The great thing about blogging is that anyone can do it ~ all you need is a computer and an internet connection. And a little computer nous doesn’t hurt either.

Blogs are a great addition to any business website, a consistent stream of fresh content is particularly beneficial for your ranking in search engines. And the ease of use and availability of blogging platforms puts you in control of the content of your site.

But where to start. This is a quick guide to take the first step of starting your own blog.

First, you need a name and you need to “host” it somewhere.

One of the most popular options is Google’s Blogger which is free and gives you blogspot.com address. All you need is a Google account, type in the name for your blog, check the available of your preferred address, click continue  and you are on your way. With a little technical know-how, you can also use Blogger on your own website.

Another popular free option is WordPress. You can sign up at wordpress.com to become part of WordPress blogging network. Fill in the details and you will ready to write your first post in no time.

The beauty of these two free platforms is that all the housekeeping and updates are done for you. They are easy to use and you will be part of a wide network of bloggers. Blogger is very user-friendly which makes it a popular choice for beginners while WordPress has more features and is more customisable and can take a bit more getting used to.

Alternatively, if you have your own domain name already, you could consider using the WordPress.org open source software. This requires a little technical know-how and means you host the blog on your site. There are costs involved in finding a web host and administering your own domain and you are responsible for running your own updates and general housekeeping. But it also means you have much more flexibility.

Once you are registered and have moved into your address, you’re ready for the fun part.

Make yourself a header ~ use plain text or include a photo or your business logo~ and write a little something about yourself for your profile.

Then write your first post and hit publish.

Welcome to the world of blogging.

 

So we looked at starting your own blog, now it’s time to put your mark on it.

Depending on your platform you will have chosen a theme and maybe some colours that suit your business.

Each platform has a variety of themes available, both free and premium, choose one that suits your needs. Do you want a large content area for posts and photos, multiple sidebars for other links and information or perhaps a gallery format.

Once you’ve locked in your theme, it’s time to start adding in your details.

So let’s start at the top.

First off you need a header.

If you are going for a simple and minimalist look, you might stick with a plain text tagline, which will be available in the setting of your dashboard. However, if you have a great logo or some fantastic product photos you want to include, then you want to design a graphic header to really show off your business.

To design your header from scratch, use a photo program like Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, or alternatively head over to Photoshop Express, use the open source software Gimp or the popular program Picnik. Use these to layout your header to the size your blog theme allows. This measurement will be in pixels and it’s important to keep within these guidelines otherwise your header will become distorted or cropped when you upload it.Once you have your header designed, save your file as a jpg, png or gif file and upload your header through your blog’s dashboard.

If this all sound a bit much and you are using WordPress, try Big Huge Lab’s Blog Header tool.

Next, let’s look at the background. You can keep a block colour or perhaps put something in that’s your signature style. Create your own small square to use as a tile in your background or use a tool like Japoniser and  Stripe Generator.

Now, make sure the important information is a part of your blog ~ who you are, what you do and how to find you.

Create an About page and fill it with the relevant information. And make sure people can find it. A picture says a thousand words so don’t forget to include one or several. Don’t forget your contact information including your email and other places on the internet people can find you.

Some other details to consider for your blog:

• An avatar or profile pic: While you are designing your header, make a smaller square version you can use as your avatar. An avatar is the icon that “represents” you in the online world like on Twitter or in forums. You might use your logo or a photo. You can also use it for your profile on your blog.
• Social media icons: On Twitter or Facebook, make sure you link to these from your blog. You can design your own or there are plenty of free icons sets available as well.
• Sidebar widgets: Widgets are the fancy tools so that do all sorts of magic in your sidebar. Add ones in showcasing items from your store, favourite quotes or photos.

If you sell anything online, good photos are essential. Without the ability to hold, touch and feel your product, a potential buyer is banking on those photos to give them all the information they need to make that purchase.

And you don’t need a fancy camera and a studio set-up to take nice product photos. The key is simplicity and consistency.

Here are some simple things to consider when photographing your products.

1. Background: Keep it simple. Ensure it doesn’t clash with or distract from the star of your photo – your product. A roll of white paper or a sheet {make sure you iron it first as wrinkles will show in your photo} or some pretty vintage wallpaper all make lovely backgrounds. And once you find a background that works for you, stick with it. A gallery of consistent product photos is always very pleasing the eye.
2. Make it macro: Not everyone can splash out on a fancy macro lens, but it doesn’t matter, you don’t need it. Most cameras from DSLRs to point and shoots have a macro setting. Use it. This puts together the optimum settings for your shot that will give you a crisp and close image.
3. Focus: This is two-fold. Make sure your item is in focus, blurry photos help no-one and look unprofessional. And make sure your item is the focus. Your product needs to take centre stage, so get rid of any clutter.
4. Let there be light: Natural is best. Flash photography is harsh and unflattering, not only for you but for your products. Experiment with different places around your house and at different times of day to find the best light for your products. The key tip is to watch for the shadows and reflections. Tissue paper or a light linen can help diffuse harsh sunlight from a window.
5. Size does matter: With some items, like jewellery, it is important for the product to be in context. Include a photo of your product being modeled or next to a standard size object like a piece of fruit or even a ruler, to give the buyer some idea of its proportions.

And thanks to the digital age, you will never run out of film. So keep just snapping until you get something you like.