Starting a parenting blog is one of the most fulfilling endeavors you could ever make. It allows you the flexibility to work from home, earn an income doing what you love, and express yourself creatively.
So many people want to start a parenting blog but have no idea where to begin and how to get it started.
If you are among the many, you’ve probably had people advise you to make a website, get hosting, and get a domain name, etc. But what exactly is a domain name, how do you create this website, and how do you grow your successful parenting blog? Let’s discuss.
Choose your niche
Deciding your niche can be one of the most challenging steps in the entire blogging process. You’re wondering if you should settle for something you’re passionate about or just about anything that will bring in money. The list of worries can go on and on.
However, many professionals will advise you that you need to ensure whatever you’re blogging about is enjoyable for you. That way, you will not struggle writing posts.
That said, various blogging niches are more profitable and popular than others. Since you cannot handle everything all at once, ask yourself if there are any gaps that you need to fill in the niche you’re interested in and whether you can monetize it. That will make your decision-making process effortless.
Choose a blog name
Most people get caught up in the naming phase of their blogs, which is the first contact point between you and your readers. Think about a unique name that conveys the mission of your blog.
You want your blog name to be unique and effortless for everyone to spell and remember. You want one that will shed some light on what your blog entails and is catchy at the same time.
Once you settle on a good blog name, ensure that you have a domain name that ends with .com or one of the other extensions that are more common.
What is a domain name? It is your site’s title. It makes it easily findable and identifiable online. With a custom domain name, your site appears more professional. It also plays a role in how your readers perceive you from the start, even before identifying what you do.
One way to find out if your domain name is available is by typing it into the address bar to see if it will lead you to someone else’s site. If the one you want is unavailable, do not give up. Keep typing in similar versions until you find something you like that is available.
Then, you need to get a hosting service to host your website so that it will be available on the internet. There are many hosting services out there and each one usually offers multiple plans starting from just a few dollars a month.
Choose a blogging platform
First, you need to understand that there are various types of blogs, hosted and self-hosted blogs.
Hosted blogging platforms are ideal for business models such as restaurant owners, e-commerce shops, etc. And these business owners do not intend to earn money from their blogs.
However, if you want to make money through blogging, you need to create a self-hosted blog.
The easiest way to do this is by using platforms such as Wix. In a nutshell, the platform allows you to create a website from scratch, and you do not need to have coding skills. With 24/7 support, you can build a website and let the world see what you are doing. Getting on this platform is effortless. All you have to do is go on the site, sign up for an account and follow all the prompts.
There are many other blogging platforms available to choose from, and each one has its pros and cons. Before choosing a platform, I recommend doing some research and finding the one that best fits your specific needs.
Create your blog
If you are using a website builder like Wix to build your website, all you need to do is to browse through the many templates, find one that you like, and edit and customize it using the website editor until it is exactly how you want it. You may add new elements, such as images, social media icons, lists, menus, etc. You can play around with the colors, layout, functionalities, buttons, and more.
Ensure to make overall goals and objectives for your website. With a well-designed site, people will view you as credible. And this is crucial for the success of your parenting blog. You want everyone to have a memorable user experience and for everything to be seamless.
Another crucial thing to consider is incorporating a mobile design of your site and ensuring that everything that shows up on the desktop site also shows up on the mobile site. Be sure that your content strategy aligns with your goals to give your parenting blog the success it needs.
If you feel the workload is a bit heavy on you, you may choose to hire a professional. These experts can start from scratch, or you can assign them specific tasks. They will ensure that your website looks good, feels good, and has all the desired functionalities. A professional touch can make all the difference.
Promote your blog
Now that you have your blog, you need to start creating content and promoting your blog so that people will know that it exists. There are many ways to promote your blog online. Here are a few:
- Social Media – When you upload a new post to your blog, make sure to share it on your social media accounts. That way, your friends will see and maybe they will even share it with their friends. You can also ask friends and family to share your posts to get more reach. Another tip I have is to share your posts on Facebook groups for parents, since those groups are full of your blog’s target audience.
- Guest Posting – Guest posting on other blogs is a good way to gain access to other blogs’ readers. If you post on another blog and the readers of that blog like your post, they will head over to your blog to check it out.
- Email Marketing – Build an email list and send out emails when you have new posts. You can use email marketing services to help you out.
So now you have everything you need to start a parenting blog! Remember, it takes time and effort to see success, and it won’t happen overnight. But if you keep at it and use the tips mentioned above, you might be successful!
