How I started my Pet Blog
My journey to becoming a pet blogger. What I did wrong and what I did right. I’ve learned a lot from my mistakes, but I made it happen in a roundabout way. Starting out, I thought that what I knew about dogs would get me through, but in reality, I knew nothing about blogging. I knew little about hosting and nothing of SEO. Now, I want to share how I started my pet blog and give you a few blogging tips that I wish I knew before I began. The time spent learning this stuff took away from writing articles for my blog.
I had it my head that I wanted to start a blog. About a year ago, I said to myself, “just do it!” I began reading tips and watching YouTube videos. My desire to start a blog grew to a MUST DO.
My MUST DO hit a few roadblocks. My computer had blown up beyond repair. A new desktop wasn’t in my budget, and I seldom used the desktop anyway. My smartphone and tablet did what I needed.
Hey, I can start a blog on my tablet right? I began at Wix, filled out signup process and opened the welcome email. It said “go to your desktop to finish setting up the account,” ugh! I went over to WordPress.com expecting the same result, but I was able to get started. Yay! Last August, I launched my blog.
I have a blog! Cool. I upgraded to a personal plan to get a custom domain name at $4 a month (billed annually). I published a few more posts and was getting some traffic. I love this! From here, I upgraded to Premium at $8 a month (billed annually) for fancy new themes. I discovered that I couldn’t add Amazon links from a tablet; so I needed a computer after all.
I found an inexpensive laptop, and now I feel like I’m in the game. Time to monetize and drive more traffic. Plugins! Yoast, in particular, is a must-have. I would need to upgrade to the Business Plan to add plugins. The Business plan is $25 a month (billed annually). They do credit what you have already spent, but that’s $300 a year. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure that the Business plan is worth the price, but for me, I couldn’t justify that kind of money for a “hobby.” Without monetizing my blog, I had to call it a hobby.
I looked at hosting plans to move my site to WordPress.org. That would be easy, right? It’s not, it’s a pain, but I managed to move it to Hostgator with the help of their tech support staff.
WordPress.com is also your hosting service. I didn’t realize this. Your domain name is your street address, and the hosting service is the house you live in. WordPress.org requires a hosting service.
Select a hosting service
(affiliate links that if you choose to purchase I may receive a commission at no cost to you. I really appreciate it)
I went with HostGator for several reasons, but the deciding factor was a monthly payment plan. I had all I could stand of “billed annually.” There are excellent hosting plans available, and it can be hard to choose. For me, I’m glad I went with, HostGator the service has been outstanding
After some technical stuff, I’m not savvy, and the support staff walked me through the process, I’ve settled in. I added plugins and started monetizing my site.
I have been so impressed with Hostgator hosting that I have partnered with them as an affiliate. By doing this, I’m able to offer a coupon code to get started for just a penny for the first month. Use code HALO1PENNY and receive your first month for seriously one cent.
Hostgator also offers plans on an annual basis that will save more money. I chose the Baby Plan on a monthly payment plan.
I’ve been with Hostgator for eight months and have had zero issues with my site’s speed and handling traffic increases.
Hostgator is a US company out of Texas and Utah, and it is carbon neutral. Two more attractive qualities in my book. I like being green where I can.
Creating an account is easy. HostGator is user-friendly. Follow the step by step process, and you’ll have a domain name and a hosting service. WordPress is a click install, and you are ready to get started. Pick a theme that suits your style and needs. I’m still running a free theme. I recommend a few plugins, Yoast for SEO, Smush to compress photos and Akismet Anti Spam. Resist the urge to download too many plugins; it will slow your site down. Play around a bit and get a feel for the site. Start writing and you’ll be ready to launch your blog.
Turn your dream into reality. If it’s possible to start blogging from a smartphone imagine what you can do.
Stay tuned…more tips are on the way!
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