How To Start A Blog In Kenya

With the growth in the digital industry, more people have decided to start a blog. This has become the new way to communicate information in an ever changing digital market.

If you do not have a blog it is high time you consider having one. So many people are making money using their blog so why be left behind?

So to help you start a blog if you do not already have one here are a few things you need to know.

Tips To Help You Start A Blog

All in all, before you start a blog it is important that you think it through, decide who your target audience is and what your blog will be about. This way the whole process of setting up the blog will be easier since it will be tailored to the target audience.

1. Choose your Blogging Platform

Deciding which platform you will use is the first step you need to take to start a blog.

There are very many blogging platforms you can use but the most commonly known are WordPress and Blogger. These platforms are easy to use and simple to start.

Other platforms include; Tumblr, Drupal, BlogSmith, TypePad and much more.

2. Choosing a Domain Name.

Platforms like Blogger and WordPress give you the option of choosing your own domain name you will need to part with at least Ksh. 1000. This amount varies depending on the platform you chose.

The domain name is basically your URL. For example for this blog, www.careerpointkenya.co.ke is the domain name.

You should ensure the domain name you choose is simple and easy enough to remember. It should also be as short as possible and does not have to be related to what your blog is about.

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3. Self-hosting or a free alternative?

You need to decide if you will go the free route or pay for hosting services.

WordPress, Blogger, and Tumblr offer free blogging services which are good for anyone who doesn’t plan on taking blogging seriously.

Using a free platform will deny you of having a custom domain name as well as limit the files you can upload in terms of videos and pictures.

So before you start a blog you need to figure out whether you are willing to make the investment required or not.

Self- hosting

With this option, you have to pay for both the domain name registration and hosting services which will need to be renewed every year.

There are some hosting sites that come with free domain name registration so the choice is yours.

Self-hosting will give you more control over your blog and there is no limit to how much media content you can upload.

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4. Designing your Blog

When you decide to start a blog you need to come up with a design for the website. How do you want your blog to look?

Remember, it is important that your blog is easy to navigate and attractive. Using colours that go together is a great start.

The font you use should be eligible and the right size as well. No one will read something that makes them strain.

Keep in mind that people will not come back to your blog if it is not user-friendly and just serves to annoy the reader.

5. Content

After your blog is up and running, it is important that you come up with good content that gets readers and keeps them.

Remember it doesn’t matter how beautiful your blog is if the content is not as good, you will not get any readers which mean all your hard work and money will have gone to waste.

Good content will help you rank well on search engines as well which will lead to more followers and readers which then translates to more money.

The bigger your blog the more money you can earn from advertisements and product mentions. The whole point of you taking the time to start a blog is to share information as well as to give you extra income.

In order to get your content out there you should not just only depend on the organic search you have to promote it on social media platforms like Facebook, twitter etc.

Register Your Blog With The Bloggers Association of Kenya

After you start a blog, think of joining organisations and communities such as The Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE). This is a great way to meet other bloggers who can help advice and guide you in your blogging.

They also help boost your content because once you join whatever you post will appear on their website as well.