A Comprehensive Handbook for Starting a Blog in 2024

                     

A Comprehensive Handbook for Starting a Blog in 2024: Insider Tips and Strategies for New Bloggers to Achieve Success.

Do you want to start a blog and make a career as a blogger?

Yeah! It’s promising to do both at the similar time!

Starting a blog can be a great way to turn your passion into a career and make a passive income. With the right knowledge and tools, anyone can start a successful blog. For over 14 years, ShoutMeLoud has been helping millions of users like you to start their own blogs.

There are many reasons why people choose to start a blog, such as:

·        Sharing new learning’s,

·        Documenting thoughts,

·        Earning a passive income,

·        Receiving free gadgets

·        Travel

 Or any other personal goal. No matter what your reason is, blogging can help you achieve it.

Let's dive in and learn how to start your blog today, without any further delay.

This guide is a comprehensive resource that will provide you with both the theoretical and practical knowledge you need to start a blog. It covers everything from choosing a blog topic and platform, to picking a domain name and hosting, to setting up your blog design and monetizing it.

Before you begin, it's important to have the name of your domain ready. Keep in mind that you can always change your domain name later on. In this guide, you will find answers to all of your questions and will be able to start your blog with ease.

Here are the steps you'll need to follow:

·        Picking the blog topic

·        Selecting the blogging platform

·        Picking a domain name and hosting for your blog

·        Installing WordPress on your blog

·        Setting up the design of your blog

·        Installing the best WordPress plugins

·        Writing your first blog post

·        Sharing your post with the world

·        Monetizing your blog

·        Driving traffic and gaining more exposure

The options for platform and hosting that are suggested in this guide are those that are known to work.

Starting a Blog from the Ground Up: A Guide for Beginners with No Experience.

Creating a Blog from scratch: A guide tailored for beginners with little to no knowledge on blogging. By the end of this guide, you will have your own blog set up and ready to go.

Step 1: Choosing a Blogging Platform:

The first step in creating your blog is to decide which platform you want to use. There are a variety of options available, and different bloggers have different preferences.

One of the most popular choices among bloggers is WordPress. This platform is known for its ease of use, and it's a great option for beginners.

It's important to note that there are two versions of WordPress: WordPress.com and Self-hosted WordPress (WordPress.org).

The latter is the version you need for a more professional and customizable blog.

As a matter of fact, 37% of websites worldwide are powered by WordPress. Once you're familiar with the basics of blogging, you can consider moving to more advanced and meaningful platform.

For more information, check out our comparison of the best blogging platforms.

Step 2: Defining the Niche for Your Blog:

Before starting your blog, it is important to determine the specific topic or niche that your blog will focus on. Having a specific niche, or area of expertise, is crucial for the success of your blog.

It is important to note that in 2023, blogging about a variety of random topics is not an effective strategy for success. Instead, it's best to focus on one specific topic in order to establish yourself as an authority in that area and attract a dedicated readership.

Additionally, search engines like Google prefer websites that are built on a single topic, as it makes it easier to understand the purpose and content of the website. For example, ShoutMeLoud is focused on the topic of "blogging."

So, how do you determine the niche for your blog? Here are a few tips to get you started:

·        Choose a topic that you know better than anyone else. It doesn't have to be related to your job, it could be anything that you are passionate about and can comfortably talk about for hours.

·        Consider topics that you typically read about. If you find yourself reading about a certain topic all the time, it's likely something that interests you.

·        Make sure you have a genuine interest in the topic and can bring unique insights to the table.

·        One exercise that can help is to take a pen and paper and write down different topic columns that interest you (e.g. motivation, fashion, technology, finance, photography, scientific research, baby care, health care, etc.). Then, try to write 5 post ideas for each column without referencing any other sources. By the end of this exercise, you should have a better idea of which topic you are most passionate about and can write about comfortably.

It's important to remember that choosing a topic that you are passionate about will help prevent burnout down the line. If you choose a topic that you enjoy writing and talking about, it will be easier to maintain your blog and continue to produce high-quality content.

·        Determining the Niche for Your New Blog:

·        Exploring the Pros and Cons of Single-Topic vs Multi-Topic Blogs

When choosing a niche for your blog, it's important to consider whether you want to have a single-topic or multi-topic blog.

Step 3: Choosing a Name and Domain for Your Blog:

One of the most important steps in creating a blog is choosing a name and domain for it. The domain name is the URL that visitors will use to access your blog.

 For example, www.shoutmeloud.com.

When choosing a domain name, it's important to follow these 4 rules:

·        Make it easy to remember

·        Make it easy to type

·        Make it easy to pronounce

·        Make it brandable

It's important to note that a custom domain name, like www.shoutmeloud.com, typically comes at an annual cost of $12. However, there are ways to save on this cost.

Here are some tips to help you choose the best name for your blog:

·        Prefer a .com domain name above all other options

·        Ensure that the domain name is easy to pronounce and type

·        Avoid names that may be confusing to listeners

By following these guidelines, you'll be on your way to choosing a memorable and effective name and domain for your blog.

When choosing a name and domain for your blog, it's important to consider both the practical and the creative aspects. One way to check the availability of your chosen domain name is by using the Bluehost domain suggestion feature. Simply enter a word that you have picked for your blog and it will show you available domain name suggestions.

In my opinion, the name of your blog is crucial. You can also choose a domain name under your own name, which is great for a personal portfolio or if you are building your personal brand. However, I prefer a generic name that allows for flexibility in the future and the possibility of having other people run it while still enjoying the benefits of solopreneurship.

When selecting your domain name, it's important to be creative and follow the four rules mentioned above. Additionally, here are a few things to avoid when choosing a domain name:

·        Don't use a domain name that is too long; aim for 12 characters or less (e.g. ShoutMeLoud)

·        Don't use domain extensions such as .info, .net, etc. because they tend to have poor search engine rankings. Instead, stick to .com or .org extensions.

For more information on selecting a great domain name, check out our suggested reading:

 How to select a great domain name for your business?

Step 4: Choosing a Hosting Provider for Your Blog:

Once you've selected a name and domain for your blog, the next step is to find a hosting provider.

Hosting is where your blog will be stored and made available to the public.

This is a server that stays online 24/7 and holds all the images, design, and content of your blog.

There are many hosting service providers available, but for a blog, Bluehost is an ideal choice. It offers a variety of features that will help you create a successful blog, including:

·        Free SSL

·        Unlimited bandwidth and storage

·        A free domain name, saving you $12/year

·        A user-friendly cPanel

·        Live chat support

·        A 30-day money-back guarantee

·        An affordable price of $2.95/month

These features make Bluehost a great option for beginners and experienced bloggers alike. With Bluehost, you'll have everything you need to get your blog up and running smoothly.

Purchasing a Hosting Plan with Bluehost:

To purchase a hosting plan with Bluehost, follow these steps:

·        Go to Bluehost.com

·        Click on the "Get Started Now" button

·        Select the Basic plan if you're starting one blog or the Plus plan if you're starting more than one blog

·        On the next page, you'll have the option to claim your free domain name. If you haven't decided on a domain name yet, you can choose to do so later.

·        Fill in your contact information on the next page and pay attention to package extras to save money

·        When purchasing a hosting plan with Bluehost, it's important to pay attention to the package extras to save money. One option that can be skipped is the Domain Privacy Protection.

·        In terms of payment, you can choose to pay via credit/debit card or by using PayPal by selecting the "More payment options" button. Once the payment is complete, Bluehost will automatically create your blog in the next 10 minutes. This saves beginners from the hassle of manually installing the software.

Here's the best part:

Once you've completed the purchase of your hosting and domain name, Bluehost will automatically install the WordPress software on your domain name.

This means that your blog is already installed and ready for you to customize and start blogging. No need to worry about the technical side, you can just focus on the fun stuff.

Step 5: Customizing Your Blog:

Bluehost makes the process of setting up a blog easy by automatically installing the software for you. However, before you start writing your first blog post, there are a few steps you'll need to complete to set up your blog for branding and make it perfect.

To help you get started, I've created some guides that you can refer to for setting up your blog:

A guide on how to set up a WordPress blog for the first time?

By following these guides, you'll be able to customize your blog and ensure that it's properly set up for branding and a professional appearance.

Step 6: Enhancing the Visual Appeal of Your Blog:

You've taken care of the technical aspects of starting a blog, now it's time to focus on the visual appeal. As the saying goes, "first impressions are lasting impressions," and the design of your blog plays a big role in this.

WordPress offers a wide variety of pre-made designs called "themes" that can be used for any type of blog. While there are many free themes available, I recommend choosing a premium theme. This way, you'll have access to support and starter guides, and you'll be able to ensure that your blog has a professional and high-quality design.

Once you've decided to take your blog's design to the next level, you'll want to consider using a theme club. These are easy-to-use, modern designs that can enhance the visual appeal of your blog. Here are a couple of theme clubs that I recommend:

·        Astra theme: This lightweight theme offers a variety of templates for all types of blogs. You can easily install the theme and choose from a variety of ready-made templates to have your blog's design ready within 30-45 minutes. This theme is a great option for new WordPress blogs.

·        Genesis: This is another high-quality theme framework that can be used to create professional-looking blogs. It is the theme I use for ShoutMeLoud. You'll need to purchase the theme and a skin to make it suitable for your blog.

You can also check out How to install a WordPress theme.

There are many more premium WordPress theme clubs available, but these two options will give you a professional start for your blog.

Step 7: Essential WordPress Plugins to Install:

There are thousands of WordPress plugins available, but you don't need to install them all. To ensure that your blog is fully functional, you should install a few essential plugins from the start. Here are some plugins that you should have on your newly created WordPress blog:

·        Yoast SEO: This plugin helps you to optimize your blog for search engines and improve your on-page SEO.

·        ShortPixels: This plugin helps you to optimize images on your blog for faster loading times.

·        Jetpack by WordPress.com: This plugin provides a variety of features, including security, performance, and design options.

You can refer to this tutorial on how to install a WordPress plugin.

You can also find a list of the best WordPress plugins here.

While there are many more plugins available, these essential plugins will ensure that your blog has all the basic functionality.

After following all the steps, your blog is now up and running. Now it's time to focus on adding new content and growing your audience.

Step 8: Create a content plan:

Before starting to write your first blog post, it's important to make a content plan. This will help you organize your ideas and ensure that your content is well-structured and covers all the necessary information.

You can use tools like Excel or Trello to create your content plan. There are also free content planning boards available on Trello that come with checklists to help you write a perfect article.

When creating your content plan, write down all the ideas for articles you could write and create an outline for each one.

 It's best to do this in one sitting so you have a clear idea of what you want to write about in the future. Then, when you're ready to start writing your content, you can work on one article at a time.

Step 9: Write your first Blog post:

Now is the exciting part, crafting your initial blog post. To decide on the topic of your first post, consider the following guidelines:

When writing, envision a person sitting next to you and speak to them in the first person. This will create a personal connection with your readers.

Ensure your post comprehensively covers the topic at hand and don't be afraid to write at length, 1000+ words can be beneficial.

Avoid using copyrighted images and instead opt for free-to-use images from reputable sources. Include multimedia by embedding videos from platforms such as YouTube. Consider reading a guide on SEO copywriting to increase the visibility of your post on search engines.

Step 10: Create essential pages on your blog:

To ensure your blog is professional and complete, it's important to include a few key pages. These can be added over time, but here are the essential ones to consider:

·        About page: This page should provide information about your blog and yourself, giving readers an idea of who you are and what your blog is about.

·        Contact page: This page should include a contact form for readers to reach out to you. You can use plugins such as Contact Form 7 or Jetpack's contact form feature to create this page.

·        Media kit page: While you may not need this right away, it's important to know about it. This page is where you can share information about your blog's traffic and available advertising options.

·        Privacy policy page: This page should explain how you collect, use, and protect user data.

·        Disclaimer page: This page should clarify the limitations of liability for your blog's content.

·        Disclosure page: If you have any sponsored posts or affiliate links, this page should explain that to readers.

·        Terms and conditions: This page should outline the terms under which users can access your blog.

Driving traffic to your Blog

Once your blog is set up, the next step is to drive traffic to it. There are many techniques that can be used to get traffic to a new blog. Some of these include:

·        Search engine optimization (SEO) to improve visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs)

·        Social media promotion through platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

·        Guest posting on other blogs to reach a new audience

·        Creating and sharing infographics, videos, and other types of content to attract backlinks

·        Building relationships with other bloggers in your niche to gain exposure

·        Utilizing paid advertising options like Google AdWords, Facebook Ads, and Twitter Ads to drive targeted traffic to your blog.

One should read this guide on How to Promote Your Blog (12+ Actionable Blog Promotion Techniques) to learn more about these techniques and how to implement them.

Step 12: Building a social presence:

Now that you have established your blog, it's important to build a social presence to connect with your readers and grow your community. To do this, you should create a Facebook page, Instagram account, and Twitter account for your blog. These platforms will allow you to engage with your readers, share updates, and promote your content.

The following resources will help you get started with creating your social accounts:

·        Guide on how to create a Facebook page for your blog

·        Tips on creating a Twitter profile for your blog

·        Strategies for forming a community around your blog through social media.

Now, learn how to monetize your blog and generate revenue in simple steps.

There are several ways to monetize your blog and earn income. Some popular options include:

·        Utilizing Google AdSense to display ads on your blog

·        Using affiliate marketing to earn commissions by promoting other people's products

·        Creating sponsored content for brands

·        Joining the Amazon affiliate program to promote and earn commissions from their products

·        Selling direct ads on your blog

·        Creating and selling your own digital products such as eBooks or online courses

You can learn more about these methods and how to implement them in my article:

"How to make money blogging"

What things else do you need for reaching the next level of Blogging?

In addition to the steps mentioned above, to reach the next level in blogging, it's important to learn about SEO and implement it on your blog. SEO, or search engine optimization, is the process of optimizing your website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). This can help drive more targeted traffic to your blog, which can ultimately lead to more revenue.

To improve your SEO, you should focus on three main areas:

·        On-page SEO refers to the optimization of your website's content, including keyword placement and content quality.

·        On-site SEO refers to the technical aspects of your website, including crawling and indexing.

·        Off-site SEO refers to building backlinks from other websites to your own.

Additionally, with the evolution of SEO, it's important to focus on social signals and user experience.

·        Social signals refer to the impact of social media on your website's search engine rankings.

·        User experience refers to the overall usability and design of your website, including navigation and site loading speed.

·        To learn more about SEO, it's recommended to read articles on: keyword research

·        SEO-friendly content writing

·        Backlink building

 With a proper understanding of SEO, you can drive more targeted traffic and revenue to your blog.

Driving traffic to your blog is essential for expanding your audience and generating revenue:

Attracting targeted visitors to your blog is crucial for generating revenue and growing your audience. By implementing effective SEO strategies and utilizing social media, you may already be seeing some organic and social media traffic. To further increase your website's traffic, consider implementing additional techniques such as driving traffic from forums and increasing organic traffic. Remember, targeted visitors are more valuable as they are more likely to convert into paying customers.

Improving your blog's readership:

Improving your blog's readership is a key aspect of turning one-time visitors into loyal followers. Top bloggers pay close attention to every detail to ensure their readers keep coming back. To take your blog to the next level, consider implementing advanced and less discussed techniques such as increasing your readership and retaining them.

Some resources to help in this process include reading articles on how to get more readers and keep them, understanding why readers may not be engaging with your blog, and seeking guidance from other bloggers in forums and groups. Remember; while it's not possible to have a guide with you every step of the way, there are many resources available to help you improve your blog's readership.