Welcome back to B.B.M.! Last week I discussed how to decide if blogging was right for you and seeing as though you’ve come back for a second week, that means you’re ready to begin your blogging journey (which makes me so happy). So, let’s jump right in and get down to business!
Of course the next big step is to find a site to call home. Now, if you are anything like I was, you will have no clue how to make this decision. Here are the steps that I took in finding a site that was just right for me:
1. I opened my mouth to ask questions.
Sometimes it can be intimidating to ask the most basic questions, but you will find that it is often the best option. Ask around and see what other bloggers are doing. You may even find it helpful to ask people with a tech background (which is what I did) to see which sites are user-friendly and offer the best features.
2. Google became my friend!
Pretty much anything that you need to research can be found online…information is right at your fingertips. Any and everything that I could think of, I researched, i.e. types of blogs, did I like blogs with or without a lot of pictures?, did I skip over sites with a lot of writing?, colors, etc. By looking at what others are doing, you can really begin to shape ideas for your site, which means you can target one that is right for you.
3. I was honest about my likes and dislikes.
While you continue your research, pay attention to what catches your eye (and not just the obvious details). It may make sense to ask a friend if you can take a “tour” of their site to see how it works “behind the scenes”. There are certain features that I like about my site, that I didn’t find elsewhere. For example, I love that WordPress is really “professional” and up-to-date. They take the time to help new users and they constantly update layout themes, add-ons, widgets, etc. for the regulars who want something new. If I have any questions, I can always ask a WordPress staff member and I can also search through forums for answers to ALL of my questions. Of course, other sites offer things that I don’t get with WordPress, but when I weigh the pros and cons, I know I’ve chosen wisely. So, before you go signing up, make sure you are critical of your options!
4. Just make a choice…I did!
If after all of this, you still aren’t sure which site is best for you, then just pick ONE! What’s the worse that can happen? You don’t like it? TIP: When I first signed up with WordPress, I didn’t make my site live right away. I played around with different layout themes and I practiced writing new posts. I learned how to do the simple things like loading an image or creating tags (something you’ll learn more about). Have fun with the decision-making process!
Danithedreamgirl 