Ever wonder how to start a blog? If you did, then this post is for you. Today is the day when you have to overcome the fear and procrastination and set up that blog you have been dreaming about for years.
Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I have used all of the products listed below and recommend them because they are helpful and companies I trust.
Do you want me to tell you a secret? This is the second blog I set up since 2014, when I decided that procrastinating is not the way to go.
Like many of you out there, I had no idea where to start. In 2014 there were not too many blogs teaching you how to do it, so I had to learn alone.
I also did not have the money to pay someone to set up the blog for me, so I made many mistakes during the process. Because I went through a lot until I figured it out, I decided that it was time to create a resource page for all of you out there.
This article is created especially for the new bloggers interested in learning about the services and products I use on my blog. The list might change over time, as I am sure I will probably discover new resources that might be worth sharing with you.
One advice I might have for you is to start the blog right away. Do not procrastinate. Do not wait. Just do it. Right now.
Block an hour or two on your calendar and set up that blog. It is not very hard. If you do not believe me, try it yourself.
What do you need to start a blog?
Hosting: Your blog needs a host or a server. I will not get into technical details here but think of this as a mandatory, essential digital space that you will need to rent to host your website. When I first started, I went with Bluehost.
It was the company I used for the first three years of blogging. Bluehost offers an easy way to start your blog on WordPress. They have free domain name registration, are very affordable, and it is indeed the perfect place to start.
Domain– This is the most exciting part of starting a new blog. You get to choose a name for your future blog. Mine is thebossykitchen.com.
Brainstorm for as many ideas as possible. Write them down, then head to Bluehost to see if your domain name is available.
WordPress– is blogging software. It’s the software that I use for thebossykitchen.com. Super easy to install, this blogging software is the platform that will support your blog.
Theme– Any blog has a theme. A theme is the look of your blog. The layout, the colors, the fonts, and the functionality make up the theme. One of the main requirements of a theme is that it HAS to be RESPONSIVE.
This means that your blog will automatically adjust to fit on a mobile phone or tablet screen. Most of the blog-reading today is done on a mobile screen, and if your blog doesn’t fit on that screen, no one will be sticking around to read it.
Trellis- I have gone through multiple frames since I started blogging. The blog frame I use right now is Mediavine Trellis.
If WordPress is the engine of the car, Trellis is all of the parts. And Trellis child themes—the look and feel of your site—are the paint job. Trellis makes WordPress sites more extensible, more secure, easier to update, and built on excellent SEO standards. I also have excellent scores on Google Pagespeed Insights.
Bamboo – is the child theme I use now under Trellis. You do not have to use this theme or the frame I use. As a beginner, you can try to use one of the available free WordPress themes. In time, you might feel that you need a little bit more flexibility and more options for the functionality of your site and the design.
StudioPress Themes on WP Engine– This is where you can find more themes to choose from.
Email– You will need to set up a blog email account. It will not be a Gmail account. You can get your [email protected] set up through your host.
The hosting company I use now:
WPopt– After three years of using BlueHost, my blog grew big enough to make a move to a bigger and better hosting company. I chose WPopt because they are awesome.
What camera do I use for photography?
Canon EOS 6D Mark II Digital SLR Camera- This is the camera I use for my photography. It is a full-frame camera that takes great pictures and videos.
Keep in mind that this is not a cheap camera, so if you are a beginner and look at cameras on the cheaper side, start with a Canon EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR or use a phone.
I got an iPhone 13 Pro Max, and I use it once in a while for quick photos when I cook. It takes amazing pictures. (see these doughnuts here)
Also, remember that it is important to start taking pictures and writing, so the best camera is the one you have right now.
Camera Lenses
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras – Fixed is the lens I use for regular photography.
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Fixed Lens for Canon SLR Cameras- This is the lens I use when I want to take pictures closer to the food. It takes sharp pictures, and the quality is incredible.
SanDisk 128GB Extreme SDXC UHS-I Memory Card -you need one if you want to make videos. It has tones of space that you need, especially if you take pictures in RAW mode with your camera.
– I use a bunch of Adobe software for my photography. Lightroom, Photoshop, and Spark are my favorites. I definitely recommend them if you take lots of photos.
WordPress Plugins
Plugins are little pieces of software that help your blog in many ways. I do not want to get into the technical detail, but you need a few that, in my opinion, is very important to have.
Akismet– Used by millions, Akismet is quite possibly the best way in the world to protect your blog from spam.
Create By Mediavine– This is the plugin I use to write my recipes. It is beautifully made and helps my blog to be seen on Google and Pinterest.
Limit Login Attempts– You get the idea. I am shocked at how many people are trying to hack my website. Every.single.day! This is a great tool to have!
Yoast SEO– helps you with your search engine optimization. Other plugins might do the same thing, but this is one favorite among millions of bloggers.
Read more here about my reasons for blogging. This article will possibly answer some other questions you might have.