Owning a sneaker blog or a website in general seems cool and glamorous on the outside. The things people don’t see, such as the countless mistakes and start overs, show the true reality of running a functioning site.
Most people who start blogs enjoy writing and don’t view it as a chore. If someone doesn’t like to write at all, it might make sense to figure out an outlet that is less writing intensive.
Blogs are rarely overnight successes. An individual must be prepared for years without any substantial rewards.
Foundation of a Blog
Nothing worthwhile will last without a strong foundation. It is important to take the time to think and plan before diving into a short-term or long-term project of a sneaker blog or any focus of your liking.
First, an individual must decide what type of blog and topics the site will cover. Find a niche but nothing too obscure. Do market research even if you consider yourself an expert. There is always information you know you don’t know and details that you have no idea about as well. An open mind and a humble demeanor both go a long way in any sort of journey especially when starting a sneaker blog.
Next, continue to do market and blog specific research before finding your target audience. Even if you have a few ideal viewers, it is better to have some compared to none at all. Conduct initial research on possible domains and hosting sites to get a jumpstart on your sneaker blog’s formation.
A unique logo is one of the finishing touches to a strong foundation. Although it is essential for branding, one should not spend too much time in forming a logo. Branding brings people to your page or site, the content and attitude keeps them coming back. Too much time on a logo takes valuable time away from building a strong foundation.
Before you start creating your website, it is necessary to find your why and what separates you from competitors. There are countless sites on the internet and endless blogs, especially within sneakers. Find key aspects that differentiate your brand which allows for a unique experience. Setting a clear vision and mission statement gives essential insight to remember why you started.
Find Hosting/Domain/Website Builder
Any functioning website needs a domain (the name of your site) and hosting to get off the ground and place in search engine rankings. There are numerous hosting providers and places to buy domains. As long as a provider has good reviews, it should be more than capable of starting your very own blog website.
Website builders vary by pricing, function, accessibility, user interface, and overall capabilities. Research is key during this particular step. Nobody wants to start with one website builder and have to start over for various reasons. Try to limit your options to 3 or 4 platforms/builders before further narrowing your choices. Watch YouTube videos, try demos, read countless articles, and do whatever it takes to find the best website builder for you.
Squarespace, WordPress, Wix, Shopify (better suited for e-commerce), and GoDaddy are all viable options for a solid website builder. The one you choose will impact your sneaker blog in the short-term and the long run alike. DO NOT go into this vital step blindly. Research is always key especially when starting a new blog using a new/unfamiliar platform.
Implementation and Sneaker Blog Building
Now is the time to put everything together. Too much overthinking leads to wasted time that could be spent doing something. In early stages, your work probably won’t be that good and in some cases it may repel readers. Nobody starts off great at anything, even the “naturals.” The act of doing is most of the battle in the beginning of any new venture. Just start and learn from your experience (mostly mistakes in the beginning).
Research and planning go a long way in a new blog journey. Most people who don’t quit after a few months will start to learn more about things they didn’t know. Results may or may not come as soon or as much as you would like. The reality is that the individuals who have stuck around the longest are almost always some of the most successful in many regards. Quitting kills more talent and potential than failure ever will.
Over time, you will figure out what you are good at and what you can improve upon or outsource. Maintaining and creating content can be a lot for one person; sometimes other people with expertise can take a load off your shoulders. Be cautious of who you work with directly or indirectly- your blog/site is still a reflection of you, regardless if others contributed in some way.
Be consistent once you officially release your sneaker (or any other type of) blog. Your work is not done after you get the site up and running. In fact, the work has just started. Creating and launching your blog is the basic training compared the real world reality that throws curveballs (which no type of training can ever prepare you for).
Once you have started your blog journey, there is no turning back. Only quitting or sticking it out for the long run. No website is meant to live forever, but why quit before you even give yours a chance?