Have you always loved to express yourself by writing down your thoughts? If yes, it is about time you start thinking about creating a blog of your own and start earning money. In today’s day and age, people are always looking for different voices and opinions that stand out and provide exposure to people and things that deserve it. If writing has always been your dream, it is about time that you bring that dream into reality.
We understand that starting a personal blog can be an overwhelmingly new experience that requires a lot of hard work, consistency, and the right amount of energy. That is why we are here to help you with our step-by-step guide on how to create a blog and a website to make this task less challenging and more productive for you.
Step 1: Select the niche you want to write for
It is important that you do not dive into various niches in the starting and stick to a particular niche or pick one that you are genuinely interested in or would love to write about. Once you’ve decided the niche you’re interested in starting, do your research on it. Find out which audience would be interested in reading your blog, what type of information and topics they’re looking for, and whether they would be intrigued if you diversify the topics and put your opinion out there.
Furthermore, check what the niche size is, how many people follow it, is it popular among people or a good way of earning in the future? You must opt for a niche that can be fruitful in the future and help you make a career out of writing a blog. Once you can tick off the pros in the sections mentioned above, you will be able to get a good idea of the views you will get on your blog and the potential monetization of the blog in the future.
Step 2: Choose a blog platform
When it comes to choosing a blogging platform for your writing, there are multiple options available that you can choose from. I am sure you must have heard of Word press as it is an online blogging platform that many experts and users vouch for as by far it is one of the largest platforms in the world with a massive audience, has countless plugins, and various ways through which you can design your blog with creative ideas. It has more than 82 million active users worldwide, which means you will get to enjoy a huge audience and get amazing exposure for the niche you write for in your blog.
To get started you need a Blog hosting and blogging software. Bluehost is my go-to provider because both Blog Hosting and Blogging software are included as well as:
Step 3: Pick a blog name
A blog name or a domain will be the name you go by, which will help you earn recognition and identity among people. It is crucial that you choose a well-thought-of and unique domain name as it will stick to you throughout your blogging journey. If you want to have a domain name of your choice, you will have to pay an annual fee for it. A domain name will help people search and access your blog easily by simply entering the URL in the search bar.
Check below to see if your domain name is available!
If you are having difficulty choosing the most suitable blog name, check out the blogs of your competitors to get an idea. You can also take the help of a blog name generator which will provide you with multiple options to choose from. Moreover, if you want to keep it very basic, you can either use your name or else use your nickname to spice things up a little.
Example: When I was creating my website, I wanted a domain name that was unique and something everyone could remember that is why I choose LifeAfter20.com. I wanted my website to be about providing quality content in how to start an online business or how to improve your credit score and so much more helpful life tips that I wish I knew when I was 20. Check out Why is Branding Important for Small Business?
Once you have seen that your Domain Name is available see below for further instructions:
Click on the Image below and Click Get Started!
Next select your plan. If you are new to blogging I recommend you get the “Basic Plan”
In the left box type in your domain name and click “next”.
Fill out your Account Information
Select your Hosting Package and Options
Fill out your Payment Information then click “Submit”
Next you want to “Verify your Email Address”
Once you have Verified your email Address its time to “Log In”
Once you are logged in click on “My Sites”
Then click “Add Site”
I recommend you start with Best WordPress for Beginners and click “Start Building”
Next Choose your Domain and click “Next”
After you have have completed the previous steps you want to click on “Manage Site”
Click “Log in to WordPress”
After you log in you will be taken to the Dashboard
Once you have completed all the previous steps you are now ready to start building your website and begin publishing your first Blog post.
Note: If you are looking for someone to customize, create, or design your WordPress website, you are also able to hire a Fiverr Freelancer that is able to make your website to your specifications. Follow steps below. Skip these steps if you are wanting to continue making the website on your own.
Search “WordPress Website” In Fiverr
Find which Freelancer you would like to work with. Send them a message of your vision for your Website and what you want included and they will do all the rest
Image below shows the different types of options you have to choose from
Note: Depending on your Fiverr Freelancer you are able to do “Unlimited Revisions” if you are not satisfied with your design.
Continue below if you building your own Website!
Step 4: Select a theme and design the blog your way
Now let’s get to the fun part. Who doesn’t like selecting the best themes and designing the blog in a personalized way to show the audience that it’s your space where you will share your opinions on the topics they would like to read on. Work on your designing your blog and make it exactly like how you want it to turn out. Take ideas from the Internet or visit the blogs of famous bloggers for inspiration related to design and themes.
If you are setting up a blog account on Word Press, under the appearance tab, you will find different theme options for free. If you do not find something appealing or according to your taste, then you always have an option for purchasing a theme from different websites like Elementor. Keep in mind that the overall theme of your blog should look inviting, pleasant, and aesthetic so the audience is inclined towards reading your content as well as a theme that portrays the kind of personality you have.
On the left hand side you see “Appearance”. Click “Themes” and “Add New Theme”
Search for Popular Themes
Note: Once you have choose a theme you like. Click “Activate”. Now you can start by updating your logo etc. on your new theme.
If you want to create a drag and drop page builder for WordPress Elementor Pro is a great Plugin
Elementor allows you to create original website pages compared to stock templates that you get with your WordPress theme. Make sure you subscribe below so you do not miss out on my next article showing how to create a website using Elementor Pro.
Step 5: Work on writing and publishing your content
Once you have gone through the basic setup of your blog, you must start working on the content itself and make sure that it is worth giving a read. Remember that there are millions of users on Word Press, and in order to stand out amongst others, you need to provide unique content which is easy to read and can be related to by every reader.
Upload your first Post. Click “Add New”
Add Title and Content
Note: Once you have updated your content click on “Publish” and you have officially created your first blog post!
Ensure that your content is structured in a way that is not messy and includes different size headings, margins, short paragraphs, and pointers where required. There is no need to panic at the start if you cannot decide how to write or how to make your content engaging, as this can only get better with practice. You will not become a pro at writing overnight, so just keep writing, work on your mistakes, take feedback from your peers or experienced people who already have blogs, and nothing can stop you from succeeding or having a well-established blog within a few months.
