How to Skillfully Start a Blog
Starting a blog doesn’t have to be complicated. Really, it doesn’t! Back in 2016, I began with a very simple WordPress.com site to document my first trip to Europe and well, that was pretty much it. I didn’t know much about blogging or website creation at that time so I stuck with what was simple. WordPress is a great platform for any type of blog you have in mind and it’s free to use! Here’s how to skillfully start a blog from scratch.
To start, the costs you’ll face to start are minimal and a popular management system that is highly recommended by other bloggers to start (and continue) with is WordPress. In simple terms, WordPress is a content management system.
From photos, writings, comments, pages, menus, it’s all on organized on this system. WordPress also has thousands of free themes to choose from and they are all very customizable. This system is extremely user friendly.
Difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org
The main difference is WHO is hosting your site. The .com version is ran by WordPress.com. It is much easier to work with but provides less freedom. With the .org, YOU host your own site and still have access to all of WordPress’s great benefits. It comes highly recommended to begin with the .org version as you have more control over your site.
Register a domain
You’ll need to register a domain name that no one has taken. Many sites offer this service so it’s time to brainstorm what you want your domain name to reflect. For example, this blog, salinasearching.com, was chosen because I wanted my first name in the domain and a simple adjective or gerund to compliment it.
I wanted the domain to resemble my story, be easy to remember, and flow well with my name. It is beneficial to have your domain name and hosting from one location and as Bluehost offers both for a very reasonable price, my choice was simple. My current hosting and domain registration is with Bluehost.
Once you have registered the domain name you want, it will cost anywhere from $10-$30 (depending)/year to keep that name. Also, be sure it is a .com domain name, it looks more professional as a blog. My total for registering my domain and 3 year hosting service with Bluehost cost just over $100.
Bluehost is well connected with WordPress and in order to have all of the WordPress benefits, you just you to install the WordPress plugin. Don’t worry, it’s very easy and there are many tutorials on how to do so. Bluehost also has great customer service that is available 24/7 via web chat. When I would run into issues I would contact them and the issue was resolved almost immediately!
Choose a Theme
Choosing a theme/design is simple! Search through WordPress’s free themes and simply click install on the one you like. If you decide at a later date to change the theme design and you already have some content, don’t worry, nothing will be removed, and the new theme will simply change the look of your site.
One of my favorite travel blogs is Find Us Lost, the aesthetic, information, and story are all extremely compelling. I actually chose my theme based on Selena’s blog. I found 17th Avenue Designs from reading her blogging tips and I currently have the Mia theme.
If you choose to buy a customizable theme instead of choosing a free WordPress one, it will add to your costs but it’s not crazy expensive. Themes from 17th Avenue run from $45-$70 and they are yours forever! Many other sites offer pre-made themes that range in price. I don’t think it’s worth spending more than $100 on a theme.
Total costs for blog: $180 (for 3 years) and after that since I won’t have to pay for the theme again, just over $100.
Create some content
Now onto the best part, it’s time to add stuff to your site! Pick your niche, establish some categories and get to it! For example, I wanted to focus on living abroad in Spain, so I decided that mine would be an expat travel blog with categories including, living abroad in Spain, working as an American in Madrid, and traveling around the world/Europe.
Add photos to your media library, write up some post drafts, and get familiar with using WordPress and Bluehost. Upload photos with a file size NO bigger than 2500 x 2500 pixels, otherwise they won’t upload. Some of the best Plugin to install on your site are: Jetpack by WordPress.com, jQuery pin button for images, and Yoast SEO for post optimization.
It is also important to create an About page to tell people what you’re all about and what you can offer! See my About page for example here. Get creative and skillfully start a blog with the numerous resources WordPress and Bluehost have to offer.
Let that hard work pay off and enjoy your new blog!
Stay updated with life in Spain and my recent post about How to Spend One Week in Madrid
