I have wanted to write. I want to write about many things, particularly about family, lifestyle, relationships and more. However, I did not have a platform to do it. So, I searched online and found out that I can create my own website or blog where I can showcase my writing. As I searched online about creating a website/blog, I found many instructional videos or tutorials from many different personalities who swore that it’s easy and simple and can even be monetized.
I watched a lot of these tutorials, and two tutorials stood out for me. One is by the Reese couple/family. They are the authors of the blog; It’s a Lovely Life. The other one is by Pat Flynn of Smart Passive Income.
I learned so many things while watching these personalities. But, since I am a beginner and have no experience with blogging or owning a website, I had many preconceived ideas which turned out to be far from reality.
So, for beginners (like me) out there, here are some things you should know in creating your blog or website:
- It Is Not Free
You want to create or build your website. You already have a niche in mind and are itching to write about your niche. The excitement in beginning to develop the website/blog is growing, but you have to decide what platform you are going to use. There are many choices, but you do not want to spend money.
Well, unfortunately, it is not free. Sure, there are free sites, but if you want your website or blog to stand out and be perfect, you will need to pay. The free sites are useful in the beginning, I guess. But, if you want to customize your website the way you want them, you will need to pay. Is it cheap? That depends on what you mean by cheap. My cheap is different from your cheap. You will have to do your homework before diving into this.
- It Is Not Simple
It is not simple, but it is not as complicated either. It’s a matter of perception. Many personalities in this business will say, “You can create your blog in 5 days!” Some will even say, 5 hours! Well, if you want it looking like an unplanned and unorganized framework, then, maybe you’ll have a website in 5 hours. It will not translate, however, to an efficient, effective and productive website that you want it to be. I built my site in two weeks. Even then, I was not satisfied with the outcome right away. I had to make a lot of adjustments, tweaks, editing, in its design and how I wanted it to look, not to mention the creation of the actual content which is the heart and soul of your website.
No idea what these are in the beginning. These are companies that will help you build your website. Although there are many other companies similar to these, they are the most popular and the best ones out there.
Bluehost, as I learned (I may be wrong, so if I am, anyone can correct me), is the web host. It is where your website lives. It is where the actual physical location of your site and its content may be found.
WordPress is the software that you can download (which is free if you purchase Bluehost) which will help you build your website.
Although WordPress is free, Bluehost is not. You have to pay a monthly membership, and they offer special packages if you go through certain websites like that of It’s a Lovely Life or Smart Passive Income.
(WordPress also offers packages with low monthly payments).
- You Do Not Have to be Tech Savvy
I am no tech savvy, but I was able to build my website. It was a little confusing at first, but after some time, I got the drift.
Pat Flynn of Smart Passive Income is an excellent “teacher.” I watched his videos on how to build websites/blogs. He used layman’s language and none of those technical words. If he does have to use the technical words, he will explain it thoroughly. He taught a step by step method which I found so helpful. He will tell you what you really need at this point and what you can do later on. He did not do any “sales” talk. He was straightforward and easy to follow. I did not spend anything for the tutorial video on how to build my website. (Although he does have some videos that you have to pay for).
- Plug-ins
I do not know what plugins (or plug-ins or plug-in) are and how it works for a website. Plugins are software that you can install to enable you to add functionality in your site, for example, Convertkit plugin. If you want your audience or web visitors to subscribe or join your website and you need to collect their names and email addresses, you will need to create a form where they can click a button that says, SUBSCRIBE, or CLICK HERE or JOIN US. To be able to create that form, you will need a plugin that will help you do that. Convertkit is one of those plugins.
Just like Bluehost, plugins are not free. If you get the free version, you get only the basics. Sometimes, the basic things are enough but other times; you will need more things to upgrade your website. Therefore, you pay for the upgrades. If you are into monetizing your website and you want to make your website attractive and enticing, then go for it. It will surely help you in gaining more traffic and therefore more profits for your site, if you are monetizing it.
- Legal Stuff
There is some legal stuff you need to know when you have your own website. You have to pay attention to these legalities to avoid getting into trouble. These are protection not only for you, but also for your audience/subscribers who you cater to.
- Privacy Policy & Terms and Conditions
You need to have a Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions on your website.
I certainly do not know how to create a Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. I don’t know what to include in those policies. I have no idea what legal mumbo jumbo I should put in there.
Fortunately, there are many solutions that you can find through the web. You can find many templates of Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions online. In fact, WordPress has its own template which I used. All you need is to put in your own information in relation to your website and BAM! You have your own Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
- Disclosure of Affiliate Links
When I was watching Pat Flynn’s video, he said that he wanted to be upfront and transparent to his audience about his affiliate links. So, he mentioned that he gets a certain percentage or commission from sales if anyone clicks and purchase from his affiliate links in his website. (Not verbatim).
The way he said it made me think this was optional. I may or may not disclose it. He strongly suggested disclosing this fact, however.
Well, this disclosure, I found out, isn’t optional. It is a MUST. In fact, I learned that you NEED to make a full disclosure anywhere you have an affiliate link/s; whether it is on your website, social media, or email marketing. It is an FTC-mandated practice. By disclosing this fact, it will essentially protect you (and your audience/subscribers) from any unethical business practices.
I repeat. DISCLOSURE IS NOT OPTIONAL. It is a MUST!
- Use of Photos or Graphics
Posting photos and graphics from Google Images to your website is highly discouraged. Why? Because these photos may have a copyright. Therefore, it is illegal to use them for your own benefit without the permission of the copyright owner/s. Just because you are able to search them in Google and copy them means you are permitted to use them. This isn’t true, however.
To avoid getting in trouble, you would need to buy photos, take your own photos, and/or get into a site where you are allowed or permitted to use photos for free. There are several sites that you can use. Unsplash, Pixabay, and Picjumbo are some of the sites you can use. I use Unsplash, I love their free photos. The website actually tells you that you that you do not need to acknowledge or give credit to the photo owner/photographer but it is encouraged. I personally give them credit for their amazing photos. It is not only a good practice, but it will also motivate them in posting more photos.
- Monetizing your website/blog
It turned out, you can make money from your website/blog. So, you are hitting two birds with one stone. You get to do whatever you want to do through your website (like writing, for me) and you make money out of it, too. WOW!
How do you make money blogging or owning your website?
It’s a whole new dimension! Too many things to learn and you cannot learn them in one sitting. I have read many different ways and it overwhelmed me.
Will you get rich? Maybe, maybe not! It depends on your niche, your know-how, your lucky stars! It depends on YOU! The time you will spend, your patience, your resourcefulness and a whole slew of different things.
I am just starting with this blogging thing and I will have to admit, it is very enticing to know that you can actually make money from it. I will definitely try it and see where it leads me. Pat Flynn and the Reese couple looks like they are making good money and enjoying themselves while making it. (The Reese couple gets to travel all over the world for free and still make money). So, if they can do it, why can’t I?
I am so sure that making money from blogging or owning a website is just like any other business. It entails a lot of hard work. There is no magic to it. It won’t be an overnight success as I am learning it. Despite what you hear and see online, you have to do a reality check and make sure not to put your expectations too high. That will lead to disappointment. A beginner like me has the tendency to expect too much. It overwhelms us. This is not to say, you give up right away. Just do it one step at a time. Let us put in the hard work and I am sure we will reap a good harvest.
Otherwise, if you created your website only as a hobby or past-time and had no intention of monetizing it, then, enjoy and just keep on blogging. I’m sure you will experience the satisfaction you are looking for.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Therefore, if you click and purchase from any of these links, I will earn a commission with no additional cost to you.
