How to Start a Blog
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Start a blog successfully by using WordPress and Bluehost. Not only will I give you the breakdown of steps in order to get your blog up and running. Also, I will share tips and tricks I learned a long the way, reasons why to choose WordPress and Bluehost of the competition and my own blogging journey with these platforms.
Why Start a Blog & Why Now?
If you are reading this, blogging has probably been on your mind for awhile. Personally I always wanted to start a blog, at least for the last 5 years. But, I didn’t because the little voice in my head said things like, ‘you’re not a great writer’, ‘who would read it anyway?’, ‘do you really think what you have to say people will care about?’. I know the voice in my head is mean. I was also embarrassed to tell people that I wanted to do this.
Now that I have started my blogging journey, everyone I share it with is really excited for me and supportive. Duh! Of course they are, I wouldn’t have mean friends. LOL.
So, if any of that sounds familiar I am here to tell you JUST START A BLOG! Once you start you won’t want to stop. If you don’t start today, when will you? It’ll probably be another 5 years like it was for me. After quitting the highest paying job I had because I wasn’t happy, I knew it was now or never! So I chose NOW!!! You should too!
Therefore, don’t just read this post and flip to the next. Actually sign up while you read along. Here is the nudge you have been waiting for! Let’s get your blogging career started!
Steps to Start a Blog
5 Steps to Picking the Perfect Domain
This is an important step. I have read about the difficulties of changing the domain after years of working on it. Not just this but if your domain is difficult to spell or understand in a link it can get quite confusing.
- Makes Sense: Pick a domain name that is also your blog name (this looks professional and makes it less confusing for your audience). Also, the domain name should work with your niche. If you start a blog about cooking you don’t want your domain to be Katesadventureswithkids.com. This has nothing to do with cooking. If it is a lifestyle blog that targets families, the domain works better. It is a little long. See the next bullet.
- Short & Sweet: The domain should be easy for people to remember. So, for the example above you could use kateandkids.com. This is shorter! If the domain is too long or confusing you will lose your potential audience.
- Keep it Professional: If you ever want to make money with your blog, you want it to be professional. You want to be taken seriously especially when approaching brands!
- Not Limiting: Leave room for growth in your domain and blog name. I chose Tiffer Time because I knew I would branch out into more than just travel, but also about blogging, saving money, holiday fun and much more!
- Not Taken: Before you dive too deep with your domain, check to see if it has been taken on whois.net or on bluehost (widget)
Pick your Platform
After researching and reading about the different platforms. I knew WordPress was the perfect fit to start a blog. Because I wanted to monetize my blog I knew Blogger or Blogspot were not an option. These are cheaper FREE options for blogging but for monetizing your are out of luck. Honestly, if you are starting a blog you should monetize. Why not? Who doesn’t want a side income?
That being said WordPress is the perfect fit for you and works perfectly with Bluehost.
Pick your Host
The host with the most is Bluehost. I absolutely love them! The platform is easy to use. Especially if you are not super tech savvy (like myself). The customer service is on point and always available to help, literally 24/7 support. Money back guarantee within 30 days (you won’t need it though). It costs less than a coffee a month!
Bonus: FREE domain name and easy WordPress Installation to start a blog. Just $3.95 a month to host your beautiful site!
Pick your Bluehost Plan
Head over to Bluehost (using this link). Click the big green button that says “Get Started Now”. It will bring you to the screen below.
The time has come where you pick your plan to start a blog. One of the many things I love about Bluehost is you have to sign up for a year! It makes you commit to your dreams of blogging!! So as you can see above for less than a coffee a month you can purchase the basic plan. This is what I have and starting out it should be fine for you as well.
If you ever want to change your plan you can later! The option is given to pay 99 cents for domain protection! Definitely worth it to add!!!
Free Domain with Bluehost
Enter your domain name and click next! It is that easy!!! Your domain name is now registered!!!
After you click next, you will be prompted to enter your personal information, pick your plan and fill out billing information as well.
Click submit! Then the box below will pop up asking for you to create a password for your Bluehost account.
Pick a Theme for WordPress
It is official my friend, you now have a blog and a domain name. Now for the fun part to pick out the theme. There are so many themes to choose from. I suggest starting with a free one before you dive in and spend $75 on a theme you will change down the road.
Changing themes is easy so pick a free one for now and you can come back later if you want too.
Tip: Make sure the theme is functional for both desktop and mobile. Majority of your audience will use there phone to check out your site!!!! This is so important.
Click Start Building to Create Your Site
Decide if this is going to be a business account or personal. This part is up to you!
Launch Time
Run Down of the Tabs
Bluehost – your hosting source.
Jetpack – customization of site, themes, images and much more.
Dashboard – overview, updates, events and news.
Posts – add new posts and edit with just one click.
Media – where images live, are uploaded & edited.
Pages – where you posts live.
Comments – where you control the comments.
WP Forms – change & create forms on your page.
Appearance – settings & customization for your theme.
Plug–ins – give your site more functionality.
Users – if you want to add other users.
Tools – used for importing and exporting.
Settings – how edit and set up your page.
What Now?
If you haven’t started writing, now is the time. Before you start sharing your site, you want about 10 awesome posts to share! This will give your new readers a good amount of content to read.
Create social media handles: I love Pinterest! It is my fav. check to see if your blog name is available.
Watch the video WordPress provides to get familiar with the site.
Check out Yoast SEO. You want your site to be optimized!
Woohoo!!! Great job! You have officially started your blog, I cannot tell you how proud I am!! This was one of the hardest parts for me! Starting is the biggest step and you just completed that step!!! I will continue to post tips and tricks!
Now, that you are up and running you need to check out my resources page, it is filled with all the tools I use to be successful!
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