How to Start a Blog-Step by Step Tutorial (Update) ~ Update Technology

Two years ago, when I started my first blog, I knew nothing about how to write blogs or blogging. I kept searching for information and “how-to” guides on Google, but they all required technical skills and I found them extremely difficult to follow. By now I have built and managed more than five different blogs, and during that time, I have learned a TON about blogging.

All I can say is that creating blogs is extremely easy and it doesn't require any coding skills (HTML). In fact, the whole process is somewhat automatic. So, whether you are 18+ years old doesn't really matter – you can still make it. You can make a blog; simply follow the steps below.

If you are still hesitating, I suggest you read my blog from first to last. If you ever get stuck while setting up your blog, get in touch with me and I’ll help you out.

Let’s GO START…

DECIDE WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO BLOG ABOUT

The first thing you need to do is pick a blog topic. Is there anything you enjoy or are really passionate about? If there is, then start a blog about it. When I started my first blog, I was really interested in smart phones and new tech gadgets, so I picked that topic. It makes no sense to start a blog about something you have no interest in; while it’s much easier to write articles and posts about topics that you are passionate about. It’s even better when you have been interested in a specific field or an industry for a long time, because you are already an expert. However, if you don’t have any idea which topic or niche you want to write about, think about your hobbies or just start blogging about your daily activities, memorable moments or simply about everything.

DECIDE WHICH BLOGGING PLATFORM TO USE, FREE OR SELF-HOSTED?

First of all, most of the blogs on the internet are made using the WordPress blogging platform. In fact, WordPress have been downloaded over 74 millions time and is used by many popular blogs and/or websites. Here’s why I think using WordPress is the best way to start your blog:

You can choose from many different layouts and free themes.
You can easily write blog pots and add pictures to your blogs.
You are able to categorize your blog posts and create a custom menu.
People can comment and share your blog.etc. Etc….

Free is not FREE !!!

Yes, you can create a free blog on a blogger.com or tumblr.com, but they are not actually free. Let me tell you why…

You are not able to get your own domain-Instead, you will get a sub-domain. My blog also have a sub-domain (.blogspot.com) and I have decided to add a custom domain in it.
They are lacking of different themes/layouts and plugin- other words, your blog will look really blank and boring. If you want additional themes or plugin to customize your blog, you have to pay a lot.
You have no CONTROL over your BLOG- Your blog is hosted on another site, thus you are not the “Owner” oh this property. If moderators decide that your blog doesn't feet with there policies, than they can actually delete your blog without any warnings. In short, all your hard work and time spent on the blog will be vanished with a seconds.
You are not able to EARN MONEY via Blogging- If you make a blog, you can earn money with it, lots of people are doing so. However, if you ever decide to earn money with your blog, you are unable to do it on a free blog. They simply don’t allow you to do that. Even if they do, they want their own cut, which is usually 50%. However, if you are on a budget and don’t plan to blog more than few months then definitely start with a free blog. A self-hosted blog on your own domain is by far the better option. It gives you full control over your blog and you will look more professional. It’s also a great choice for people who want to blog long-term, share their knowledge, become a blogger and earn money from it.

WHAT IS THE COST OF STARTING A SELF HOSTED BLOG ON YOUR OWN DOMAIN?

Not much. You will need a domain that will cost approximately $10 a year and a hosting (service that connects your blog to the internet) is around $ 4-$ 7 a month. To sum this up, it’ll be around $ 50 a year. The good thing about self hosted blog is that you don’t have to be committed. If you feel that blogging is actually not your cup of tea, you can cancel any time and many services have 90 days money back guaranteed as well.

CHOOSING A DOMAIN AND HOSTING, AND SETTING UP A WORDPRESS BLOG ON YOUR OWN DOMAIN

If you decided to go with a self hosted blog on your own domain, smart choice. Finding a great domain name can take a while, but it’s worth it. I suggest you pick something brandable and easy to remember. Let’s say you are planning to start a fashion blog: www.fashionblog2014.org or www.all-about-latest-fashion-trends.com is not a great idea. BUT WHY?

People simply can’t remember long domains and when they want to return to your blog they are likely to forget your domain name. It’s much better to choose something memorable, such as www.fashion.com or www.vipfashion.com or similar like that one. As an alternative, you can just use your name, for example: www.mahedi.com

In short your domain name should be:

Catchy
Easy to remember and
Unique

WHERE CAN I GET A DOMAIN NAME AND HOSTING MY BLOG?

I usually suggest people to get a domain and hosting from the same place, in the way you will save some money and time. In the past few years while I have been creating and managing blogs, I have discovered that there are very few reliable hosting companies.

To be more clear, I have used several hosting companies in the past. Just to mention some of them: Bluehost, Hostgator, Dreamhost etc. But I wasn't really satisfied with them. Their customer support was not really professional and it took a lot of time to get in touch. Quite often my blog’s speed (page loading time) was ridiculously slow. The reason was quite simple (they are not that bad actually): they were over selling their services. They focused on getting more and more new clients rather than improving their services, support and valuing their current customers.

One of the most reliable ones is web hosting hub. Their services are quite cheap compared with others and their well-known for their great customer support via e-mail and phone (24/7). Web Hosting Hub is also good for beginners too, as they have a “1 Click blog Installation’ feature that is focused on WordPress blogs and/or websites. You simply click few buttons and your self-hosted blog on your own domain is ready.

Of course, you can use any other hosting companies and I have included a tutorial on how to install your blog manually as well. If you decide to go with a different hosting company then make sure they offer unlimited bandwidth and unlimited disk spaces. That will help you to avoid problems later on. You have two options to install your blog to your own domain- With One click installation using WebHostingHub and manually.

The one click installation is better for beginners or those who are trying to setup their first blog. If you have internet /computer savvy then have a look at the manual tutorial. Either way, you’ll get your blog online very quickly.

So, dear, if you will start a blog, you can read my blog posts on a regular basis. Thanks for giving your time and patience, happy BLOGGING…Thank You.