Starting a blog can be very exciting and scarry at the same time. Knowing the steps to start a blog can be confusing especially if you don’t know what to expect.
But today, I’ll share the initial steps that you would take when creating and owning a blog for personal use or business use.
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Determining a Budget for Your New Blog
Having a budget for your new blogging venture will set the stage for many decisions you will make.
You can start a personal blog for as little as $10 US dollars if you are only purchasing a domain name. And if you don’t want to purchase a domain name, then you can literally start a blog for free with a subdomain on many hosting sites.
Keep in mind that if you plan to advertise on your blog and bring in an income, then you will need to set aside anywhere from $150 to $400 US dollars to invest into your blog.
Knowing how much money you can afford to spend is one of the steps to start a blog and will help you to choose your blogging platform, niche, hosting provider and domain name.
Choosing the Right Blogging Platform
There are so many blogging platforms available, but choosing the right one depends on what your future plans for you and your blog. Questions like, do you plan to monetize your site? Do you plant to sell something? Is this a hobby blog to pass the time? How much money do I have to spend on blogging?
The answers to these questions will dictate which platform you’ll choose. Also keep in mind that many bloggers who initially choose one platform move over to another as their blogging needs change.
Here are popular blogging platforms available as of the date of this article:
- WordPress.org
- WordPress.com
- Blogger
- Wix
- GoDaddy
- Squarespace
- Web.com
Note that there are many more blogging platforms available, too many to be listed here.
If you want full creativity and control over your blog, you should go with WordPress.org as part of your steps to start a blog.
Other blogging platforms that have DIY page builders may be easy to navigate at first, but can’t handle volume or are limited in other ways. Often DIY platforms offer limited options for free and then want to upsell you to get the bells and whistles, like analytics, ecommerce and ad managers.
This page contains affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through links I provide (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for supporting the work I put into this site! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Choosing a Blogging Niche
Many people go into blogging for the sole purpose of making money. That’s ok, but you need to be a subject matter expert in what you are writing about.
Google knows fact from fiction when it comes to content. And if your content isn’t worthy of ranking, people will never find it.
One of the steps to start a blog is to only write about what you know best. Your content should be comprised of topics that people search about that you are very knowledgeable about and are a subject matter expert.
You also need to be able to put together content which answers questions that aren’t typically answered by other content creators. That’s what will make your blog stand out and make someone want to click on it when it comes up in search results.
So remember to choose a niche that you are very knowledgeable in that you feel very comfortable writing about.
Choosing a Hosting Provider
Many blogging platforms also offer hosting for free when you use their website page builders.
If you choose to go with a platform that requires self hosting like wordpress.org, you will need a hosting provider.
There are too many hosting providers to list. Here are a few top rated hosting providers to consider:
Many of these hosting providers offer different tiers of service starting with beginners and going up to corporate level. Good, quick service like what’s offered at Bigscoots is always a factor when contracting a hosting provider.
Remember to check reviews of any hosting provider you are going to consider. Search Facebook groups for recommendations and don’t just rely on reviews on their website.
Purchasing a Domain Name
Most hosting providers also provide the ability to purchase a domain name from them or sometimes they will offer a free domain name with hosting.
You can also purchase your domain from a domain seller like NameCheap. The benefit of purchasing a domain name from a domain seller is that you get to keep your hosting and domain registration and renewal separate from hosting renewal. That way if you change hosting, you don’t need to worry about what to do with your domain name.
Either way your domain name is yours, whether you purchase it with your host or separately.
If you are just starting out, you can also get a free subdomain with hosting companies that offer their own website page builders. A subdomain will look like this: www.agooday.wix.com, where wix.com is the hosting provider.
It is very difficult to grow and rank with a subdomain, so if you are serious about your blog, you should invest in a domain name.
Choosing a Domain Name
A domain name should generally be relative to your niche. For example if you are going to start a blog about cars, you should choose a domain name that is easy to remember and is related to the automotive industry.
Sometimes, people choose blog names that are more personal and meaningful to them. This is ok too, but it will make it difficult for people to remember your blog name. A blog name related to the industry will have a greater meaning and impact for individuals that want to return to your site.
Domain names ending in .com are golden. However, sometimes a domain name you might have in mind has already been taken. Fortunately, domain name extensions are also available in .ca, .net, .org, .xyz and many more.
Whatever domain extension you choose, be careful. Domain names are usually for life. The longer domain names exist on the interweb, the more domain authority they will acquire. Sometimes, it take years for a domain to rise in authority which in turn earns you Google trust.
Conclusion
Knowing your budget is the first step that will dictate how you setup your blogging platform. Once you know your budget it will be easier for you to navigate and select essential services that you will need to start your blog.
Remember to research before you make the final decision on purchasing hosting and a domain name as these are two items that will have the greatest impact on your budget and blogging journey.
