Blogs have continued to transform the way users share content on a website by allowing them to showcase their creativity, skills, and talent. Whether you have a personal or business website having a blog gives you the ability to market your services through a variety of content whether it’s text, images, videos, and more. Websites like WordPress have made it easier for users to blog by providing customization tools like adding a logo, changing the colors of your site, or providing plugins that can add functionality by creating newsletters and analytics.
If you are ready to dive into the world of blogging, here’s how to start a blog and publish your post to your website.
Choose Your Web Host
You can’t create a blog without a domain name and a website. Before you begin selecting a domain name, you’ll want to choose the web host you’ll want to create your website with. Web hosts provide users with the space for their website to live on the internet. A web host can offer a variety of services and features and the user pays a monthly fee based on the package they choose.
The different services they provide can include fully hosted services like WordPress.com which provides users with website building tools and options to create any site they choose on that platform. WordPress is one of the most popular website builders because it is free to start a blog, and empowers a user’s creativity through their “block” features which allow a user to include images, video, font design, and more.
Once you select your web host, you’re on the way to starting your website and the next step is registering your domain name.
Register a Domain Name
A domain is the backbone of your website because it represents your online identity and establishes your web presence. The domain name you choose should reflect your brand, niche, or services so audiences are clear on what you are offering. You should always check the availability of your domain through a domain name generator which can search the internet to determine if that domain name is currently in use.
A domain name generator can also provide you with alternative domain name options that are creative and authentic to your brand by changing the top-level domain (TLD). A top-level domain is a domain extension that follows the end of your website like .com, .org., or .net. TLDs have become more popular in recent years because they provide users with new and vivid ways to express their brands like .me, .bio, .blog, and more!
After you’ve registered your domain name with your web host, it officially becomes your address on the internet. Now that you’ve chosen and registered your domain name, it’s time to set up your WordPress blog.
Set Up Your WordPress Blog
When you select Bluehost as a web host, they will automatically set up a WordPress website for you to use. Whenever you login into your Bluehost account, you will be directed to your control panel (cPanel) and then select “My Sites” which is located underneath your “Home” tab. When you select “My Sites” it will show your website(s) and you will be directed to selecting a theme for your WordPress blog or you have the option to skip the selection process and come back later. If you are using a different web host, be sure to review their instructions and guidelines for setting up your website.
Your WordPress blog appearance is controlled by the theme you select that designs your website. WordPress.Org features thousands of themes that allow you to customize the look and tone of your blog. The WordPress library has free, paid, and premium options that can be used to decorate your website for a seamless website building experience. The directory also allows you to filter how you search for your WordPress theme based on your subject, layout, and features.
Don’t forget, if you don’t want to select a theme, at this time you can always revisit this option later. It’s time to start creating your blog post!
How to Create a Blog
Blogs and can be referred to as an “entry” or “blog post” and are a great way to keep customers engaged with your brand. Within your WordPress admin dashboard you’ll select “Posts” and then “Add New,” where you’ll be directed to start writing your first blog post. A “post” opens the content editor to create a blog post which can include formatted text, photos, and other elements like videos and social media. When you are in your post you’ll have the option to add a title, write content, or use the content blocks to create your blog. WordPress uses a block-based editor which allows a user to create beautiful and dynamic layouts for their blog content.
Any time you are writing a blog post, you always want to keep your target audience in mind. Your target audience is the person or personality that consumes your content so you want to create content that will keep them engaged. If you have an understanding of your audience, you’ll be able to create content that resonates with them. When you finish writing your blog post, you’ll click “Publish” at the top right hand corner of the page and your blog will be live on your website.
Now that you’ve published your first blog, you can continue to be creative and experiment with different blog formats for your website. WordPress also features different ways to optimize your blog by installing plugins that help with the functionality of your website. It’s never too late to add a new element to your website and blogging is an excellent way to communicate your brand to your audience.
