Blogging Archives - Make Me Over, Eb

How to Create a WordPress Blog

February 9, 2020/in Blogging, Branding, Websites /by Ebony Looney

It is possible to create (start) a WordPress blog even if you’re not techie or geeky. However, know that it can take time if you’re not familiar with how websites work or this is your first time setting up a website or blog.

But it’s ok. Give yourself some time, take a deep breath and have fun with it. If you feel like you need help, our team is here to assist.

I speak from experience. In 2007, I created my first beauty blog without knowing a lot about websites. I created it using a blogging platform called. Blogger.com. Blogger websites are hosted by Google and usually have a xxxx.blogspot.com as a URL (or your website address). Over time, I needed my blogging website to do ‘more’. Another beauty blogger recommend that I try using the self-hosted version of WordPress. She mentioned that WordPress made it easier to update my layout using a simple style sheet, manage my posts, upload my photos and so much more!

Over time, there have been other website and blogging platforms that have come out, but my favorite has been the self-hosted WordPress installation for my website management and to create websites for other entrepreneurs and small business owners.

And now I want to show you how you to create a WordPress blog using a self-hosted platform (such as Siteground.com).

Keep in mind. There is a difference between creating a blog on WordPress.com and using another host company and choosing a WordPress installation. (Click here for a side-by-side comparison from WPBeginner.com)

This post will contain affiliate links. If you click on the links and make a purchase, I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

How to create a WordPress blog in 8 Steps (using Siteground.com)

Decide a name for your blog.
Choose your web hosting package
Register a new domain (or blog name such www.myblogname.com)
Install WordPress
Install a WordPress Theme
Setup your WordPress theme (Widgets & Plugins)
Create Content (pages and posts)
Optimize for Search Engines (SEO)

The Techie Stuff

STEP 1: Choose a hosting plan

Siteground offers 3 WordPress Managed hosting plans that have everything to keep your website running fast and secure. You can see a complete comparison of features on the Siteground website.)

The StartUp plan is perfect for people with one website that are starting now
The GrowBig plan is a great value for money offer, including the option for multiple websites and the SuperCacher that greatly improves website speed. You can also transfer an existing WordPress here for free.
The GoGeek plan is perfect for people with e-commerce and larger sites, or more geeky development needs like staging and GIT integration

(You can always upgrade as your business and website visitors grow. Keep in mind that these are special prices for new accounts. The renewal price will be at the regular-listed price on their website.)

STEP 2: Register a new Domain name or attach an existing domain (one you already have somewhere else. We’ll talk about moving it later.)

You can register a new domain name or if you already have a domain with another company (that you want to move later), you do that here. A domain is the name of website’s URL or address. Choosing a name can take time because you want something that is unique to your blog (and that no one else has). Once you decide on the name, then you can click the “Proceed” button. If the domain name isn’t available (because someone else owns it), you will be instructed to choose another name.

STEP 3: Review & Complete your account setup with Siteground.

This is the step where you set up your Siteground account. You will need this information to access the ‘backend or inside’ of your website’s ‘matrix’, create email addresses (such as yourname@yourdomain.com) and monitor your website analytics.

Step 4: Install WordPress

To install WordPress using the SiteGround Wizard, first access your Customer Area. After you signup for our WordPress hosting package you will receive all the necessary information you need to login.

Once you login to your Customer Area for the first time, you will see a pop-up asking you if you want to Start a new website on your account. Select that option and click on the WordPress button.

A new section would appear where you should enter the login information for your new WordPress application. Once you are ready click on the Confirm button.

Next, choose what Enhancements you wish to add to your account – if you want to add any. When you are ready with this step – click on the Complete Setup button. (If you’re not sure what to choose, you can always come back to this later.)

That’s it! You can now go to the front page of your site and check out the newly installed WordPress application.

Step 5: Install a WordPress theme

After logging into your WordPress dashboard, you can install one of the many FREE WordPress themes that comes with your website or (you can upload another theme you have purchased from another company).

The first thing you need to do when you want to install a new WordPress theme is to login to your site admin page. Once there, go to Appearance -> Themes.

Step 6: Setup theme according to the theme’s instructions.

All themes come with a different set of instructions so that you can have your website looking like the demo. Some themes come with a ‘1 click demo install’ option. If you find that you are in need of assistance setting up your theme, you can reach out to us and we can assist.

The Actually Blog Content (Creating posts and pages)

Step 7: Create content (pages and posts)

Each blog website consists of pages that don’t change much (such as an “ABOUT”, Contact, Services, etc.) and posts that are date sensitive. Your blog posts are centered around your topic of your blog.

Creating posts – From the wp-admin panel (inside your WordPress dashboard) go to Posts -> Add New.
Creating pages – From the wp-admin panel (inside your WordPress dashboard) go to Pages -> Add New.

Step 8: Optimize for Search Engines (SEO)

Optimizing your website for search involves using words in your posts that your website visitors are likely to search for in relation to your topic.

In conclusion

You have everything you need to start your WordPress blog. If you need help, feel free to reach out to us or your favorite web developer.

If you prefer a video tutorial to walk you thru the steps, the interwebs do not disappoint. Here is a handy (25-minute tutorial).

Also, please note: Siteground continues to upgrade their website to make it easier for website owners to manage their websites. Coming soon in 2020, Siteground will be updating the client are and site tools.

Happy blogging!

3 Signs Your Website is a Hot Mess and How to Make it Over

October 27, 2017/in Blogging, Branding, Websites /by Ebony Looney

Here are 3 signs that your website is a hot mess and in need of a makeover. I’ll show you three ways to make it over.

Creating a Social Media Content Plan and Schedule

January 31, 2017/in Blogging, Business, Social Media /by Ebony Looney

What can you do to ease the overwhelm of creating content for your social media sites? Managing multiple social media accounts for yourself can get a little be overwhelming, however, breathe easy because there is a better way. In today’s post, I’ll share my tips on how you can ease the overwhelm in creating your content and scheduling it.

Clarify your “why”. Write it down. What is the reason you are doing all of this anyway. What will working on your business or posting to your Facebook page mean for you?

Clarify who you are selling to? Write it down. Knowing who you are wanting to reach will help you define your message. The needs of teens are different from the needs of mothers, fathers and grandparents.

Clarify how your services are helping to solve a problem for others? Write it down. Getting clarity on how your services help solve a problem, will help you promote it better.

Clarify your message. Write it down. What are you really trying to say? If someone asked you today, what would you say? Is it clear? Does it make sense to you? Don’t be afraid to get help putting your message into words that appeals to those you are trying to serve.

On paper create a schedule for the next week that speaks to your audience, inspires them and helps them using your services. Your posts can be photos, text or both.

Use Canva.com to create your graphics. (How to Create Flyers and Graphics Using Canva.com) – Instead of recreating the wheel, use templates that work.

Use a scheduler tool like the Buffer app to schedule your posts. Batching your posts for the week can save you hours of time. Having your core posts scheduled will give you time to work on other areas of your business. If you want to jump in “live” on certain days, schedule that time, too.

As you create a system for marketing your business online, you will start to feel more productive. Being productive helps you stay organized and focused on what’s important. Good systems in your business will come in handy when you need to bring on additional help.

So, what systems do you have in place for your online marketing?

Five Quick Ways to Make Over Your Blog and Website

August 28, 2016/in all, Blogging, Branding, Social Media /by Ebony Looney

Truth be told, I’ve made over my blog and website at least seven times since I started blogging in 2007. I started out with a maroon theme on Blogspot with a basic header, but no logo. Then decided that I wanted to keep the blog light and ‘airy’ and changed the color to a soft pink now with a new logo I created. At the time I was making all these changes, I was really just having fun testing out new blog tech tools. I eventually started helping others get their blogs started or giving them a blog makeover.

Since 2007, blogging designs have changed. With each blog makeover, I always included the use of the latest standards. I have realized that it’s ok and actually normal to have a website (blog) upgrade every year or two to stay consistent with current trends. For example, are you still using Windows XP or have you upgraded to Windows 8, or are you now on a MAC?

Here are a few ways to makeover your blog to stay with the current trends:

1: Make Your Theme Responsive

This is probably a no brainer, but if you are still using the same theme or layout that you did 3 years ago, it’s time for a makeover. Get a blog theme that automatically changes (or responds) in size depending on what device a user is on. How does your blog look on a phone, tablet and desktop. Most WordPress themes are now equipped to respond. It’s the new web normal.

2: Add New Pics to the Home Page

Photos are selling point on any website. If your homepage has a slider option, add new slides to new blog posts on your site. If your blog is equipped to do this automatically, then you are already one step ahead of keeping the home page fresh!

3: Add an Email Signup Link after Posts

Add a ‘newsletter’ subscribe link at the end of each post so your readers can get tips delivered to their email. Use a service such as Mailchimp.com or ConstantContact.com to create simple emails and collect email addresses. Using your blog as a way to build an email list and grow leads for your services and products.

4: Update Your About Page

Are your goals are the as they were in a few years ago? If not, then why not update your about page to showcase what you are doing currently to highlight your skills and post new testimonials. Do you look the same as the photo on your about page? It might be time to include a new photo. Here are 10 great tips on how to write a good “About Page”. http://thestoryoftelling.com/10-rules-for-writing-about-me-page/

5: Update the Menu Bar with Only Relevant Links

The menu bar is a great way to showcase what categories and pages that you want to highlight. Take off the links that you want to de-emphasize. For example if you aren’t hosting any events, you might want to remove that link from your main menu bar.

So there you have it, just a few ways to update your blog and make it new. Why not take a few hours and update your blog. Then post a screenshot of your updates to your Facebook page asking your fans what they think of the update. If you need help with updating your blog, click here to schedule a consultation with me today.

How to Make Money Blogging

September 23, 2014/in Blogging, Branding, Business, Social Media, Websites /by Ebony Looney

I get this question often: How do you make money blogging? I used to not know know how to answer that question because I looked at my blog as a way of sharing FREE information about beauty and style. This was many moons ago.

Anyhoo, I’ve woke up since the last moon and here are a few ways I’ve used my blog as a way to make money.

1. Place ads on your website. When someone clicks on it and purchases, you can get a commission from it. #affiliatemarketing

2. Charge companies to blog for them relating to their product and services. Some call this ‘ghost writing’. I call it charging for services rendered.

3. Get sponsors. For example, a company says, “Hey, would you take pics of my products and include them linking to my website so your readers can visit my site to purchase these.” You say, “Sure, you’d make an excellent sponsor. Would you like package A, B or C?

4. Host events around your blog topic. Charge other businesses to sell their products at your event.

I will admit that this isn’t always easy, however, you can get paid as a blogger. You just have to know what your worth is, what you want and go after it. Did you find this information helpful? Let us know on the Make Me Over, Eb Facebook page.

Blogger Tip: How to Get Media Credentials

February 2, 2014/in Beauty, Blogging, Business /by Ebony Looney

As the Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2014 show approaches, I thought it was a good time to share tips on how a blogger can prepare themselves to get media credentials to attend the shows. The first NYFW show I attended as a blogger was the Tadashi Shoji Spring 2012 show (shown September 2011).

I was excited to get two tickets to the show, one for me and the other for my assistant. This was a big deal for me, since I considered myself a ‘little blogger from Columbia, SC’. I wasn’t sure if the PR gatekeepers would let me in? (BTW, you have to go thru the PR companies to apply to a lot of the shows.)

My blogger friend, Jai, who has had success with getting credentials for NYFW shows, suggested that I apply to as many shows as possible and just go for it. Her advice worked, and I got tickets to at least 3 shows. Although, I haven’t been back to NYFW, I have attended several regional fashion shows , such as Charleston Fashion Week as press.

Although, it might be too late to get into an NYFW show, these tips will help you prepare for the next big show in NY or in your region. There are several things you need to do to prepare yourself before requesting medial credentials for fashion events.

How to Get Media Credentials

At the Spring/Summer 2012 Tadashi Shoji show

So did the tips help you? What is the next fashion show that would like to attend?

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