Are you thinking of starting your own blog? Or you are already started and need some help to keep going and to grow? You might find it helpful to have a Blogger Resources page that you can use to see the products and services that we use. The list will be changing as we find different resources that are worth mentioning.
To start a blog you need first a platform to build your blog on. www.blogger.com and www.wordpress.com are the most common once. It relay depends on your preference. Both are free and a good way to start your blogging experience. Sign up and get started, it is as easy as that.
Next you need a name. Brainstorm your ideas to come up with your unique name. Even if you do not want your name to be a domain just yet, is is a good idea to start with a name that is available. Go to GoDaddy.com – World’s No.1 Domain Registrar and at domain names see if your name is available. If yes, you are good to go.
GoDaddy.com is also a good hosting company. If you are ready to self host your blog we would recommend GoDaddy, it is easy and affordable. Why selfhost you ask, it is just better for your appearance. You can host your blog for free at blogger.com or wordpress.com, but the URL with a free account will have a “blogger” or “wordpress” tag on the end (i.e. http://northernhomestead.wordpress.com). Not as pretty, is it?
Now comes the fun part designing your blog. There are many free themes and templates to start with. You can also design your own header and background. If you are more serious in to blogging with an professional design theme, we like Genesis Framework. With Genesis you get a Framework ($59.95) along with it claim your new WordPress theme (prices vary). It’s also possible to get a Genesis child theme custom designed, there are gread designers to work with.
One would think that the text of a blog is the most important think, and yes it is, but not less important are the pictures. If you want to have a successful blog, take good pictures. Nikon D3200 Digital SLR 
For auditing pictures you can start with gimp or just simply use the free PicMonkey online program. It is not a professional Photoshop program, but serves for basic blog needs. Two things are the most important at editing pictures for the blog: 1) make them smaller, so the blog does not load slow. Preferably your file size should be somewhere around 100 KB. Also it is good for SEA to have a picture title that goes along with your key word of the post.
And last not least – never stop learning! There is so much to know about blogging. Do not wait till you know everything though before starting one, but continuously seek new information. There is lots of free information online, if you want one great tool to start with, Food Blogger Pro covers all main things about blogging (not just for food bloggers :)). The videos provide easy-to-understands tips for getting started with your blog and step-by-step instructions for how to do things like install advertising code, create a branded email address, or use the manual settings on your DSLR camera. There is also a community forum, a place where you can go to get questions answered by other bloggers. I have learned so much from Food Blogger Pro and would strongly recommend it.
Don’t wait. Today is your day to start an own blog!
And if you do please send me a quick message here or on Facebook to let me know when you get your blog up and running. I’d love to stop by and check your new blog out!
