At the conclusion of this article, you will know the 5 ingredients to an authority blog. In the online marketing industry, when we talk about an authority blog, we usually refer to a large blog that is full of content related to a particular niche. For example, WebMD is an authority site that has tons of health-related content.
In the same vein, TheWirecutter.com is an authority blog too… but it covers several niches. Every authority site follows the same few principles and we’re going to look at what they are.
For you to have an authority blog your niche, what you need is credibility. To gain credibility, you either need to have a bestselling book or two… or a huge website… or a TV show. Basically, you need a ‘platform’ to showcase your knowledge to help others.
That’s it in a nutshell. In this
article, we’ll look at how you can use a blog to achieve that authority.
Consistency
Consistency is the key to developing
authority. No one becomes an authority figure overnight and you definitely can’t
build a thousand-page blog in a day. You’ll need a content creation schedule
and post to your blog daily.
Even 3 to 5 posts a day will take your page to about 150 posts a month. 10 months of consistent posting and you’ll have a huge blog with about 1500 posts. Drops make an ocean.
Once you get to this level, your blog
will be filled with useful content, if you’ve done it right. You’re well on
your way to becoming an authority blog now.
Value
The amount of value you deliver in
your content will determine if people follow your blog or disappear after a
minute or two. Ideally, your posts should cover problems that people in your
niche experience. Offer tips and advice to help them overcome these sticky
issues.
You may also share information that’s
related to your niche but has entertainment value. The goal is to make your
blog entertaining and informative.
Walking the talk
If you start a blog on running,
ideally you should be a runner too. Walking the talk and blogging about it with
photos and videos will truly make you look like an authority in your niche.
One popular example is David
Goggins, who wrote the book ‘Can’t Hurt Me’. He used to be a navy SEAL and is
one of the most hardcore endurance athletes around. The man walks the talk and
everyone can see it. It’s no wonder he has thousands of followers who lap up his
every word on his Facebook page and Instagram posts.
Size does matter
The bigger your blog the better. This is why you should target one niche as a whole, but then focus on a sub-niche within this niche until you have done the sub-niche justice with all your posts. Now you move on to the next sub-niche and keep building.
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Each sub niche will be a category
on your blog and that’s how you build an authority blog.
Keyword Research and SEO
It goes without saying that you
want your blog to rank for many keywords. So, you’ll need to have an
understanding of keyword research and search engine optimization. You’ll also
have to network with other blogs to build backlinks.
Building a social media presence on
Facebook, Instagram, etc. will help send more traffic to your site and also help
it to rank well.
These are the fundamentals to building
an authoritative blog and positioning yourself as an expert in the niche.
Follow them closely and you’ll be on the right track.
In the digital age, blogging has become a powerful tool for individuals and businesses alike. Whether you’re a small business owner, a freelancer, or part of a large corporation, blogging offers numerous benefits that can help you connect with your audience, establish your brand, and drive growth. Here are three key benefits of blogging:
There are 3 benefits of blogging about your online journey. Also, there is a major difference between starting a blog that has a goal of making you money… and starting a blog about your online marketing journey.
The former involves delivering content that is of value in the marketplace, ranking for keywords, driving traffic, building a list and generating income through affiliate sales, advertising or other means. The process requires a more clinical approach.
Blogging about your marketing journey is a personal experience. It will be about what you feel and go through during the process. The ups and downs, the highs and lows, successes and failures…
Your blog will have it all. Blogging, in general, has several benefits. Let’s look at a few.
#1 Boosting Search Engine Visibility
The first of the 3 benefits of blogging, and of the most significant, is the impact it has on your website’s search engine optimization (SEO). Every time you publish a blog post, you create a new indexed page on your website. This increases the likelihood of your site appearing in search engine results, making it easier for potential customers to find you.
Blogs allow you to target specific keywords related to your industry, products, or services. By consistently producing high-quality content around these keywords, you improve your chances of ranking higher on search engine results pages (SERPs). This increased visibility can drive more organic traffic to your website, ultimately leading to more leads and sales.
#2 Helps Give You More Focus
The second of the 3 benefits of blogging is that it hrlps to give you more focus. When you have a marketing ‘journal blog’, you’ll be forced to stay focused on one business model at a time. For example, if you’re doing kindle publishing (KDP), you’ll be forced to focus on publishing books on Amazon and increasing your sales.
Since your blog is about your marketing journey, you’ll be detailing what your goal is. Once you’ve stated that you wish to make 5 figures a month from KDP, you’ll be blogging about what you’re going to do to reach your goal and so on.
The chances of you suddenly jumping
into ecommerce that’s totally unrelated to your goal will be much lower because
it doesn’t gel with your plan. All your previous blog posts will be left ‘hanging’
and now you’ll need to blog all over again about a new venture.
Just the thought of this alone will
deter most marketers from developing shiny object syndrome and running from one
project to another.
#3 Is a Form of Stress Relief
There’s no denying the fact that building a business online can be a tiring and burdensome process. To some, even boring. You’ll have to go through a learning curve and master the fundamentals.
A lot of testing and tweaking will need to be done until you get it right. Things that you thought would work, may fail miserably… and what you thought was a lost cause might turn out to be a success.
This rollercoaster of emotions can be stressful. Your blog will serve as a form of stress relief. You’ll feel better when you type out your doubts and failures. Your thoughts when seen on a screen might give you insights into other possible ideas.
A blog helps to bring about mental
clarity. It’s easier to make sense of what’s on a screen than the constant jumble
of thoughts in your head.
An additional didden benefit is Blogging is it alloes you to showcase your expertise and establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry.
By sharing valuable insights, tips, and information on topics relevant to your audience, you can build trust with your readers. Over time, this positions you as a go-to resource, increasing your credibility and authority in your field.
When you consistently provide high-quality content that addresses the needs and concerns of your audience, you’re more likely to gain their trust.
This trust can translate into customer loyalty and long-term relationships, as readers are more likely to turn to a trusted source when they’re ready to make a purchase or seek professional advice.
These are just some benefits to starting a blog about your online business. You may choose to monetize it in future and use the blog as a case study of your business, or you may choose to keep it private and use it as a tool to organize your business.
I hope you’ve enjoyed the 3 benefits of blogging. Now, go and take massive action. The choice is ultimately yours.
The importance of having your own website can’t be understated. When you’re new to the world of running an online home business there seems to be a million and one strategies to learn and implement. It’s easy to get distracted and head down the wrong path. You can easily waste precious time and money on tactics that just don’t work. You can become lost and disheartened in the process. I’m sure that many new online would be business entrepreneurs just give up because they get lost, overwhelmed, frustrated and start to doubt that they will ever be successful.
Having been through the process myself I know how this can feel. However, in my heart I knew it was possible. I did what so many others must be doing. I was using the trial and error method. I’ve come a long way. Now I look back on it all and I can see the pathways I took.
I won’t go on about all the mistakes I’ve made because in the long run my so called mistakes brought me to a much greater understanding of the best things to do.
This article is about the importance of having your own website. It’s one step of many of the best things to do to get your home business up and running smoothly. Remember that you are your website because it is a reflection of you.
You MUST have your own website otherwise you will be wasting precious time and money. You will struggle to create a successful home business on the Internet if you do not have your own website. Get one and then learn how to make it the best possible site for your particular business. All I can say is I wish I had mine up and running sooner.
STAND OUT IN THE CROWD
The importance of having your own website that is unique is critical. You can stand out amongst the crowd of many sites that may be selling the same or similar product. There are billions of websites on the Internet. Many of them are very average and get few visitors.
When you join an affiliate program you will be given your own free websites to advertise. Everyone has the same site and depending on which affiliate program you joined there may be thousands of the exact same sites out there. It is highly likely that someone coming across your site will just skim right over it and go onto the next site without stopping to read the same thing over again.
When you have your own site you can make it unique. Put your personal stamp on every aspect of the site. This will attract people to stop their surfing for enough time to see what you are all about. When they spend a little time viewing your products or services then they are half way to actually making a purchase from you.
IT’S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS
Network and Internet marketing and sales isn’t necessarily about what you know. It’s all about how much you care and the relationships you develop over time. How often have you heard this statement? How does this relate to you having your own website
If you have your free website that looks exactly like everyone else’s it will be more challenging for you to start developing those personal relationships. Sure, you may have been given an auto-responder with your website so your visitors will receive some ongoing contact with your product but they won’t be getting to know more about YOU and what you stand for. Why should they buy from you and not the exact same website they came across last week when they were surfing?
If the site is selling membership to a network marketing or an affiliate program then the person behind the website is the person who is going to become your mentor. Many people don’t realise the importance of this. The quality of the mentoring that Internet newbie home business entrepreneurs receive can make or break them.
You can use your website to tell your prospects more about what you can do to help them. You need to decide what it is that you would like to offer your customers. Make your website a portal for developing that personal connection.
CONTROL OVER CONTENT
When you have your own website you have control over the content. This means you can do everything possible to maximize your site for organic search engine optimization.
You may wish to add extras like a positive quote for the week. You may decide to share some other personal details of your life. For example what your background was and how you over came adversity to become the successful person you are today.
You may have some photos you’d like to share. Perhaps you have some shots you took on your travels or maybe some snaps of your beloved off your home or your garden looking its very best in the springtime
What you chose will, in part, depend on what your business is all about and the message you are trying to get across.
ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS ON ONE PAGE
You may have more than one business going at the same time. If you have more than one site to advertise you’ll be spending more time and money than you are able to. Having one site for all of them is a much more refined way to go and will streamline your advertising campaign. Obviously you would want these businesses to connect in some way. Even if you think you have a wide variety of businesses there will still be a way of making a connection between them.
Spend a little time of thinking about what that connection could be. You may decide to make your site a review centre where people can come to get a great review of what the best thing available in a certain topic is. You could make your site a directory where all the best site links can be found on one easy to access page.
If you add a new business to your existing ones then you will be in a position to do this and not have to change your campaign radically.
LINKS AND LINK EXCHANGE
Links are what search engines use to travel from other pages to your page and visa versa. They are one of the ways the search engines use to rate your website. The higher your rating with the search engines the closer to the top of the thousands and in some cases millions of websites with businesses similar to yours.
Links also mean traffic to your site. When someone clicks on your link they will be taken to your web page. The more traffic the more likely you are to make a sale.
Types of Links
There are two types of links. There are reciprocal links i.e. you link to me and I’ll link to you. These are the most commonly used links. They are often free and they aren’t very valuable to you but they are better than nothing. The second type of link is the one-way link where the person linking to your site doesn’t ask to be linked back to their site in return. These types of links are of great value to you.
There are other aspects to links that I won’t go into detail about here. Suffice it to say that links to non-related subject pages and links from a page where there are already lots of other links present won’t be of much value to you either.
Having a great link program running is vital to developing a successful home business online. When you join an affiliate program you will be given banners. The idea is to place these mini advertisements on other peoples web pages. More than likely other people won’t be interested in you doing this unless you put their links on your pages.
If you have your own web page then you’ll be able to partake in link exchange. If you are not using your own website it will be very difficult for you to get those high quality one-way links. Your rating and hence your home business will suffer because of this.
ENTRY CARD Into Affiliate Networks
Having your own website will give you access to areas you would otherwise be unable to go. If you only have your affiliate web pages then some sites will not accept you. For example some article distribution services will not allow affiliate links in your resource box at the end of your articles. You can still post your articles but you wont benefit so don’t even waste your time doing this.
Some forums will not allow you to take your affiliate links with you. Some of the top forums for Internet marketing come into this category. These are fabulous places to be.
Anyone with an online business will benefit from the knowledge that can be gained simply by becoming involved in such forums. Of course you can always go there and not take your affiliate links. You may not appreciate this fact at this stage but when you spend time in forums it is best for you to leave your domain name with every entry.
MAXIMIZE YOUR ARTICLE LINKS
You know you need to write articles to get your website links out there in the wider community. Your articles will contain links in the resource box. These links will continue to work for you in years to come. You will have no idea as to where these articles may crop up in the future so it’s imperative that the resource box has something in it that is going to be relevant in the future.
I personally regret not knowing about this when I started writing my articles. Now I know the importance of having your own website, my previously published articles on my site have links in the resource boxes that are pointing to my affiliate pages.
This is better than having sent out articles with no links and certainly better than not writing the articles in the first place. All my articles now direct people to my primary website which has a home for my affiliate links.
You’ve spent good time and energy on writing your articles. They are important so don’t waste your article links.
Having your own website is very affordable. You will need to shop for two things. You will need a domain name and someone to host your site. Do a search to have a look at the cost of the various companies providing these services.
One thing I learnt is that it is best to buy these two things at the same site. You can buy them at different sites but it will save you a lot of mucking around if you don’t have to transfer anything after you’ve made your purchase.
I personally use NameCheap to purchase all of my domains. They are a lot less expensive the other domain vendors.
Don’t be afraid of designing your own web page! Even if your only experience with the Internet has been reading and sending out personal emails.
You will find that creating your own site is really very easy. There are some excellent free sites that will guide you every step of the way. I strongly recommend using iPAGE for your domain registration, website building, and hosting needs. They have an all-inclusive product that I have found to be amazing. They can be found at www.ipage.com .
It takes a bit of time and dedication when it’s your first time but it really works and you’ll have fun too. It may take you a week and in some cases a bit longer but once it’s done you’ll be proud of your efforts. You will never regret it.
You want to know how to make money blogging, Of course you do. Everybody needs and want to make money online. So you began a blog since you have heard it is an easy method to make money. However, you are not exactly sure how to make money doing it. Or perhaps you already have a blog, and you are exploring different methods to monetize it.
Regardless of which gathering you are in, bringing in money with a blog – whether it’s a business blog or you are doing blogging as a hobby – is possible. It is anything but makes easy money ordeal, however, in case that you do it the right way, you could make adequate amount to support your family, and that’s just the beginning.
How about we dive in and know about how to make money blogging…
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is probably the most ideal approaches to make money online since a single product sale will make you much more money as compared to a single click on the contextual advertisement.
It’s something that most of the bloggers are utilizing nowadays and one of the most money-making roads to make money online from a blog.
Another extraordinary thing about Affiliate marketing is,
you can utilize this strategy on any blogging platform, for example, Medium,
Squarespace, Wix, or even LinkedIn.
You should simply, share your unique affiliate link of the
item you are recommending, and when somebody makes a buy, you will wind up
earning a huge commission of the sale amount.
Affiliate marketing is the way, how a lot of bloggers are making millions of dollars consistently from their blog and is the ideal approach to make money blogging.
Sell your eBooks
In the event that you notice, the business model of top
bloggers has to do with selling their items, for example, an eBook and that is
the reason it is another incredible method to make money online.
You should simply pick a topic, compile an eBook on that
subject, and put it on sale on your blog or Amazon. When you are used to this
procedure, you can obtain a fair amount of money by selling eBooks online.
Besides, having your item to sell is the best thing that you can do to generate passive income and make money online.
Can you convert your textbook into a video format?
Can you add the checklist, downloadable templates?
Can you make a 1 to 2-hour video course?
In case your answer is yes, then this technique is best for you to make money online. On account of innovation, presently launching an online course are easy for anybody, and on the off chance that you are giving the unique course, your odds of coming to $ 1 million goals are high.
Advertising
Regularly, we’re not enormous fans of selling ads on your website. You need about a million visitors for every year for the massive ad networks to pay attention to you, and affiliate marketing is quite often increasingly profitable and similarly as passive.
That being stated, a few niches like recipes, fashion, and
news are difficult to monetize through a significant number of different
techniques referenced here, and they get LOTS of page views. Putting a couple
of ads on your website can make sense as a supplementary income source.
Typically, you make money by joining a system. Anybody can join Google AdSense.
Selling Freelance Services
Typically, freelancing is the most common way to make money online, but it can be very time-intensive. However, we have seen bloggers earning six-figure incomes with just two to three thousand daily readers and visitors. They use their blogs as a lead generation tool to attract more customers through opt-ins.
In case you’re a designer, programmer, photographer, writer, or another service provider where your skills could be sold online rather than you being their in person, you should think about it from the very beginning. All you truly need to begin is a contact form for customers to connect with you.
Run Campaign for Brands
This one is ideal for a blog with a growing audience base.
You could assist brands with to reach their target audience by running a campaign
for them. For this, you will do a brand collaboration, paid Ads, making videos
or running webinars.
You will see a lot of blogs doing it with different brands.
Watch out for this sort as its already getting probably the hottest approaches
to monetize a blog.
These were some of the ways to make money blogging. Think about what you are best at and start your journey to make money online. All the best!
Curious about how to start a blog of your own? Hi, I’m Ryan and I’ve been blogging since 2006. It’s really not that hard and I promise to keep things simple for you, so stay with me. If you don’t have a lot of money that’s ok. Today, I’ll show you how to build your blog on a budget. You won’t even require any experience in web design and you can do it fast!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I’ll earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. Read my full disclosure here.
In a Rush?
This is a thorough post, but I’ve included links to skip you
ahead to key steps when prompted.
Shortcut #1: In a sec I’ll cover why WordPress is so awesome. If you’re short on time, you can click here to jump to step 3 and set up your blog in just a few minutes. You can always come back later if you want to read the rest of the intro.
Shortcut #2: Do you already basically know what a blog is and want to learn how to choose what to blog about and a host? Click here to go to step # 1.
The Beginning
I created my first blog with little to no help. There were no tutorial back then on how to start a blog. What took me weeks to figure out, I’m going to walk you through in the next few minutes with actual step-by-step instructions.
I Know, it seems like a lot, but trust me, I’ll walk through it all in the next 10-15 minutes tops. But first, it’s time for a brief “Blog-U-Cation”, if you will.
What is a Blog?
A blog is a regularly updated website that is usually run by a single person, or sometimes by a group. It can be about a niche specific topic, or a variety of subject matter.
Why Start a Blog?
There are many reasons people start a blog. Here are just a few:
The #1 reason people start a blog is to Make Money From Home. Many bloggers find pleasure being able to profit from writing about their passionate interest.
To attract an audience. There are literally billions of people scouring the Internet daily. By blogging, you have an opportunity to reach a lot of people which can create a lot of opportunity for you.
Tell your story. Many people find blogging cathartic and they actually do it to relieve stress. Focusing on something that you’re passionate about in a positive way can release endorphins, which gives you a sense of well-being.
To share a skill. If you have a well developed skill or talent, sharing it with the world will help a lot of other people looking to be where you are. Using a blog is the perfect way to become known to the world.
What makes a blog special?
A blog is associated mainly with an individual’s or a company’s reputation or brand. Because of this, It very important that your blog represents you in the right way.
This is what makes a blog so special because you have 100% creative control to express to the world exactly how you want them to perceive you. Don’t leave your reputation to a marketing agency, social media influencer, or some Fiverr gig. Instead, start your own dynamic blog!
What’s the Difference? Blog vs. Website
A blog and a website are very similar. A blog is essentially a web log of chronologically arranged posts. It also has a commenting system for readers to express their opinions. Blogs can create audiences that literally hang on your every word and can’t wait for your next post!
A Website can literally be any web presence on the Internet. Anything that has javascript, CSS/HTML, PHP/Python, etc… can be a website.
If you want a website and not a blog, my well laid out steps below will get you a website with a blog option.
Is a Blog Expensive to Start?
If you follow the steps below, a blog will cost you $5-$10 per month when you pay annually. I literally have paid this much for years. As your blog grows, you can buy more tools, but they are certainly not required. It’s your content that really counts.
To be honest, just about anyone can make money blogging. You will most likely very quickly profit enough from your blog to more than pay for hosting.
Can’t I just Start a Blog for Free?
Yes, you could, but I don’t recommend it. Here are a few reason’s why:
Limited Features. This may not be a problem at first, but as your blog grows, you’ll feel restricted when you want to expand the scope of your services.
Switching to a paid host later is expensive. I once paid hundreds of dollars to switch over my content to a paid host. If you start with a good, quality paid host with a good reputation, you can stay with them for years.
Lack of support. Many times a free hosting service attempts to lure you in to later have you upgrade. Until you do, customer service is basically non -existent. If they aren’t making any money off of you, they feel why bother wasting time offering assistance.
Lack of Flexibility. Free services have platforms that can’t be modified that much. So when you see a cool blog you want to replicate, you can’t. You have to upgrade to be able to choose flexible themes that allow unlimited customization.
Time for what you’ve been waiting for:
These are my very easy-to-follow steps for starting a self-hosted WordPress blog,. Remember, no technical experience is required.
Step # 1- Decide What to Blog About
If you’re part of a business, or organization, then your blog should be related to your products, services, and they causes that your group promotes.
If you’re an individual, you have more flexibility when choosing a topic. The main things to remember are:
Blog about something that you really enjoy. This is the easiest way to effortless blog. Blogging about your passion is very easy and you’ll find it enjoyable. It won’t feel like work.
Blog about popular topics. Blogs become popular through the sharing of comments and ideas. Write about something that people have plenty of opinions about and your blog will take off.
Choose a niche that you’re knowledgeable about. Guess what? People read blogs to learn something and for entertainment. If you have more knowledge than someone else on a subject, people will pay you for what you know-if it can help them improve their lives.
Your main goal should be for your blog to become a go-to resource for information in your niche.
What if I can’t choose a topic?
Just start writing blog posts on whatever’s on your mind. You’ll soon find your groove. Many successful bloggers started out this way.
What if other’s already are blogging about my topic?
Don’t let that concern you. Just write organic, quality content and the rest will take care of itself. Everyone has a different flavor and some people will prefer your blog over others.
# 2 – Choose a blogging platform
If you want to race, you need a track, if you want to blog, then you’ll need a quality blogging platform. You may hear these platforms referred to as a CMS, or Content Management Systems. They allow you to put your words into a blog format for others to see.
There many blogging platforms that you could choose from, but WordPress is by far-the most popular. This is because its the most flexible and has the largest community of users sharing tips, ideas, and suggestions.
WordPress is free and I’ll show you how to get it in the next step.
Can’t I just use WordPress.com?
I really don’t recommend it. Why? If you choose WordPress, you’ll have two options: hosted or self-hosted. Here are their inherit differences:
Hosted WordPress blogs, sometimes called wordpress.com sites are free, but seriously limit your income potential.
Self-hosted WordPress blogs, (the one I’m teaching you to start) sometimes called WordPress.org blogs, cost a little money but gives you full control of your blog. The best thing-they don’t limit your income potential. You can have a .com, .info, .biz, .net, or whatever you like.
Self-hosted WordPress blogs are preferred by new and advanced bloggers alike. Now, let’s move on to Step 3 and I’ll show you how to set up your own.
Step #3: Choose a Host
A host puts your blog on the internet and makes it viewable to people world-wide.
The hosting company I’ve personally used, and highly recommend to beginner bloggers is Bluehost. The setup is really fast and they install WordPress for you automatically for free. They also have an incredible up-time rating and great customer service.
Click a green Select button to choose your plan. I prefer the Choice Plus plan because it includes it gives the most features and value. This plan also offers domain privacy, which masks your identity by keeping your contact information hidden from public view.
Step #5: Choose a Domain Name
Your domain name (your website address) is an important choice. It should be catchy to be easy to remember and represent your business, brand, or cause.
If you already are set on your domain name, you can enter it here. You can also use a domain you already own by enter it here as well. If you’re not sure, click the link to choose one later, so don’t get stuck on this part.
What if the domain name I want is already taken?
This has happened to me too many times to mention. Just choose one later by clicking the link. It’s actually a good idea to wait until it “hits” you.
If I use an existing domain, will it mess up my other site?
No. Entering it here is only used to identify your Bluehost account for now. You can always point another purchased domain to your Bluehost hosting account later.
Step # 6: Set up your account
Here you will enter your contact information and choose how far in advance you’d like to pay.
I want to reiterate why you should consider purchasing at least a 12 month hosting plan. Month-to-month plans are more expensive. Because of this, I highly recommend signing up for a minimum of 12 months for many reasons:
By signing up for a minimum of 12 months, you will receive a free domain name
Your price will be overall lower. The more years you sign up for, the less you pay.
You won’t risk your website expiring every month due to forgotten payments.
Blog hosting with Bluehost will most likely cost you around $59 a year on average, or $99 for 3 years, which is an Amazing deal! If you purchase a 12 month plan, your total price is only $59 a year, which is also a great price.
Enter your account information here. Next…….. Enter your payment information. Next…Choose your desired package. Remember, at least choose the Domain Privacy Protection! Next… Create a unique password. Something easy for you to remember, but no easy for others to guess. Next…Now your Account Is Ready For you To Log into!Go ahead and log in….
After you log-in, you’ll answer some questions about your blog (all are changeable or skippable).
Choose your site’s name, tagline, and whether you want it to be a blog or online store. Select blog to continue….Answer these basic questions about your online goals…
Finally you’ll be asked to pick a theme, so follow me to Step 7…
Step 7: Pick a theme
You’re almost done! Give yourself a pat on the back if you’ve made it this far. I recommend two themes: Astra or GeneratePress. Don’t worry, they are both extremely customizable so you can design it in endless ways to your liking. You don’t have to with these though, just choose a theme that inspires you.
You can also go with any of the recommended options…
Go ahead and select and install a theme. Next…All done! Next, go to your homepage!Click the blue log into WordPress button. Next…
Now you’re at Your WordPress Dash Board.
The WordPress Dashboard is the control center of your blog. It is where you will publish your posts, customize your blog’s design and manage and control all aspects of your blog.
The black column on the left means you are in the WordPress Dashboard
Congrats! You now have a self hosted WordPress Blog of your very own!
Some basic WordPress tips:
You can add and create new posts by clicking on “Posts” on the left-hand side when you are logged in.
If you want to add an image, click on “Media” on the left-hand side.
You can go to “Appearance,” then “Widgets” in order to add items to your sidebar, footer, and so on.
FAQ about starting a blog?
How do beginner blogs make money?
Beginning bloggers can start with ad networks like AdSense, Media.net, and affiliate marketing to make money.
How many posts should you post daily?
Post regularly. At least once per week. You can target one post a day and if you are creating content over 2,000 words, even 2-3 weekly post is a great number to aim for.
When should you start putting ads on your blog?
It depends on what kind of ads you want to put. Check out make money blogging guide to understanding various options you have.
I hope this blog helped you out. I really tried to cover as much as I could for a new blogger to get started.
Where can I get Help?
If you encountered something unexpected during setup, please contact Bluehost technical support. Calling is better than live chatting. If you’re in the US, call 844-213-7846. They have access to your account and can get you moving along quite swiftly.
Welcome to the world of Blogging!
PLEASE share this how to start a blog guide with others who wanted to create a blog for some time.
Choosing the right web hosting service is crucial for the success of your website. Whether you are starting a blog, setting up an online store, or creating a personal portfolio, the right hosting service can make a significant difference in your site’s performance and reliability. Here’s a detailed guide on the seven best web hosting services available, highlighting their key features, pros, and cons.
1. Bluehost
Overview
Bluehost is one of the most popular and best web hosting services, especially recommended for WordPress users. It is known for its reliability, user-friendly interface, and excellent customer support. Bluehost is officially recommended by WordPress.org, which speaks volumes about its compatibility and performance with WordPress sites.
Key Features
Free Domain: Get a free domain name for the first year with a new web hosting plan.
One-Click WordPress Installation: Easily install WordPress with a single click.
24/7 Customer Support: Access customer support any time of the day or night.
Free SSL Certificate: Enhance your website’s security with a free SSL certificate.
Unmetered Bandwidth: No limits on the traffic your site can receive.
Pros
Beginner-Friendly: Bluehost’s intuitive interface makes it easy for beginners to set up their websites.
Strong Uptime Performance: Bluehost has a reputation for excellent uptime, ensuring your site remains accessible.
Comprehensive Support: 24/7 customer support through phone, chat, and email.
Cons
Higher Renewal Rates: After the initial promotional period, renewal rates can be higher.
Extra Costs for Add-Ons: Some essential features, like site backups and security, may require additional fees.
2. HostGator
Overview
HostGator offers a range of web hosting options, from shared hosting to dedicated servers, making it suitable for various types of websites. Known for its flexible pricing plans and robust customer support, HostGator is a solid choice for both beginners and experienced users.
Key Features
Unmetered Bandwidth: No restrictions on data transfer.
Free Website Builder: Build your site easily with a free drag-and-drop builder.
45-Day Money-Back Guarantee: Try HostGator risk-free with a money-back guarantee.
Free Migration Service: Transfer your existing site to HostGator for free.
24/7 Customer Support: Access support anytime via phone, chat, and email.
Pros
Scalable Plans: HostGator offers scalable hosting plans that can grow with your business.
Good Uptime: Reliable uptime ensures your site is available to visitors.
Excellent Customer Support: Responsive and helpful customer service.
Cons
Extra Fees: Additional services like backups and security can add to the cost.
Aggressive Upselling: HostGator tends to upsell additional features during the signup process.
3. SiteGround
Overview
SiteGround is renowned for its exceptional customer service and high performance. It’s particularly popular among WordPress users due to its advanced features and robust security measures. It is an exceptional web hosting service. SiteGround is also recommended by WordPress.org, adding to its credibility.
Key Features
Free Daily Backups: Automatic daily backups ensure your data is always safe.
Advanced Caching: Speed up your site with built-in caching tools.
Free SSL Certificates: Secure your site with free SSL certificates.
24/7 Customer Support: Reliable support through phone, chat, and email.
Staging Environment: Test changes in a staging environment before going live.
Pros
Fast Load Times: SiteGround’s servers are optimized for speed.
Higher Price: Premium features come at a higher cost compared to some competitors.
4. InMotion Hosting
Overview
InMotion Hosting is known for its high-performance hosting solutions and excellent customer service. It offers a wide range of hosting plans, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting, making it suitable for various types of websites, including blogs.
Key Features
Free Domain and SSL: Get a free domain and SSL certificate with your plan.
Free Website Migration: Transfer your site to InMotion Hosting at no extra cost.
24/7 Customer Support: Available via phone, chat, and email.
Pros
High Performance: Fast and reliable hosting services.
Generous Money-Back Guarantee: 90-day money-back guarantee allows you to try their services risk-free.
Great Customer Support: Highly rated customer service.
Cons
Setup Process: The initial setup can be lengthy.
Higher Cost: Prices are higher compared to some budget-friendly hosts.
5. A2 Hosting
Overview
A2 Hosting is known for its speed and performance, making it a great choice for businesses and developers. It offers a variety of hosting options, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting, and provides advanced features that cater to developers.
Key Features
Turbo Servers: Faster loading times with A2’s Turbo Servers.
Free Site Migration: Move your site to A2 Hosting for free.
Free SSL Certificates: Enhance security with free SSL.
Developer-Friendly Tools: Advanced tools and features for developers.
Pros
Fast Load Times: Known for exceptional speed.
High Uptime: Reliable uptime performance.
Developer-Friendly: Advanced features for developers.
Cons
Higher Renewal Rates: Renewal prices can be steep.
Complex Interface: May not be as user-friendly for beginners.
6. DreamHost
Overview
DreamHost offers a variety of hosting plans and is known for its reliable performance and excellent customer support. It’s a great option for WordPress hosting and provides a range of features to support both beginners and experienced users.
Key Features
Free Domain and SSL: Included with hosting plans.
Unlimited Traffic: No limits on traffic to your site.
97-Day Money-Back Guarantee: One of the longest money-back guarantees.
24/7 Customer Support: Support available round the clock.
Custom Control Panel: User-friendly control panel.
Pros
Reliable Performance: Consistent uptime and speed.
Long Money-Back Guarantee: 97-day refund policy.
Easy-to-Use Control Panel: Custom control panel is intuitive.
Cons
No cPanel Option: Uses a custom control panel instead of cPanel.
Limited Live Support: Live support is not 24/7.
7. Hostinger
Overview
Hostinger is a budget-friendly hosting provider offering excellent value for money. It provides a range of hosting options suitable for beginners and experienced users alike, making it a popular choice for those looking for affordable yet reliable hosting.
24/7 Customer Support: Support available via chat.
Custom Control Panel: Easy-to-use control panel.
Pros
Affordable Pricing: One of the most cost-effective options.
Easy to Use: User-friendly interface.
Good Performance: Reliable speed and uptime.
Cons
Limited Features on Basic Plans: Some advanced features are not available on basic plans.
Customer Support: Only available via chat, no phone support.
Conclusion
Selecting the best web hosting service depends on your specific needs and budget. Each of these seven hosting services offers unique benefits, from beginner-friendly features to advanced options for developers. By considering your requirements and the features offered by these top hosting providers, you can find the perfect match to ensure your website’s success. Whether you prioritize speed, customer support, affordability, or advanced features, there’s a web hosting service on this list that will meet your needs.
Once you have made the decision to use Google Adsense, you need to consider exactly how to place adsense ads on your pages. Learning how to place Adsense ads for maximum profit is key so that you earn as much as possible from your efforts. Much like real estate, it is all about location, location, oh, did I say location?
Placement of Adsense Ads
First off, you will not make $500,000 a year with Google Adsense if you have one site with 30 pages and 30 people visiting it a day. The people offering eBooks and memberships to that end are full of…stuff.
Google Adsense is a program that produces over time or if you have a lot of visitors or sites. Now that I have burst your bubble, let me offer some advice on ways to do well with Google Adsense so you can save time and money in your home business.
What is Ad Blindness?
The most critical step learning how to place Adsense ads is the location of the ads. Most people put them down the right column or up at the top. This approach is dead wrong because of something known as ad blindness.
Ad blindness occurs when you look at the same format over and over. In the case of the web, most people filter out the ads on the top, right column and bottom of a page.
After looking at hundreds of sites and results on search engines, they know those listings are ads. You must avoid ad blindness at all costs.
The best way to get past ad blindness is to put the ads in unexpected places. In this case, you want to place them between the paragraphs of text on your site. Few sites actually do this, which is pretty surprising.
At this moment, one of the ad formats which becomes more and more popular is the in-article format.
In-article ads appear between paragraphs of text articles. Introducing this type of ad unit by global ad networks points to its gaining popularity. The Google Adsense and Facebook already give to publishers this format for use, and let them earn lots more money.
Placing ads between paragraphs is perfect for maximizing clicks because it is in the natural flow of the text. Readers will inevitably read the text ads and click anything they might be interested in. When creating your ads, Google will ask you what type of ads you want to create and where they should be placed.
This conclusion is also supported by the fact that people don’t really read the entire article or page on a site. They usually only make it through 50 to 80 percent because they find out what they want. If you place ads at the bottom of the page, they are never going to see them.
Ad Type and Color
The second biggest issue is the type and color of the ads. First, try to stick to text link ads whenever possible. Nobody clicks banners because they are worried about getting caught in popup hell.
As to color, some believe your ads should stand out while others believe they should blend in. Personally, I am with the blend in group. I try to make my ads blend into the overall color of the site and it seems to work fairly well.
Adding Adsense to your site is simple, but should be done with some thought. Avoid the top, bottom and right column of the pages.
Try to place the java script in between paragraphs of text and experiment with different colors to see how it does.
How to place adsense ads for maximum profit can initially be challenging. Ultimately, you will find a solution that returns solid click thru rates and generates revenues month after month, year after year. Lear how to sign up for Adsense here.
Today we will discuss 7 tips to a great blog. Launching and maintaining a successful blog demands dedication, creativity, and a strategic approach. Whether the aim is personal fulfillment or building a professional brand, adhering to these tips can help create content that resonates with the audience and keeps them returning for more.
The more up-to-date your blog is,
the more repeat visitors you’ll have… and the better your content is, the
higher your retention rate will be. The internet is a noisy place and these
days many people have the attention span of a housefly.
Keeping them on your blog will
require some effort on your part and a few tips too.
#1-Build a List
Have an opt in form on your blog that will allow visitors to sign up for a freebie or something of value that they can use. Their email address will be added to your autoresponder and you’ll be able to contact them at regular intervals to mention about your latest posts or offers that you think they’d love.
#2-Ask for Suggestions
Your blog can be like a community.Make a post asking your reader what topics they’d like you to cover. You can even email your list and ask them to reply you with suggestions.
These suggestions will be exactly what your audience is looking for and you just need to write blog posts on topics that were mentioned. You can be sure that the content will be relevant and caters to your niche accurately.
#3-Monetize it
You may wish to add advertising from platforms like Google AdSense or Taboola or any of the other ad platforms that will share the ad revenue with you. This will earn you an income, and cover the costs of running the blog.
Any extra money over and above your costs will be pure profit. You could also promote affiliate products and earn heftier commissions. Generally, affiliate commissions will exceed whatever you could earn from advertising.
You’ll have to decide which option to go with, or if you want to use both.
#4-Sell Your Own Products
This is without a doubt the most
profitable option of the lot. Selling digital products will earn you the most
profit because of the low cost of delivery. If you’re selling tangible items
like print-on-demand t-shirts, mugs, caps, etc. these can make you money too.
You could always recruit affiliates to promote your products too. Split the sale with them and make more revenue from your affiliates’ efforts.
#5-Have Catchy Titles
The titles of your blog post must be attention-grabbing. As much as people moan about clickbait, these types of titles still get the clicks. So, make your titles interesting enough to get the clicks… and your content valuable enough to keep them hooked. Really get them hooked!
#6-Use Guest Posts
You could also use guest posts from other content creators on your blog. Many excellent writers would willingly write a blog post for you in exchange for a link back to their site. This will save you time and effort and you’ll not need to write as many blog posts.
#7-Inject Your Personality
You are the face of your blog. Inject your personality into it. People follow other people. Humanize your blog. Share stories, photos, jokes, anecdotes and so on. This will keep your blog lively and interesting.
Crafting an excellent blog involves a blend of strategic planning, quality content creation, and consistent audience engagement.
By identifying the niche, producing high-quality posts, maintaining a regular schedule, optimizing for SEO, interacting with readers, utilizing visuals effectively, and analyzing performance, one can build a successful blog that stands out and resonates with the audience.
Persistence and passion are key to long-term blogging success.
Follow these 7 points and your blog will be THE place to hang out for many people. You’ll build authority and have a loyal following. That’s exactly what you want.
This article is about 6 ways your blog can be empowering. There are thousands of people online making money with their blogs. The bigger your blog, the better. It’ll attract more visitors and have more useful content, provided you did your keyword research and search engine optimization well.
However, a blog that makes money and one that empowers you can be different or the same thing. It all depends on the individual. Here are 6 ways your blog can be empowering:
#1- Helps You Focus On Goals
If you set up a dog food blog,
while the blog may be getting tons of traffic and making you money, you may not
feel empowered by it. Sure you love the income and you like what you do… but
something is still missing.
What you need is a separate blog that yours and yours alone. You can blog about your goals, feelings, desires, business etc. By keeping your business and personal blog separate, you’ll be able to get the best out of both worlds.
You can do your business planning and reflections on your personal blog… which also has a marketing aspect to it. In a way, it’s a marketing blog… but it’s about your journey in marketing instead of one that’s only about getting sales and traffic. Having a personal blog all about your journey, is, indeed empowering.
#2- Stating Your Goals and Intentions
State your goals, targets and
intentions on your personal blog. Ask yourself what kind of life you want to fashion
for yourself. Do you want to live in quiet simplicity or be flamboyant and popular?
There are no right or wrong answers here. Only answers to what your heart truly desires. When you know your destination, you can plan your journey… on your blog, of course. This is very empowering in a very personal way.
#3- Maintaining positivity
Maintaining positivity is always empowering. This is the third way your blog can be empowering. While your blog will serve as a platform to post your innermost thoughts, you want to maintain a positive vibe throughout the blog. It shouldn’t depress you or be filled with misery and negative posts.
Life is not a bed of roses… and your blog can detail your struggles, but it has to also contain answers as to how you’re going to lift yourself out of your struggles.
#4- An Online Vision Board
Post pictures of the house you’re
planning to buy or the body you’re striving to achieve. Want a fast car? Post a
picture of it too.
Your board will serve as a vision board for what you wish to achieve. Look at it daily and you’ll not forget what you truly want. This helps you keep your focus which empowers you to achieve your goals.
#5- Planning Your Route
There’s a common saying that life
is a journey and not a destination. The truth of the matter is that life is a
process. You do have a destination… and your destination is the vision you have
in your mind of the things and situations you truly want in your life.
Plan well on your blog what you’re going to do and the actions you’re going to take to get you there. Have a time frame to reach your goals. This blog will keep you accountable.
#6- Staying on course
Use your blog to stay on track to
your goals. If you wish to achieve a target of $50k in sales in 1 month, write
down your plans on how you’re going to achieve it.
Then state the time frame, tasks and everything else in-between that needs to be done… and go do it.
This concludes the 6 Ways Your Blog Can Be Empowering. Start a personal blog and you’ll feel empowered and have purpose. Your blog will anchor you to your desires, goals and ambitions.
You’ll not be a kite bobbing in the wind, but a jet plane flying to its destination that’s been planned and charted. There’s a world of difference between the two. Start your personal ‘business and life’ blog today!
Starting a blog can be an exciting experience in the beginning. But the true question is: how often should you blog?However, just like with all things, over time your excitement will wane and posting on your blog will become just another chore… or will it?
It all depends on you
How often should you blog will depend on several factors that you should take into consideration. In this article, we’ll look at a few and you’ll be able to make an informed decision as to how often you should blog.
What’s your end goal?
If you’re starting a blog just to
detail your online marketing journey, one or two entries a week will suffice. You’ll
just be going into the stuff you’ve done, what you need to do, what are the
results, obstacles and so on.
Even if you’re posting daily, your
posts can be short. The whole purpose of this blog is to keep you on track and
serve as a record of what you’re doing.
However, if you’re setting up a blog on the keto diet or the survival niche… or any other niche that’s competitive, you’ll probably need to post often in the beginning to catch up with the competition.
If the top-ranking blogs in your
niche have a few hundred pages, you need roughly the same amount to hold your
own. So that will require you to post daily or even twice or three times a day.
Once you start ranking well in the
search engines, you may choose to post once a day or every two days.
When you feel like it or…?
If the blog you’ve set up is for your own personal use, then by all means post when you feel like it. However, there is a risk here. The less often you post, the higher your chances of forgetting about your blog conveniently.
So, you’ll need to be aware of your own behavior to know how often should you blog. If you’re consistent and prefer to blog when you have something to say, that’s fine. If you’re the type of person where out of sight means out of mind, then you need a schedule to follow.
Are you following a content creation schedule?
A content creation schedule is very
useful for keeping you on track. However, the schedule should not be a mindless
one. You shouldn’t be churning out content for the sake of it.
There must be a purpose to your posts. If all your posts only get an initial rush of traffic and then it’s all forgotten, your blog will not generate as much traffic or revenue as you hope it will.
It’s better to focus on keywords
that have buyer intent, and come up with a blog post strategy that will get the
popular keywords ranked. This will ensure that you get a consistent stream of
traffic to your blog and you’ll get more bang for your buck.
Understanding your audience
In some niches, a lower frequency helps. Some niches have an audience that don’t really surf the net that often. So, about 2 or 3 posts a week will suffice. Invest some time in researching trends,
In other hot niches, even two or three posts a day might not be enough because the crowd keeps looking for more info. News sites and political blogs are an example of an audience that’s ravenous for constant information, especially in the current political environment.
To conclude, it’s important to know
your purpose, your niche and your audience when you blog. These factors will
dictate the frequency with which you should approach your blogging.
