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Have you been wanting to start a blog but simply don’t know where to start? Well then this post is for you! Below I break things down step by step so that you can set up your blog and start sharing your message with the world.
Why Start a Blog?
The day I let my best friend talk me into starting a blog in 2016 was one of the best days of my life. In the past 4 years I have been paid to work with some of my favorite brands, been invited to travel to bucket list destinations, and found a community connecting with like minded people. I have also been able to earn an income to support myself and my travels. As cliche as this may sound, my only regret is that I did not start sooner.
Addressing What May Be Holding You Back
If you are like me, you have been thinking about blogging for a while but have yet to take that first step. I was always extremely shy growing up. My mom used to joke that the only “critique” each of my teachers had during parent-teacher conferences was that I did not speak up enough during class. I was worried about putting myself out there for strangers to judge me. It wasn’t until I switched my mindset and thought about what I have to lose by NOT starting my blog that led me to take the first step.
Starting a blog can be a bit overwhelming. I used this as an excuse for a very long time. I had no idea what I was doing or which platform to use, how to design a theme that I like, and how exactly was all of this supposed to make me money. Luckily I am going to break it all down step by step for you so that all you have to decide is what to write about.
How to Start a Blog from Scratch
1. Sign Up For WordPress
While there are many different publishing platforms you can choose from, I personally recommend WordPress to anyone who wants to take blogging seriously. I first started my blog on Wix but found that it did not have a lot of the features I was looking for. With WordPress, you are able to install plugins to help you with everything you need, from making sure your post is SEO friendly to encouraging people to sign up for your newsletter. With WordPress, you are also able to customize your blog with a design theme you love.
WordPress.com vs WordPress.org
What is the difference? When I first knew that I wanted to switch to WordPress, I had no idea there even was a difference! WordPress.com is a hosted site which means that is is free to use. The catch is that it is that your web link will have WordPress in it. For example, it would be YourBlogName.Wordpress.com. If you would like to take blogging seriously and make money, I suggest becoming self-hosted and signing up with WordPress.org. There is only so much you can do with your site on WordPress.com so if you would like to make your blog into a business and be taken seriously, I highly suggest signing up for a self-hosted plan.
2. Pick a Hosting Platform
In order to sign up for WordPress.org, you have to go through a hosting platform. The best way I can describe the difference is that WordPress is your actual blog, the program where you write all of your posts and create content. The hosting platform connects your blog to the internet for others to see.
After doing extensive research, I decided to start my blog with Bluehost. I truly have no regrets! I had a lot of technical issues with switching my domain over from from Wix (there was a 6 day period where I even thought my blog was lost forever!) But the customer service at Bluehost worked with me every step of the way to make sure that the days I spent building and customizing my website were not wasted. They truly know what they are doing and have helped me navigate the technical world of building a website.
To get started, just click on the image below and it will take you right to the Bluehost website.
3. Pick a Plan
As you can see in the image above, there are 4 basic plans for you to choose from. If you are just starting out, you should be fine with the Basic plan (only $3.95 each month!) However, once you start growing your blog and getting more views, you may want to upgrade. The Plus and Choice Plus plans will help your website to run faster.
4. Pick a Name for Your Blog
This is where you can be creative! Come up with the name for your blog. It can be your name, a nickname, or something that tells your readers what your blog is about. My only word of caution is that if you are going to come up with a clever title, make sure it is one that can be expanded later. For example, if you named your blog “Travel Girl” but decide later to make your blog about food or fashion, you might confuse your audience. Something clever like “My Life as ____” can be all inclusive and showcase everything you are interested in.
If you have not come up with your name yet, DON’T WORRY! You can always come back and change this part later.
5. Fill In Your Information
After you pick your domain, you will be directed to filling out your account information.
6. Pick Your Package
Pick your account plan term (in the image above we selected 36 months) and your package extras. It will be expensive upfront, but as you can see, the total price is for 36 months.
Once you select your package, you will be directed to the payment section. Fill out your information and choose a password that you will remember.
Next up, the fun part!
Create Your Blog
Pick a Theme
Bluehost has many options to choose from when it comes to design. However, if you have an idea in mind for what you like, or want more options, you can buy a custom theme. My two favorite places to view custom and affordable designs are 17th Avenue Designs and Elegant Themes.
You Are Ready to Start Creating Content!
Congrats on making it this far!! You have made it through the hard part and now you are ready to start sharing your voice with the world.
Create Categories for the Menu Bar
This will help your readers to easily navigate through your content.
Download Plugins
Plugins that I recommend the most are Yoast (to help with SEO), ConvertKit (to help convert your readers into email subscribers), and Google Analytics (to help keep track of your readers and analytics).
Write Content
You are now ready to start writing! Don’t worry too much about being perfect, just start creating. You will find your writing will improve the more you create.
If you found this guide on how to start a blog helpful, be sure to check out our other blogging resources here. You will find resources on ways to start a travel blog, how to increase your blog traffic, and how to make money through your blog.
You can also check out my latest, up to date freebies, courses, and programs to help you grow as an influencer and entrepreneur here.
