So you want to know how to start a blog?
Choosing to share your passion with the world can be a fun and rewarding experience. You can write about something you love and hopefully earn some income in the process. But if you're like most potential bloggers, you're probably overwhelmed by the number of factors involved in starting a new blog.
From choosing a niche to using analytics to study your progress, running your blog can be a long process.
Luckily, we've taken all the information you need and combined it into one cohesive article.
Below, you'll find a concise breakdown of everything you need to know about how to start a blog. Once you're done reading, the thought of starting a blog will be a lot less daunting.
Overview: How to Start a Blog
Starting a blog isn't easy by any stretch of the imagination, but it's not as daunting as you might think. The hardest part of learning how to blog is overcoming the mental barrier and overwhelming initial thoughts.
Once you learn and understand the system, you can focus your energy on growing the blog. Now let's dive into it.
How to Start a Blog: Basics to Cover Before You Start
When you decide to start a blog, it might seem like a pretty simple process: pick a domain, find a stylish theme, and post some content. Yet, it can quickly become overwhelming.
Here are the answers to some common blogging questions to help ease your worries.
Can you get paid for writing a blog?
Whether you're writing for your own blog or freelancing for someone else, you can make money blogging. Of course, what you do will depend on who you're writing for, your blog content, and your experience.
Just remember – never sell yourself short.
How are bloggers paid?
A blogger's income can come from many sources. The most common means are advertising, affiliate marketing, or the website you are writing for. Most payments will come from a third-party service, such as PayPal.
In some cases, your salary may come directly from the company or person you are writing or advertising for.
Do people still read blogs?
Blogs are one of the most popular ways people ingest information. A quick Google search for any topic will return loads of blog posts. However, although blogging began as a form of online journaling, this trend has dropped. In most cases, users want informative, quality content that solves a specific problem.
Are blogs still relevant?
The relevance of blogs continues to increase year after year. More than 77 million new Comments blogs are published each month. So users not only actively read blogs, but also comment on them.
It shows a much deeper interest than just a need for informative content.
Why should you start a blog
When you're passionate about something, it makes sense that you want to write a blog post and share it with the world. But maybe you hesitated because you were unsure of your writing skills or your ability to convey a point.
As it happens, one of the best things about being a blogger is that you can write like you speak. In other words, a degree in writing or journalism is not a requirement.
So why should you start a blog? Here are some ideas.
1. Share information with readers
The most basic reason for creating a blog is to share information with readers. Maybe you like to share book reviews or quick home improvement tips. If you have a talent for these things, you should share it with the world.
Remember that all information is useful. Your success will come from how you present this information.
2. Communicate and connect with your audience
Did you know blogging is a precursor to all of the most popular social media platforms we use today?
That's because blogging is, in part, a way to socialize online.
You can interact with your audience through comments, allowing you to expand your community and connect with others with similar interests.
3. Earn money passively
Blogging can be quite a lucrative job if you do the right thing. As you establish yourself as an expert in your field or a talented writer, you can get paid for writing content and by the affiliate marketing. Not to mention, you'll continue to benefit from a blog post long after you click "publish."
Now that we've covered the basics, let's take a look at each step you need to start a blog.
How much does it cost to start a blog?
One of the great things about starting a blog is that you don't need a lot, if any, of money to get started. There are many ways to start a blog for free, but some paid features and tools can help boost your credibility and, in turn, your follower count.
Take a look at the table below for a breakdown of some costs you should expect when starting a blog.
| Productit | Cost |
| Domain Name | $0 – $20 annually |
| Website design | $ 0 - $ 2,500 |
| Hosting | $0 – $500 per month |
| Plugins | $ 0 - $ 200 |
| SEO and Marketing | $0 – $1,500 as needed |
| Content creation | $ 0 - $ 500 |
| Accounting | $0 – $500 per year |
Three other costs to consider are hardware, software, and subscriptions. These costs vary widely depending on your specifications, niche, needs, and region.
Just be sure to search for alternatives free open source to popular software that is needed for your blog or area of expertise.
They are often just as good and can help you save a little money.
What does it take to start a blog?
It's not terribly difficult to start a blog as long as you have the right tools.
Specifically, you'll need a niche you like, a brand domain, and a platform to share your content. In addition, you will need some physical and digital tools, but we will discuss these a little later.
1. Find a niche you love
When you start writing about something you love, it's much easier to convey a sense of excitement with your writing. This passion is also reflected in the reliability of the readers.
So before you sit down to write your first blog post, make sure you've picked a niche you can enjoy writing about in the long run.
2. Choose a customizable domain
Blogs number in the thousands. To imprint yours in the minds of readers, you need to nail your brand image. It starts with your domain name, which is the text URL of your website.
You can find a cheeky pun, something simple, or your name if you're well established in your industry. Find the perfect balance between creative, simple and commercial.
3. Select a blogging platform
A blogging platform is a site or service that you use to create your blog.
You have many options for blogging platforms, such as WordPress and Blogger.
Most platforms will walk you through the blogging process and provide you with free and premium themes to help your content shine.
Many also provide a free domain that you can use to get started.
4. Choose a Reliable and Affordable Web Hosting Platform
Since your website is your reflection, it must work perfectly. This is where web hosting comes in. Your web host is the company that puts your website on the internet. There is no shortage of hosting services, but you can find one that is reliable, affordable, and suitable for your business needs.
5. Design the design, structure and functionality of a blog
To repeat myself: your website is a reflection of you. When designing your blog, you should create it to be as user-friendly as possible. This includes a rational design, structure, and features.
Your readers should be able to easily navigate your website. Also, the design and layout should allow for an effortless and enjoyable user experience.
6. Create quality content
You have already chosen your niche. The next thing you need to do is develop great content. Find out what other bloggers have written and take it a step further. Don't just write about what your blog is about, make it personal and targeted to your specific audience.
Next, work on establishing yourself as the authority on your blog's topic.
7. Find time to optimize your content
Did you know that an average blog post takes about four hours to write? This is because you need to both create content and optimize it. You need to take the time to study the keywords, trends, buzzwords, and topics that will make your content click-worthy.
The more clicks you get, the higher your blog will appear in search engine results.
8. Have the time and patience to promote your blog
One key truth to keep in mind is that overnight success for a content creator is extremely rare. When you launch your blog, it can take months to see any real traction. But, with the right promotional strategy and marketing plan, that success could come quickly.
9. Use tools to track your progress
Analytics tools will be your bread and butter when it comes to ensuring success. These tools can help you track where your users are coming from, what links they click on, and what promotions are working. Then you can take that information and further optimize your content and build your brand.
Now let's discuss each element in detail.
1. Find a niche you love
Chances are your choice to write an article stems from your love for a particular topic. But to be successful, you need to find a hole in your market and fill it.
For example, if you like to cook, why not create a blog sharing old family recipes?
A niche will help you get noticed and stand out among the millions of other food blogs.
What is a blogging niche?
A blog niche is a specific area that you have chosen to write about. When determining your blog niche, consider who your target audience is. Then you can narrow your subject to a specific area.
Types of blogging niches
The options for blogging niches are endless, so don't limit yourself to one or two topics. Sure, some will be more profitable than others, but you're more likely to make an income if you're well-versed in a subject.
Here's a quick breakdown of blogging niches and the best ways to choose yours.
Although you can blog about anything under the sun, you should try to keep it in the most popular niches. Fortunately, your large blogging category will likely be made up of countless smaller niches. So take the time to review each of them and see where your topic fits.
Niches: Passion vs. Business
Unfortunately, passion for something does not necessarily equal profit. So when choosing your niche, see it from a business perspective. In other words, which niche in your area of expertise will be the most profitable?
The answer will help you make an informed decision and guide your blogging strategy.
The most popular blogging niches
There are a few blogging niches which are more popular than others. So when you sit down to choose a topic, try to find a way to fit it into one of the following big niches.
1. Finance
You'll be hard pressed to find a reader who can't benefit from sound financial advice. If finance is your passion, break it down into a narrower section that people really care about. For example, you could write about stocks and investments, debt, or even extreme coupons.
2. Digital Marketing
Digital marketing is quickly becoming the key to tapping into most markets. Marketing tactics and methods vary, so pick the one you're comfortable with.
For example, if you are a social media marketing pro, you can create a social media marketing guide that has the potential to be very profitable.
3. Recipes and food
Do a Google search for a recipe and browse the results. Overall, you will see blogs. That being the case, you will have a lot of competition. Study food blogs in your area of choice and find a niche that isn't already saturated with content.
4. Personal development and self-care
Le personal development and self-care are two things people are constantly looking for. So why not help them find them sooner?
Time management, fitness, and mindfulness blogging are just a few topics you can explore in this niche. Just be sure to research your competition before creating a list of blog post ideas. You need to be helpful without appearing repetitive.
5. Fashion
Fashion is another popular blog category that could bring in a lot of revenue. Specifically, you will have the potential to profit from affiliate marketing and advertisements. Some of the most popular fashion topics are tips, trends, and news. Once you have your fashion niche, you can create a fashion blog in a few steps only.
Blogging Tips Recommendation
When choosing your niche, you should keep a few things in mind.
- Pick a topic that really interests you.
- Focus on passion and profit, rather than one or the other.
- Choose a topic on which you can be an authority.
- Make sure there is a real need for your content.
- Always research your target readers thoroughly.
2. Choose a customizable domain
A branded domain is essential when you want to imbibe readers.
Readers may not remember you by name, but they will remember you by your domain or blog name.
What is a domain?
A domain is the location of your website on the Internet. Each domain consists of two parts: a top-level domain and a second-level domain. The TLD is the suffix at the end of your web address, and the SLD is the text that identifies your website.
What is a domain name?
A domain name is the second level domain of your web address. This is the part of your web address that identifies the content or purpose of your site. For example, in www.blogpascher.com, “blogpascher” is the domain name.
It also happens to be the name of the blog.
The different types of domain names
The areas vary across the world. Some include country-specific suffixes, such as .ca for Canada. Others are used worldwide, such as .com. There are thousands of TLDs to choose from, but here's a look at some of the more common domains.
.IO domain names
. IO was a TLD in the British Indian Ocean Territory that has become popular around the world since the 1990s.
It's a favorite among tech companies and startups because of the input/output pairing that has grown over the years. If your blog is tech-focused, you should consider a .io domain name.
.blog domain names
The Domain .blog is for bloggers who want to make it easy for readers to identify their site as a blog. If you have different content on your website, you can set up a www.yoursite.blog to complement your standard.com site to make it easier for users to access one or the other.
.shop domain names
As you might expect, the domain .shop is popular with users who focus on e-commerce. As a blogger, you might not need it.
However, if you sell a product or service and have a blog, you can use both to distinguish between different domains.
.com domain names
.com is one of the oldest and most recognized domains.
It's the easiest to remember and usually the default when someone searches for a website.
.com derives from "commercial" because of its original use as a domain for e-commerce websites.
.com : The most popular domain extension
.com came into existence in 1985 and was the standard among the entities of online business.
However, from the mid-90s, .com has become the most popular extension for all websites and email. Its popularity flourished when companies started incorporating it into their names. Due to its ubiquity, .com is often the best choice for a website.
However, if you can't get the domain name you want with a .com extension, your best bet is to choose one of the other popular extensions.
Creation of a customizable domain name
Branding is key to establishing yourself as an authority on a subject. The best place to start building your brand image is with your domain name. A branded domain name is distinct, unique, and most importantly, has the potential to become synonymous with your topic.
What makes a domain name customizable?
A brand domain name will be:
- Memorable
- Relevant to your topic
- Unique (but not too unique)
- Easy to pronounce
- Short
- Families
Selecting a brand name that allows you to scale
As companies grow, so do their offerings. As a blogger, you might start writing about one topic, only to specialize in other areas. You can also add derivative products or services to your website.
If you anticipate growth, you'll want a brand name that will grow with you. A brand name that allows you to scale will match the blog you start with and any potential changes you make in the future.
Blogging Tips Recommendation
Creating a domain or blog name is often the trickiest part of starting a blog.
Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing a name.
- Make a list of names to make it easier to find the right one.
- Pick something that reflects your purpose and your brand.
- Study your competitors to name trends.
- Aim for brevity.
- Consider building a brand around your domain name instead of the other way around.
3. Select a blogging platform
Once you've decided on your niche and your name, the next step in creating your blog is choosing your blogging platform. You have many choices and even more to consider when making your choice.
What is a blogging platform?
A blogging platform is a web service that allows you to publish your content. They have everything you need to produce a polished, professional, and informative blog.
Features you'll find on most blogging platforms include:
- The content editor
- Plugins and integrations
- Domain management
- SEO tools
- Templates and themes
- Analysis tools
The right platform will have each of these elements and more. When looking at the different types, make sure you understand the importance of each feature.
Types of Blogging Platforms
Although there are many blogging platforms, they fall into two categories: free and paid. The option you choose will depend on your level of expertise and the type of brand you want to create.
Free blogging platforms provide you with the essentials without high subscription fees.
They will give you content creation, a paid or free domain name, and a limited amount of other features that will help you build your blog. On the other hand, the premium blogging platforms provide everything.
You will have a complete catalog of themes, plugins and extensions to integrate into your blog to make it unique and user-friendly.
Self-hosted or managed hosted
If you want to get your themes, plugins, and domains in one place, a managed hosted platform will be your best bet. Managed platforms make it easy to create and publish content quickly and professionally.
Conversely, a self-hosted blog requires a domain name, host, and software. It's more complex than a managed platform. However, the trade-off is more scalability and total customization.
The most popular blogging platforms
If you are blogging for the first time, you might feel overwhelmed by the variety of blogging platforms. Fortunately, this variety means you have plenty of easy-to-use and scalable options that are perfect for bloggers of all experience levels.
Beginner Level Blogging Platforms
As a new blogger, you should try to find a blogging platform with a low learning curve.
Here are some of the best blogging platforms for beginners:
- WordPress.com
- Wix
- Web.com
- Weebly
While these are great for beginners, they aren't necessarily the best options to choose, as they're feature-limited and not very upgradable.
Easy to use blogging platforms
When you want a polished blog without too much fuss, you need to choose a platform that's easy to maneuver. Specifically, you'll want to pick one that's simple to update, makes content creation easy, and doesn't require extensive knowledge of blogging or optimization.
- WordPress.com
- Weebly
- Web.com
- HubSpot
- Gator (by HostGator)
- Blogger
Again, these are easy to use, but they come at a cost.
Scalable blogging platforms
The most scalable blogging platforms often involve a bit more technical know-how. They allow you to add and remove features, customize content and integrate plugins.
- Drupal
- WordPress.org
- WordPress.com
In some cases, coding experience will be beneficial if not necessary. However, with platforms like WordPress.com, you will be able to scale your brand extensively without a lot of technical knowledge.
For sites that are more of a money-losing hobby, scalable blogging platforms are the category we suggest using.
Blogging Tips Recommendation
A blogging platform can make or break the future of your blog.
So, to ensure your blog thrives, you need to do the following to ensure success.
- Choose a platform that suits your content.
- Find webinars or lessons on how to use your platform.
- Consider your long-term goals and choose a platform that will help you achieve them.
- Test each platform first to avoid a frustrating change in the future.
- Choose a platform that offers intuitive site design.
Top Picks: Blogging Platforms
An overview of favorite blogging platforms
Our choice
WordPress
- WordPress is one of the most popular CMS on the Internet. Most of the biggest sites in the world are powered by this CMS
- Easy to set up at very minimal cost
- Huge amount of themes, plugins and developer support
- Incredibly scalable unlike many other free blogging sites
Wix
- Wix offers a user-friendly and hassle-free interface and design: 200+ templates to quickly set up a website
- Free hosting with every plan. This includes a CDN and automatic updates
- Native e-commerce integration to make it easier to sell products
Ghost
- A great alternative to WordPress
- Offers a quick and easy way to create blog posts
- The free version is acceptable, but the premium version gives additional access to more features such as custom domains, advanced SEO tools and priority support
4. Choose a Reliable and Affordable Website Hosting Platform
Now that you've decided on your blog name, niche, and platform, it's time to decide who will host your website. However, choosing the right service can be difficult if you are unfamiliar with web hosting.
Here is an overview to make this choice easier.
What is web hosting?
A web host is a service that puts your site online. Each hosting service has its own server that hosts websites. It doesn't matter whether you chose to create a managed blog or a self-hosted blog. You will need a website to host your domain and website content.
Types of web hosting
Before choosing a hosting provider, you should have a basic understanding of the different types of web hosting. Each option has its pros and cons, and some require more expertise than others. There are three types web hosting to consider when choosing a service.
These are shared, VPS and dedicated web hosting.
1. Shared Web Hosting
Shared hosting is an easy and cost-effective way to get your site online. These hosts store multiple sites, which share all of the host's resources. Most shared hosts have multiple tiers of hosting plans that start for free.
The features you get will depend on the hosting plan you choose. Shared hosting is best for bloggers who are just starting out.
2. Dedicated Web Hosting
Dedicated web hosting is most popular among large businesses, corporations, and other large entities. The main advantage is that you will be the only website on your server.
However, the downside is that the maintenance, software, and all other things you would get from a hosting service will be on your responsibility.
3. VPS Web Hosting
VPS (virtual private server) web hosting is the middle ground between a shared and dedicated hosting provider. When you choose a VPS, you share a server with other websites.
However, unlike shared hosting, you won't be sharing resources with these sites. Instead, you'll have a part of the central server that you can configure to your specifications.
Traditional Hosting vs Managed Hosting
The two broad categories that encapsulate the three types of hosting are traditional hosting and managed hosting. Traditional hosting includes dedicated and shared web hosting.
Dedicated and shared hosting have been the norm for decades. On the other hand, managed hosting involves renting space on a server. VPS hosting is a type of managed hosting, just likecloud hosting. THE'cloud hosting is similar to VPS hosting, although a bit more complex.
The most popular web hosting
Curious about which web hosting service is right for you?
Here is an overview of some of the most popular services.
Bluehost
Bluehost is one of the most popular web hosting services out there, and for good reason. Its user-friendly design makes it perfect for beginners, while its features appeal to bloggers of all skill levels.
If you chose to install WordPress.org, you're in luck.
Bluehost offers a lot of blogging features that make it easy to host your WordPress blog.
SiteGround
Another WordPress compatible website is SiteGround.
It is a popular service due to its fast servers, customer service, and security.
Since it uses Google Cloud and integrates WordPress, SiteGround is perfect for bloggers with larger platforms, enterprises, and those planning to scale their services.
WP Engine
WP Engine is another WordPress host that is a great choice if you want to use WordPress as your platform. It offers plenty of storage and speed and 24/24 customer support.
The main downside is that it's a bit more expensive than the others. However, the cost might be worth it if you have a more complex site.
Kinsta
Kinsta is a WordPress-compatible host that offers users enterprise-grade tools. It provides performance monitoring, high speeds, and the security of a Google Cloud Platform.
Additionally, Kinsta offers an easy-to-use platform to manage your content. And when you run into any issues, Kinsta customer support is available 24/24 to help you out.
Flywheel
Flywheel is a managed hosting service that provides users with low-cost hosting plans. It is a WordPress hosting service designed for enterprise level customers.
However, as a blogger, you can still benefit from its features. That said, you're unlikely to need something this robust when starting a blog.
Blogging Tips Recommendation
While the unique features of each hosting service should be key considerations when choosing a web host, there are also a few other things to keep in mind.
- Your host should offer 99,99% uptime to minimize lag or downtime.
- You need fast loading speeds to ensure users won't get frustrated and leave your website.
- Choose a hosting provider that has an excellent reputation for customer support.
- Find a host that will allow your brand to grow in the future.
- Security should be paramount, so find a web host with the best security features.
Our Top Web Hosting Picks
An Overview of Preferred Web Hosting Companies
Our choice
- The #1 hosting platform for WordPress.
- Massive feature set, including automated backups, automated plugin updates, and highly secure, efficient, and scalable hosting
- This hosting company's main focus is educational websites – they only work on those, so they know the space well.
- Services include accessibility, security, hosting and support for education-related blogs and websites
- A Booming Managed WordPress Hosting Solution
- Value price that includes standard features such as the CDN, backups, support, etc.
5. Design a blog with structure and functionality
Three crucial elements of a successful blog are your blog's functionality, design, and structure. As a blogger, you should design your site with these three components.
Otherwise, you risk a site that could lead users elsewhere.
What is the blog feature?
The blog feature allows you to include a blog in your website. When you add blogging functionality to your site, you add a new dimension of content that readers can benefit from.
Why is blogging important?
The blog is important because it provides an easy way to share content, and information on a website dedicated to another function. For example, if you currently have an online clothing store, you might benefit from including a fashion blog.
If you want to increase traffic to your site, blogging is also a great way to further optimize your website content.
Types of Blog Features
The blog will depend on the type of site you have and the type of content you want to create.
So let's break down the most common types of websites and how blogs work.
Information websites
News websites provide specific information: like news, party planning, or parenting, to name a few. Blogs on news sites are an easy way to add a personal touch to your website content.
For example, one of the features of the New York Times blogs is to share the ideas and opinions of journalists instead of traditional reporting.
E-commerce websites
Adding a blog to your e-commerce site is the perfect tool to keep a user on your website. Your customers will see your expertise when you provide valuable information alongside your products.
Also, a blog can offer real applications of your product or service. For example, a private contractor might add a “renovation hacks” blog to connect with potential clients.
Community websites
When you want to raise awareness about the purpose of a community, a blog on your website is a great way to do it.
In this case, the purpose of the blog could be to educate newcomers about issues within your community and daily stories of how users can contribute.
Others: Miscellaneous
Other types of websites that don't fall into information, like e-commerce or community, can also benefit from a blog. This includes sites that encompass aspects or two or all three of these aspects.
For example, an author's website might have an online store, bonus content for books, and a blog about the writing process.
These features drive sales, generate interest, and earn clicks.
What is Blog Design?
Blog design is design de l 'appearance of your blog. It includes fonts, color schemes, images, logos, and everything else you use to tailor your blog to your vision.
Why is blog design important?
Have you ever clicked on a link and then clicked "back" after just a few seconds because the design of the website bothered you?
If so, you already have a basic understanding of the importance of blog design. When a user enters your website, they want a pleasant experience.
They don't want to be blinded by garish colors or deal with long load times from excessive media. These annoyances are a surefire way to trick readers into looking for their content elsewhere.
Types of blog design
One of the best things about most blogging platforms is that they offer both free and premium blogging themes. You can also purchase pre-made themes or pay a designer to customize one.
Free Themes vs Premium Themes
Many platforms have a good mix of free and paid themes for bloggers to choose from. The main difference between the two is the number of customizable features. A free theme will have fewer bells and whistles, allowing for faster loading times.
However, the downside is that you have fewer customization options. On the other hand, premium themes are highly customizable, have more support and have more app integrations.
Predefined Themes vs. Custom Themes
Premade themes, which make up the bulk of free and premium themes, offer an easy way to create an attractive site. They are cost effective but offer a fair amount of customization. Custom themes are a bit more expensive. However, with that cost comes a blog design that suits your needs.
You won't have to compromise on color or logo placement. Instead, you'll get exactly what you're looking for.
What is the blog structure?
As with the design of your blog, the structure of your blog is another critical factor in attracting leads and ranking in search results. The structure contains the different components of a blog post, including the title, headings, introduction, body, and conclusion.
Why is blog structure important?
Using proper HTML titles, appropriate keywords, and high authority links in your article helps structure your blog. This structure is what helps you rank higher in search engine results.
For example, a blog with HTML titles will be "read" by search engines more easily than unformatted text.
Likewise, a Table of Contents will make it more user-friendly. Either way, you'll be well on your way to ranking higher in search results.
Types of blog structure
The two main types of blog structure are traditional and siled. This section summarizes the main differences between the two.
Traditional vs. Silo
A traditional blog will be just that – a blog.
The organization and the menus can be limited to months or dates, but this will be the limit of the organization of a site. It's a simplistic and somewhat outdated way of organizing content.
A silo structure is neatly organized using categories and subcategories, such as Recipes>Vegan>Desserts.
Silo organization is easy for search engine crawlers to sort through to determine if your content is relevant.
Blogging Tips Recommendation
Here are some quick tips for optimizing your blog design and structure.
1. Use a pre-built theme at first, then upgrade later
When starting a blog for the first time, consider choosing a pre-made theme first. This will give you time to understand how themes and blogs work. A premade theme also takes the stress out of designing a theme while trying to launch a blog.
2. Select a lightweight theme that includes the features you want
A lightweight website theme will provide fast loading times and a better experience for your users. When choosing a theme, opt for a theme that is fast and offers the functions you want. Features can include social media integration, e-commerce layouts, and customizable features.
3. Start with a basic tech stack
A tech stack is the toolkit you'll need to achieve your blogging goals. As a blogger, you will need optimization tools, cost-effective solutions, and streamlined delivery to users.
So choose a tech stack that will offer each of these things. WordPress and other blogging platforms will probably have everything you need. However, you could benefit from tutorials on the different functions before choosing your plans and themes.
6. Create quality content
Your content is at the heart of your blog. No matter how good your design, structure, and search engine optimization, you'll struggle to succeed if your content isn't to the point.
So to improve your chances of creating a successful blog, you need to focus on content production.
What is content production?
Content production varies by industry, but at its core it is simply creating content for a site or entity. In your case, that site would be your blog. The content you produce is everything on your site, including blog posts, product descriptions, and bios.
Why is content production important?
Your content is how you connect with your audience.
This is how you answer questions, provide and share information. If you want to communicate effectively, you need to focus on producing optimized, high-quality content for your readers.
Types of content to produce on your blog
You will have your choice on what content to choose when you start your blog. However, most blog posts will fall into one of two categories: informational or transactional.
Informational vs transactional
An informative blog post imparts knowledge to your reader.
These articles answer questions, provide information, or enrich your reader's life in some way. You want your reader to leave your site with a new understanding of your topic.
A transactional blog post typically includes a CTA (call to action) that directs a reader to perform a task or transaction.
For example, the transaction may be in the form of a newsletter sign-up, a free webinar, or a purchase.
The most popular types of blog posts
Have you ever heard of the seven basic story plots? Blogs have a similar theme. Whatever type of blog content you produce, it will undoubtedly fall into one of four categories.
1. General information articles
General information blog posts provide informative content to a reader. Depending on the type of information, informative posts may or may not have a CTA.
Examples of informative blog posts are how-to articles, fashion tips, parenting tactics, and news.
2. Lists
If you've spent more than five minutes on social media, you've probably come across a list. Listicles are blog posts that are simply product listings.
These articles offer lists of "best products for" and "things you've never known", with a small excerpt for each article. If you want to make money from affiliate marketing, listings are a great way to do it.
3. Comparison items
Comparison blog posts compare two or more things, usually with a clear winner at the end. They are ideal if you want your readers to make a purchase or take an action.
For example, if you offer social media marketing services, you can write a comparison article on Instagram vs TikTok marketing.
4. Review Articles
Review articles take many forms. Some may look similar to general information articles, while others are more like listicles.
Review posts can cover your own or other people's products or services. They are another great option for specialists in the affiliate marketing, because you can use your blog content to create the product.
Ways to produce content for your blog
When you sat down to plan how to start a blog, you might have assumed that the only way to produce blog content was to write it yourself.
In fact, it is only one option among several.
write it yourself
Many writers prefer to write their own content. By doing so, you can ensure that your voice and tone shines through in your content. The main downside to writing your own content is that it can be time consuming.
As mentioned earlier, the average blog post can take upwards of four hours. That might not be a problem if blogging is your full-time job. However, if it is a side gig, you may need to consider other options.
Hire a writer
If your blog is or will be a business, you can hire a dedicated writer to produce content. He can craft your items to your specifications and give you the benefit of individual attention. Your copywriter can be a full-time or part-time employee or anyone else who is familiar with your area of expertise.
Outsource to freelancers
Freelance writing is another valuable resource for career bloggers. Freelancers venture into all fields, so you can find one who has experience in your niche. You can hire a freelance writer to do a single article or as a contract that lasts several months, if not longer.
Hire a content agency
Content agencies are ideal if you need to produce a lot of content. You still get one-on-one service, but an entire team of writers instead of just one. Content writing agencies also have the added benefit of in-house writers and a quality assurance team.
Blogging Tips Recommendation
Your blog content will set you apart from your competition, so getting it right the first time is essential. Here are some tips to keep in mind during the content creation phase.
- write often
- Don't be afraid to outsource
- Stay up to date on industry trends
- Avoid talking about yourself
- Use examples to get points across
7. Find time to optimize your content
One aspect of blogging that beginners often overlook is content optimization.
It takes a bit of getting used to, but once you get the basics down, you'll be able to optimize your posts quickly and efficiently.
What is Content Optimization?
When a search engine crawls the web, it looks for keywords, titles, links, and other features on websites. Content optimization is how you make your website more visible to search engines and, therefore, readers.
When you write a blog post, you should use all the tools of SEO available to optimize your content.
Why is content optimization important?
Content optimization is how your site looks on the web. Optimizing your content will generate more leads, increase organic traffic, and rank higher on search engine results pages or SERPs.
Tools that make content optimization easy
You don't need to be an SEO expert or fully understand how search engines work to produce optimized content. While basic know-how is undoubtedly valuable, there are plenty of tools available to help you optimize your content.
1.MarketMuse
A popular and effective content creation tool is MarketMuse.
This SEO optimization tool analyzes web data to develop plans, content ideas, and keywords that will help your articles reach the right audience.
MarketMuse also provides valuable insight into what your audience expects from you.
2.Jasper
Formerly known as Jarvis, Jasper is a web content generator. It's powered by AI, so you'll have the benefit of auto-generated content that reinforces the content you create.
Jasper can help you create posts, titles, and outlines, dramatically reducing the time you spend creating content.
3. Surf SEO
Surfer SEO is a search engine optimization tool that helps bloggers develop perfectly optimized web content. You can create plans, use AI-generated content, and get data-driven insights into your online performance. You will also get valuable insights regarding keywords, structure, and media usage.
Blogging Tips Recommendation
- Develop content that will encourage users to click through to your site.
- Minimize visuals to increase loading time.
- Optimize your website for mobile use.
- Use around 3-5 web links per 1000 words of content.
- Only link to high authority sources.
Additionally, we suggest following the guidelines outlined in the infographic below as a best practice for every post you post.
8. Have the time and patience to promote your blog
The last step before launching your blog is to promote it. While you may cringe at the thought of spending time away from writing to promote your site, it's imperative that you do. But what is blog promotion? And how do you do it?
Let's take a look.
What is blog promotion?
Blog promotion is the process of actively driving readers to your content.
You can promote your blog on social media, through email marketing campaigns, and by networking with other key figures in your industry.
Why is blog promotion important?
As an up-and-coming blogger, you need to get your blog name out there because content alone isn't enough to drive chunks of traffic to your website. The promotion drives readers to come to your page and read your content.
Sometimes this incentive comes in the form of a discount, while other times it is simply the promise of information sought.
The most popular ways to promote a blog
You might be surprised at the number of options available for Promote your blog. Fortunately, this variety means you'll have your pick of methods. However, keep in mind that some methods are more popular than others. Consider the following.
1. Produce content for organic search
Optimizing your content for organic search is one of the best ways to drive traffic to your blog. This involves doing keyword research and using titles and topics that users search for often. You can also reuse old content by tweaking it with your SEO tools to make it relevant.
2. Create an email list
Email marketing is another effective method of promotion. The content you share in your email campaigns will depend on your audience, purpose, and industry.
Either way, email marketing is one of the best ways to reach readers who have already established an interest in you or your content. A newsletter is the best option, which you can quickly create using a newsletter generator.
3. Use social media
Social media has become one of the most powerful digital marketing tools available, so it would be wise to use it to your advantage. Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and Twitter all have different demographics, so find out who uses what before choosing your platforms.
4. Reach out to other bloggers
Networking is an essential tool for online content creators. When you want to promote your blog, consider reaching out to other bloggers in your industry. You can leave Comments on other blogs, offer to write a guest post or ask for a mention.
As you establish yourself in your blogging community, you will find more opportunities for promotion with your peers.
5. Use paid ads
Paid advertising can be an effective promotional tool if you know how to use it. You can launch advertising campaigns on Social Media, Google or other websites to drive traffic to your content.
However, before launching your campaign, reduce targeting, media, and ad text to ensure your ad ticks the right boxes.
Blogging Tips Recommendation
Promotion can be one of the trickiest areas of blogging.
So here are some quick tips to keep in mind when putting together your marketing plan.
- Regularly study social media trends.
- Learn how to develop the perfect target audience.
- Make keyword research and industry trends a top priority.
- Build a community with other bloggers and influencers to expand your reach.
- Don't be afraid to outsource to social media managers and marketing agencies.
9. Use tools to track your progress
The final step in starting a blog is acquiring and learning how to use tracking tools.
These are cloud-based services or features of your content management system that come with your plan.
What are the progress tracking tools?
Progress tracking tools help you visualize your site's performance data. They provide insight into user behavior, preferences and search engine rankings.
Then you can use this data to make informed decisions about future blog posts, site upgrades, and features.
Are progress monitoring tools needed?
While you might want to find a way to save money on your tech stack, progress tracking tools are essential for success. They are not strictly necessary.
However, to ensure you have a successful blog, you need to understand your users.
Types of progress tracking tools
There are a handful of progress tracking tools to choose from. Specifically, you should look at tools that provide analytics, ranking information, and tracking information about your site content.
1. Analysis tools
Analytics tools help you measure your blog's performance. They provide a report feature to show you how your blog stacks up against your competitors.
With analytics tools, you can track:
- SERP rankings
- Time spent on a page
- Page views
- web traffic
- The bounce rate
- Top Performing Items
- The origins of clicks
- The number of subscribers
- The conversion rate
Understanding these aspects of your blog can give you insight into adjustments you might want to make.
2. Rank Tracking Tools
You might think that rank trackers will measure your website ranking. However, they are actually tools that show you where a keyword is ranking on the web. Rank trackers are great for improving your website's SEO and SERP ranking.
3. Link tracking tools
When you promote your blog, you want to make sure you're getting a return on your investment. To do this, you can invest in link tracking tools. These tools allow you to see where your site visitors are coming from.
So, if you're running an email campaign alongside social media ads and Google Ads, you need to know how effective they are. Knowing which link people click on the most will tell you where to direct more of your marketing dollars.
Starting a Blog in 2023: Final Thoughts
So, now that you've gone through this guide, you should have a better idea of how to start a blog. Try not to be overwhelmed by the amount of content we've covered. Instead, use the information here to guide you through launching your blog one step at a time.
The WordPress dashboard offers all the tools you need in one place.
Starting a blog takes a lot of steps, but having all the necessary tools at your fingertips will make it much easier. And remember, you don't have to do these steps in order. Start with the simplest task and go from there.
You have more questions? Do not hesitate to leave a comment, and we will contact you as soon as possible.
