Creating a blog is an easy and fun way to exhibit your life story, expertise or promote a business. Gone are the days of paying hundreds if not thousands of dollars to a web designer to craft the perfect website. With a few blogging platforms available complete with pre-made template themes, setting up a blog allows users to share photos, videos and articles. Even if you’re not tech savvy or lack HTML experience, craft a simple site leaving your cyber footprint on the world wide web. One of the most popular blogging content sites is WordPress. This easy to use site and it’s interface allows for clean, professional looking content. If the blog is set up as a personal page, share your life experiences by choosing a layout that represents your personality. Keep in mind you don’t need to shell out a bunch of money to set up a site through WordPress.
Start off with the free theme, down the line the option to upgrade is always offered for a fee. Depending on the types of features embedded on the blog such as widgets and RSS feeds will determine how much the overall package will be. Before you decide which WordPress theme is best suited for your business or personal site, registering the site via a domain name and purchasing hosting service are just as important. The domain name is what will be used to be found on the internet via search engines. Keep in mind that an easy domain name should be chosen and aligned with what your company stands for. Make your domain name one that is different and stands out from the rest. This can weed out current domain names that may already be taken. Godaddy.com is a great domain hosting site that will search for a name that is closest to what you’re looking for. If the name is already in use it will choose the closest alternative.
After the domain name is set up, hosting of your site is the next step to setting up your blog. The hosting will allow anyone searching the internet to visibly find your blog. With several hosting sites such as HostGator.com and bluehost.com, it’s easier now than ever to find affordable hosting. Unlimited web hosting with HostGator starts at $3.96 per month with unlimited bandwidth, disk space and 24/7 customer service support. Bluehost has comparable prices with HostGator and offers one free year of domain hosting along with $100 in adwords credit.
Once you’ve chosen your hosting site let’s assume it’s HostGator, there’s a feature that allows quick installation of the WordPress site. After choosing your theme from the various templates offered or creating your own layout, it’s time to start blogging. Blog posts are usually short depending on the content. Use your blog as an platform to engage your readers via comments, discussing topics and creating links to original sources and other sites. Decide how often the blog should be updated. Most active blogs are updated at least 1-2 times per week. Make your blog flow and easy to read to keep followers coming back
