A step-by-step guide to starting a blog
Starting a blog is quick and easy even if you’re not the most technologically inclined. In fact, no advanced skills are necessary as there are plenty of blog creating sites out there to help make the process very easy.
Here are some of steps to get your new blog up and running in no time.
Decide what you want to blog about
An interesting blog is one that is updated regularly so think of what you are passionate about. This can be any topic in the world such as food, movies or cars. Maybe you want to teach something or share some wisdom? You don’t have to restrict yourself to a niche though. A blog can be personal journal, which is a fantastic way to share photos, updates and stories about your life with family and friends who might be located far away.
Choose a blog creation site
There are lots of blog creating sites out there but the most popular and easiest to navigate are Blogger and WordPress. If you are after something with minimal steps, Blogger is a great place to start. WordPress has more features and add-ons which is something to consider if you want to expand your blog after you get a feel for the basics.
Both are free to use but you can pay for more features to spruce up your blog.
There is also the option of a self-hosted blog on your own domain. This requires a bit more know-how and some money but the advantage is it will be your own domain name (e.g. yourblog.com) as opposed to when you create one on WordPress (e.g. yourblog.wordpress.com)
Pick a domain name and blog name
Your domain and blog name should be short, catchy and reflect what your blog is all about.
For example, if you just love Italian food and want to share recipes and your top restaurant picks, the name of your domain and blog could be “Italian Food Lover”. Alternatively, if it is a personal blog you can simply use your name.
Don’t make your domain name too long as people generally can’t remember long names or type them out easily.
Decide on a theme
Your theme will determine the layout and appearance of your blog such as where your blog text is, how big the headings are or how the sections are laid out. Sites like Blogger and WordPress will have many premade themes to choose from so get creative and pick one that reflects your style. Don’t worry if you’re not sure about which theme to pick yet as you can always choose or change your theme later.
Write your first blog post
Now it’s time to write your very first blog post! Share the link with your friends and families so they can see what you’ve been up too.
Read Over60 community member and regular blogger, Sandra Ludinski, tips for blogging.