Creating a blog is one of the first steps you need to take in making money online. But where do you start? What's involved? What do you need?
Here's what you need to create a successful, money-making blog:
- A domain name.
- Hosting.
- A blogging platform.
- Targeted content.
- Products, services, or ads to promote (to make money).
- An opt-in form and autoresponder (to build a list).
- A shopping cart to receive payments
- Traffic.
Below are more details.
1. Domain Name
I recommend GoDaddy or Namecheap for domain name registration only – NOT for hosting.
1. Hosting
Although you can create free blogs without needing hosting, I recommend having your own domain and hosting to build credibility.
For hosting, I recommend Blue Host.
3. Blogging Platform + Design
Choosing the right blogging platform is the first step in making money online. Your blogging platform will affect search engine optimization, traffic, and sales.
What blogging platform should you choose for your blog? There are many blogging platforms you can choose from to create a blog and having many choices can be confusing.
WordPress is the most popular platform. If you are just looking for an easy way to build a small personal blog, then WordPress.com can offer you the basic platform to start your blog. But if you have a plan on building a professional blog, or a larger blog, or want to monetize your blog, go for WordPress.org., avoid a free sub-domain and invest a small amount of money for a domain and hosting.
Read more details on what blogging platform to choose.
You also need a design for your site. When using WordPress, you can choose from a huge selection of WordPress Themes. This is another reason for choosing WordPress. Click here to see my review of some of the best WordPress themes.
4. Targeted content
Content is the most important element of your blog. With your blog, you can build and brand your business. You need to provide a variety of unique content for your audience.
What content is valuable to your readers?
Valuable content is content or information they cannot find anywhere else. Your content has to be targeted to your niche and what your audience wants. You must know what people in your niche need. Ask your audience what they want and need. Once you know what they need, give it to them. Content can include regular blog posts, videos, lists, infographics, images, and more.
5. You Need to Monetize
There are many ways to monetize your blog, including ads, affiliate marketing, and more.
6. An Opt-In Form and Autoresponder to Build a List
A targeted mailing list is vital because it allows you to contact people whenever you want, follow up and bring people back to your site. This will increase your conversion rates and profits. You can create lists of subscribers, customers, clients, or members. You can (and should) automate list creation with autoresponders. You DON'T have to have a product or service to sell to start building a list. You can sell affiliate products. But even if you don't have anything to sell yet, you should start collecting email addresses right away.
You’ll want to stay in touch with your list and write follow-up email messages to build rapport.
There are many resources available to help you write your email messages and set up your email marketing funnels.
No clue what to say to your list?
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You'll need traffic to test your opt-in page and achieve a high opt-in rate. Test headlines and bullets to increase your opt-in rate slowly but surely. Make sure that your traffic source allows driving traffic to a squeeze page, because a lot of traffic sources (e.g. Google Adwords) e.g. Google AdWords won't allow that.
7. A Shopping Cart to Receive Payments
If you want to sell your own products or services, you'll need a method to receive payments. See more information about getting payments online without needing a merchant account.
Do you want to make money blogging?
Check out my checklists and worksheets on how to set up a profitable blog.
BLOGGING RESOURCES
Recommended reading about list building:
- Review of email marketing systems
- How to create a list.
- How To Turn Visitors Into Buyers With Autoresponders.
- What you need to build a list
7. Drive Traffic
You need targeted traffic. Look at both free and paid traffic strategies to build your list quickly and general sales. Traffic generation must be ongoing.
See more info about free traffic here.
Here's more articles on how to create a successful website/blog:
BLOGGING RESOURCES
- Checklists, Worksheets & Planners to Set up a Money-Making Blog.
- Hosting: Bluehost & SiteGround.
- WordPress themes: ElegantThemes/Divi, GeneratePress, Genesis theme from StudioPress & DIYThemes.
- Popular email marketing providers: Aweber, GetResponse, ConvertKit, and MailChimp.
- The best online spelling and grammar checker: Grammarly.
RECOMMENDED READING
- 12 Ways to Make Money Blogging
- How to Set up a Money-Making Blog
- What is The Right Blogging Platform To Make Money Blogging?
- How to Choose an Effective Domain Name to Attract Buyers to Your Blog
- What Are the Best WordPress Themes?
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