I LAUNCHED MY FIRST Blog in the summer of 2006. The process, from claiming a URL to choosing a host, a content management system, and a Blog theme took about a month. Today, I could complete the circuit in under an hour, no sweat (the framework, not the content).
If you are considering a website for yourself – whether as a personal Blog, a way to earn income online, or in support of a brick and mortar business – consider these five simple steps to help you get going quickly and smoothly. They could also save you a few hundred dollars.
Choosing the perfect domain name
This should be the easiest part, though sometimes it seems to be the most difficult. Begin by determining exactly what your website will be about. This is critical. A site without focus and purpose is like a basket of kittens – difficult to keep contained.
If you claim a domain, thinking you want to launch a personal Blog about fishing … and then switch midstream to decide you want the site to be centered on yoga … fishingwith(yournamehere).com may not be the best URL to purchase. Don’t proceed until you are certain about your topic.
Sure, claiming the name is not that expensive, but holding on to a stable of names you have collected can get pricey. The first step is always planning. Determine your focus, then go to a domain registrar site (it is often best to register your domain through the host you select … see below) and start searching to see which URL’s are available that would relate to your purpose. This Mashable article lists 18 tools that can help you choose.
Choosing the best content management system
One word: WordPress.
The WordPress platform is way past beta stage and can be scaled to work with anything from a “My Vacation” Blog to a New York Times Blog (yes, they use WordPress). Themes are readily available, support is readily available, there are plenty of forums and communities to help you get going … and WordPress is free. The bottom line: Don’t worry yourself over which content management system is best. Just use WordPress.
Choosing the right host
Your host is the physical server on which your website resides. You could host your site on your own computer – but that is probably not idea. You want a host that is running 24/7 and can handle the spike in traffic from your next killer Blog post.
To begin with, there are several different types of hosting accounts:
- Dedicated hosting – expensive and not necessary for most websites
- Reseller hosting – allows you to share in the profits by telling others about the site
- Shared hosting – least expensive and the place most Blogs belong
Once you’ve decided on the type of host you want, then comes the huge job of selecting the right one for you. The selections range from simple and easy sites like this, to the huge and complex sites like GoDaddy. (Most hosts also offer domain registration, by the way.) I don’t envy you the search. Every one of them claims to be the best choice, and every one of them has both negative and positive reviews. Perhaps the wisest strategy is to ask a few trusted friends which host they are using. That will allow you to narrow down the field considerably. If you’ve an entrepreneurial spirit, take a look at reseller hosting. It can cost a little more than shared hosting, but often provides tools and functions those on shared plans don’t get and gives you opportunity to earn while you learn.
The one thing you want to make sure of, no matter which host you go with, is that the backend is WordPress-friendly. Good hosts will load WordPress on your domain automatically (at your request). Other defining criteria are ready access to customer service, high percentage of uptime, bandwidth allotments, and whether you can host multiple URL’s or just one. There really is no best host. The one you want to choose is the one that is right for you.
Choosing the best WordPress theme
WordPress is the platform – the content management system – your Blog will run on. The theme determines how it will look and function. There are thousands of themes available. Personally, I like the StudioPress themes on the Genesis framework. I found them early on, after having kissed a few frogs, and I’ve been happy all the way.
Whether you pay for your theme or select one that is free, there are a few things to be aware of:
1) Be careful. Some themes are buggy and loaded with things you don’t want. Themes are like anything else you download … it is possible to bring a malicious virus or spyware home with the package.
2) Choose a theme designed by someone who offers support and keeps the theme updated. You don’t want to have to switch themes to keep up with changes in WordPress, and you don’t want to have to become an HTML or CSS genius in order to make simple changes to your website.
3) Choose a theme that loads quickly and works smoothly. Get as close as you can to what you want the final functionality to be like. The fewer tweaks you have to make, the better.
Being the right Blogger
Maybe you are hoping to earn money through your online activities, maybe you simply want to promote yourself or an organization, and maybe you are passionate about an idea and want to sound off on a global basis. Whatever your purpose, always remember that your real job is to provide value to your readers. A Blog without readers is like a town without people – it is of little value.
Know what you want to say and who you want to speak with, then start writing. I’ve been at it for going on eight years now, and I still love the thrill that comes when I see my name online and get responses from people I’ve never met – maybe folks living on another continent.
Like the Disney song says, “It’s a small world after all.”
Author Abel Cane loves to help folks get started with Blogging. Abel is a freelance writer who believes in the power of the internet to connect with others. Find Abel somewhere in the Cascade Mountains, or online at @GetGoneGut.