So. You’re ready to start your blog.
First off, yay! Starting a blog is so exciting and fun! It’s a great way to supplement your regular income, and pretty easy to get going. And while it does not have to be a big financial commitment (you can get web hosting fairly cheap), you should keep in mind that it is a time commitment if you want it to flourish.
While I’m on the subject of disclaimers…
There are some affiliate links in this post. Basically all that means is that I may make a small commission if you click on them or make a purchase. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and if you decide to monetize your blog I can tell you more about how to use affiliate marketing!
Make sure you check out my free blog resource sheet before you get started.
Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get started.
Before you even think about starting your blog, you need to figure out what you want to focus on. This is often called your “niche”, or the specific category your website falls into. For instance, I often refer to Belles & Bucks as a lifestyle blog and brand because I cover multiple topics related to my own lifestyle that are not typically grouped together. If you check out my blog drop down menu, you’ll see there are four main categories: literature & writing, DIY & crafting, home & organization, and relationships & family. These are a mixture that represents my life as a whole, so I fall into the “lifestyle” niche.
My other website, Kristangible, is often referred to as a home decor blog. The majority of posts focus on home design, and occasionally there are posts relating to business or general lifestyle. But since the vast majority of my posts are about the home, that is the niche it falls into.
It’s time to choose your niche.
If you already know exactly what you want to write, this is probably easy. But if you’re still trying to narrow it down, check out this post by The Sway on how to find your niche. You can even create your own niche! Maybe what you want to focus on isn’t very mainstream. There’s nothing wrong with coming up with something totally unique to you; in fact, it may be a good thing!
Once you have your niche, you have to choose a domain.
For many, this can be the most challenging part about the entire process. Picking your domain is critical because it is the first thing potential readers will notice about your blog. It may take some time to come up with the perfect name, so don’t rush the process! The worst thing you could do is choose a mediocre name just to get started and two weeks later come up with the Best Name Ever and wish you had waited to buy your domain. If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, here is a post about how to brainstorm names for your new blog.
Click here to download my free blog resource sheet for other tips on getting started.
After you come up with a solid list of potential names, it’s time to search for domain availability.
At this point, I’d suggest you go ahead and get setup with Bluehost so you can do your web hosting and domain all in one place. Of course, there are other options available for hosting and buying your domain (Siteground and GoDaddy are pretty popular options as well). But I have set up multiple sites through Bluehost and have never had any issues. It’s super simple to set up your domain and connect your blog platform too. For less than $5/mo, it’s a pretty low risk investment.
On Bluehost you’ll be able to search for your domain name availability. Don’t be afraid to go for a .co domain if the .com is taken! Just be sure you are choosing a domain that you love and will feel comfortable with long term.
Something else I recommend as an add-on with Bluehost is G Suite.
It allows you to link your email up to Google so you get access to all the Google apps! This is really great because you can have a professional email address using your own domain instead of an @gmail.com, but you get all the perks and ease of using Google. You’ll get an admin dashboard where you can add other users and adjust permissions, you’ll have access to Google Drive, etc. The best thing (in my opinion) about G Suite is that you get to connect to the Gmail inbox, which is SO MUCH EASIER to log into and maintain than the ones offered on the web hosting platforms. And it’s way less complicated to get setup on your phone too.
If you’re interested in using G Suite, it’s a very low cost add-on. I currently use the Basic plan option which is only $5/month. This plan has 30GB storage, which is more than enough for a new blogger. If you find that your blog and business outgrows this, they have a Business plan with unlimited storage for $10/month. And if you outgrow that one, they have an Enterprise plan with really advanced controls and capabilities for a whopping $25/month.
Ready to try G Suite? Email me at kristan(at)bellesandbucks.com to receive a code for 20% off when you choose G Suite Basic! Put “G Suite Sounds Sweet” in your subject line and tell me about your blog in the email. I’ll respond with your code to get started today. And once your site is live I’ll make sure to check it out and give you some feedback if you want. 🙂
Alright. Your domain and web hosting are done. What next?
If you haven’t already chosen a blogging platform, this is the time to do it. I personally use WordPress because it’s what I have used for years so that’s what I’m comfortable with. But there are other platforms out there that have plenty of good reviews. If you’re not sure which platform is right for you, read this post.
After you’ve chosen your platform, you get to experience the fun of designing your website! This is honestly one of the most cathartic steps in the process in my opinion. There is nothing quite as intoxicating as starting with a blank page and creating a beautiful website. Depending on which platform you chose, design options will vary.
Assuming you use WordPress like me, there are countless free templates you can choose from. Or, if you’re ready to invest in a paid theme, check out Restored 316 for some soft and feminine designs. I do highly recommend sticking to the free themes if you are a first time blogger. It is very likely that you will change your mind on the layout once you are a few months into blogging, or possibly sooner. Waiting to spend money on a paid theme is always a good idea. I mean, I didn’t even buy a theme until I had been blogging for almost three years!
Download my free blog resource sheet if you haven’t yet!
Now that you’ve got the foundation set up, it’s time to write.
Before you write your first blog post, you should make sure to write the following pages:
(1) About – Include a bio of who you are, what you write about, and how you help your audience.
(2) Privacy – This is legally mandated to protect you and your readers.
(3) Contact – Let people know how they can get in touch with you! This can be as simple as a contact form, or more elaborate like mine, depending on your preference.
Once those three basic pages are done, you should write a few starter blog posts. Of course, you aren’t required to have a minimum number of posts prior to your site going live. But it is a good idea to have at least a few so readers can get a sense of what you have to offer them and why they should come back to read more!
When you’re ready, go live.
You did it! You’re ready to publish your website and share it all over social media. While those are just basic steps to get you going, there are many other mechanics to getting your blog up and running at full speed.
I highly recommend checking out HerPaperRoute for more in-depth guides for blogging. Chelsea does a fantastic job of walking new bloggers through all the steps. She tends to write specifically toward Bluehost and WordPress users. But if you use another platform, she still has plenty of tips and advice for you! Chelsea also has a blogging school that I’ve taken myself and can vouch for – it’s awesome. You can check out Be Your Own Blog Boss here.
Have more questions or need advice?
You can drop a comment below, or feel free to email me. Keep an eye out for future income reports from me for tips on monetizing your own blog. Good luck blogging!
