Many people wonder how to start a blog, and feel it is a mystery that only those with great knowledge and deep pockets can reveal. That’s just not true.
First, let’s talk about what a blog is, exactly. It used to be that you would start a blog to write about your passion – be it food, travel, checkers, gaming, or whatever it is you do or read about in your free time.
Now, a blog is the lifeline of your communication. New blog content tells the search engines that your website is updated and fresh, it provides a link-back opportunity for email newsletter campaigns, serves timely content to blog subscribers, sends new content to social media, provides link-back opportunities on forums, and, basically, gives people one more reason to come back to your website.
If you do it right, it is the most affordable, easiest, marketing powerhouse in your arsenal.
Now I’m going to show you how to start a blog.
Why NOT Start A Blog?
When I asked friends on Facebook, here are the responses I got:
“Time, money and knowledge”. I’m about to wipe those excuses out for you.
How to Start a Blog
As a business owner for years, I have learned how to prioritize spending, getting the most “bang” for my buck. I’ve built commercial, non-profit, recreational, and personal web sites, and just can’t seem to get away from it. Now it’s time to give back. Here, I’m going to give you my best stuff –
Get Blogging In 10 Steps
Limited Funds? Need A Free Marketing Boost?
As an entrepreneur, I share your desire to do a lot with limited resources, and this is an area with which I have a great deal of experience.
Please note that blog and website building services vary widely, and there are many advantages to actually paying for website hosting and domain name (as opposed to using a free blog or website service).
Another very inexpensive cost is if you want to buy a domain name (ex. www.yoursite.com), which is much less expensive than paying for website hosting, then can have your domain name point to your website. This is usually very simple to do, and most web hosts, and even free blogging services, sell domain names for a very low fee.
But, let’s face it, when we’re starting out, it’s really nice to have it all for free – just to get things rolling.
There are many free blogging resources, including WordPress.com, Tumblr, and Wix.
However, it really isn’t that expensive to build your own, custom, modern website. As much as I hate to part with money, I always opt for a self-hosted WordPress website.
Here are approximate numbers based on what we pay for a brand, new website:
Estimate Costs of A New Custom Website
Domain Name: $8.00 – $23.00 for the first year with (bill annually / NameCheap is who we use)
Web Hosing: $80-200 for the first year with SiteGround (bill annually)
Premium Template: $50-60 from Themeforest (one time)
Optional: Stock Images and Videos – I subscribe to iStock for $40 / month and get a lot of free to use images from other sites
Optional: Get a PowerSite for $975 – one time cost and you own the content!
Affiliate links are used on this page. We only link to companies we highly recommend, and appreciate we can make a few bucks when you decide you love them too.
Featured image by Hillary, used under Creative Commons 2.0
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