Investments. Something many bloggers don’t like to discuss. While it’s totally possible to “bootstrap” it all, at a certain point, you will want to make your life easier by investing into your business.
But, where should you put your money?
If you are still in your first year of blogging, or the first year of investing in your blog, the following 5 things are probably the most important for you. They will ensure you look professional, get more done in less time, and find success with your blog!
Top 5 Investments to Make in your First Year of Blogging
1. Reliable Web Host
In order for your blog to stay up and running, you need a quality web host. Free blogging sites aren’t recommended by most because you don’t truly own your space. The blog could be deleted at any time without a notice or reason. It’s happened to many people on Blogger or the free WordPress.com.
Note: A free WordPress.com blog is not the same as the free WordPress.org platform. With WordPress.org, you have to install it on a hosting plan – see what I mean in my “How to Start a Blog” tutorial.
I recommend A Small Orange for web hosting. I have been with them for a year and a half, and they have provided me with nothing but top-notch service. From what I can tell, their chat support works 24/7. I recently had a plugin issue at 11:00pm EST and there was something there to help right then.
With ASO, you can get one year of hosting for about $40. Use code AFFILIATE15 to save an additional 15% off your first year to make it about $2.50/month. Plus, choosing the Small or higher plan will give you a free domain name too.
2. Professional Theme
If you want to be taken seriously as a blogger, you have to look the part. A high quality blog design is important. It needs to be clean, easy to navigate, and have your blog title prominently displayed at the top. Avoid too many bright colors or the black ground with white text. It’s just difficult to read – and downright annoying to the eyes!
I have used a number of themes in my 9 years of blogging, but there are a few I recommend. Genesis Themes are great for beginners. You can customize these without knowing any fancy coding. Plus, there are many styles to choose from! I like Lifestyle Pro to start out with, myself.
3. Pinterest Scheduling Tool
If you are only going to choose one blogging tool to help you gain traffic and readers, let it be something for Pinterest. Most bloggers can’t be on Pinterest throughout the day (for a total of 2-ish hours), pinning their content as well as quality posts from other bloggers. However, that’s what your account needs in order to stay active and be pumping out useful pins that others want to re-pin.
The solution? Tailwind!
Why Tailwind? I recommend it as the best Pinterest tool for a number of reasons. It’s the only approved Pinterest Marketing partner, so I feel safe using it. It won’t get my account banned, as long as I am using it as it’s recommended.
Also, the Tailwind Tribes feature has been amazingly useful in exposing my content for more repins as well as finding content I can share with my own followers.
And the analytics in Tailwind?! They are insane! It’s important to see what pins are doing the best to get your blog more page views. The number lover in me gets a little excited every I look through my stats on Tailwind.
SCHEDULE 100 PINS FOR FREE WITH TAILWIND NOW!
4. Email List Builder
In orer to engage with your readers, you need to start building an email list. FROM DAY ONE.
This is the only way to ensure your loyal followers get notified of your new posts. Sharing them on social media isn’t a guarantee, especially with the way that Facebook only shows you the posts they want you to see. It’s very easy that people can miss your posts, even if they would like to read them!
Having an email list lets you place yourself right in the inbox of your biggest fans. You can email them each time a new blog post goes live. Plus, you can communicate with them on special deals, exciting contests or challenges, or offer subscriber-only content they will find super helpful.
ConvertKit is my top choice for building my email list. I started with Mailchimp, but ConvertKit was designed with bloggers in mind. The automation, segmentation, and tagging just can’t be beat! With ConvertKit, you won’t pay for the same people multiple times, even if they sign up for every different freebie you offer.
5. One eBook or Course
In order to grow your blog, you need to invest in your education. Just like you would go to college to get a fancy job, you need to learn all you can about online marketing, blogging, web traffic, and conversions.
Why do I say to only get ONE ebook or course your first year of blogging?
Because it’s SUPER easy to get overwhelmed. There are so many books and courses out there, you can easily buy them up and then not know where to go next. It’s called “info overload” and it is seriously a real thing.
Choose one area where you’d like to grow your blog. Maybe you want to grow your email list. Or increase your page views. Or start monetizing with affiliate links. No matter what your goals, stick to one course until you have finished and implemented it.
I have a few helpful blogging ebook and course recommendations on my Resources page if you’re interested!
Wrap Up
Of course, there are many other things you could invest in for your blog. Some may buy plugins, a professionally-designed theme, services, or coaching. The options are endless to what you can purchase in order to grow your blog. However, I do think the 5 listed here are the most essential if you are starting out.
What investments are you considering? If you’re not new to blogging, what investments do you think are the most important in a blogger’s first year?
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41 Comments on “Top 5 Investments to Make in your First Year of Blogging”
Good tips! Tailwind was not around when I began blogging but it has been a great help to me with Pinterest!
I use Boardbooster and love it. I highly recommend either that or Tailwind. It has made such a difference. What great tips!
I agree, Kim. Boardbooster is a great tool for Pinterest too!
I am loving Pinfinite Growth. I’m just now looking at ConvertKit. I am also just now looking into Boardbooster or Tailwind. Thanks for the list. I’m always wondering if I’m missing something.
Pinfinite Growth is a very good course for those wanting to harness the power of Pinterest!
YESSS to Tailwind. My clients and I love it! I plan on splurging on my own subscription hopefully before the year is up. Thanks for sharing!
It’s a great investment, and if you get it before the year end, it’s a 2016 business deduction on your taxes!
wow, these are great tips. I felt more organized just reading it!
I have not tried Tailwind , but am going to look into it.
Thanks so much for these ideas!
I totally agree with you about a professional theme and pay to host. I haven’t tried tailwind, I’ll have to look into it.
I switched hosts this year, and so worth it! Cant deal with my blog being “down” or with a connection error or some other AAAACK situation!
Finding a reliable host can be difficult! I’ve been happy with mine for a year and a half and I hope it continues.
This is amazing advice. I need to look into Convert Kit for my email list.
I have never heard of A Small Orange. It’s nice to hear about other companies. I’m on amazon and looking to switch!
I had several recommendations for A Small Orange before I switched. And I’ve been pleased!
I think you’re spot on with this list. I couldn’t have gotten as far as I have in such a short amount of time without each one of these things. I don’t think you can really have one without the other.
Finding a reliable host is a MUST. I had an awful host initially and it cost me thousands of page views!!! Tailwind and Buffer are my favorite investments!
I really like Buffer too, but I only use the free version.
These are great suggestions! I use Tailwind and I LOVE it. I always love finding new eBooks and courses to learn more as well!
Tailwind is certainly great, isn’t it?!
I totally agree, a great theme is a must! There are so many wonderful ones out there and they don’t cost a ton.
I agree, Jessica! They’re are some very affordable themes out there.
I use Boardbooster but have considered also getting Tailwind because of the Tribes. I totally agree with your top 5.
The Tribes are definitely helpful!
Although not listed, my biggest and number one investment was my camera. As a fashion & beauty blogger its so important to capture quality photos.
Oh yeah, that’s a good one. I will admit, though, I use my iPhone camera for 90% of my blog photography.
These are fantastic tips. I think number one is the most important. I remember how excited I was the first time I had a post go viral. It reached 10,000 social shares in a few hours and then my site crashed. It was so stressful figuring it all out.
Yes, you have to have a reliable host if you get a viral post. I couldn’t imagine the stress of that, Lesley!
I really want to make more investments in social media scheduling. I’ve been using Later for Instagram and I love it. I know they’ve expanded to other platforms, but I haven’t looked into it yet.
Really great post. I’m a new blogger and found this really helpful! The next thing for me to tackle is Tailwind. And information overload is a real thing!
Very cool!! I have definitely invested in wordpress and hosting, plus a good theme. I also try to keep myself updated on SEO and other things via online research and being involved in groups!
I still haven’t figured out pinterest. I keep saying I am going to but it intimidates me so I don’t do it. This is the kick I needed.
Have you considered taking a Pinterest course, Taylor? Pinterest is a beast, but once you’ve figured it out it can greatly grow your blog!
These are smart advice! This is my first time to heard about your hosting and it has a great deal! Tailwind is my tools when it comes to Pinterest.
Such a fantastic ideas! I had no idea about these tools and it’s a pleasure to know all of these. As a blogger, I should have good tools.
This is very helpful! I must say I need to work more on my pinterest and I will check out tailwind for sure!
These are really good ideas. Your theme is the most important because it can be really hard to switch later.
I’ve been reading a lot of good reviews about Tailwind! I am going to have to check them out!
So many great ideas and ones that I wish I knew about when I started blogging 8 years ago. I still don’t use tailwind but I have heard great things..I should check it out. 0
It’s really important to find a good web host because it’s something that you’ll rely on as you go. I think these are all spot on! Each one will contribute to your blogging greatly.
This is very helpful. I always see very conflicting info out there and this is very clear and concise. Definitely will make a new blogger less stressed out!
Honestly I wish I would have learned a bit more about blogging 4 years ago, but things have changed so much since then. I am now working on a new website and self hosting service. I have learned a lot during these four years and It was time to upgrade and get more professional. These are some awesome tips and great Ideas.
Thanks!!