If you’re a beginner, creating a WordPress blog can be a bit intimidating. The process is much easier if you know what to look out for when you’re doing it. In this article, we will uncover five factors that you need to consider when starting a blog with WordPress. By the end of it, you will know what it takes to create a beautiful and well-functioning site.
Reasons to Use WordPress
If we are talking about content management systems and site builders, it is impossible not to mention WordPress. Powering 39%+ of all sites on the web, this tool cements itself as the most popular CMS to ever have existed on the market.
WordPress earns the title not without good reasons. The CMS, for one, is free and open-source. It’s released under the GPL license, so you are free to study, duplicate, and modify the source code.
In terms of scalability, WordPress’ vast collection of plugins and themes makes sure your blog is always up for future expansion. This eases customization and equips your blog with additional functionalities that you might need. If you are on a tight budget, you can work with free plugins and themes which are often no less robust than the premium ones.
Despite having a learning curve, WordPress has many community forums that are always ready to help newcomers. Alternatively, you can find plenty of tutorials on the web — one of the many perks of using a popular CMS.
The most important thing is that creating content on WordPress is super easy. You can have a drag & drop editor as well as a block editor (Gutenberg) that lets you design your blog posts and pages easily.
If you have big plans for your blog, WordPress offers many advantages that can benefit you in the long run.
Things to Consider When Creating a WordPress Blog
There are five factors you should weigh in when starting a WordPress blog. Use this article as a checklist to make sure you get the most out of your site.
Goals and Objectives
Just because more and more people run blogs, does not mean that you should have one for the sake of owning one. Each site must have clear objectives as they are crucial for growth. Otherwise, your blog remains stagnant and exists without a purpose.
Before you decide to create a blog, it is best to answer this simple question first: “Why do I need a blog?” Whether you want to express yourself, build a personal brand, or help others, you need to set realistic objectives to reach for.
Once you figure it out, you can start mapping out goals and success parameters to help you scale the growth of the blog. Keep in mind that the goal needs to be achievable. They exist to motivate you, not to bog you down.
Domain Name and Web Hosting
Being the first element that visitors see before accessing the blog, your domain name has a crucial part in ensuring your site’s success. Besides boosting your brand awareness, the domain also contributes to the blog’s marketing strategy and SEO. For these reasons, you should choose a domain that is not only unique but also memorable.
If you have a hard time coming up with a good domain name, this article by HostingWiki provides a list of blog name generators that can give you killer domain name ideas. Once you find the right one, make sure to register it with an ICANN-accredited registrar to secure the domain name’s exclusivity.
Another technical factor you need to consider is the web hosting you’re using. That’s what makes your blog accessible 24/7. It is important to pick a reliable and secure hosting service. Since there are various types of web hosting, it is best to choose the one that can accommodate your blog’s needs. Using the wrong type of hosting can lead to both wasted resources or funds.
Also, I don’t recommend free WordPress hosting as it can cause problems once your website traffic increases.
Target Audience
One of the most common mistakes in blogging is not choosing a specific target audience. Instead of attracting more visitors, generic content prevents you from making a meaningful connection with an audience. If you fail to convert them into returning visitors, your website’s traffic and growth will suffer the consequences.
Therefore, it is vital to identify your target market at the earliest possible time. This knowledge can help you determine what tone of voice your content should carry to accommodate your audience. Only then can you build a strong relationship with it.
Website Design
Did you know that 38% of visitors will click off a site if it has an unappealing layout? Since it only takes 0.05 seconds for visitors to form an opinion about your blog, your website design has to steal the show from the very beginning. By making a lasting impression, visitors are likely to stay longer and explore your blog for the content.
Fortunately, WordPress has a ton of beautiful themes that can improve your blog’s appearance. Despite this, make sure to choose the theme that matches the blog’s niche and your brand. Furthermore, the website template should also not negatively impact site navigation and distract visitors from your content.
Security
Despite the many benefits, there is no denying that cyberattacks are always a threat you’ll have to deal with. Since your blog carries your personal information and valuable content, you should give it the protection it deserves.
There are plenty of WordPress security plugins that can keep your blog secure from cyberattacks. You should also scout for a reliable backup plugin to prevent data loss in a worst-case scenario. We recommend checking out Jetpack by Automattic – the company behind WordPress.com – a great, feature-rich plugin that covers backups, security, and more. At the bare minimum, it is wise to educate yourself on cybersecurity basics to better prepare your blog against malware and hacking attempts.
Conclusion
WordPress is an easy and affordable solution for users who want to start a blog. Packed with robust tools and features, the CMS is more than ready to accommodate your site’s needs and facilitate its growth.
This article has uncovered the reasons why WordPress is a popular choice for bloggers worldwide. After all, it did start out as a blogging platform. We have also explored five factors that a user needs to consider when starting a WordPress blog. We hope this article can get your future blog off to a good start. Good luck.
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