what it takes
Curious about what it takes to run a blog? Here is a very basic snapshot of what I utilize:
Website Hosting
Through a blogging course that I took from a favorite blogger of mine, I learned about BigScoots. Truly not disappointed in the least. Great company with top notch customer service. Very glad I took the recommendation!
Content Management System
Through the same blogging course, I learned about WordPress.org. It’s free and open-source, and you can download and install it yourself. There is some confusion between WordPress.com and WordPress.org. WordPress.com includes managed hosting, but WordPress.org allows you to choose the hosting provider of your choice (I went with BigScoots). It comes with themes, plugins, and the ability to create an online store. I went with WordPress.org and am very happy so far!
Theme
Even though WordPress.org comes with plenty of themes to choose from, I wanted my website aesthetic to match the brand that I had envisioned as closely as possible. I stumbled upon 17th Avenue Designs, and am so happy that I did! Their designs are simple, feminine, and affordable, and they have excellent customer service. Their themes are also specifically designed for WordPress, so there were no issues in applying my theme. I went with the Clover WordPress Theme and absolutely love it. Two thumbs up!
Email Operating System
A must have is a domain specific email. It is essential to a cohesive brand. After you have your domain specific email, which you can set up through BigScoots, you need a platform to grow your email list. That is where Kit (formerly ConvertKit) comes in. With three different plans available, free, $25/month, and $50/month, you can choose which plan suits your current needs. You will have the ability to grow your audience, manage subscribers, send email campaigns, and monetize your content. Add in 24/7 support and you can’t go wrong!
Graphic Design Platform
Canva is my go-to for all things creating and editing. Whether I am making a logo, a banner, or an eBook, Canva is my very first stop. I have been able to create everything I want while using the free version. I am able to save my brand colors, which is a major plus in saving time with each new creation. Canva is also a very simple, yet effective, resource for editing photos. A basic filter here and there does the trick with everything looking cohesive. Highly recommend in general, and it is very easy for beginners.