Update February 2018
Heads up on two new fantastic freebies available to bloggers or those thinking about starting to blog. Good enough to interrupt our regularly scheduled programming!
They are from one of the gurus of blogging, Ruth Soukup, the founder of Elite Blog Academy. Grab the 2018 Blogging Trends Report and the guide to 120 Awesome Blog Post Ideas while they are available.
Three and a half years of blogging and “learning, learning, learning” has taught me some valuable lessons. First, getting the right tools in place to allow you to spend less time on the technical side of blogging and more time on content creation and promotion can make a huge difference in site growth. Also, finding blogging experts who can clearly teach what it takes to make your site sustainably grow can be tricky. For these reasons, I want to pass along information about the 4 Best Tools That I Have Found For Blazing Around The Blogging Track.
(This post contains affiliate links. If you should make a purchase through a link, we may receive a small commission to support the blog. Thank you.)
1. Self-Hosted WordPress Site-One of the quickest ways to get your blog on the fast track to growth is to build it on the right platform. I have seen too many people go with free options because of no upfront costs only to find themselves shelling out cash later to get help transferring their blog to self-hosted WordPress. Start out right from the beginning. By self-hosting, you have much more control over your website and blog for the long haul.
And this matters a whole lot when it comes to your ability to make money from your site with advertising, affiliate links, and sponsored posts. Even if you believe you will never be using these avenues to generate revenue from your site, you may change your mind in the future. Trust me. I have seen it happen to lots of bloggers.
This next tool gives you a great starting place for getting your self-hosted WordPress site set up, as you will need a web host first.
2. Bluehost
Reliable online hosting for your website is an absolute must! You need your site online as close to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as possible. Also, you need to be able to contact customer service around the clock should you need assistance. Waiting days for help with issues is light years in internet time.
I have used Bluehost as the hosting company for my website and blog since the beginning, 3 and 1/2 years ago. During that time I have encountered no major outages or issues and have been very pleased with the company’s service. One of the things that attracted me to company in the first place was the ease of setting up hosting for a WordPress site. A few simple steps and I was good to go. For this non- techie girl this was heavenly.
Also, it is reassuring to know that Bluehost engineers work hand in hand with the employees over at WordPress to ensure things continue to integrate smoothly even as technology evolves. Also, Bluehost offers private server space options to migrate to when your blog viewership reaches high daily/monthly levels.
3. Elite Blog Academy
I have bought a variety of blogging books and online courses over the years and, hands down, I keep coming back to Elite Blog Academy as the best all-around blog training that I have found. Ruth Soukup knows her stuff and presents it in a way that is easily understood.
I still refer to material from the course frequently and love that I have lifetime access (as long as course exists) to the program materials. I also view and use course updates whenever they occur keeping me on top of the latest blogging developments and changes. And my oh my, every time you turn around something in the blog world is changing. It can be overwhelming without some guidance.
Ruth opens up enrollment for Elite Blog Academy once a year, but offers fabulous freebies year-round. So be sure and sign up for her waiting list. Click here.
4. The SITSGirls
Simply put, The SITS Girls website and the active community of bloggers associated with it ROCK! The breadth of blogging education topics that are covered on site is pretty amazing. Opportunities are available to be featured on the website, which can be great for recognition and traffic.
I love the SITS Girls private Facebook group too because it is such a good place to ask questions and and bounce ideas around. And, I adore the fact that I have found so many talented bloggers to follow and interact with through the website and Facebook group.
For more Blogging Tips:
To Use Hashtags or Not? Get Answers.
