Creating First Blog

Introduction

During my teenage years, blogging was a popular thing that I was interested in.

  • I had a dream of documenting my life through blog posts, with the intention of revisiting them in my old age.

However, the responsibilities and demands of adulthood have taken a toll on me, leaving me with limited free time to jot down my thoughts.

  • The ongoing effort required to actively maintain a blog can consume a significant portion of our limited free time over time.
  • Even now, I often question whether the time I dedicate to blogging, sometimes even sacrificing sleep, is truly worth it.



Is Blogging Dead?

Well, if you are still able to read this post, the answer is a resounding "NO".

Nonetheless, blogging has declined in popularity in recent years due to the rise of social media and video content as well as the saturation of the blogosphere.

  • Today, people are more attracted to short and exciting content, such as short reels, that provide instant gratification, rather than dwelling on lengthy descriptions.
  • Moreover, to truly stand out in Google search, you are actively competing with millions of established websites and even AI chatbots that provide instant answers.

Also, stop day-dreaming that you can start to have some huge AdSense earnings after only a few months of blogging.

  • The idea that you will eventually be noticed by the public if you just keep slowly working on a blog remains largely a myth.
  • The reality is many efforts in writing may go unnoticed.
  • To illustrate, less than 10% barely generate some revenue.
  • People place a high value on branding, especially due to trust issues with generic, cheaper products that often offer inferior quality.

Hence, it is better if you start blogging based on passion to share, rather than fame or money.

To attract a consistent readership, a blog must provide value (or benefit) to its audience.

  • That is why successful bloggers are also probably professional writers in a particular niche.
  • On top of that, it is vital to maintain a consistent output (for example, publishing a new post every 2-3 days).
  • To maintain relevance in Google web searches, website content needs to be refreshed annually. This is because Google's algorithms prioritize providing the most up-to-date and relevant information to users.



WordPress or Blogger

WordPress and Blogger are the two most popular options for beginners, including myself. While both platforms are easy to set up and do not require advanced coding skills, it is very important to weigh the pros and cons of the two platforms.

As a kind reminder, there are few critical limitations with WordPress FREE plan.

NOTE: There are also other free blogging websites available such as Google Sites, Medium, Wix and tumblr.



Personal Recommendations

If you are just writing blog for fun or unsure that you will continue blogging for long, you may first start with the free plans available, because it is not easy to think of new ideas every 2-3 days.

  • At this stage, you should start exploring a niche that you are knowledgeable and passionate about, as well as has enough audience demand and monetization potential.

If you are 100% serious in opening and maintaining the website, then you are encouraged to purchase domain name at the start (an annual payment).

  • The reasoning behind is that although you will be able to export the blog content later, moving your site (changing domain) will lose SEO rankings that you have built for years.
  • Also, a unique and professional domain name can help establish brand identity and credibility, hence improving click-through rate.

To cover the basics, the annual WordPress subscription cost is as below:

WordPress Subscription Plans



Summary

Our time on this Earth is fleeting, and trends are constantly evolving, from chasing fast-paced excitement to embracing a slower, calmer pace.

  • If you feel ready to write a blog, just do it!
  • Do not hesitate to begin, because you have nothing to lose in the first place and should not leave any 'what-ifs' as regrets.



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