Create a Blog

So you want to create a blog......

I get asked so often, "how do i make a blog?" well thats what this post is going to be all about.

1. Find your host.
You can use Blogger, Word Press, Blog Now, Blog, Blogster, bloglines, the choice is endless, but since i use Blogger, thats the one im going to post about. Its simple and theres nothing you cant do to it to make it what you want. So head to http://www.blogger.com

2. Sign Up
Now is the sign up process. You can use the email address that your currently using to sign up. Once thats all done your ready to become the next blog-aholic.

3. Templates.
Thats probably the biggest decision your going to have to make, besides what the content is going to be. Ive gone through so many myself, im never satisfied. Basically you have to think of 2 things. Is this blog just going to be a personal diary? If so the templates not going to affect you so much. Or are you going to want to create an audience? Build traffic, so people from every corner can see what your writing about? Im going to lean towards option 2.
So you've found the template. You will more than likely change it at some point, but at this stage, you have something to work on.

4. Content.
Now to fill your blog with content. Look for your dashboard, once there, click on New Post. Give it a heading if you wish, and blog about whatever you desire. Take time, put in a bit of study time. If people can see that your putting things into your own words, and trying to be original, they will spend more time looking over your hard work.

5. Inserting Pictures and Links
Up the top of the posting page you will see a tiny square, i think its some hills and a blue sky. To insert a picture into your blog click that, and find the one you want from your computer. You have the options to either have a large pic or small, and have it left, center, or right. Make sure you decide, which is going to be best before you click done. Once on your post you can move it up or down the page.
To create a link, locate the URL that represents the page that you want people to find, and copy it. Then find the part of the sentence you want people to click on and highlight it. Once that is done look up, you will notice a green circle with a chain link. Click that and insert the URL you copied and click ok. You now have a direct link to a page that represents what your posting about.
Once done, click the preview button to double check your work. This does not always come out like its going to look in your blog once you have published, but its a good start. You can always go back and rectify and problems later.

6. Now to get the traffic running on time.
Its a good idea to post for a while an play around with your presentation before looking for traffic. You don't really want people coming along, looking at your page and never coming back, because its not up to scratch. But if your like me and can wait heres what to do.
Become a member of Blog Directory, Blog Wise, Blog Hub, Blog Rankings, Blog Announce, and Blogger Swap just to start with. These are places where bloggers hang out and look over each others pages, giving comments and ideas, ratings, and generate traffic. Once you become a member of these communities its a good idea to copy the Links they supply you with.
Copy the HTML tag and go back to blogger. Go to the page where you can customize your layout, insert pictures, links ect, and click on Insert New. A box will appear. Look for HTML/Java and click that. Now paste the HTML tag you got from your link directory. Click done, move it up or down the list until your happy where it is, and check the preview. If its all up to standard, you can save.

7. Get to know your fellow bloggers.
By looking at all their hard work, meeting them in shout boxes, basicly giving yourself a name, you will slowly begin to generate traffic.

And thats it. I'm not going to go into feeds or advertising at this point. Just doing what i posted above is going to take some time. Learn the basics, get to know blogger, as there is endless things to do, and get to know your blogging community.

Good luck, and i will post about Advertising, and Feeds as soon as the skin grows back on my fingers.

Hey by the way, join Agloco today.