Purchase your first bitcoin.

Note: This post was originally published on CoinSutra – Bitcoin Website.

At the time of writing this guide, the Value of 1 Bitcoin is $613.34. We are expecting the rate to reach $2000 by 2018. With the changing landscape of digital currency, it's recommended to invest in Bitcoin at this time.

If you are paying attention to Bitcoin industry, you would realize a lot of innovation is happening every day around Bitcoin. This cryptocurrency is now accepted as a preferred currency at many online stores.

For this guide, I'm showing you how to buy Bitcoin from Coinbase, which is a popular website to buy & sell Bitcoin. Do remember, Buys not available for few countries including India. In the next guide, I will share the guide on

In the next guide, I will share the guide on Unocoin which is a Startup from India, Asia to buy & sell Bitcoin.

Beginners Guide to Buy Your First Bitcoin in next 30 minutes:

Coinbase is the most trusted place to buy & sell Bitcoin. Users here is required to verify the identity. One more thing that makes Coinbase popular is apart from Bitcoin; you can also use it for Ethereum.

I will talk more about Coinbase features in a detailed review, but to cut a long story short, it's an authentic website to buy sell digital currency. With over 4.5 million members, this is one of the largest Bitcoin community on the planet.

Now, I will spare you the details & will show you all the steps to purchase the first Bitcoin. With the below link when you sign up and buy $100 of bitcoin or more, you'll also earn $10 of free bitcoin!

• Head over to Coinbase & create your free account

• The second step is to verify your email address. Open your Email, inbox you will see a verification email from Coinbase. Click on the link to complete the steps. Once verified, you can login to your Coinbase account & the very first screen will be your dashboard as the screen shown below. ( The UI may change over the time)

• Before we start making the transaction, lets first complete the profile. This shouldn't take more than 4-5 minutes. Click on your profile at top right & go to settings.
• The first thing you should enable is 2 step authentication. This will increase your account security by great extent.
• Under your page option, you can select your personalized Coinbase URL as shown in the below image

• This is how the profile will be shown to the public.

Note: You can give this page URL to your client & accept money in USD which will automatically be converted in BTC for you by Bitcoin. This is another smart way to increase your BTC portfolio.

Go back to Bitcoin dashboard & click on Buy & sell.

You need to verify your identity by either uploading your scanned copy or by using your Laptop camera. All you need to do is hold your ID (Passport, Driving license or any other Government approved ID) & your ID will be verified automatically online. This service is powered by Netverify by Jumio.

Select the ID that you want to use & follow the instructions to verify your ID.

Once your verification is done, you will be able to start Buying & selling Bitcoin. The steps from here onwards are pretty simple & anyone who have ever made a transaction online should be able to complete the steps from here.

If you are in the United States, Europe, UK, Singapore, you should be able to purchase Bitcoin instantly using a Credit card. For Singapore users, you can use Xfers to complete Bitcoin instant purchase.

Purchase your first Bitcoin using Coinbase

Do let me know if you are stuck at any step while purchasing your first ever Bitcoin. I have also shared another useful on Bitcoin earlier that you can read from below link:

Read: How to Trade in Amazon Gift Cards for Bitcoin

If you find this tutorial useful, do share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter & Reddit.

How To Buy Bitcoins Instantly with PayPal [Best Methods]

So you want to buy Bitcoins using PayPal? 

Well, if that's what you want; you are at the right place & I'm going to share all possible methods that you can use right now to purchase Bitcoins using PayPal. First thing first; there is no direct way to buy Bitcoins using PayPal as Bitcoins transactions are irreversible. However, there are certain indirect ways which are used by users around the globe to purchase bitcoins using PayPal money.

In this tutorial, I have highlighted some of the best ways by which Bitcoins can be purchased using PayPal.

Using VirWox to purchase Bitcoins using PayPal:

At the time of writing, this is the most popular way of purchasing Bitcoins using PayPal. Just follow the steps mentioned & you will have Bitcoin with you.

• Create a free account on VirWox: <<Sign up Link>>
• Click on "Not registered yet?"

• On the next page fill out the registration form. No need to change the avatar section. (Use below screenshot for reference)

• Activate your account by clicking on the confirmation link in your email.
• Login to Virworx site & click on Deposit to start adding money using PayPal.

• On the deposit page, scroll down to the PayPal express checkout section & select the amount that you wish to deposit. You can see the maximum allowed for USD & Euro there only.

• In this case, I'm depositing $95 into my VirWox account. Click on check out with PayPal to complete the transaction.

• On the next page, you will get the confirmation of your deposit. In this case, I was charged $3.53 as fees.

Buy SLL with Deposited amount:

Now, click on USD/SLL under exchange & purchase SLL with your deposited amount. In this case, I'm buying 22,508.42SLL using 91 USD.

Click on place order! & your order will be fulfilled immediately.

Buy BTC with SLL:

So far, you have already purchased SLL using PayPal money. Now, it's time to trade SLL for BTC. Now, under exchange click on BTC/SLL

Click on next & confirm your order. The exchange commission is 50 SLL + 3.90%.

Click on place order! and your transaction will be confirmed within seconds. Here is the success screenshot where you can see I got 0.125 BTC using $95 PayPal money.

Now, it's time for you to withdraw your Bitcoins into a wallet address. I assume you already have one, if not click here to create a free account on Coinbase & get a Bitcoin wallet address. Here is complete guide for the same.

Withdrawing BTC from Virwox to your Bitcoin Wallet:

Click on withdraw under my account & on the next page, add your Bitcoin Wallet address.

Note: A handling fee of 0.004 BTC per withdrawal will be charged. While most Bitcoin withdrawals are processed instantly, new accounts are manually checked. They will be processed within 48 hours. You will receive an email confirmation when the withdrawal has been processed.

Considering the fees & exchange rate, the overall BTC you will get using PayPal is minimal. But, again for those who are looking to buy Bitcoins using PayPal, this is one of the most authentic & verified way.

There are other ways too by which you can use PayPal to Purchase bitcoins but they are not as risk free as one offered by VirWox.

 Create account on VirWox

 

Other ways to Purchase Bitcoins using PayPal

Localbitcoins:

This is another marketplace where you can purchase Bitcoin using PayPal. However, you need to be careful while picking the seller.

Click on trader name to check his feedback & trade volume. This will give you a good idea of how credible the seller is. In below screenshot you can see an example of ccredible seller:

In the past I have used Localbitcoins to purchase Bitcoins using cash & it worked fine for me. Again, you need to be smart & careful when making a purchase using Localbitcoins.

 Buy Bitcoins from Localbitcoins

 

Paxful:

This is another popular way for users like you & me to purchase Bitcoins using PayPal, Payoneer, Skrill, Gift cards to name a few. This one is similar to Localbitcoins (Above) but with cleaner UI. Paxful is listing and escrow service for sellers to trade on.

You need a verified USA Paypal account. PayPal awards verified accounts only if you link your bank, debit card and upload id. Vendors will also ask for ID for themselves before accepting your PayPal.

 Buy Bitcoins from Paxful

I will keep testing new methods that let us buy btc with PayPal. For now, you should try one of these two methods to buy Bitcoins with PayPal instantly.

 

Testing in progress:

I'm currently testing Cryptonit for BTC purchase using PayPal. You can also send me a tip on Twitter @denharsh

Here are few hand-picked guide related to Bitcoins that you must read:

• How to buy your first Bitcoin using Coinbase
• Best Bitcoin buying websites for India (Asian country)
• How to exchange Amazon gift card for bitcoins (Complete tutorial)
• How To Convert Bitcoin Into Ethereum (or any other cryptocurrency)

Do share your experience of purchasing bitcoin with PayPal. If you enjoyed reading this guide, do share it with your friends on Facebook , email & Twitter.

How To Convert Bitcoin Into Ethereum (or any other cryptocurrency)

Bitcoin is certainly a good investment according to experts. Even Bill Gates openly endorsed Bitcoin. But you should also know that there are other cryptocurrencies.

It's wise to also invest in other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and Litecoin.

In this article, I will share how to convert Bitcoin into Ethereum, Litecoin, or any other cryptocurrency.

If this is your first time dealing with Bitcoin, here are a few guides that you should read first:

1. How To Trade-In Amazon Gift Cards For Bitcoin
2. How To Buy Your First Bitcoin Using Coinbase
3. Best Websites To Buy & Sell Bitcoins in India [Mega List] 

The above three tutorials will help you get a good grasp of how you can get your first Bitcoin. Now, let's move ahead with the tutorial of how to swap Bitcoin with other cryptocurrencies.

Meet Shapeshift: Fastest Way To Convert Cryptocurrency

Shapeshift is a currency swapping website which does one thing: Allows users to exchange between Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

So let's say you want to exchange Bitcoin for Ethereum.

You need just two things:

• Bitcoin
• Ethereum wallet address

If you are converting to something else apart from Etherium, you just need to know the wallet address where you can receive the converted currency.

If you don't have an Ethereum wallet address, you can sign up for Coinbase & get an Ethereum wallet address for free.

• Get your free Ethereum wallet address

Once you have fulfilled both requirements, head over to Shapeshift.io.

Select Bitcoin in Deposit & Ethereum in Receive under the "Choose Which Coins to Trade" option.

Click on Continue. This is where you need to add your Ethereum wallet address & your Bitcoin address. The Bitcoin wallet address is not necessary, but it's useful in case a refund needs to be made.

In this case, I'm transferring 0.5 BTC to ETH.

Once you have entered the amount & your wallet address, click on Start Transaction. On the next page, you will get the address to send it to.

 

Note: You only have 10 minutes to make this transaction.

For this tutorial, I'm sending Bitcoin from my Unocoin wallet to the wallet address provided above:

Usually, it takes about 30-60 seconds for this transaction to happen & you will see a success screen like this:

That means that Bitcoin has been successfully converted into Ethereum & it has been transferred to your Ethereum wallet address.

The Ethereum wallet in your Coinbase account will show the new amount, but it will be in a 'Pending' state for about 30 minutes until is it verified by the network. You can read more about the process here.

However, you don't need to worry at this point, as within a few more minutes the transaction will be verified & your Coinbase Ethereum wallet will be loaded with the converted amount.

Shapeshift also has a smartphone app that you can download from the below link.

Download iOS App || Download Android app

Here is an official video demo of using Shapeshift for currency conversion:

Well, this is an example of converting Bitcoin into Ethereum. You can follow the same guide to convert Bitcoin into Nubits, Omni, Peercoin, Monacoin, or any other cryptocurrency. If you have any problem making this exchange happen or have any query, feel free to ask me via the comment section below.

If you have a tip or suggestion for me, feel free to drop an email via the contact form.

You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel for video updates!

Best Websites To Buy & Sell BitCoins in India [Mega List]

Bitcoin in India is gaining momentum & unlike the old days, it's now legal to buy & sell Bitcoin in India. However, there is only a handful quality sites where you can buy & sell Bitcoin.

Here I'm listing down those Indian Bitcoin exchange websites that you can use to buy and sell Bitcoin. I have listed these websites based on their popularity & easy of use.

One thing that I have noticed with almost all of the Indian Bitcoin exchange websites is their pricing differs in real time. So I would suggest that you don't put all of your eggs in one basket. Instead, purchase Bitcoin from different places. Originally published here.

With this, let's get started & look at all of the popular Indian Bitcoin exchange websites.

Popular Indian Bitcoin Exchange Websites to Buy & Sell Bitcoins:

Bitcoin Exchange	Android App/iOS App	Payment method	Signup link
Unocoin	/	NEFT	Join Unocoin
Coinsecure	/	NEFT	Join Coinsecure
Zebpay	/	NEFT	Join Zebpay
Localbitcoins	/	NEFT/Cash deposit/Cash	Join Localbitcoins

Unocoin

Unocoin is the first website that I recommend you to get started with if you have never purchased Bitcoin before.

Getting started with Unocoin is easy & their interface is beginner friendly. What I like about them is the plethora of features they already have & features they are consistently adding. If you are someone who wants to invest in Bitcoin as a SIP, you can do that with Unocoin.

You can set a daily, weekly, or monthly budget for purchasing Bitcoin.

This is what Unocoin has to say about their SIP feature:

"Systematic Investment Plan is a new and exciting way to acquire Bitcoin – the first of its kind that is introduced by Unocoin. This is a more conservative approach to investing in bitcoin than spending all your money on Bitcoin at once. This technique allows you to commit to a fixed INR amount on Bitcoin on a regular schedule regardless of the price. You need to fund your INR wallet and schedule the orders below to start with SIP. This feature helps with financial discipline by averaging out your cost and thereby reducing risk resulting in generating better returns."

At the time of writing, one can invest a maximum of up to 50K at once either in a daily, weekly, or monthly schedule.

Other features that make Unocoin a favorite choice for Bitcoin exchange are:

• OTC Trading (Over the counter trading)
• Auto sells Bitcoin
• Netki: This lets you create a human-readable address for your Bitcoin wallet.
• API: Unocoin provides a simple and powerful API to integrate Bitcoin payments into your business or application.
• 2-step authentication to keep your account secure.

Unocoin also has a mobile app which will help you make Bitcoin transactions from your mobile phone. The app is available for both Android & iOS platforms.

Join Unocoin

Read: How to purchase Bitcoin in India using Unocoin

CoinSecure

This is another popular website in India to purchase Bitcoins. Like Unocoin is a Bitcoin wallet, this one is Bitcoin exchange site. This is perfect for those who are looking to trade in Bitcoin.

Like all other websites, you need to do KYC verification. Do remember: You will get a call for your account verification & this has now become a standard practice among most of the India-based Bitcoin exchanges.

The interface is not beginner friendly, but for experienced Bitcoin users, it offers lots of details within the dashboard. Also, it's good for facilitating remittances through Blockchain technology in partnership with OKLink. They recently launched Android app which makes it easier to do Bitcoin exchange in real time.

They also have a dedicated YouTube channel for beginners to get started with CoinSecure.

Create free CoinSecure account

Zebpay

If you are looking for a way to trade Bitcoin in India from your mobile phone, Zebpay & Unocoin are the perfect choices for you.

Zebpay is an app-only ecosystem to buy & sell Bitcoin. Here you can transact in Bits & you can buy vouchers for popular stores Amazon, Cafe Coffee Day, Flipkart, and Pizza Hut (to name a few). You can also recharge your mobile phone, DTH, and datacard using Bitcoin.

They are soon adding support for Broadband, Landline & electricity payments via Bitcoin.

Zebpay was earlier known as BuySellBitco.

Just like Unocoin, this is user-friendly & you can get started in no time. Once you have downloaded & registered yourself using their mobile app, you can complete your verification by uploading a picture of your PAN card.

Once you are inside the app dashboard, you will see continuous activities from other members. This one reminds me of the ticker feature of Facebook.

Indeed this is useful, as you will also know what you can do with the Zebpay app.

Here is a screenshot of the Zebpay ticker feature:

You can download the Zebpay app for iOS or Android & get started instantly.

Download iOS App | Download Android App

Purse

Unlike all the other websites listed here, this works in a different way. Here you can trade your Amazon gift card in exchange for Bitcoin. Once you have the Bitcoin, you can transfer it to your Unocoin wallet & convert it into INR. This is a smart way to trade your Amazon gift card for Bitcoin.

I have already shared the complete tutorial about Purse earlier & if you have missed reading it, you can read it here.

Join Purse

LocalBitcoins

Do you want to buy Bitcoin using cash?

Well, this is where LocalBitcoins comes into the picture. Here you can find a seller who wishes to sell Bitcoin using different payment modes (including cash). In the below screenshot you can see the various options available for an Indian to buy Bitcoin.

LocalBitcoins is also popular for those who are looking to buy Bitcoin using PayPal. From a security perspective, they have added a 2-factor authentication & another level of authentication is activated when you login from a new device.

The price to buy Bitcoin is higher here, but for those who are looking to buy Bitcoin "off the radar", this is an ideal choice. If you wish to buy Bitcoin via cash, make sure you do the transaction in a public place. If you are looking to sell Bitcoins in India at a higher price, this is a great choice for you.

Join LocalBitcoins

Well, these are the most popular Bitcoin Websites & Bitcoin exchanges in India that you can use to buy & sell Bitcoin.

I like Unocoin for their simplicity & their mobile apps make it easier to make transactions. You can choose any of the listed websites based on your preferences. I will keep updating the list as I discover quality websites to buy & sell Bitcoin.

For all those outside India, here is a guide to buying your first Bitcoin.

If you find this list useful, do share it with your friends on Facebook & Twitter. If you know of any other Indian Bitcoin websites that should be on the list, let me know in the comment section below.

5 Simple Steps for An Effective Business Plan For Your Blog

Blogging is a business, and every business needs an effective plan. Whatever is the nature of the business, that doesn't matter but there should be a plan. Business Plan describes the current status of an existing business and provides guidance for future forecasting. Thinking about the past will not make your blogging business successful. If you want to establish your business then you must think about the future. As said by a well know author "You can never plan the future by the past", so keep in mind this popular quote and start an effective business plan for your blog.

Effective Business Plan for Bloggers

1. Mission

The first thing you should ask from yourself is that what is your mission. What exactly do you want to achieve, and what are the available resources that can help you in achieving your goal.

As a blogger your goal is 'Profit OR Earnings" and for that, you must first think about your vision. You should know about your readers, their nature and their needs. If you fail you might be heartbroken, but if you never tried, you are doomed.

2. Brand Name

Branding your business is the most effective step in a business plan. For example just look at the brand name of this blog that is "ShoutMeLoud", now this is what you must think about. First brand your blog with a name so that your readers can use your brand name as your reference.

3. Goals and Objectives

Of course, your goal is to earn as much as you can, and establish your brand name just like "Problogger". You will not make money if you fail to divide your goal into objectives. Find all the available platforms that can help you in your blog promotion. Divide time for every objective, For example, Posting Time, Promoting Time, Correction Time etc and then Resource Allocation, that is which platform you should use first for your blog promotion etc.

4. SWOT Analysis

This is one of the most important steps for a business. As a blogger, you must point out S= Strength, W= Weaknesses, O= Opportunities and T= Threats related to your blog.

Strength:-

If you think you have a particular ability and you are expert in that, then this is your strength. This will give you a brand name in that field.

Weaknesses

If you think you are weak in any area, then try to overcome on your weaknesses. In this way, you will get extra benefits and you will be able to utilize all your expertise.

Opportunities

If someone is giving you free domain or hosting, articles, advertisement package etc that is the opportunity for you. Or if you think there is something available for your which can help you in your business, then point out all those ways.

Threats

If a business has more competitors, need more struggle and you want to compete with that business. There are the threats for you. If there are some threats for you if you start a "Blog" on a topic, then don't go for that. Point out all the threats and then make a decision.

5. Financial Plan

Without finance, no one can start and promote a business. During developing a business plan (For Blog) you should think about your budget. If you start your blog with a cheap Web Hosting then it will not be effective for your blog. Starting a blog with reputable Web hosting like Bluehost will give you a lot of benefits. All such decision are only possible when your budget is high and you are in the position to afford high-quality services for your blog. Effective Business Plan depends on your budget, the high budget will give you more effective business plan for your blog.

• Also read: How to write a simple blog business plan in 9 easy steps

In the end, if you wish to make a living out of your Blog or want to see your blog at the next level, a business plan for your blog is what you need. For your success!