This post shares essential steps to take to ensure success when starting a blog. The first tip should be done before setting up your blog!
Secure Your Social Media Handles
Secure your social media handles early on—ideally before you set up your blog. Register accounts on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and any other social platform you like, even if you don’t plan to use them all immediately. Consistent handles that match your brand or domain name are crucial for brand recognition and future expansion. Use the namecheckr website to see if the handle you want is available.
Focus on One Platform at a Time
Don’t spread yourself too thin by trying to master all social media platforms at once. Focus on the one that aligns best with your niche. Pinterest can be particularly effective for quick results in many niches, though it might not work for more serious topics. I find Pinterest the best for bringing traffic to my blog.
Identify where your target audience spends most of their time and concentrate your efforts there. Once you’ve established a strong presence, you can consider expanding to other platforms.
Install Google Analytics
First of all, install Google Analytics on your site. It’s free and incredibly comprehensive, negating the need for any other WordPress plugins to track analytics. It takes just five minutes to install the Google Analytics code on your site. Many tutorials on YouTube can guide you through the process.
Once installed, Google Analytics will provide invaluable insights about your website visitors. You’ll learn where they’re coming from—social media, search engines, etc.—how long they stay, and which pages are the most popular. Remember, Google Analytics is important because any ad network or potential sponsor will ask for stats from Google Analytics, not from other plugins.
Also, if you’re thinking of using the Jetpack plugin to track visitors, I’d advise not to. It slows down your site and does not offer any more insights than Google Analytics.
Create a Google Search Console Account
Next, set up a Google Search Console account, formerly known as Webmaster Tools. This tool helps Google find and index your pages faster by manually submitting your new pages through the URL tool. It also shows how your site is performing in search results, and which keywords it ranks for, and alerts you to any issues preventing Google from indexing your site. Many beginner bloggers overlook this tool, but it’s essential for your blog’s success.
Build an Email List from Day One
Building an email list is vital, but don’t just add a generic “Sign up for my Newsletter” form. Offer something valuable, like a checklist, free challenge, printable, or eBook, to entice sign-ups. Use engaging forms to capture subscribers—forms with animations or characters can convert up to twice as many subscribers as traditional forms. I recommend using Mailerlite, it’s free to use up to 1000 subscribers, saving you money when just starting a blog.
Once you have an email list, engage with it regularly. Even if it’s just a weekly update about new blog posts. This can keep your subscribers interested and your list active.
Prioritise High-ROI Tasks
With so much to learn, it’s easy to get distracted. Focus on tasks with the highest return on investment. Write posts designed to drive traffic, optimise for SEO, and build internal and external links. Work on growing your email list by offering valuable lead magnets. Look for ways to monetise beyond ads, such as affiliate marketing, sponsored content, or creating digital products.
Be Patient
When it comes to blogging, patience is key, because success does not happen overnight. It often takes a considerable amount of time, sometimes a year or more, to see significant results in terms of traffic and income. Building an audience, establishing authority in your niche, and improving search engine rankings are gradual processes.
Consistently producing high-quality content, optimising for SEO, and engaging with readers are long-term strategies that require dedication and time. Patience allows bloggers to stay committed, adapt to changes, and ultimately achieve sustainable growth and profitability.
