This post may contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for full details.
The internet is growing quickly as more people than ever are online. This upsurge in growth means each day, more people and businesses are starting to look for ways to make money from, or monetize, their blogs. Many people are using blogging as a business.
Yesterday I posted about how to make money online via blogs, websites, and online businesses, and the profitability potential. If you are like most people, you may be new to blogging as a business. This guide will show you how to start and run a successful blog so you can be up and running in 30 minutes or less.
How to Start a Blog
1. Blog Software Application
When you create a new blog, one of your most essential decisions is deciding which blog software to use. To make money from your blogs, you need to utilize a self-hosted blog application by installing the blog software to a web server through a hosting company. Popular self-hosted software are WordPress (wordpress.org) and Blogger.
2. Domain Name
You will need to pick an easy to remember blog name, or domain name, that is associated with your business or niche.
3. Hosting Company
Register your domain name and purchase web hosting. Companies like HostGator are dedicated to assisting you with the creation and management of your blog. Live support is available 24/7 via chat, phone, and email, so you never feel alone.
4. Build your Blog
HostGator’s one-click WordPress installs and start easy-to-use website builder means there’s no file downloading or uploading, just use the drag and drop tools for easy site building.
5. Optimization
HostGator Optimized WordPress (click HERE to learn more) is a new premium product and just a small extension to existing HostGator products. It includes:
- Automatic updates for plugins, themes, and WordPress
- Sitelock malware scanning and removal
- Sitelock Content Delivery Network (CDN)
- CodeGuard daily backup and restores (down to the files)
Grow your Business by Blogging
Making time to blog daily will help build your business quicker than any single business activity. Blogging as a business has become the best way to reach and capture your target audience for increased sales. Follow these tips to get the most out of blogging and increase your traffic and sales.
- Identified your target audience to write for those who will be searching for your products and services.
- Makes it easy for visitors to search for information on your blog by creating categories of topics you will be discussing.
- Take thirty minutes daily to create a short and direct blog post to market yourself and your business.
- Encourage readers to leave comments on your blog…and answer them. This shows that there is an actual human behind the screen.
- Read and comment on other blogs.
- Occasionally promote other businesses products or services that may benefit your readers.
I hope this post helps point you in the right direction to begin blogging as a business. You can check out the SITS Girls and this Pinterest board for more information on how to monetize your blog.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
This post may contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for full details.
Thanks for sharing these great tips. My blogging hobby has become my business and I couldn’t agree more with your tips. Great job!
There are so many people who want to blog, but don’t know where to start. I am sure this will be a big help to them.
What a world we live in now where people can make all their money online! Love it though!
Beth recently posted…The Magic of Pow! Wow!
Blogging for business is truly rewarding. It offers great benefits aside from, of course, the kind of money you can possibly make!
Ron recently posted…You Wouldn’t Believe What This Bride Did During Her Wedding Ceremony. What A Shame!
i love this kind of business . very convenient you can do your work in your home or any where and not get tiring too much blogging business is an advantage work for me you get paid weekly
Blogging is hard work. I love it. You share some great tips for a a newbie blogger! These tips would have been handy when I started my blog.
Me too! I have lost so much time because I didn’t know what I was doing. But I have learned from other bloggers.
You broke it down simply and explained it really well. I started out on HostGator myself when I began!
Liz Mays recently posted…PAPER TOWNS Movie in Theaters Now!
I’ve been trying to write for 30 minutes daily. It’s so hard to stick to a routine. Other things compete for my attention. It baffles me because I actually enjoy writing.
It might help if you look at it as writing your thoughts vs writing for an audience.
I used host gator a while ago! I enjoyed it but didn’t blog for long as live was super r hectic back then! These are some great tips!
Never thought of it as a business when I started many years ago. But with all the money I’m spending for it, the work I put in and the earnings, I realized it is really a business.
I have been thinking about moving my blog to a paid host. Still not sure about it though yet.
Its the best decision I made. I just started another one on free WordPress but I need to grow it a little before I move that one.
I have heard of Host Gator before but I have never done business with them. I am with a different host and I haven’t experienced any major problems.
These are all great tips. There’s so much that blogging can lead to when you work it like a business.
I love Host gator and have been with them for over a year. :) It’s a lot of work to make a business out of it but worth the perks.
becka recently posted…Lou Lou’s Newest Stuffed Friend #ZUBELS
Great blog you have here.. It’s difficult to find excellent writing like yours nowadays. I really appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
Blogging is serious business. We really have to invest time and effort to make it grow.
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