Getting Started as a Blogger: What You Should Know

by sitemanager

So you're thinking about starting a blog? Whether it's for commercial or recreational purposes (or both), you'll find that blogging is a fun and rewarding experience that allows you to share your thoughts with readers. And if you do it right, people will begin to remember who you and what you write about, following your blog to catch future updates. What to Blog About One of the first steps in getting started as a blogger is to decide what you want to blog about. This is arguably the single most important step, simply because it will dictate your blog topics. Choosing a niche that doesn't in...

Effective Ways to Find Guest Blogging Opportunities

by sitemanager

In the wake of Google's infamous Panda and Penguin updates, webmasters have become increasingly hesitant to build backlinks to their sites, fearing it could have a negative impact on their search rankings. While certain tactics like paid links, automated programs and spam may certainly lower your site's ranking, guest blogging remains a safe and effective way to promote a website. But how exactly do you find guest blogging opportunities? What is Guest Blogging? If this is your first time hearing about guest blogging, let me explain how it works: basically, you write and submit an article or ...

How to Get Noticed as a New Blogger

by sitemanager

Did you know that there are an estimated 152 million plus blogs currently on the Internet, with hundreds more being created each day? As a new blogger, it can be difficult to make a name for yourself and attract readers. However, following the steps listed below will set you on the right path for success. Add Images to Posts If you aren't adding images to your blog posts, you are missing out on one of the easiest and most effective ways to attract new visitors. Images enhance blog posts so they are more appealing, and thus visitors are more likely to stay and read the content rather than cli...

Are You Using Tags and Categories Correctly?

by sitemanager

One of the perks of using WordPress as your website's content management system (CMS) is the ability to place new posts and pages within tags and archives. The next time you create a new post or page, look to the right-hand menu and you'll see a widget-like box for "Categories" and "Tags." Using these elements can prove useful in boosting your site's search engine visibility while attracting new visitors in the processors -- but only if it's done correctly. Tags vs Categories: What's The Difference? Some bloggers assume that tags and categories are the same, so they tend to use them intercha...

5 Reasons to Blog with WordPress

by sitemanager

Thinking about launching a new blog? One of the first steps in blogging is to choose your content management system (CMS). From Blogger and Tumblr to WordPress and Joomla, there are dozens of possibilities available. However, WordPress remains the world's most popular blogging software. Here are some of the reasons why: It's Free Did I mention WordPress is completely free to download and use? Whether you choose the hosted or self-hosted version, you can launch a WordPress blog for virtually nothing. Granted, there are some premium themes and templates for sale, but these are optional and not...

5 Blogging Trends to Watch

by sitemanager

Blogging is a dynamic industry that changes from year to year. What's popular and trending one year may be gone the next. This is why it's important for bloggers to familiarize themselves with the latest trends. 1) Video It should come as little-to-no surprise that video is gaining grounds in the blogging industry. Bloggers can diversify their content while creating a more attractive blog by adding videos to it. In the past, slow Internet speeds and sub-par computer hardware restricted users' ability to watch videos. But this isn't an issue now, as Internet users can enjoy seamless videos wi...

Tall-Tale Signs Your Blog Needs a New Design

by sitemanager

When was the last time you changed your blog's design? Web design is a dynamic, ever-changing market that continues to evolve with each passing year. Just because a design practice is popular today doesn't necessarily mean that it will be tomorrow. As blogger, you must be aware of the nuances of web design, including which practices work and which ones don't. Your Blog Doesn't Pass Google's Mobile-Friendly Test One tall-tale sign that your blog needs a new design is failing Google's mobile-friendly test. Found at https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/mobile-friendly/, this tool lives up to...

Tips for Better Business Blogging

by sitemanager

Still struggling to generate a following for your business's blog? Being that blogs are more personal in nature than a typical website, many business owners fail to attract a sizable audience with their blog. If this sounds like a familiar scenario, keep reading for some helpful tips. Commit to a Posting Schedule One of the most common blogging mistakes made by small business owners is failing to publish new content on a regular basis. They may initially publish a new post every other day, but as time goes on, they begin to slack off. Rather than publishing every other day, perhaps they'll p...

Should I Blog on a Dedicated Domain or Subdomain?

by sitemanager

This is a question many first-time -- and even some seasoned -- bloggers ask. Some believe dedicated domains are better suited for blogs, simply because they provide greater freedom and accessibility, whereas others prefer subdomains. If you can't decide between the two, keep reading for a break-down of the pros and cons associated with dedicated domains and subdomains for blogs. Dedicated Domains vs Subdomains: What's The Difference? Let's first go over the basics of dedicated and subdomains, as this a topic that confuses many people. A dedicated domain is exactly what it sounds like: a sta...

How to Prevent Blogger Burnout

by sitemanager

Burnout is something that everyone will experience, regardless of occupation. You focus all of your energy and attention on a single project, staying up into the late night hours working on it. Over time, the stress and pressure pile up to create the feeling of being "burned out." As a blogger, you should take steps to avoid this phenomenon, because if left unchecked, it can have disastrous consequences on your ability to produce work and maintain a successful blog. Schedule Posts Ahead of Time Nearly all of the major blogging platforms, including WordPress, have a scheduling feature that al...

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