30 Steps for Starting and Launching a New Blog

We here at Thirtymag are in the process of launching our own new website. It’s exciting to create something great out of just an idea and proceed to watch it grow. I have built and launched several websites in the past. During the building process of Thirtymag, I decided I would document my new project’s journey for those who are interested in starting their own new website or blog. I put the most important factors and steps into a chronological list of 30. Good luck!

1. Your idea. It all starts with an idea. This is where you grab a good old fashion pad of paper and pen and just write. Draft notes on your website name, your demographics, structure, all of your thoughts. With everything on paper, now put your ideas into a to-do list. Save your thoughts for step 3.

2. Domain name. This is your www.whatever.com. As the internet grows, it gets more difficult to find an available domain. Get creative and can come up with something new. You can also check out the domain auctions for one for sale. Think of this as your “property location”. You will want a good location, if you want people to visit. For the best prices on domains try Godaddy.com.

3. Business Plan. Whether you are planning on running your blog like a business or simply for pleasure or hobby, a formal business plan can help provide you with structure and organization that will lead to better execution during build and launch. Write down the what, where, when, why and how for your new venture.  Put your steps into a realistic chronological plan and start from the top.

4. Bounce your Idea. Once you have your idea and your plan thought out, bounce it off some close friends or associates. This step is not to discourage you to quit if your feedback is bad, but rather use constructive feedback to tweak and refine your next steps. It always helps to get thoughts and opinions of others.

5. Hosting. I suggest you host your new blog on your own paid host rather than using a freebie service like WordPress.org or Google. Your own hosting account will cost you less than $10 a month and will allow you to design and manage it without limitations. Try these packages from Hostgator or Godaddy.com (we use and love Godaddy).

6. Site Structure.The structure of your website or blog is how it operates and functions.  Do you want a simple homepage that displays the latest blog post or a more complex featured display? Write down a list of the functionality and pieces that are important to you. These will need to be considered when you design your site.

7. Design and Template. The design can be as easy as choosing a well built template from a site such as ThemeForest or creating your own custom design. When I build a new site I like to use ThemeForest and choose a template that fits the functionality I am looking for and then customize it to fit my look and needs. If you need help with a design, feel free to reach out to me (shameless plug).

8. About Page. This is probably the most important page that will be on your website. Try and use short paragraphs and bold headlines to keep your viewer. Quickly tell your reader what you are about and what they can expect. Pictures help keep the readers attention. Be sure to include a contact form or email address so someone can contact you with feedback (or spelling mistakes).

9. First Post. You are no ready to go live, but you will need to create a first post to test design and functionality. This first post should be a welcome post and include all the elements that you may use when creating. Make it informative, make it flashy. The purpose of this first post is to introduce your website AND test the design and structure for bugs or flaws.

10. Tweek your Site. Once your first post is published, have your friends take a look. Get some feedback and make sure everything works.

11. Twitter Name. Get your twitter name. Ideally you want the same name as your new site. If its unavailable, you will need to get creative. Don’t just add a number like your age or birthday. Make is short, sweet, and something people will remember.  Even if you are not a big fan of twitter, this step is a must. I recommend using twitter to interact with your readers. You can also automate your account to update with each new posting on your site.

12. Facebook Page. This is another must. Facebook is a huge (and free) way to promote your new blog. This also gives your faithful readers an easy way to follow you. Setting up a new page is simple and only takes about 10 minutes. Be sure to link your blog to your new facebook page via “notes”. Also, create a badge to display your blog so that new viewers can click “like”. (feel free to do so to your right)

13. Add Great Content. Now that you have a functional website, add more posts and pages. You will want to fill up the homepage with some good looking and interesting articles. Spend some time putting together your first articles, make them great. Viewers will not subscribe if your only articles are junk.

14. Spell Check. Just thought I’d remind you.

15. Blog Catalog. Blogcatalog.com is a great resource when it comes to bloggers and blog readers looking for new sites to follow and network with. This site makes it easy to connect your feed and automatically update your new posts. Also, be sure to browse similar categories and makes some friends (and exchange links).

16. Submit your Blog to Directories. A simple Google search for “blog directories” will bring you the sites that get the most hits. Be sure you submit your feed only when you are ready to launch and start adding fresh content. The big ones include dmoz.com, yahoo.com…

17. Advertising (optional). Some blogs are for fun, others are for profit. Some blogs (such as Thirtymag) are built for both. There is nothing wrong with using your blog or website to rake in a little cash – especially enough to simply cover hosting costs.  Some of my favorite ad tools are Google AdSense (easy; pay-per-click), Commission Junction (hand pick advertisers that fit your viewers; affiliate) and BuySellAds (rent out space; monthly).

18. Google Analytics. If you dont have a Google account you will need one. If you have one be sure to sign up for Google Analytics. This is by far the easiest way to keep track of your visitor stats. You will need these to analyze your traffic and trends if you want to grow and monitor your new blog.

19. Feedburner (RSS feed). Another free Google tool. This is just a nice clean way to provide your viewers with a way to subscribe to your blog. They do a nice job of keeping track of your subscribers, other options available such as subscribe by email.

20. Social Sharing. It is a must to include sharing buttons in an easy and convenient place on your blog posts. People who frequent the popular sharing sites (digg, stumbleupon, reddit, twitter), like to share and this only helps you spread your content throughout the web. There are a number of great plugins to add this easily.

21. Promotional Giveaway. A chance to win free stuff is always a great way to get a few easy visitors to your blog. Find a sponsor who has a new product or service to offer and ask them to provide one for free to a random winner in your contest. You both have something you are looking to promote,  its a win win. I suggest have people sign up via twitter or facebook as a way to enter. This way you can easily capture a following. Choose a random winner and make it a big deal. Be sure to write something nice about your sponsor as well.

22. SEO. Yes, the three letters we all fear and ignore. If you are using an application such as WordPress for your blog, it could not be easier. Install an SEO plugin such as All In One SEO and simply fill in your keywords and a brief description (using your keywords) for each article. Be sure your posts are written for humans. You can even take it one step further and use Google’s Keyword tool to find the best keywords for your articles topic or subject.

23. Google XML Sitemaps. Wouldn’t it be cool if every time you posted a new article Google knew it and included you in their search results? Google XML sitemaps do just that. You can even automate this task using a plugin.

24. Leave your Links. Visit other websites and leave great and meaningful comments. Do not include your link in the comments, but rather in the field that asks for your website. If readers (or the author) like what you have to say, they can find your link and return the favor. Start to leave the link to your blog everywhere you go. Just dont shove it in their face and make it obvious you are hunting for clicks. You want to get visits from people who respect your comments, not hate mail from link-dropping.

25. Press Release. You’ve heard of a little free press, right? This is it. Write a formal press release about your new blog to distribute to the PR outlets. Be sure to include a detailed description about your site, your goals, and end it with any special promotions or giveaway’s you are planning. Coordinate the release of this with your own launch date. A simple google search will bring you more than enough places to start sending.

26. Tell your friends and family to visit your site, comment, provide feedback and tell everyone they know. Those that are close to you will surly give your new blog a look. If they enjoy it they will share it with others. This can give your blog a needed boost to get the ball rolling.

27. Start blogging about others. Include links to other sites. These things will show that your blog is not all about you. These back links will be tracked and noticed. People tend to pay back favors when it comes to link love.

28. Display your link everywhere. Include your blog link everywhere you can… facebook url, LinkedIn, email signatures, even use your domain as your email… name@yourblog.com. Do you know how many times you distribute your email? People will see it.

29. Guest Post. Bloggers are always looking for new content (and new people to provide it). Find blogs that relate to your own and guest post, sure you are spending time contributing to another’s project, but the link you will get for writing it will last forever. Additionally, provide an open invitation for others to write for you. You get new content, and the writer should bring you traffic from their own network.

30. Brew some coffee, and get ready for a long night. When you “officially” launch a blog you will have a day or two to take advantage of the “newness”. Thats about all you get in the bloggosphere before you are old news. Use this time to connect with readers on social networks, answering comments, and building your next post to keep the wheels turning.

Please feel free to comment your own steps, tips, or suggestions below. Good luck with your new website.  Please contact us when you are up and running to get a mention on twitter and in our Weekly 30 section.