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the business of blogging 2018

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

WordPress HostGator Portal

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

monetizing blog hostgator

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.

HostGator Optimized WordPress

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.