Whether you want to sell your product, or you are interested in making money from home, blogging is your answer. Why? Well, that is simple, because blog hunters love to read blogs!
People go over the internet with a fine-tooth comb searching for information they want, or often need, to help them in some way.
We have been blogging for over two decades and have the winning technique on how to start a blog through these seven steps.
However, first, let’s talk about what you do not need to get your blog up and running.
- You do not require computer coding or programming skills
- You do not need any expensive software
- You do not need experience with blogging
Half the global population uses smartphones, and a 14 percent use their phones to shop or research product information. And, for this reason, is why everyone is jumping on the blog bandwagon. Shouldn’t you?
Today, Bradley Shaw from dallaswebsitedesign.com will describe how he setup a blog in 7 easy steps.
How to Start a Blog in 7 Steps with the following Content:
- Name your blog
- Choose a blog builder
- Pick a web host.
- Link your domain name to your blog
- Design your blog
- Publish your first post
- Promote, write more and repeat
You are six simple steps away from launching your blog. Let’s go!
1. Name Your Blog
The first step is crucial. If you do not already own a domain name; it is time you do. However, if you already own a domain name, that is fantastic.
Most people got their start on the tried and trusted WordPress blog host. Only since these past few years, bloggers had no other choice than to use web extensions such as “. Com, .org, .net.”
Jump to present time and bloggers have much more options such as. Blog, guru, buzz excellent, right? There are many options today to choose from to pick your domain.
Keep in mind, whatever you choose to put to the opposite side of the dot is vital. You are telling your readers the main topic of your blog. So, for example:
- Example. Blog
- Winner. Blog
- My story. Blog
Get the picture, now? Let’s talk about naming your blog now that you have a clear understanding of choosing your domain.
Helpful Tips for Choosing Your Blog Name
To choose the right domain name, you just type in different combinations in a domain search box until you score with the one you like.
Here are a few helpful tips
- Make it short and simple
- Make it simple to type and memorable
- Avoid hyphens and numbers
Now that you have your registered domain name, it is all yours. No one else can have the same name as you. Just think of it as your piece of the digital world.
2. Choose a Blog Builder
Although there are several blog building options out there, WordPress wins the battle. The program is versatile and easy to set-up. The WordPress platform has many great plugins that will make your blog stand out from the rest.
“You do not need to know one thing about “techy” programming to be successful on WordPress.”
The good news is, WordPress offers a free version that works fine but if you are going to be a serious blogger, you will want to invest in the paid for version.
WordPress is an affordable powerhouse platform but, there are other options such as Tumblr and Wix. However, if you go with a platform other than WordPress just expect to have a few pitfalls.
Such as:
You will not have the option to customize your blog by changing the background code:
Other blog builder platforms have improved their measures of customization. However, with any of the other options outside of WordPress, it is much more difficult to alter the background code.
WordPress offers more power and versatility to adjust your site than any of the other platform. With other platforms you are limited to the themes, designs, and styles that WordPress offers:
If you are just planning on doing a few content posting here and there while keeping your needs simple, you may not be inclined to use WordPress. You do not need to know one thing about “techy” programming to be successful on WordPress.
However, many bloggers and business owners who often blog like having the availability to customize the feel and look of their blog.
With WordPress, you get multiple themes at no cost -giving you many free options to design your blog to your liking.
3. Pick a web host
Web hosting is what will make your blog visible to the others on the web. By not using a host you are the only person that will see your post. Ever.
While hosting is usually on a web hosting company, your blog is just a small space taking up residency. It is as though your host destination is renting a little cyber apartment– meaning you have to pay for the space you have for posting.
The bad news is if you discover that your hosting server goes down, your blog will also leave cyberspace; along with your conversations. However, here is the worst part of your blog going down; you lose your lucrative sponsorships. That got your attention, right?
As you see, it is vital that you choose a trustworthy blog hosting company that is reputable. You need a company that provides a guaranteed uptime and robust security. You need to know that yours will be the blog that remains visible and globally– 24/7.
4. Link the Domain Name to Your Post
If a free domain is an option:
Type the name you want in the box and click “search: Keep doing this until to find a name you like, then click “Select. Follow the steps for completing the setup.
If you already own your domain name, select “no thanks.”
5. Design Your Blog
Whatever hosting company you chose should have a tutorial on how to connect the domain to your blog. Now you are at the fun part; The decorating. Here is where you will pick your WordPress theme as well as all the plugins you need to enhance your WordPress experience.
Tidbits about WordPress:
A theme is its outer layer of your site. It will be a view that the world sees on your new site. You can test out different layouts and styles without needing to recreate anything. There are hundreds of themes that are free.
Plugins extend WordPress’s capability. Like add-ons or upgrades per se.’you can find a wealth of free plugins in the WordPress Plugin Directory.
6. Writing Your First Post
While drafting your first post may be a bit intimidating, how you format your script is the most crucial part. To simplify things just try to imagine you are writing to your friends to inform them of your new adventure.
Beings they know you already there is no reason to change your tone of your language, so just be your regular self. You should not try to be someone you are not.
- Write in the tone and personality that is most natural to you. That will help separate your blog from the rest of the world.
- Set your scene for your readers. Describe why you are starting your blog and what you want to accomplish.
- Answer this question: Why would the world want another blog on the theme of yours? Provide the reasons that make your ideas valuable.
Do not put too much worry into getting your first blog post perfect. However, most of details on your WordPress blog you can change. So, give it a go. Now, you need to tweak what you wrote so that search engines can locate you.
SEO stands for search engine optimizations. Eat. Sleep. Breathe. Learn everything available on the SEO topic you can find.
Keep in mind, if search engines can not find you, humans will not, either. So, here are some tried and true steps you should do before posting if you want your blog to be successful.
Choose a unique key phrase or keyword for each additional post. Add one to the subtitle, the title, and throughout your blog if you want the most significant results. It is essential to start learning SEO now while you are learning how to start a blog. See how this works?
Research all keywords with Google’s keyword tool — pick the one that relates precisely to the post topic, and has a considerable amount of reader traffic with low competition.
Add proper meta tags for every post using a plugin such as WordPress SEO by Yoast.
Feel free to go to this site for better SEO practices. Select your post button and make your blog live. Now that you are live, you are officially a blogger. Congrats and now let’s move on to the last step.
7. Promote your posts and Let the Writing Begin
You made it bloggerville! Now you need to spend some time spreading the word about your first post. Ask everyone to “like” and “follow” you on all their social media networks.
Also, ask for an email address to send out links and future post. Be sure to make a schedule after you decide how often you want to make your post live.
If you are like other blog site owners, you barely have time to write. Here is when you should consider hiring a ghostwriter, guest writers or even a content manager.
A content manager oversees all your content as well as writing your material and posting it for you. Now you are set and on your way.
You are on your way! Read all you can find about SEO and what it can for you as a blogger. The possibilities are endless. Enjoy!