How to Start a Blog in 2018 : Step-by-Step Instructions

Hi Steemians,

I know it's been a while I have been posting on steemit, but I'm happy to be back !
Today I want to share with you how to start a successful blog (outside of steemit) in 2018 .

I know that 'starting' is the hardest part of blogging, and that is why I made these step-by-step instructions to help you begin starting a blog.

How to Start a Blog: Step-by-Step Instructions

So if you're like me, you’re thinking about starting a blog, but you have no idea where to start, right? Don't worry, I was in the same shoe as you are--clueless!! But I was sure I wanted to create a voice on the internet, share my knowledge, connect with other people--whatever topic I may choose to write about.

If you want to get started on blogging, follow the instructions below! :)

1. Signup for Hosting and domain.
   The first thing you should do is go to Bluehost and register your domain. What's good about Bluehost is that it is easy to use, and wordpress-friendly. Bluehost’s basic price is $3.95 a month. You can click the link below to get started on Bluehost. (Disclaimer: I am an affiliate for Bluehost, which means if you signup through the link, I will get a commission at no cost to you.) Although I'm an affiliate of Bluehost, that is not the only reason I am recommending Bluehost. Most hosting sites offer affiliate program, but by far Bluehost is the most reliable and has been very easy to use for me. After signing up, Bluehost guides you to choose your domain name. Then it walks you through “one-click” install of WordPress. And that's it! They offer customer service chat which you can ask any questions along the way, and they will help you through the process if you are confused.

2. Choose a simple theme.
   Next, a good theme will help your blog or website look professional. It is important your blog to look professional so that readers can feel they can trust you on the topic you are writing about. If you choose a right theme, it will be a good foundation for the design that works for you. Of course, you will need some tweaking and customizing to cater to your needs. You can choose free or premium themes from bluehost. I recommend starting off with a free theme if you're on a budget, and quickly set up the blog first to get started. It is important to not get stuck at these processes, and just getting through to help you get started.

3. Modify Your Blog.
   Once you have your domain, hosting, WordPress, and theme, you should modify the theme and blog to what you want to achieve from your blog. Depending on your topic or niche, the mood or design of the blog should enhance your topic. You can change the menu

4. Install Plugins.
   I recommend not using too many plugins at first, but at minimum, you should have few plugins such as “Google Analytics for WordPress” and Facebook and Twitter share-button plugins. They take just a few seconds to install once you’ve started your blog.

5. Write Compelling Content.
   Last, finally you can start writing and uploading the content for pages. Create about page sharing who you are and why you are writing your blog. Create contact page so readers can reach you when they have questions. Create a nice logo for your website to go on the mainpage. If you have followed all of the steps above, your blog is ready for your articles. Finally, start writing new blog posts and publishing them regularly (at least once a week). And there you go! Welcome to the journey of blogging. :)

Steemit is by far best platform to start sharing your writing, but I would argue that it is also important to have a presence outside of Steemit. Having presence in various platforms will not only help you reach wider audience on the internet, but also target audiences from different angles. Hope this step-by-step guide for how to start a blog will help you to get started on your dream to becoming a blogger. ;)

What did you think about this article? Was it helpful to you? If you'd like me to share more about blogging, leave a comment below and I will continue to share more helpful information to you! Thanks for reading!

Love,
Lynn