Complete Guides to Create a Blog for Beginners

After previously discussing articles about the 5 best platforms for beginner bloggers, in this section, we will discuss a guide to creating a blog starting from choosing a hosting provider to installing a blogging platform. Not only that, we will also provide various tips for creating a blog so that in the future you can be successful.

1. Determine a Niche

If you are currently running a project or building an online business, through your blog you can share information about services, products, and the company's vision and mission. Readers who are interested in the discussion presented will stop by on your blog. You can easily acquire new users.

If what you're looking for is a way to create a personal blog, you have more opportunities. The list of niches or topics is broader, from traveling (travel stories), technology, news, food, music, to shoes. So many, you are free to choose a niche to be the main topic of the blog.

The role of a niche is very crucial in creating a blog. Therefore, do not be hasty in determining it. We recommend doing your research first.

One way to create an interesting blog is to review topics that you like. You enjoy doing it more and the results will also be better. Your audience will feel satisfied every time they read your posts.

What is a niche?

Do you have any questions? curious about something? or want to read product reviews before deciding to buy? Surely you will type in related keywords and perform searches, right? Well, the information obtained is the origin of the niche. The reach of the niche is very broad, it can be anything. For example, to stay up-to-date with fashion news, the blog you follow is a fashion blog. On the other hand, if you don't want to miss out on the latest music info, the blog you follow is definitely about newcomer songs and singers. Actually, what is a niche?

Your niche is the topic or area that is the main focus of your blog. For example, you are a musician by profession. So, the blog niche will tend to talk about music. Since the topic of music is so broad, get specific. You can review hip-hop songs or pop genre.

How to choose a niche

Choosing a blog niche does take a long time. However, by following the steps below, niche selection can become easier.

Make a list of things you enjoy or are good at, such as work, daily activities, or gardening.
Do your research by looking for information about blogs that take the same niche. Check the target market to find out whether the chosen niche can be explored deeper or not. Take note of the content reviewed on each blog, such as a glossary, tutorial, or a specific project.
As already mentioned, look for a more specific niche. For example, gardening is a very broad topic. Of course there are many blogs that cover this topic. Therefore, narrow down the space by discussing how to grow vegetables for beginners or how to turn gardening into fun activities for children.
If you want the blog to make a few bucks for you, look for a niche that 'sells'. Are there any products that are sold in the chosen niche? Does the product use AdWords? And do competitor blogs offer ad space or put up banners? Check all these things to determine your next steps.
Choose a niche that you are good at. Every reader wants to get complete information and satisfy their curiosity. If you 'just' write posts, blog readers will also get 'half-way' information. So, ditch the topics you don't like and look for a niche that you really understand.
Do blogwalking related to your niche. Something that competitor blogs overlook can be an interesting niche to review.

Don't worry if you still haven't found the right niche. Blogs that are currently successful must have used various methods and strategies when looking for a niche.

We advise you not to give up easily. Keep looking for a niche blog that really interests you.

2. Choose Web Hosting

After determining the blog niche, the next step is to choose a blogging platform. A blogging platform is a software or service for publishing blogs and their content. There are two types of platforms, namely free platforms and self-hosted platforms. In the following, we will explain in more detail the two types.

Free platform

Beginners who want to know how to create a free and easy blog can choose this platform. However, like free services, this platform has restrictions and rules that must be obeyed. Apart from using the platform subdomain behind the blog URL (bloganda.sitesplatformblog.com), you also cannot delete or deactivate the ads that are installed on the blog. Inevitably you have to accept the existence of this ad even though it is not in accordance with the concept of a blog or even not cashable. If you want more freedom in controlling ads and URLs, we recommend creating a blog on a self-hosted platform.

Self-Hosted platform

The self-hosted platform allows you to use your own domain name. That means there will no longer be a platform subdomain behind the blog URL. You are also free to install a Content Management System or CMS for short. WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal are three examples of CMS that are widely used these days.

The self-hosted platform is not free. You will have to pay some fees to subscribe to web hosting and create a domain. After that, you can activate the CMS. Usually CMS is open-source and free.

What is Web Hosting?

In order for your blog to be accessible on the World Wide Web, you must subscribe to web hosting first. Later there is a certain amount of space allocated to store files and blog data.

Web hosting services are provided and managed by web hosting companies, for example Alibaba Cloud. The amount of space or space allocated depends on the type of hosting you choose. At Hostinger, you can choose Shared Web Hosting, VPS Hosting, Cloud Hosting, or WordPress Hosting.

Hosting Type

Before deciding to subscribe to web hosting, we will discuss the types in full below.

Shared Hosting

For those of you who are looking for a way to create a blog for beginners, you can start with a shared hosting subscription. This type of hosting hosts multiple websites on the same physical server. All resources (such as disk space, RAM, and bandwidth) are shared with each website.

Shared hosting servers are always optimized and monitored so that every website has the same power.

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of shared hosting.

Advantages :

The price is cheap and easy to use.
Uptime and server updates are managed by the hosting provider.
24/7 customer support.
Has a 1-click installer tool to install blogging platforms.

Deficiency :

Share server resources with other users.
Limited configuration options.
No root access.

Cloud Hosting

Cloud hosting is aimed at both online business owners and large-scale website owners. This service combines the power of a server and the simplicity of shared hosting.

Even though it is bigger than shared hosting, cloud hosting is still a great platform for learning to blog. You will get more resources and you don't have to worry if the incoming traffic starts to increase.

Unlike shared hosting, all available resources will be entirely yours. With cloud hosting, your blog has more room to grow.

Advantages :

Dedicated IP address and resources.
Resources are for you alone.
24/7 customer support.
Has a 1-click installer tool to install blogging platforms.
Allows account upgrades from shared hosting.

Deficiency :

Compared to shared hosting, the monthly subscription fee is higher.
Limited configuration options.
No root access.

VPS Hosting

Virtual private server, or VPS for short, is a hosting service that provides users with more freedom and control.

However, the operation is quite difficult, especially for those of you who are not familiar with server management. If you just want to try how to create your own blog, we recommend choosing another hosting instead of VPS hosting.

However, if you really want to create a bigger project than a blog, this virtual server is the best choice.

Advantages :

Give root access to the user.
Dedicated IP address and resource.
Users have complete freedom and control over their environment and website.
Users can change settings from the server side.

Deficiency :

Requires the user to understand technical knowledge.
Requires that users have server management capabilities.
Unmanaged.
More difficult operation than other hosting types.

Keep these five points in mind when choosing web hosting :

Do you want to create a blog that will bring high traffic?
Is the setup process easy?
Is there customer support or customer support?
Are there features to create a functional and professional blog?
How much is the subscription fee?

3. Register a domain name

The unique URL address that each website has is called the domain name. Since a domain name determines the success of your blog, there are many things to consider. Also, don't be in a hurry to register it. Do it with care. If necessary, use the domain name generator tool to get potential domain names.

If there is already a potential domain, check its availability with the domain check tool. This tool will display the domain name combined with various extensions. Choose the extension that you think fits best.

4. Installing a blogging platform

A Content Management System (CMS) is the perfect platform if you are looking to try out how to create a new blog. With a CMS, you can:

Create a blog without having to learn coding and other programming languages first.
Publish content and create new content.
Dedicate yourself entirely to writing content, without having to worry about technicalities.
Adding new features with the help of plugins and modules.
Set up the appearance of the blog by applying a free theme in the CMS library.

5. Publish content and build blogs

Create informative and useful content for your target audience. Never publish content that is not mastered or you don't have time to explore it yourself.

As a blogger, of course you hope readers continue to visit your blog. Apart from ensuring quality content, you also need to be creative. To make it interesting, add photos, graphics, or other visual media that match your writing style to the content or post.

Enable the comment column in each post so that readers can virtually communicate with you. Ask for their opinion or suggestions and criticism about the post or what they want to read later on your blog.

When creating content, don't immediately expect the blog to be crowded. One post takes a long time to appear on the start page of search engines like Google. However, this should not dampen your spirits. Continue to make quality posts. Little by little, build a blog that offers a solution for its readers.

Static page

Static pages are pages that don't change and usually contain static content as well. Complete the blog with static pages, such as:

About us - On this page, add information about who you are and why this blog was created. Write a blog goal, whether it is focused on business matters, hobbies, or personal stories.
Contacts - On this page, you can display email addresses, social media accounts, email to subscribe, or other contact addresses that make it easier for readers to communicate with you.
Sidebar / Menu - Columns or bars at the top of the screen, such as categories of blogs, advertisements, other static pages, etc.

Content and blog posts

Blog posts - In blog posts, you are free to publish anything, from text, photos, to videos. You can also combine these three media to produce informative posts.
Seasonal content - This doesn't mean that you shouldn't publish posts that are valid only at that time. That doesn't mean you shouldn't review content by following trending topics. You are welcome to write any content. It's just that, it would be better if the content created is content that is relevant to the audience whenever it is read. Make sure to always update the content with the latest and valid information.

What is a content strategy?

The content strategy referred to here is a long-term content management plan that is to be implemented on blogs.

If there is no careful planning, you will find it difficult to make posts that catch the attention of readers. Moreover, there are more than 4.4 million blog posts published every day.

This is where content strategy comes into play. Ask yourself the following questions:

Why do you blog and write content?
What type of content should you create?
Is the content created can achieve the expected goals? And how?

How to plan a strategy

Here's a quick guide to building a good strategy:

Set goals. Is there anything you want to achieve by creating a blog? Be specific. For example, suppose you want to bring 3,000 readers to your blog at the end of the month or optimize two posts to appear on the first page of Google within two weeks.
Do audience research. Who is the target of your blog? Find out what kind of content they like, what problems they encounter, and what social media platforms they use.
List potential topics and keywords. Every post is required to have keywords. Determine the target keywords that can bring your post to the first page of Google. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs Keyword Explorer, and SEMrush Keyword Research. The keywords used must match the niche.
Make schedule. To keep you consistent and productive, make a schedule for when to blog and when to publish it.

Spread blog content on social media, create mailing lists, and run backlinks. Find out how your blog is performing in Google Analytics.

6. Promote the blog

Because the appearance of posts on the front page of Google takes a long time, the existence of your blog is difficult to know. One of the ways to get your blog known to many people and reach the right audience is by promoting it.

Word of mouth, among family and friends - let those closest to you know if you now have your own blog. Ask for their help to spread it through social media. If necessary, add them to the mailing list so you don't miss the latest content.
Add blog to search engine - your blog will be indexed. That means your blog will be added to the list of search engine sites. Create an account on Google and select Submit URL in Webmaster Tools. Apart from Google, you can also add blogs to Bing and other search engines.
Be an active blogger - check out blogs, social media, forums and other media relevant to your niche. Join the blogging community to build relationships not only with bloggers but also with your audience.
Be active on social networks - In order for your blog to get more traffic, the first step you should take is to follow other blogs in your niche. Comment on posts and create connections.
Guest blog - offer writing services for posts on other websites or blogs. Make sure the blog you choose has a good reputation and uses the same niche.
Mailing list - send emails to readers with the latest articles or upcoming offers. The more people waiting for the blog post, the better the response.
Advertising or paid traffic - advertising is seen as one of the best marketing strategies. You can promote your blog by placing ads on Facebook or Google AdWords. Use this option only if you really have a budget allocated for advertising.

7. Make money through blogs

In addition to being a forum for channeling opinions and sharing information, blogs can also be a main or side source of income. What do you think about how to create a blog that makes money?

Advertise on a blog - choose ads that are specific and relevant to the target audience or according to the topic written. You can start this strategy using Google Adsense.
Affiliate program - through this program, you will work with businesses to promote their products and services. Later you will get a commission. To join this program, your blog must have high and credible traffic. As an affiliate, you will be given an affiliate link to post or include on your blog.
Selling products and services - You can sell your own products and services on a blog. Install an eCommerce plugin, for example WooCommerce, and make it easy for your audience to find the product you want, add it to a shopping cart (cart), and make payments.
Sponsored posts - if the blog is crowded, the opportunity for other parties to advertise on your blog is even wider. The purpose of placing ads on high-traffic blogs is to increase exposure. Payment will be based on how many times the post was clicked, number of visits, or transactions.
Turn your blog into an online portfolio - if you have good writing skills, turn your blog into a site that provides writing services. You can also hold online writing workshops or volunteer as a freelance writer.

How to display ads on a blog

There are two ways to display ads on a blog, namely by using the Google AdSense tool and providing advertising space.

How to create a blog that makes money with Google AdSense:

Create an account on Google Adsense.
Connect Google AdSense to the blog and wait for confirmation in the form of an approval email.
Create an ad unit and add a widget to embed AdSense code on your blog.

How to create a blog and make money by providing advertising space:

Add attractive media to display status and important information related to your blog.
Send an email to the advertiser (advertiser) and let them know if you provide advertising space on the blog. By email, also state your intention to cooperate.
Manage ads with Google Ad Manager.
Create a report on their ad performance on your blog or offer a discount.

Affiliate program

You don't have to always sell products to make a profit on the blog. As a blogger, you can earn commissions from businesses by promoting their products or services. Look for merchants that offer affiliate programs to join. Before deciding to join, make sure the merchants or products to be promoted use the same niche as your niche.

After creating an affiliate account, you will receive various marketing materials, such as affiliate banners and links. Post anywhere or include in posts. Every time a new visitor clicks on an ad and makes a payment, you will earn a commission.

Amazon Associates is a form of affiliate program that Amazon offers. This program can be followed by various blogs because it offers a variety of niches. There are also affiliate networks, such as CJ Affiliate and ShareASale. Check out the merchant groups in the network and choose an affiliate program that fits the blog niche.

Write / sell eBooks (digital books)

For those of you who like to write or master certain fields, creating and publishing your own digital books can be another interesting solution to increase your coffers.

If you are not confident, you can start with a blog post. Review one specific topic. Here's a summary of the guidelines:

Pick a topic and start writing.
Choose the ebook format - PDF, EPUB, AZW, or MOBI.
Choose a software to create an ebook - Calibre, Any eBook Converter, Google Docs, etc.
Publish ebooks on blogs or platforms such as Kindle Direct Publishing, Kobo Writing Life, and eBooks.com.

Apabila Anda tidak punya waktu untuk menulis buku, Anda bisa mengikuti program afiliasi. Contohnya, mengulas dan merekomendasikan buku penulis lain. Nantinya Anda akan diberikan komisi jika ada pengunjung yang mengklik link afiliasi dan melakukan pembelian.

Digital book retailers, such as eBooks and Free-Ebooks, have affiliate programs that they can join for free. This retailer has its own commission system.

Affiliate partnerships are also offered by many well-known bloggers, for example Remez Sasson (Success Consciousness).

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Complete Guides to Create a Blog for Beginners