In this day and age, we’re seeing just how important a blog is when it comes to attracting attention. While launching a blog will take a serious effort, it’s actually quite rewarding. Over the course of this article, the insight you need to launch your blog without the stress.
Read on to find 12 easy steps to launching a blog without getting overwhelmed:
1. Handle Your Hosting
Before launching your blog, you’ll need to have a hosting. You can find web hosting that is inexpensive as well, ensuring you won’t break the bank by hosting your blog. Simply look at what each hosting service offers and find the best one that suits you and your blog.
2. Pick Out a Theme
Choosing a theme helps provide your audience with an appealing appearance. This is the blog’s layout and while there are many options, simply take a step back and consider your audience. Also, take what you’re offering into consideration and choose a theme that will optimize your efforts. For example, if you’re selling something through your blog, Find a theme that is perfect for on-site selling.
3. Install Google Analytics to Track Everything
Google Analytics is a free tool that provides bloggers with information regarding their site and audience. You’ll find information on your viewers and be able to see precisely where your traffic comes from. There is a lot more Google Analytics can do for your blog as well. Make sure to complete the install prior to launching your site!
4. Brand Your Blog
Branding your blog isn’t focused solely on a logo; this is how your blog and social media template will look. Take fonts, graphics, colours, and, of course, a logo, into consideration. The branding aspect of your blog focuses on crafting the experience you want to provide your audience with.
5. Craft a Business Plan
Your blog is a business. With this in mind, it needs a business plan. Monetizing your blog is something you’re likely considering. So you’ll need a plan. This can include the first impression you have on a visitor, how you’ll use email newsletters, and where you expect the blog to be in a year. Examine other blogs in your niche to find ideas. Don’t copy them, but use their ideas as a guide for your own business plan.
6. Connect Social Media & Stay Active
Social media is huge in blogging. Creating and connecting social media to your blog will allow you to begin reaching out to a potential audience before your blog even launches. This will help add to the excitement encompassing the launch of your blog as well. One important thing with social media is to stay active. Staying active on social media will ensure your blog remains relevant in the minds of your audience.
7. Network With Other Bloggers
Other bloggers can help you reach a larger audience. Networking with these individuals can allow you to get involved in an online community. You’ll share and comment on other bloggers’ content and they’ll likely return the favour. In turn, more people will be drawn to your blog.
8. Prepare Posts in Advance
Preparation will lessen the stress once the blog launches. Blog posts should be ready to post for the launch date and even a short time after that. If you have multiple posts available once you launch, this will give visitors more quality content to read, increasing the chance of them opting into your future posts.
9. Create an Editorial Calendar
An editorial calendar organizes the posts you need. You’ll be able to list out when the posts are due and this will allow you to write them before you need them. Planning posts out can lessen the stress of running a blog, especially when considering the constant need for quality content.
10. Setup & Test Email Software
A newsletter is important to any blog. This is how you’ll remain relevant. Your audience wants more content and interaction if they’re opting in and this is precisely what you’ll provide with a newsletter. Find an email service or software, set it up, and make sure to test it to make sure everything is running smoothly.
11. Create an Opt-in Incentive
Opt-in incentives will give your audience the extra push it needs to sign up to receive your newsletter. This is the value you give before you give them more value. An opt-in incentive can include an e-book containing valuable information relating to your niche, a recipe for something appealing, or anything else that gives your audience value when they supply you with their email address.
12. Look Over All Links Prior to Launching
While this can take some time, you want to make sure your links are all set up the right way. Make sure none of the links takes your audience to dead pages. “Page not found” is one of the most frustrating things for a user to see and all in all, it can result in your visitors going elsewhere for the content they seek. Look over your links and make sure they work right. You want to keep your blog’s reputation spotless in this respect.
This article originally published on upGrad blog.
