HOW TO START A BLOG

Are you wondering how to start a blog? Or maybe you have questions about it. I’m glad you’re here! In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to create your own blog, no technical experience required. (It’s easier and faster than you think.) Plus, I’ll answer some frequently asked questions along the way. This is the site I wish I had when I started blogging almost 14 years ago.
I created my first blog in 2004 with zero computer experience. It took me forever because I had to google my way through. This how-to guide contains what I learned and is for those who want step-by-step instructions in an easy and simple format.
The 6 steps to start a blog

1 Decide what to blog about.
2 Choose a blogging platform.
3 Find a host.
4 Pick a domain name.
5 Get started with WordPress.
6 Design & use your blog!

Why start a blog?

There are many reasons to consider starting a blog. Here are a few popular ones:

Make money while working from home. I make a full-time income blogging. Many others do the same. Making money as a blogger is hard work, but it’s low risk, low overhead and low barrier to entry.
Become a published author. It’s no secret, these days publishers rarely work with authors who don’t have an online presence. The reason is simple: it’s a lot easier to sell books to people who already know you. A blog is one of the easiest and most effective places to start.
Get more exposure for your existing business or organization. A blog gives anyone, from individuals to large companies, the ability to reach a large number of people at very little cost.
Just write. If you want to write, share your story, encourage others and build a community, a blog is a great place to do that.

Step 1: Decide what to blog about

If you’re part of a business, company or organization, your blog should be related to the product(s) or service(s) you provide, or the cause you promote.

If you’re an individual, you have more flexibility when choosing a topic. I talked about it here, but the main things to remember are:

Blog about something you enjoy. If you aren’t excited about your topic, writing about it will be drudgery. Who wants that? Also, why would readers be interested if you aren’t?
Blog about something with plenty of room for discussion. A blog requires a lot of content to get going and remain interesting. You’ll be at this a long time so make sure you have plenty to talk about.
Choose a niche in which you can establish yourself as an authority. You probably won’t be the first person to blog about the topic you choose. It’s almost guaranteed someone else has thought of it before you. Don’t fret about this, come up with a unique angle. Do you have a reasonable chance of making your blog better than others talking about the same thing?

The goal for any blog is to become the go-to resource for its topic or niche.

Step 2: Choose a blogging platform

If you want to cook, you need a kitchen. If you want to blog, you need a blogging platform.

There are many blogging platforms to choose from. WordPress, Blogger, Squarespace, Wix and Weebly are a few.

All have pros and cons, but WordPress is by far the most popular (source), and for good reason. It’s flexible, functional and has a large community of users who share tools and ideas.

I use and recommend WordPress.

If you choose WordPress, you have two options: hosted or self-hosted.

Hosted WordPress blogs, sometimes called WordPress.com blogs, are free but limit your income potential.
Self-hosted WordPress blogs, sometimes called WordPress.org blogs, cost a little money but give you much more control, and do not limit your income potential.

This guide will teach you how to start a self-hosted WordPress blog, the platform preferred by beginner and veteran bloggers alike.

Note: Even though a self-hosted WordPress blog is sometimes referred to as a “WordPress.org” blog, you are not limited to a .org at the end of your name. You can still use .com
Alright, let’s get set up!
Step 3: Find a host

A host provides server space for your site. You need server space so your site can be found on the internet.

Note: I recommend what I have personally used, so as a paying customer for over 10 years, the links below are my referral links. This means, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you make a purchase.

Step 4: Pick a domain name

A domain is a web address
If you don’t already have ideas, use your name, or think of something short, catchy and shareable.

If you have previously registered a domain and want to use it for this new site, enter it on the right. (Don’t worry, it won’t mess things up to enter it here. It only identifies your Bluehost account for now.) If you don’t already have one, enter your desired domain on the left.

enter a new domain or existing domain in Bluehost

For the purpose of this tutorial, I will use a new domain. If you are using an existing domain, the process is nearly the same. You can still follow along easily.

Choose your domain name later on Bluehost
THANKS