Creating a blog
Looking for an easy guide on starting a blog? Still have questions about the value of creating a blog? Find all your answers in this guide, written by OVHcloud. In 5 steps, it explains how to successfully create a blog, from choosing a domain name to SEO. Learn how to easily build a blog as a beginner, without the need for advanced computer knowledge. Whether you want to share your passion, market your products or be part of a community, starting a blog is quick and easy.
How do I create a blog?
Step 1: choose a blog topic
Step 2: choose a domain name
Step 3: choose the best CMS for your blog
Step 4: enable your web hosting service
Step 5: maximise the visibility of your blog
What is a blog?
A blog is a type of website that focuses mainly on written content. The articles that make up the blog are also known as blog posts. In addition to text, it is of course possible to publish photos, images or videos in a blog post. The blogger is the person who writes the text for their readers, often on a particular topic - but it is not uncommon to see blogs covering several topics. If you were to create a lifestyle blog, for example, it is typical for bloggers to discuss different aspects of their lives: fashion, beauty, travel, cooking, etc.
Why create a blog?
There are several reasons why you might want to create a personal blog.
- To share your story or passions: one of the most common ways to use a blog is to use it like a journal, sharing your daily experiences and passions.
- To inform and show expertise in a certain field: the creation of a blog may emerge from a desire to share more in-depth information about a particular topic which you (almost) know like the back of your hand. If you are a professional, this could inspire you to create a company blog, to promote your expertise within your industry.
- To be part of a community: blogs are all about interacting: you write a blog post and, usually, people comment. It's a great way to connect with people from all over the world, who are interested in the same things as you.
- Making money: blogging can be lucrative when done right. If you have an activity that connects to your professional life, or you own a business but no physical premises, creating a blog may be good for promoting your shop and your products or services.
Now, with OVHcloud, find out how to create a personal blog in just 5 easy steps.
How to create a personal blog in 5 easy steps
The very first thing to do is to decide on a topic for your blog. Most successful blogs focus on one area. If you are an expert in a particular area, it might be interesting to create a blog around that theme. By sharing your specific subject knowledge, you are bringing informational added value to your community of users through quality content. If you are a globetrotter or you regularly like to go on a city breaks, you could create a travel blog. Passionate about amateur photography? Creating a photo blog can be a good idea here. You can even do it as part of your business - nothing prevents you from creating a professional blog to share your knowledge or showcase your expertise.
Once you've found your topic, it's time to choose an address for your blog, also known as a domain name.
What is a domain name? A domain name is the equivalent of a physical address, represented by the website’s URL. It is made up of two main elements: the first part is the name of the website, then the extension comes after the full stop (such as .co.uk, .com, .fr and .eu.). You can choose the domain name of your blog to align with its theme: for example, “delicious-recipes.com” if you want to create a food blog. Some bloggers prefer to use their first and last names as domain names, especially if the blog is related to their personal or professional life. You can also create a brand name, which may or may not relate to the blog content that will be published afterwards. When you buy a domain name, you will own it for a minimum of one year, and you can renew it whenever you want. Once you’ve done that, it's time to choose the right platform for your blog, based on its purpose.
Step 3: choose the best CMS for your blog
A CMS (Content Management System) allows bloggers to create a blog easily and then manage and edit its content without the need for any technical knowledge. The most popular CMS in the world is WordPress. WordPress is very easy to use and is a real leader in the blogging world, as the platform allows you to easily share texts, images, photos, videos, sounds - you simply choose the plugins/extensions adapted to your use. The customisation options are unlimited, with WordPress themes (called templates) available for free or for a fee across the internet. By using OVHcloud to host a WordPress blog, this CMS can be set up for you in just one click. If you would like to create an online store, you may also opt to use the PrestaShop CMS. This includes an online payment feature, which is handy if you do not know how to build a blog like an e-commerce site. Joomla! and Drupal are two more well-known CMS platforms. These two platforms allow you to showcase your products or your brand on a website. Find the best site for your blog.
The next step is essential to getting your blog online. You can use OVHcloud services to create a blog-style website that fits your needs.
Step 4: enable your web hosting service
Once your blog is hosted, you can store content and files online, which are then visible to your website visitors. The good news with web hosting is that you can do it alongside reserving a domain name and creating a blog using a CMS. To host a blog in the most optimal way, you need to take into account your website’s features and performance, such as the expected number of visitors, your file sizes, and whether you want to include a payment module or contact form. As a hosting provider, OVHcloud offers web hosting at a lower cost, ensuring that your blog is available 24/7.
Step 5: maximise the visibility of your blog
Once you have written your first content and articles, you need to promote your blog in search engines so that it is well-indexed and can generate traffic. The easiest ways to help make your blog more visible are to inform others of its existence, promote it via social media posts and leave comments on other blogs that are part of your community. Publishing articles regularly also helps to optimise your blog ranking, and it keeps your visitors coming back as you are offering them fresh content. A frequency of one article per week is still a good practice, especially if you don’t have much time to spend on it. Otherwise, there are many ways to make a blog more visible in the best search engine results (Google, Bing, Yahoo!, etc.) through SEO (Search Engine Optimisation).
Your questions answered
What are the advantages of creating a blog with OVHcloud?
If you host your blog with OVHcloud, you get a high-performance, secure, ready-to-use website at an affordable cost. With anti-DDoS protection, your blog will remain accessible to your users with fast-loading pages.
Discover our offers: https://www.ovhcloud.com/en-gb/web-hosting/
How do I create a blog quickly?
The best way to create your own blog quickly is to choose a CMS (e.g. WordPress or PrestaShop). These systems already have a set of features that you can easily configure. Content creation is also quick and easy with a CMS, as content managers make it easier for new bloggers to manage their tasks.