Blogging serves as a powerful medium to express your thoughts, interests, or professional pursuits. Therefore, whenever someone inquires whether they should initiate a blog, my immediate recommendation is a resounding affirmative. Numerous individuals embark on their blogging journey for varied reasons; however, I believe the most compelling motive is to share valuable insights with a wider audience.
These individuals may range from friends residing in distant countries to other enthusiasts who share your passions, or even to document personal experiences in an online journal you are willing to share with the world. Regardless of your motivation, if the notion of blogging has appeared in your thoughts multiple times, I would advise you to commence your blogging journey now.
I trust I have persuaded you of the value of starting a blog. “What steps should I take?” you might wonder. Allow me to outline the process for you.
1. The Preliminary Stage
Decide what you want to blog about: Topics may include Travel, Fashion, Game of Thrones, Home Design, Culinary experiences, among many others. Identify the focus of your blog, which should be straightforward because you likely understand what inspired you to blog in the first place. If desired, you do not need to constrain yourself to a specific subject; perhaps you prefer documenting abstract musings or intriguing observations. Ultimately, the objective is to discern the message you wish to convey.
2. Choose a blog name:
Following your topic decision, identify an appropriate name that encapsulates your blog’s essence, utilizing either a descriptive or personalized title. The most effective names indicate the blog’s focus even before a reader engages with the content. Aim for brevity and clarity; for instance, a name like www.MyBlogAboutAllTheThingsIWantToEatTodayAndTheThingsIAteYesterday.com could be considered excessive.
3. The 7 Simple Steps
1.) Choose a domain name
Your domain name should ideally relate to your blog name, providing a succinct representation. For example, instead of using www.HandLuggageOnly.co.uk, a concise alternative could be hlo.co.uk.
2.) Choose your social media handles
Platforms such as Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are advantageous for enhancing your blog’s presence and fostering engagement. Maintain consistency across social media names as much as possible, aligning them with your blog’s title. Unfortunately, I initially set up an account with a default name on Facebook that was later unavailable on other platforms, forcing me to adopt an alternative.
3.) Choose WordPress, Blogger or Tumblr
Numerous platforms are accessible; however, WordPress stands out among the most widely-used options. Blogger is Google’s service, while Tumblr offers its unique layout. WordPress has two variations: WordPress.com (the free version, comparable to Blogger or Tumblr). Simply sign up, and you are ready to start your blogging journey.
Take into account the self-hosted option for WordPress bloggers which grants complete control over your blog. You decide where your files are stored, the folders’ structure, and virtually everything else. If you opt for Blogger, Tumblr, or WordPress.com, you can proceed directly to the EXTRAS segment below. If, however, you select the self-hosted method, continue reading.
4.) Choose a hosting provider
Your hosting company is responsible for storing all your blog files online. For newcomers, I recommend reputable hosts like GoDaddy since they offer reliability and affordability. As your readership grows, seek managed hosting services to ease demands on shared server infrastructures. Managed hosting allows experienced WordPress professionals to handle technical challenges, providing timely support for troubleshooting.
Reliable providers such as Flywheel (noteworthy for its value) and Synthesis also deliver commendable services for those transitioning to managed solutions.
5.) Install WordPress
Most hosting providers have user-friendly guides on how to accomplish this, and it is often the simplest step, as you will typically find a button in your control panel labelled “Install WordPress.”
6.) Set up your user account(s) and password
WordPress installations come with a default account. Your initial task should be establishing your own account, followed by deleting the original admin account to enhance security against potential hacking attempts.
7.) Install a theme and plugins
Plugins function akin to applications on smartphones; they enhance your blog’s capabilities, allowing you to perform numerous tasks, including security enhancements and establishing an online store. Themes help visualize how your blog will appear, and a wealth of themes, both free and paid, are available online.
That encapsulates the foundation of starting your blog. If you have any specific inquiries, feel free to ask in the comments, and I’ll be happy to assist!
Extras to remember…
1.) Claim your BlogLovin account
BlogLovin stands out as an exceptional blog reader, enabling you to track engagement on your posts while also allowing you to follow your favorite blogs.
2.) Establish Analytics with Statcounter or Google Analytics
Implementing this allows you to monitor your blog’s traffic, including popular posts and user interactions.
