Starting a blog brings immeasurable benefits. However, it requires careful planning. If you want to share valuable information with people across the world, blogging is the right step. There are no shortcuts to blogging. So, you need to put some things in place to start as a blogger.
One thing you need is a content management system (CMS). This is the platform that you can use to build and design your blog. There are many content management systems to choose from like WordPress, Squarespace, and WiX, to name a few. We chose WordPress as the content management system (CMS) of choice for this article because of the level of support provided by WordPress. Here’s a link to the WordPress blog site
WordPress, and these 5 suggestions we have below, can help you begin your blogging journey!
- Define the goal of your blog
Before starting your blog, define the goal. Doing this will help you target the right readers. You will also be able to build brand credibility. To set a goal for your blog, ask yourself why you want to start. The reason may be to share your thoughts about a topic or to promote your business.
- Set up a domain name and hosting
After setting a goal for your blog, you can then set up a domain name. The domain name is how your site is found on the web. An example is ‘www.findmyblog.com’ which is what people type or click on to go to the blog that this domain name belongs to. Web hosting, on the other hand, is how your blog content is saved and stored on the web. There are various sites that can provide hosting for your blog. They include Bluehost, Dreamhost, and many others. You can find hosting plans from $3 upwards.
- Install WordPress and Purchase a Blog Theme
If you have successfully gotten a domain name, you will be redirected to your blog site. To continue setting up, install WordPress. You can do this easily following the instructions provided on their site. Once you have installed WordPress, you can download a blog theme. First, you need to go to the WordPress dashboard and select the appearance button on the left-hand corner, then the theme. You will see a selection of various themes. Activate the theme you wish to use for your blog. This beginner’s guide can help make the process easier
- Install Plugins
To install a plugin, go to the WordPress dashboard and select ‘Plugins’ in the left-hand corner. Several options will be displayed on your site. Since you are starting, it is recommended that you choose Yoast SEO for search engine optimization. Depending on your blog’s goal, choose plugins that will be useful.
Here’s a quick and easy guide you can use.
- Create High-quality content
You are almost done with your blog once you set up plugins. All you need to do is populate it with valuable content for your readers. The type of content you put out will depend on your audience. You don’t need to be an excellent writer to start. Just write based on your expertise and knowledge. You can also hire a professional writer to create your blog posts if you do not have the time to write.
Last Thoughts
Every successful blogger once started with an idea and a goal. That’s the first step to starting a blog. Search for affordable hosting plans and set them up with the right aesthetics. This, along with your content, will attract the right readers and give you the results you need. For more ideas on how to make your site attract more viewers, read this article.
While this might be a breeze for some, many non-techy people might find the task of setting up daunting. If this is you, then feel free to contact us for help with setting up and managing your blog.
