Hey Techies,
In this blog post, I would provide you with a complete guide to start a programming blog this year. So without delaying a second further let’s get started.
Topics Covered
What is a blog?
A blog is a website where you share information and knowledge on the topics you know with the visitors of your blog.
In today’s competitive world, I believe that every developer should have a blog.
Front-end devs can refer to our blog post on React vs Vue Vs Angular.
Why start a programming blog?
I know many of us hate writing as we love coding 👩💻
Then why do we even want to start a blog?
There are many reasons why you might want to start a programming blog. Here are a few of the most common reasons:
- To share your knowledge and expertise with others.
- To get feedback on your work.
- To build your personal brand.
- To network with other programmers.
- To have some monetary gains.
Start a Programming Blog [Complete Guide]
Starting a programming blog can be an excellent way to share your knowledge, connect with like-minded individuals, and establish yourself as an authority in the programming community.
Here’s a complete guide to help you get started.
01. Finding a good niche
Picking up a niche is really important. Determine the specific programming niche you want to focus on. It could be web development, data science, mobile app development, machine learning, or any other area of interest.
Choosing a niche will help you target a specific audience and stand out from the competition.
02. Select a blogging platform
There are several popular blogging platforms, such as WordPress, Blogger, Medium, and Ghost. Evaluate their features, customization options, and ease of use to find the one that suits your needs.
03. Choose a domain name
Your domain name should be unique, memorable, and related to your programming niche. Use domain registration websites like GoDaddy or Namecheap to check for domain availability.
Aim for a .com extension as it is widely recognized and trusted.
04. Web Hosting for your blog
Sign up for a hosting service and install your chosen blogging platform on your domain. Many hosting providers offer one-click installations for popular platforms like WordPress.
Popular web hosting platforms:
These are a few of the famous and widely used hosting platforms.
- Bluehost: Bluehost offers the best start plan for beginners. Up to 65% OFF on Web Hosting Plans.
- Hostinger: Offers exceptional speed with Free SSL. Up to 70% OFF on Web Hosting Plans + Free SSL.
- Siteground: WordPress’s recommended Fastest Hosting service. Would solve your problem of slow page speed instantly.
- Hostgator: I am using HostGator on DotNetCrunch. It is owned by the same company as Bluehost and offers the most affordable plan.
Themes for your WordPress blog
Customize your blog’s appearance by selecting a theme that aligns with your brand. These are the two popular WordPress themes, I am using for my blogs.
Astra
Astra is the fastest and most lightweight theme for any Blog. Astra has pre-built layouts that make creating a new website easy. At DotNetCrunch, I am using it for more than 3+ years now.
GeneratePress
GeneratePress is the most recommended lightweight fastest theme for beginners. It focuses on speed, stability, and accessibility.
05. Create valuable content
Start by brainstorming a list of topics within your niche that you can write about. Focus on providing value to your readers, whether it’s tutorials, tips, code snippets, or in-depth articles.
Make your content informative, engaging, and easy to understand for both beginners and experienced programmers.
06. Develop a consistent posting schedule
Consistency is crucial for building an audience. Decide on a posting frequency that suits your availability and stick to it.
Whether it’s weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, make sure you deliver quality content on a regular basis.
You may also refer to the resources we recommend.
07. Optimize for search engines
Learn the basics of search engine optimization (SEO) to increase your blog’s visibility in search engine results.
Use relevant keywords in your blog post titles, headings, and content. Optimize your meta tags, use descriptive URLs, and include alt tags for images.
08. Engage with your readers
Encourage reader interaction by enabling comments on your blog posts. Respond to comments promptly and foster discussions.
Consider adding social media sharing buttons to make it easier for readers to share your content.
09. Network within the programming community
Engage with other programmers and bloggers in your niche. Leave thoughtful comments on their blogs, participate in relevant forums or communities, and share their content.
Building relationships within the community can help you gain exposure and collaborations.
10. Promote your blog
Share your blog posts on social media platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Reddit. Consider creating a dedicated page or profile for your blog to keep your personal and professional presence separate.
Utilize relevant hashtags, join programming-related groups, and engage with your followers.
11. Monitor analytics
Use tools like Google Analytics to track your blog’s performance.
Analyze your traffic, popular content, referral sources, and user behavior to understand what resonates with your audience. Adjust your content strategy based on these insights.
12. Monetize your blog
Now, when it comes to making money with your blog, there are several ways to generate income. Google Adsense, Affiliate Marketing, and Product Reviews are a few of them.
Google Adsense
Google Adsense helps you earn money from your blog by placing ads. It’s very smooth and easy to configure. In order to get approval for Google AdSense, your blog needs to have quality and original content.
It is a bit hard to get approved for Adsense these days as Google checks on a lot of parameters and the review process is strict.
Create your Google Adsense account and apply today!
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate Marketing is one of the hottest passive income sources in 2020. You can strategically promote your affiliate products on your blog to earn good commissions.
There are many affiliate networks like ShareASale, ImpactRadius, and LinkSynergy that you can join and start promoting relevant brands and products with respect to your blog’s niche.
Affiliate Networks for Programmers or Developers
While promoting affiliate links, we need to ensure we are not promoting off-topic products.
For example, my blog is talking about C# version history and I am promoting apparel. It won’t work, right?
So, if you are blogging about programming skills, you should promote affiliate links of programming courses, coding platforms, programming e-books, etc.
👉 You may check the tools I use for my blog, youtube channel, and Instagram posts.
Product Reviews
You may write reviews of the tools you use for achieving your task. For example, while doing code reviews if you’re using any tool/product, you may publish a review on it.
If your blog has a good reach and established authority then companies may approach you for writing sponsored reviews.
You may review the tools or products on your blog and can charge them for doing so.
For example, If you use Canva to create educational posts on Instagram, you can write a detailed review about it.
While reviewing a tool or product, you can earn money via affiliate links or with the help of sponsored reviews.
Note: Do complete research about the tool or product you’re reviewing and try to be honest.
Summary
Starting a programming blog can be very useful for you on so many levels.
To be able to start blogging right away, you need to pick a good web hosting, a brandable domain name, a visually appealing WordPress theme, and install some plugins that will help you with writing code snippets in your blog.
You also need to learn about the art and science of promoting your blog, whether through SEO or social media.
Remember, building a successful programming blog takes time, dedication, and consistent effort. Stay focused, keep learning, and adapt your strategy based on feedback and analytics.
If you find this Guide to start a programming blog useful, please share it with your friends and network.
Good luck with your blog 🙂