Introduction
Blogging has fast become a quick and easy way to make money for those who know how to do it right. This article shall discuss the topic of how to start a blog in the right way so as to become successful. However, before diving into the issue of how exactly to start your own blog, there is a need to know exactly what a blog is.
What is a blog?
According to Wikipedia, a blog is a discussion or informational website published on the World Wide Web consisting of discrete, often informal diary-style text entries. Posts are typically displayed in reverse chronological order, so that the most recent post appears first, at the top of the web page. It can also be referred to as writing, a piece of photography, or any other media that is self-published on the internet. Having being able to explain what a blog is, we shall look at the necessary steps required to start a blog.
Steps required in starting a blog
Like any other venture in life, there are steps involved in starting a blog and not just any blog, but a blog that will thrive and be successful. The steps involved in starting a blog are as follows:
#1. Choose the blogging platform that suits you most
The first and foremost step to take when you set out to start your own blog is to ensure you choose a blogging platform that best meets the requirements to start your blog. There are a lot of blogging platforms available to those who desire to go into blogging however, there is the need to be meticulous when choosing your desired platform. Amongst the blogging platforms available are:
- WordPress
- Blogger
- Tumblr
- TypePad
- Scoop
- Drupal etc.
While WordPress remains the most used and probably considered as the best platform by a lot of users, others still prefer other platforms for reasons best known to them. Therefore, before you settle for any blogging platform, you are to ensure that the platform you are settling for will provide all the functions you look forward to having in your blog.
#2. Hosting
After deciding on the blogging platform to choose from, then comes the next step you need to consider which is the hosting. There are actually two alternatives when it comes to the subject of hosting which are using your own hosting (paid) or using the free hosting provided by whatever platform you are settling for.
Almost all of the blogging platforms listed above offer free blog hosting for everybody. While this may seem fantabulous, there are also down sides to using free hosting for your blog. The down sides are:
I You won’t be able to have your personal domain name
When you decide to use a free hosting for your blog, your blog’s URL (your web address), will be very unappealing and somewhat confusing. It will also be hard for people to remember. Unlike basic web addresses like www.google.com or www.wordpress.com, which is easy to remember anytime, your blog address when you use free hosting will look like this:
- myblog.wordpress.com
- myblog.tumblr.com and so on.
Because you are using free hosting, your blog’s website address will also be tied to the platform you are using.
II It is limited in so many ways
There are a lot of limitations to using free hosting for your blogs. One of the limitations has been discussed above and there are a whole lot more like the inability to fully monetize your blog. Also, there is a limit to the media (images and videos) you can upload making it completely difficult to be able to fully express yourself to your readers. To top it all, if you are using WordPress, you will not have access to the free themes they offer.
III You do not actually “OWN” your blog
As unorthodox as this may sound, it is the fact. You do not own your blog. This is due to the fact that your blog is hosted on another person’s domain and as such, they decide what happens to it and when it happens. They can decide to take down your blog at any time they deem fit and there is absolutely nothing you can do because it is their property. This can actually be frustrating and discouraging as that would mean that all your effort and hard work will just be flushed down the drain at the snap of a finger.
If on the other hand, you decide to use your own domain name and also host your blog yourself, then you own your blog and you can do whatever you want with it. Cool right? The most amazing thing about having your own domain name is that apart from being able to name your blog whatever you want, they do not actually cost as much as you think they cost.
#3. Start blogging
After considering the platform you want to use and whether or not you will be using free hosting, the next step is to step all out and start the blog of your dreams. It is now time to accomplish that long-burning desire to have your own blog. When you however start your blog, you must ensure that your content should not be boring, or offensive. As much as possible, make sure you keep your content reader friendly, as interesting, and informative as possible. The content of any blog is actually the foundation and once the content is not good, readers will get discouraged easily.
Another important thing you want to keep in mind as you manage your blog is to make sure your design is appropriate. Make sure to include pictures relating to the topic of each article of your blog and also endeavor to use an eye catchy design for your blog layout.
#4.Read and know more
It is commonly said that no man is an island of wisdom hence it is necessary to keep learning as you blog. Take every opportunity to know more about blogging and what it entails to be successful. No success comes without hard work and dedication. Therefore, never relent in your desire to know more.
Conclusion
The steps listed above are the key and fundamental steps everyone who desires to be a successful blogger must take not of and follow step by step as one step complements the other.