As requested, these are some of the programmes I used to create and sustain this blog! I recommend these to everyone looking to start a blog. These’ll help you in your blogging quest! Know that everything recommended on this page is something that I have personally tried and love to use myself.
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BUILD AND SUSTAIN
1. Domain and Hosting: Bluehost
When I was looking for hosting options, because I wanted to be self-hosted, Bluehost was by far the most recommended of all options. Bluehost is known to be one of the most reliable and affordable web hosting providers for bloggers just starting out. Additionally, whichever plan you choose, you get your domain free. Birds and stones and stuff, ya know!
2. Platform: WordPress
Once you’ve paid for hosting on Bluehost, you can install WordPress for free. WordPress is by far the most popular platform for starting a website. When I was looking for a platform to choose, WordPress came out on top. WordPress can be very user friendly once you explore and experiment a bit! I was a complete beginner going in and am still clueless about coding, but WordPress makes it easy for a n00b like me to build my dream blog. There are loads of tutorials online and on the WordPress website.
If you’re doing self-hosted, I recommend getting WordPress directly through Bluehost because it’s easier, but if you don’t want to pay for hosting, you can also get WordPress here.
3. Mailing List: MailChimp
After you’ve set up the basic stuff on your WordPress like the theme and installed plugins (I’ll include some of them below), you should set up a mailing list. All the blogs I’ve read recommended that they wished they had set one up immediately after starting their blog but didn’t because they couldn’t be arsed to do it then when they were just starting out. I listened to their advice and here I am imparting that same knowledge upon you! It doesn’t take very long but it’s so useful in building your blog.
The mailing list tool I use is the free version from MailChimp. I haven’t seen the need to upgrade it or change the provider of this service, and for a complete beginner, MailChimp is so easy to use. If you’re ever stuck, a quick google will fix it (or you can ask me!).
4. Graphic Creation: Canva
I’m sure you’ve come across the beautiful and well designed graphics on the blogs you’ve visited; not to brag, but mine included! I do most of my designs on Canva. My Pinterest-sized graphics (check out my wonderful Pinterest here), my travel banners, my site icon! All were created on Canva.
Canva has both the Free and Pro versions. If you choose the free version, there are much fewer design choices, but right now that’s what I’ve been making do with! You can pay a dollar if you come across something you like, but you’re still unable to use the Pro designs. On the other hand, the Pro version gives you access to everything.
Click here to start creating cool butt graphics with Canva.
PLUGINS
5. Keyword Tool: Yoast SEO
Yoast SEO has been a lifesaver in terms of creating searchable and visible content. If you don’t know what I mean, I was in the same place! Basically, for people to find your site or posts on google or other search engines, certain conditions should be met to a standard.
Sometimes when you’re writing an article you don’t want to be worrying about stuff like this. I get you! That’s why what I do is let my creative juices flow and write the article first. Then I scroll down, and see what my SEO rating is like, and go make changes as suggested.
You can use Yoast SEO by installing the plugin directly to your WordPress by going to your dashboard, hovering over “Plugins”, clicking “Add New”, and searching for Yoast SEO. Click Install, then Activate. When you’re writing a post on WordPress, the SEO analysis thingy will be at the bottom of the page.
6. Backing up your site: UpdraftPlus
It’s always important to backup your site just in case it goes up in flames in some way because you messed up the coding somewhere. Not speaking from personal experience. Promise. *guilty eyes* Let’s just say UpdraftPlus has saved my life on several occasions. Make sure you connect your Google Drive, Dropbox, or any of the other options they provide to it so that there’s a copy that’s kept away from your hosting or WordPress site, in case your dumpster fire does not let you log into your WordPress account. *shifts around guiltily*
Get UpdraftPlus here.
7. Instagram: Instagram Feed
If you want to include your instagram to your site/blog, you need an Instagram plugin. Have a look at the pro version of Instagram Feed by Smash Balloon. The pro version is more customisable, and you get to make your feed pretty! However, the free version does its job well enough. You can install the free version of Instagram Feed plugin directly from WordPress “Plugins”.
Get the pro version of Instagram Feed here.