A few weeks back I had written a blog on How To Plan Content For Your Blog. So, now I was pondering over writing something on the nitty-gritty of hosting a blog. Well, just dishing out the good stuff and determining your niche is not enough. To be relevant and echo the voice of your niche audience, you need to be found first via the internet search engine. For this, you {your blog/website} need to live somewhere in your online home {the host who would keep you}. So when I am writing on ‘Cute & Comfy Work From Home Outfits’ and want to be read, liked and shared, my blog page needs to be hosted first {I use SiteGround, discussions on that soon!}
I read your mind here, you are thinking, if I could free-host my blogs, then why the hassle of self-hosting and paying money for that too!! Listen up, are you thinking of taking up blogging as a career and looking to monetize them and make them professional enough that you earn affiliate commission? If your answers are yes, then self-hosting is the way ahead for you! If you are judging the utility of self-hosting then figure this, a self-hosting site would give you complete control over customizing the themes, SEO, follow a particular branding for your blog, and costs only a few dollars a month.
Now if you are sold on the idea of self-hosting, let’s do it the right way, ok!
Choose the plot of land where you would build your home {your hosting partner who would hold your website, I mean!}
The home for your blogs would be the server of the hosting company, they would hold the website and make it visible online. The self-hosted website is your canvas, customize it as you want it. Basically, you own it and shape it the way you want. Self-hosting is the way forward if you look forward to monetizing your blogging experience.
I have been using SiteGround for hosting my blogs. It works out just perfect for me, the setting up was a breeze and whenever I got stuck, the super-friendly customer service was ready to help, it’s affordable for a blogger just starting off. The best part- they offer free WordPress installation, an uptime of 99%, a free business email address, and a free SSL Certificate.
There is probably no perfect answer for your hosting needs, but I highly recommend SiteGround.
Your domain name represents you & if your domain is not from your hosting partner, then turn the arrow towards it
Yes absolutely, the domain name resonates with your persona, your audience and your genre! I have a friend who writes and she named her domain Content Writing Ninja!! Choosing an appropriate domain name is important, it helps Google find you when someone types in the keywords that might be related to your blog. Also, giving out a hint in your domain name about what your blogs are about, is a good idea. Your audience could relate with it right off the bat!
You could buy your domain name from Namecheap or GoDaddy. In that case, you need to login to your domain {may be on GoDaddy} point your domain to the web hosting server. Or you could buy your domain name directly from your web hosting partner. Find out how you could get your domain name from Siteground.
Choose a package as it suits your pocket
This depends on where you see yourself standing in the curve of being a blogger, really! SiteGround has comparable packages with the basic one starting at $3.95. Whether you choose Bluehost or Siteground, it would depend on what you want, like if you want the best WordPress experience, Bluehost is the answer and if you are looking at a great up-time guarantee, SiteGround could be your choice.
Also, while choosing the package, quickly glance at what’s included in the package like webspace, websites hosted, security features, customer support features, up-time record.
Setting up the login credentials and payment method
So you have your domain name now, you need to create your login id and feed in the payment details to finally start hosting your work.
Getting the world of WordPress.org and choose the theme & layout that screams ‘me’
Ok, you already know this, but just reiterating, WordPress would serve as your dashboard from where you could create, manage and publish all your blogs, your very own content management system. The reason why I love SiteGround, they offer a one-click, super easy WordPress installation process. You could quickly login to your SiteGround page, download WordPress and bingo! Kick start the magic, choose the theme, and design your very own website! {you would have to create a separate login id and password for WordPress, that’s the way SiteGround works, at least!}
So here’s the deal with Siteground, it has one login which would be used for paying the host, for the emails, for checking how the website backup machinery is working. For everything related to content creation, designing the website and publishing, you’ll log in to the WordPress account.
What are you waiting for, start penning down now!
Because everything we talked about so long makes sense only if we have meaty content. Great content is like the juicy meat inside the lasagna, without it the noodle sheets would all be just that, sheets!
So, you know this by now, blogging involves a whole load of work other than putting words to your thoughts. There is a whole load of meticulous planning that goes on in the backstage to take the blog to fruition {I meant earning bucks out of the it}. But, hold on, the process is not overwhelming once you get going. And after you have done the setup, you would be like, ‘ok, I’m all set to bring it on!’ Amidst all this, always remember the 2 rules of blogging, Quality over Quantity and Traffic is the King of the Business!!