I Want to Start a Blog. What Now?

So, you’ve made the decision to start blogging, but now you’re faced with the task of actually turning your vision into a reality. If this is your first time attempting to blog, you may feel overwhelmed at the technical complexity of it. Don’t worry, because we’re going to walk you through the steps to creating your first blog.

Choose a Niche

What do you want your blog to be about? Some people choose general topics like “health,” or “automobiles.” While there’s nothing wrong with blogging about these topics, you should choose a more narrow niche for your blog. General topics like health or automobiles are highly competitive, meaning you’ll have an incredibly difficult time trying to rank for related keywords. Try choosing a subcategory of those topics instead, such as “alternative health recipes,” or “DIY car modifications.”

Choose a Content Management System

Now comes the task of choosing a content management system (CMS) for your blog. You can technically create a blog (or any other website for that matter) using nothing but Notepad, but opting for a CMS will make your life as a blogger MUCH easier. Some of the best content management systems for blogging include WordPress, Drupal, Joomla and Blogger. With that said, most seasoned bloggers will agree that WordPress is the best all-around choice. It’s user friendly, features tens of thousands of plugins and themes, supports multiple authors, has a commenting feature, and it’s free to download and use with no strings attached.

Register a Domain Name

Assuming you want full control over your blog (hint: you do), you’ll need to register a domain name. Typical domain name prices range anywhere from $2-$10 bucks per year, which is a small price to pay for the benefits it offers. Also, keep in mind that your personal information, including your name, phone number and street address, will be visible to the public unless your add privacy protection to your domain. Again, privacy protection is something that varies in price between the different registrars, but most charge around $10 bucks per year for it. Check out Domain.com and iPage.com for purchasing your domain name.

Web Host

You’re getting closer to launching your blog, but you aren’t out of the woods just yet. There are a few more things you’ll need to do, one of which is to sign up for a web hosting service. This is the company that will be responsible for actually hosting your website’s files, so make sure it’s a reputable and respective provider. If there’s one cost you don’t want to skimp on, it’s web hosting. Again, Domain.com and iPage.com are good bets for reliable hosting sites.

Uploading Your CMS to Your Web Host

The method for launching a blog will vary depending on your CMS. Most platforms, however, require the user to upload the files, create a database, and then go through a live wizard. Refer to your CMS’ setup instructions for more information, and when in doubt, ask your web host for help. Most hosting companies will gladly offer their expertise in helping to get your blog up and running.

What CMS to you plan on using for your blog? Let us know in the comments section below!