Starting your blog page can be a great way to market your content and attract an audience. Having your blog site will take your business to the next level. Starting your own blog might seem, but it is easier than you think. Please go through the step-by-step guide below that we have made to ensure you set up your blog with no complications.
1) Choose your blogging platform
There are many platforms that you can choose for free on the internet, but one that stands out is WordPress. The good thing about the platform is that you can do self-hosted blogging. It means you have full control over the blog. WordPress lets you have your host and domain on your site and allows you to run ads or sell your products.
Blogger is another platform that might do the job for you. It provides free hosting, but that would mean your blog will be subjected to their rules, and your blog name will be set as their subdomain. Although it is good to test out your blog, you will have to pay for full services and domain to improve your blog sooner or later.
2) Get your domain and a Web hosting account
It would help if you were careful while picking a domain name, as it will be the name your audience will know you online. Purchasing a domain usually costs around $10-15 per year.
Bluehost and Namecheap are two of the most popular places where you can purchase your domain.
After choosing your domain name, the next move would be to select reliable hosting services. A web host will determine your website’s performance and functionality, which is why it holds a significant value. Ending up with the wrong web hosting site can cause some problems. For instance, if your website is not available 24/7, then you can lose your potential readers.
Most domain services also provide web hosting services. It is recommended to purchase from the same website to avoid any inconvenience.
3) Install WordPress
You do have a few choices, but WordPress elevates above any other platform. It is easy to work on, provides various themes, and offers an abundance of plugins that make your website more successful.
You can go through easy-to-follow instructions from here.
4) Put your website in maintenance mode
Your website will go live after your purchase your domain and host; this is why you should put your website in maintenance mode to avoid users from arriving at your unfinished website.
Before you start designing your website, make sure to put up an “under construction” sign to greet visitors. You can do so by downloading this plugin. After your website is ready, you can deactivate or delete the plugin.
5) Start designing your blog
The first thing would be to choose a theme for your website. There are countless themes available but make sure to pick the one that suits your business the best. There are paid and free themes available on WordPress that you can use.
Also, make use of the custom header for the blog. You can create one yourself with canvas or hire a designer to do it for you.
6) Fill out the blog page
Blog pages are different from blog posts. They are the basic information requirements that are needed for the website. It will include the “About” page that would cover what the blog is all about. It is an overview of your blog.
The contact page will include all the details of how the readers can reach out to you. Getting your readers to get in touch with you is very important for a blog.
You can also include pages for the Portfolio, Resources and Team section for your blog. Include any that you think fits right with your website.
7) Customize your blog
When you are on WordPress, make sure to make the most out of it. Plugins and widgets are the tools you can use to improve your blog. Plugins act like apps for your website, and each one will provide different use for your blog. Plugins can help your website rank higher and optimize your blog.
Final thoughts
Now that your blog is set up, you can start writing and publishing your work on your website. Write about the niche you selected to write on and educate your audience.
