How To Start a Blog for beginners

Why you should start a blog

This Athleisure blog is intended to be your source for all the information you need on how to start your own blog. I’ve received multiple questions on why & How I started my blog & I wanted to share my view on this amazing journey. Blogging isn’t for the faint at heart. It is stressful, time-consuming, and could test your patience. But it is the most fulfilling thing I have ever done. Blogging allows me to share my story with the world and find like-minded people to connect with. Blogging has taught me a lot about myself and how I learn. I have been able to help others just because I took the time on my part to learn everything about it. Now, I want to share it with you!

Start a Blog that can make you money

After reading this post you will learn how to:

• Come up with a Blog Name to get you noticed
• Set up a wordpress blog that is yours
• How to Choose and install a theme that matches you
• How to start a blog of your own

Do you need to buy a domain or can you blog for Free?

It really depends on what you plan to do with your blog. If you are only wanting it to be something you do as a hobby, and have absolutely no intention whatsoever in monetizing it, Then you don’t really need to buy a domain. That’s how I started. I went on WordPress and made myself a little blog where I could share my fitness journey. But I knew I wanted something more out of my blog.

I honestly didn’t know I could start my own business, or monetize something without having a specific degree or some type of experience. So I never really put thought into where my blog should live. Then out of nowhere a plethora of online entrepreneurs started popping up on my feed talking about how they were able to build an online presence and business and it clicked. I realized if they can do this so can I! What was so different about these incredible women and myself? Nothing, they were putting in the work because they are passionate about sharing their story with the world. They were passionate and on fire for their goals and I knew I wanted in on the action. So I did my research and the first thing I learned was if I wanted to monetize my blog and turn it into something that will allow me to be at home with my family and still make an income, I had to purchase a domain.

Taking the First Step

This post contains affiliate links

There are a ton of web hosting platforms out there but the one I currently use and recommend is BlueHost. To be honest I haven’t used the other platforms but I do know a lot of bloggers I follow and admire are also on Bluehost so that is what I went it and I have not been disappointed.

It’s also really inexpensive. Sign up here for only $3.95/month.

Now, I always want to be honest with you and never lead you astray. When you sign up you pay the full price for the year. So technically yes, it is $3.95/month when you break it down but when you go through the process of signing up and get to that payment page you will see the full price!

I have to mention this because this almost kept me from purchasing at first. I had a tight budget to work with! But I realized that what you put into your blog you will get in return. So I made it work. It wasn’t crazy expensive, but when it comes to dolla dolla bills I know it can be a touchy subject.

Investing In Yourself

With that being said it’s been the best money I have ever spent! I am so glad I didn’t let a small amount keep me from the dream to start a blog.

How to Start a Blog

Purchasing a domain is one thing but setting up it can be a little intimidating. Have No fear that’s what I am here for. Below there are easy to follow steps to help get you started.

Step 1: Come Up With A Domain Name

This is the most important step in my opinion. You need to name your blog. Maybe you’ve been thinking about it for a while or you have a few in mind that you love so much you can’t seem to choose. Take some time to think about it and choose what will make you happy. If you need some help I am happy to steer you in the right direction. My Facebook Group(Link to FB group)  is a place where I am available to help and answer ANY questions you may have.

*I would recommend choosing a .com. It’s easy and looks better than .net or anything like that.

A Few Things to Remember When picking a Name

Keep it simple: If you want to grow your blog to be a profitable business you want something quick and easy people will remember.
Keep It Short: This makes it easy to claim your blog name on other social accounts.
Stay on Brand: Make sure your name matches what you will be blogging about. If you pick a very specific name and blog about the complete opposite it loses your street cred and people will be confused about what you can teach them.
Make sure it’s available: You will be able to check if your domain name is available when you sign up so don’t go getting it tattooed or anything until you know it’s yours.

Step 2: Sign Up for BlueHost

Click Here to sign up in Minutes

Now that you’ve come up with your amazing blog name it is time to sign up for your account!

The great thing about using this special link is that normally the plan would cost you $7.99 a month. So you save some cash money!

As you can see the basic plan is the most cost-effective. But if you have the extra cash flow and like what the bigger package has to offer. Go for it! You still get a discounted price using my link.

(This is where you will check to make sure your domain name is available)

Step 3: Create your account

This is pretty straight forward you want to provide all of your account information

Step 4: Choose your Hosting Package & Plan

Remember when I mentioned you will be paying the full price of the monthly Breakdown? This is where you will choose the length of time for your plan. You’ve made it this far and you are so close to making your dream a reality! Just go for it! You won’t regret it!

I also recommend unchecking the auto add ons. Some things you won’t need and others there are definitely plugins for!

You are almost there!!

Step 5: Payment

Again another straightforward step!

Step 6:Create Password

YAYAY!! You are so close to the blog of your dreams!  How excited are you right now? I know I am!!

You are ready to log into your blog! Yours, your very own blog!

Step 7: Pick your Theme

This is what you should see next. I know picking a theme can be daunting. But you can always tweak it later and make it your own. You can even choose between multiple ones as you go until you find the right one. But for now, pick what you feel looks best.

Do you need help with editing and customizing? Shoot me an email and I am happy to help!

Step 8: Start building

Now that the set up is complete you are all set to start building!

This is what your Dashboard will look like:

Pick a business or personal ( I chose business)

Work on your theme, write your blog posts, get your menus ready and be sure to add a contact page and an about me page.

Take your time, this should take you at least a month if you really have the time and determination. It doesn’t have to be perfect but you want there to be enough information.

Step 9: Now you are ready to Launch!

Congratulations!! You are one step closer to your dream!

As you log into YOUR blog, ( how amazing does that sound?! ) This is what you will see.

How easy was that?

Now that you have your blog set up you will need a few things to get it “show ready.”

• An About Me Page
• Contact Form
• Email List Opt-In Form
• At least 5-10 blog posts

These items will get you on the right foot to turn this blog into something amazing for you!

Need Some Support?

If you Purchased through my Bluehost link to start a blog, please join my Facebook Group to receive ongoing support from me! I will be available to answer any questions or help bounce off ideas for your niche, blog name, or post ideas. I will also submit daily tips to help get you closer to creating the blog of your dreams.