How To Start A Blog

There are many reasons to start a blog. You may want to regularly update long-distance friends and family on an event in your life, such as a pregnancy, or share your passion about a particular topic with the world. Another reason to begin a blog is to showcase your writing or design talent to potential employers and  freelance clients. You can upload your resume and share writing sample links for everyone to see. 

No matter how much you know about how to start a blog, follow these steps to get started for more help:

1. Register Your Domain

The first thing you need to do when starting a blog is to register your domain using a website creation tool such as WordPress or Bluehost. Research the various hosting options prior to deciding which one to go with, as each one offers different benefits, such as "live chat" features, money-back guarantees, or 24/7 customer support.

When picking a domain name, or the URL to your website, consider the purpose of your blog. For instance, if you're using it as a professional platform, choose a name that is easy to find and to-the-point. One way to do this is by using your name followed by the service you offer, such as " first name last name writes," or "first name last name designs." 

2. Design your Blog

After registering your domain and securing your spot on the Internet, it's time to design your blog. You don't need to be a graphic designer to create an eye-catching blog, as your hosting website will walk you through the process step-by-step with detailed directions. 

You'll start by choosing a template for the way you want your webpage to be laid out. If you decide you don't like the template later, you will be able to change it without losing any content, so feel free to experiment a little.

Pick a design style that reflects the purpose of the blog. For example, you can choose a baby pink or blue color scheme for a pregnancy blog, or a floral design for a gardening blog. Make sure the blog is easy for readers to navigate, especially if you're using it on a professional level. Readers should be able to quickly and easily access links, photos and specific blog posts as needed. 

3. Start Posting

After your blog is up and running, it's time to start posting. To have a successful blog that people enjoy visiting often, you'll need to put time and effort into it. Decide if you want to update your blog daily, weekly, or monthly, and stick with your plan. Fresh content will bring readers back to your blog on a regular basis.