1. Budget
2. Choosing a Web Hosting Service
3. Blogging Terminology
4. Choosing a Topic

I would have to say that the most crucial step in starting a blog would be thinking of a Domain name (easy to remember and short and concise) and what your going to talk about (Do we really need another, ““Make Money Online”” blog?) Now you are asking what is a Domain ? Why do I need one? What on earth am I talking about?

A Domain name is essentially a signpost on the Internet. Almost every website you've ever been to, and every email you've ever composed, has used a Domain name in its address Hey don't let it fool you, it isn't as easy as you may think. They're a lot of things to consider before choosing a Domain name.

Long Or Short Domain Names?

Here is a tidbit that I wasn't aware of before I started this step. Domain names can be of any length, up to 67 characters. Now that gives a person a lot of option's. The problem it creates though is obscure. Some say a short, unique Domain name is better. Yet others state that a longer name makes it easier to remember. It is given truth that long. domain names that have your site keywords in them also have an advantage in that they fare better in a number of search engines

Hyphenated Names?

There are disadvantages and advantages to Hyphenated names.

Disadvantage:

It is terribly difficult to remember to put in the hyphens. Like Wendy's-OBA- Blog-Tips - Tricks When people recommend your site to their friends verbally, having hyphens in your domain name leads to more potential errors than when the name does not contain hyphens. It is a pain in the butt to type in all the hyphens.

Advantages:

Search engines can distinguish your keywords better and thus return your site more prominently in search results for those keywords occurring in your domain name. The non-hyphenated form may no longer be available. At least this way, you still get the domain name you want.

Generic Names Or Brand Name Domains?

Some others think that your domain name really must be some generic name like "cars.com" if you are selling cars. Personally I think that a Domain name match your brand name. The very name that you use to advertise your product is the name that you will want for your domain, because that is the first thing that people will try in their browser Your Domain Name Should Be Your Website Name. The simple reason for your Domain name be your website name is that when people think of your website, they'll think of it by name. It pays to have a domain name that reflects your site or business. What if you cannot get the domain name of your choice? Check up the " whois " information for the domain, and contact that person listed to see if they're willing to sell it. You probably should be aware that they are likely to want to charge a higher fee than you'll normally get when buying new domains.

COM, ORG, Or NET

You have to decide whether or not your website or business caters to the local community, then it would make sense to get a country specific Domain name. What if yours is a site or business that can benefit from an international audience? That is what my site does. For some, the ".org" extension actually describes the non-profit nature of their organization. Hence some Domains automatically register for the .org extension. Make sure that you promote your business or website with the full domain name. For example, if your domain name is "Fishfoodandfishgear.net", make sure that when you advertise your site or business, call it "Fishfoodandfishgear.net " not "Fishfoodandfishgear". Otherwise people will assume a ".com" extension and travel to the wrong place.

Get That Domain Name

before you start your site or business In closing, I again hope you found the information useful. Also, if I have missed anything at all, leave a comment and let me know. Have a great day and look for my next step.

1. Budget
2. Choosing a Web Hosting Service
3. Blogging Terminology
4. Choosing a Topic
5. Domain Names

You should be getting excited we've covered all the basics. Now that you have found your niche, decided where you want your blog hosted, chosen an Domain name and everything is falling into place.

What in creation do you do know? Here is a few tips I think you may find helpful.

The most important part of any blog is the “ Title ”. It is what makes a reader find your content via search engines and allows them to decide whether to view it or not

Once they arrive at your site you need to create a captive audience, encouraging them to stay.

The vital tip to survival is to be yourself. The best bloggers become the best bloggers because they are who they blog

People are attracted to positive energy. Create a blog filled with good content, positive perspectives, and meaningful content and you will attract readers. People want friends who are like them, but who also challenge them to be more.

What makes a Blog stand out from the crowd? Whew, what kind of question is that? Everyone says Content is King but there are so many other things to be considered when creating a blog.

For example:

Add visual interest, works well with longer posts or articles . Longer posts as well can be broke into sub- headings Most readers scan first and although some of the sub-headings may not attract them one or two may catch their attention.

Adding images or at least one image make your blog appealing and easy on the eyes

Put the “I” into what you write. By being personal or conversational keeps the reader interested. Ask questions of your readers and don't be afraid to express your point of view. Allows the reader to get to know you better.

Go over finished posts and add relevant links . T ry to spot opportunities to link out to other websites and blogs. It will add more depth and value to what you write. Even top bloggers will follow up a trackback with an interesting title, so linking out can be beneficial from a ''getting noticed'' perspective, too.

When settling down to write the first paragraph of your post, don''t launch into the content straight away. Instead, dedicate the first paragraph to words that will persuade the visitor to read

Stat tuned for the next step. Although at this time not sure what the heck it is going to be but I am sure you will give some tips and hints where I should be going.

Staying within your budget, which is vital to everyone.

Which blog host or web platform we should choose.

I am having a very difficult time in deciding which should be the next step. I hate it when my poor befuddled pea brain argues with it's self. Leaves me in a bit of dilemma.

Give me a second. Don't be getting upset and frustrated now, I will be back, just going to check something. It's not like you are going to notice anyway. You will be able to continue reading, honest you will.

See I told you I would be back. No please don't start your blog yet! We have a lot of ground to cover yet.

The next step would be to choose a “Topic”. This step requires some time and thought.

You have to decide what you are going to blog about. Not an easy task to do.

“Probably the best place to start thinking about what your blog should be about is to consider what YOU are about.”

You will need to sit down, with paper and pen (pencil will work to) and start jotting things down.

Questions You Need to Ask Yourself

1. Whom do you want to reach with your blog?
2. What do you want to achieve with your blog?
3. What are my end goals with the project?
4. What is your blog about?
5. Do you have time to blog?
6. Do you need to select a Niche?

I probably have you totally flabbergasted by now but don't panic. It isn't that difficult. When I started my blog I ignored everything stated above, now I am attempting to reorganize and make sense out of what I am doing.

Now, I guess we should dive in and explain a few of things listed.

Do You Need to Select a Niche?

This term had been tossed around for years. So what the heck is a “ Niche ”. A Niche is simply a group of people with similar interests and needs.

There are numerous things to consider before choosing a ” Niche ”

Is the market easily defined and reachable? Do you know where they hangout? What kind of trade journals or publications do they read? Do they have clubs or are members of particular organizations?

Is the market small enough that you will not have tons of competitors, but still large enough for you to make a good profit?

Does the market have the money to spend?

Does the group have an insane passion for their hobby or topic of interest? Do they eat, sleep, and breathe their hobby? Are they constantly seeking more information related to their subject?!

”Niche” simply means individual or distinct.

Do You Have Time to Blog?

This is the easy part. Really! It takes time to write “Quality” content. Do you need to blog everyday? The answer is ”NO”. Ensuring you update regularly is important though.

It does take dedication and time though. Hence the reason for finding a “ Niche ”

What is Your Blog About?

Your choices are endless. So dream big.

What are My End Goals With the Project?

Setting goals is a way to look to the future of your Blog.

Do not set goals that you know will take forever to get to. Sure, you can, but keep in mind that setting short term goals will take you towards achieving your long term goal.

Oh gosh, I sure that made sense to you. I think I just confused myself. ( as I reread it)

So set goals to help your blog grow. Work toward them. But, as in motherhood, work toward balance, too-don't work so hard on them that you don't enjoy blogging anymore!

What do You Want to Achieve With Your Blog?

This is like asking yourself “What do you want from your blog?”

Do you want to make from your blog? ( I know the answer to that one)

Do you want to create more exposure for your business?

Do you want readership?

Once you figure out what it is you want the rest should fall into place.

Whom do You Want to Reach With Your Blog?

This is the most difficult of the questions you need to address - difficult because you've to possibly identify the gender, age profile, profession, likely preference, demography, and so on of the target group.

The first factor to be considered is the age group.

Other factors include the gender, marital status, occupation, ethnic background, health status, income status, education, and hobbies.

I once again apologize for the length of this post. I hope it clarified a few things for you and gave some insight as to what you are able to do with a Blog.

So happy thinking and have a great time blogging.

Please return for my next step in creating your very first blog.

I am not at all sure if this is a required step or not. The way I am thinking though it could very well save you time if you already understood what some of the terms meant.

I realize that some of us are old hat at blogging and don't understand why the heck I am going into such detail. The reason is simple.

Everyday thousands of new people come online and have no idea where to start. I hope that this will make it easier for them.

This list is meant to help the novice - or even intermediate - user.

Let's begin with:

BLOG COMPONENTS AND FUNCTIONS

• Index page - It's logical, it is the front page of the blog
• Header -Contains the name of the blog or a banner relating to what your blog is about (or not).
• Footer - Usually contains navigation and copyright statements
• Sidebar - One or more columns along one or both sides of most blogs main page. Can be used numerous things
• Categories - A collection of topic specific posts
• Post, Entry - Is individual articles that make up a blog
• Comments - Allows readers to leave their remarks
• Captcha - Is a verification code to ensure there are real people leaving remarks or comments. Short for “Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart”. Helpful to block automated spam comments.
• Ping - Short for Packet Internet Grouper. Blog and ping helps to notify other blog tracking tools for updates, changes and trackbacks.
• Trackback - A system by which a ping is sent to another blog to notify that their article has been mentioned by you
• Pingback - See trackback.
• Permalink - A link to a specific article
• Tags - labelling / attaching keywords to collect similar posts
• Tag cloud - Displaying tags lists or keywords in a blog. (I don't use this, my preference)
• Blogroll - Ia a list of links to other blogs in your sidebar. Can be a list of related sites or ones you especially like
• Sideblog - A smaller blog usually placed in the sidebar of a blog.
• Template -Is the theme or design you chose when you first started.
• BlogThis - Is a function allows a blogger to blog the entry they a reading
• Plugins - Small files that add improved functionality and new features. Wordpress plugins can greatly improve your blog usage and interactivity
• Dashboard - When you login to your blogging account, it is the first screen with all controls, tools and functions.
• Archives - Is a collection of all your posts on one page. Can be categorized by month etc.
• Expandable post summaries - Gives you the ability to show a small teaser part of the post on the index page that link to the full post.
• Jump - Is the continuation of a the story on another page to preserve space on index page.
• FTP - short for file transfer protocol. Transferring file to and fro from your Web Host using FTP tools like Filezilla
• Blogoshere - Now what the heck kind of word is that? The "blogosphere" is the new buzzword that has replaced "information super highway."
• Archives - This will take any older posts and break them into months and years. Used for reference or record keeping. Allows for others to search through previous topics
• Rss Feed - The file containing a blog's latest posts. It is read by an RSS aggregator/reader and shows at once when a blog has been updated. It may contain only the title of the post, the title plus the first few lines of a post, or the entire post.
• Content - R efers to the words used to compose posts. Posts are the principal element of a blog. The posts are the writings, compositions, discussions, discourses, musings, pictures, graphics, and, yes, the rantings of the blog's owner and guest authors

Some of the words are indeed very starnge and not the normal words one would use on a daily basis.

The language used here is mostly non technical to make the newbie blogger understand the blogging basics .

All I am trying to do is assist you in getting a good head start in the World of Blogging. See you round the “ Blogoshere ”

Look for me again as I continue my quest to “ Step-by- Step ” Tutorial on creating your first blog.