What do you write about in your first blog post?

Congratulations! You finally decided to blog. Now you’ve chosen your blogging topic. You got your domain name registered and bought a hosting plan.

You also have installed WordPress/Blogger and the necessary plugins and theme. You’ve created these 5 or more essential pages. All is set and it’s time to write your first page.

In this part 11 in the series of creating a money making blog, I want to dish out some essential ingredients of a winning first blog blog. If you missed the past 10 parts in the series, take a short trip back to this front page for a list of contents .

Many people starting a blog for their very first time don’t have a clue what to write about in their first post. I remember my first article was absolutely out of place. Yes! I didn’t read any guide about how to start. It was really off. You know I had a burning desire to make money blogging so I started off with a review post that failed so bad. Continue reading

How to create css buttons in WordPress with no ShortCodes!

Shortcodes in WordPress are pieces of code that help you embed files or create objects that would normally require lots of complicated, ugly code in just one line.

They were introduced in WP version 2.5 and since then have become one of the most useful features.

When a shortcode is inserted in a WordPress post or page, WordPress will replace it with some other content while displaying the page/post to the reader. In other words, we instruct WordPress to find the macro and replace it with the appropriate dynamic content produced by a PHP function.

For some simple virtual elements such as buttons, Shortcodes may be a little cumbersome. And to kick the ease out of the way, editing existing Shortcode features is not always so friendly. Continue reading

8 SEO Internal Linking Hacks That You Should Know!

Internal links on their own are not that big of a deal. The barely move the SEO needle.

However, smart internal linking with a clear goal in mind and a precise system in place can yield wonderful results for you.

I can’t help you with your goal and your internal “why”.

But I can help with the “how” whether you are an expert or a beginner in the SEO scene

And I can furnish you with the system that works for me and could work for you.

Interested to learn more?

Yes?

Then here are 8 tips to master internal linking for higher ranking in Google and Bing/Yahoo.

Let’s go! Continue reading

9 Must-Have Plugins for your new WordPress site!

You’ve just setup a new WordPress site and you are wondering which plugins to install.

I know the feelings because I was once a newbie. But having been blogging and using WordPress for over 6 years, I can tell within the blink of an eye what you need for your new blog.

I don’t even need to know the reasons or niche you are blogging in. There are plugins you must install as early as you have your WordPress blog setup.

Why?

Let’s begin first by looking at some key reasons why you need plugins for WordPress and what plugins are. Continue reading

3 ways to Filter out Internal Traffic from Google Analytics (and Why You Should)

Google Analytics is one boon of a tool for us internet marketers.

It helps us:

• Analyze data (hence the name),
• Understand our traffic better,
• Develop a better long-term content/keyword strateg,
• Implement optimal short-term solutions and fixes.

And it helps us keep track of what truly matters for every online business:

• Customer satisfaction
• ROI (return on investment)
• ROT (Return on Time)

With so much reliance on it, it is crucial that the data it gives is correct! (You agree?) Continue reading

How to Protect a (new) WordPress blog from hackers!

Protecting your new WordPress blog should be a top priority especially if your copy is self-hosted.

A common deadly mistake I see around is a hurry to start pulling traffic and publishing articles on a newly installed self hosted blog without taking some necessary security steps. That’s foundation for disaster.

This is part 6 in the series to build a money making blog. If you missed the other 5  parts, here is the front page for a list of contents.

In part 5, we saw how easy it is to install WordPress. As a matter of fact, it takes less than 3 minutes to get a copy installed.

NB: I recommend WPX Hosting,Siteground orBluehost to host your WordPress site.

WPX Hosting does daily automatic backup of your site (For free) and keeps copies for 2 months. Backup is the foundation of every safety major you are ever going to implement on your blog.

In part 7, we are looking at setting up the right theme to monetize your blog.

NB: 9 ideas to create your new business on WordPress

The copy we installed in part 5 is still virgin and vulnerable to attacks and damages. In this part, we are going to implement basic and solid security to our fresh copy. While it is not common to have a 100% secured blog, it’s going to keep you very safe from your end. Continue reading