Start a successful blog

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I feel I needed an update on my blogging journey on how to start a successful blog.  When I made the decision to start our blog I started researching like crazy.

I tend to develop a little early blogging OCD when it comes to researching. In fact I tend to get stuck in research mode and I never move in to action.   Fortunately I knew when I should cut it off and moved on to action.

Let me start by saying I am no expert. But I can say that most of the people who blog about how to start a successful blog are not experts either.

One of my major complaints is that you can have your blog up and running in less than 30 minutes or some other ridiculous claim like that.  How to start a blog is not hard but also not simple.

I guess technically you can have your blog in that time frame but you will not be anywhere close to having a functional blog.

Blog Hosting

If you get in to blogging as a business, then you need to get a hosting company.

Once again early blogging  OCD rears its ugly head.

I had 3 major companies to research. They are in no particular order: Blue Host, Host Gator and Siteground.

Let me preface this by I like all 3. I have had experience with Site Ground and their customer service. They are knowledgeable, friendly and fast in helping.  I did go with BlueHost because of a recommendation of a friend.

Plug-ins

If I am able to provide one bit of help to a new blogger.  It is  to research carefully the many plugins involved in a  blog. You have so many like Contact 7, Yoast SEO, Sumo and numerous others.

Then you need to get an e-mail provider. The many are Constant Contact, Drip, ConvertKit, Aweber, GetResponse, MailChimp and ActiveCampaign.

Here is where that early blogging OCD research comes in. Go at it and find the provider that works for you.  I personally chose to go with MailChimp for my own personal reasons. This could change eventually.   Right now for me at this time in my journey MailChimp meets my needs.

There are many plugins involved in setting up your blog to make it functional. The experts tell you that you could be up and running with in minutes. Although that technically can be true.  They leave out a very important part. The functionality of your new blog lies in the choice of plugins to use and they are a necessity.

Research

If I can give you an honest piece of advice. Research how to start a successful blog before you start. I personally visited You Tube many times. One company that gives a lot of valuable information to help you get started on your journey is the people at websitesmadeeasy.tv. You can also visit them on their Youtube channel here.    I am not an affiliate of theirs just a very appreciative viewer.

After you get set up and published then important words to define are monetizing your blog. I have yet to figure this part out. So I cant help you here.

Another blog that I use is PBS market Blog.  Check them out.

But if anyone out there has a magic secret and wants to share. I would be a willing listener. Once I figure it out.  However I figure it out.  I’ll be happy write a post about it.

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