5 Easy Steps to Start a Blog

As a SEO specialist, I spend a lot of time writing, proofing and publishing blog posts not only for this blog, but also for the blogs of our clients. Blogs are one of the most important elements of our SEO campaigns and I strongly urge every business owner to start a blog of their own. Content is King in the eyes of Google and there is no better way to enhance your online profile than by starting a blog.

Given the importance of a blog for your businesses success, I thought I would share some of my professional knowledge to help you start a blog in 5 easy steps.

  1. Choose what you want to write about.
    If you’re going to start a blog to promote your website, company, or products & services, the first step should be a lot easier for you. Focus on the niche that you’re targeting and write about topics that potential clients will find interesting. Each blog post should target a specific topic which is related to your business so you can impart your knowledge and in the process, earn the trust of your readers. Meanwhile, if you’re starting a blog just because you want to, you’ll have a better chance of succeeding if you focus on topics that you’re an expert on. Of course, you need to make sure that your chosen topic is interesting to your target audience otherwise; your blog will not receive any visitors.
  2. Choose your blog platform.
    Next step is to choose your platform. Do you want it hosted or self-hosted? Right now, your choices include WordPress.com, Blogger, Wix, and Tumbler. All of these platforms allow you to start a blog for free. However, this option allows the provider to display advertisements on your blog in exchange for their free service. They can also impose certain limitations that can hurt your blog in the future. If you don’t like limitations and want full control of your blog, you will need set up a hosted blog. This means paying a monthly or annual fee but believe me, for a small outlay, you’ll get complete freedom and access elements that you’ll find useful to make your blog more successful.
  3. Hosting & Domain and blog installation.
    If you choose to have self-hosted blog, the next step that you need to take is to choose your domain name. This is very important as this basically means giving your blog its name. Finding a memorable and brandable domain name can take a while as you’ll find most good domain names are already taken, but persevere because you can be assured that it’s worth it. My advice is to identify all the keywords related to your niche and mix-match them until you come up with a short and highly descriptive domain name. It should be catchy, unique, easy to spell, and easy to remember. For more advise, read my earlier post; It’s all in the Domain Name.
    Registering your domain name these days is relatively easy. Just find a reliable hosting company that offers both domain and hosting services. Some of the best choices that I personally rely on include ziphosting.com.au and crazydomains.com.au. Study all your options and go with a company that is affordable and offers great customer support via email and phone. Once you sign up, your hosting company will typically provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to install your blog.
  4. Ensure that your blog is professionally designed.
    If you intend to start a blog to represent your business online, it should look the part. Although you can choose to use free templates, I would suggest that you get a website designer to give you blog a professional look so it can stand out from the crowd. A website designer can help not only make your blog look more attractive, but also make it easy to navigate which is important if you’re serious about giving your visitors exceptional user experience.
  5. Update your blog regularly
    Take the time to write compelling posts for your blog on a regular basis. Ensure that each post is worth your readers’ time. Impart your knowledge, offer solutions to problems, and provide useful answers to burning questions. It is through this that you’ll be able to establish your reputation online as an expert in your chosen niche. This is your best tool when you’re trying to convince people to do business with you.

Conclusion

If you’re serious about online rankings and exposure, having a blog is simply non-negotiable. Thankfully starting a blog is now easier than ever. However, if you need help with your blog, know that you can count on Ignition Media. We have a team of highly experienced website designers and developers that can offer you with compelling custom WordPress blogs and websites. Simply get in touch with us today or follow the steps outlined above to get underway. Good luck!

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