<h1>We've already discussed the 1st step in starting your blog. So here we are at "how do I start a blog" step 2. The second step is to pick a domain name and a hosting provider. In short, your idea needs a blog platform or a virtual address.<h1>
Your domain name is simply what you will name your blog. For instance, www.tdaviscole.com is the name of my primary blog, but it's hosted on a Godaddy WordPress platform.
When naming your blog, think of something that represents what your blog will be about. You can also use a pen name that represents your brand like I did.
SO WHAT ABOUT HOSTING?
There are several paid and free options when choosing the right platform for your blog.
The major blogging platforms in the graph are WordPress, Blogger, and Tumbler. Both Blogger and Tumbler provide free hosting for you to start a blog. Yet, there are pros and cons to using free blogging platforms.
The Pros
- It's Free; you'll never be charged to blog on their platforms.
- Great traffic for a newbie. . .Tumbler has a social network embedded into the platform which helps you make new connections. Blogger is owned by Google which brings you more traffic by default, in most cases.
- Easy to get started, these two platforms can literally have you up and running with a few clicks of a button.
The Cons
- You don't own your blog or its content. Because you're on Tumbler or Blogger's hosting, you don't own your blog. They can shut it down or do what they want with whatever you create.
- You have a lot of limitations. Freely hosted blogging space, in general, will limit the amount of bandwidth each blogger can use. In addition to the limited amount of uploads, you have very limited design options too.
- It's hard to monetize your site because you lack plugin and add-on options.
Why I Use Both Free & Paid Platforms
Yet, I've found it very beneficial to have free and paid blogs. After much trial and error, I've discovered that trying to start a blog from scratch can be challenging when it comes to getting the right amount of traffic to your offers.
<h2>Free blogging platforms usually have traffic built into them because they've already established an audience. While paid hosting is all about you driving traffic to your blog. I often use my free accounts to drive more traffic to my paid ones. Traffic is the number one way to increase your blog profits potential.<h2>
<h3>Regardless of which platform you use, having a strategy, and putting it into action is the best way to get your blog up and running fast. Starting a blog can be exciting, but if you don't have a great understanding as to what is profitable and what's not it could take you a long time to earn money from it. A domain name alone will not make you any money.<h3>
Some of the things I wish I'd know before grabbing a domain name and starting my blog:
- How to develop a blog strategy
- How to position my blog for profits
- How to develop a unique feel and design for my blog
- How to create content that calls an audience to action
- How to set my social media networks up to support the vision of my blog
- How to convert prospects to leads and customers
- How to make the process of my blog user-friendly
A Personal Blog Start-Up Story
At the beginning of my blogger's journey, I was told to blog daily. I was taught a little about capturing leads and promoting offers. However, there was no particular aim for my blog. The ideas, designs, and posts were all over the place. There was no consistency and focus that truly led a visitor through the process of convergence. The process of convergence is what a prospect experiences when they first interact with a product and the journey that leads them to become a customer.
Due to a lack of understanding, I spent years taking massive action in ignorance. I honestly thought because I had the keywords and the targeted blog topic that I was set up to win. No, I wasn't. Later, I had to go back and undo a whole bunch of stuff. I'm still undoing it with my social media accounts and all.
I honestly believe that the first things a newbie or a struggling blogger should be taught are how to strategize their platform, how to develop and design their content to speak directly to their target audience, how to position their posts for a specific call-to-action, how to set up their social media accounts to build an audience around their niche'. This process of convergence should be stable, consistent, and very targeted.
They should know
- What their message is
- What problem their message solves
- How to profit from their solutions
- How to get that message in front of their target audience
- What process they will use to turn leads to customers
What Does Your Process Look Like
Even if you haven't set your blog up, you should have an idea as to what the process of your platform will be like for clients. How will your blog content lead readers into becoming customers? What does that process look like?
Why I'm Going Into Depth About Starting A Blog
Because I want you to actually succeed. I'd love to write these cute posts about starting a blog and grabbing your domain name. However, if you do not get the correct information to set your blog up for success from the very beginning, you may find yourself having to backtrack later which will cost you both time and money.
You have to be very intentional. Everything about your blog, your social media, your message should expose and solve problems for your ideal client. This is what makes a domain name worth it.
Take 3 Small Steps To Blog Profits Success
- Download Your Blog Biz Profits Planner HERE
- Register Your Free Training Center Account HERE
- Check your email for messages from me because I want to help you succeed
About The Author, I'm just a single mom who got tired of choosing between work and family. I became an online entrepreneur to earn money from home and to have the freedom to spend the majority of my time doing what matters to me most. I'd like to offer you The Blog Profits Planner to start your journey to freedom.
To Your Success . . .
~TDC~
~TDC~
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