What Is Earning This First Quarter?

What Is Earning This First Quarter?

What Are People Buying from this Web Entrepreneur?

(Written in 2017)

Sometimes it is helpful to see what’s happening in someone else’s business. Like many other online writers, I saw a shakeup in income during the past year (2016), so I am trying to see where “the cheese” has relocated.

I know a little of where the bloggers are going… they are giving webinars and making ebooks to sell, making paid membership sites and information to some extent. The content farm writers are trying their hand at their own blogs, and others are networking, speaking, and writing books.

It is quite the fruit salad of alternatives, but back to the point of this post, I am looking at what on sells Amazon for my sites, which designs at Zazzle are purchased, and other pertinent bits of information.

 

Web Entrepreneurs Affiliated with Amazon

(As of 2024, my Amazon income and orders has drastically dropped and stayed depressed. After Hubpages and their partners took over almost all Amazon affiliate links were removed or penalized, but you can view the former information recorded here)

After the initial drop from the closing of Squidoo, I usually see between 7 and 20 orders which qualify for affiliate referral.

This quarter some of the items were books (mainly from my garden site), but also:

  1. JinHao 250 Stainless Steel Gold Trim Fountain Pen – Medium
  2. Sorbus® Wine Rack Stand
  3. A few hair product orders for Gray hair, including One ‘n Only Shiny Silver Gel.
  4. Lillian Rose Regal Elegance Jeweled Bouquet Holder
  5. A few garden journals, including  The Gardener’s Journal – Kraft Hard Cover

Since Hubpages has radically reduced the number of Amazon products (to zero in some cases) allowed on my pages, I may well see less of  the hair care all orders in the future.

Hubpages was taken over by another company and has dwindled down to almost no income for me, and for most web entrepreneurs like me, now. For years the forums on Hubpages had complaints about effects of Google updates. In 2024, this has benefitted my own hosted websites, but the content farms continue to struggle for small-scale writers who are not employed directly.

Zazzle Web Entrepreneur

In 2024 I have to update my findings on this web entrepreneur avenue. My stores there have become one of my main sources of online income.

Everyone at Zazzle forums complains of changes leading to less income, but I don’t know the overview. For me, last year was a struggle, and this year is variable. While it seems that I am making progress at times, the orders are often small and for products that have little commission. I don’t make consequential referral income.

As I have worked harder in this sector of web entrepreneurship, I have seen much more success in my Zazzle efforts.

The sectors that are known to sell, for web entrepreneurs on Zazzle, have been the invitation areas of Wedding, Shower, and Birthday. let it be known that these are so highly competitive and saturated that it pays to find your own niche within those areas.

A more complete picture of what sells on this POD, for me, can be seen from postings on my art Facebook page.

 

For an event:

— As of 2024 —

Omissions in Online Income

When I began monetizing, in the early 2000’s, Google ads,  affiliate advertising -including Amazon- were the main sources of income. These were incorporated into blogging for web entrepreneurs. Then came the rise and changes inside Social Media platforms, i.e. Facebook/Instagram, Twitter/Now X, et al.

I did not ever enter the Etsy platform as a store, and from Youtube tutorials this has changed and become much more challenging. I have not attempted to create my own stores with Shopify or WooCommerce. Facebook has wasted restricted its platform for commerce, etc.  So, I don’t have anything helpful to say about these resources.

Youtube long ago changed so that I had no income from that platform, either.

Changing Over to Mac from a PC Laptop

Changing Over to Mac from a PC Laptop

I Changed From A PC Laptop To Mac

Making the Switch from Desktop PC to Mac Pro Laptop

Why Start with a PC?

It was once thought that Microsoft products were best for businesses. Perhaps that is still the opinion of many today. It was the reasoning behind the purchase of our first computer. Years and years ago when first wanting to use a computer, I desired a Mac computer. But as fate would have it, my husband bought  our first computer for his business. On the advice of one of those computer professionals who set up businesses with a computer and a manual of unintelligible instructions on “what to do” we became the owners of a Desktop PC. I say “we”, when it was my husband’s business machine. However, we all (me, my husband, and my kids) learned to use the PC, Windows, and various types of computer software on that rather prehistoric computer with dial-up internet connection.

Five Years Later

starting with Macbook Fast forward about five years and my husband stayed locked into the elementary levels of computer usage (whichmay or may not consist of banging on the keyboard repeatedly in frustration), I journeyed my way to a fair amount of computer literacy, and my sons- well, they are computer professionals today, well respected in their field.

Apple Products, Re-introduced

It was those sons who started using Mac laptops as their main computer of choice, and then several years ago with not a little trepidation, I started using Apple products which were completely unfamiliar territory for me. I did not have an iPod, I did not have an iPhone, I did not collect any money, and I did not pass “Go”. I simply went to an Apple store and bought my Macbook Pro. And anyone who uses the computer a lot, without having any natural facility for it, knows that that takes a lot of courage. Or foolhardiness. Or both. Anyway, it appears that I had plenty of both, and a couple years ago I bought my long desired Mac Laptop. Here is my story of how that’s worked out for me. Photo of a Macbook,Apple Macbook Pro MJLT2LL/A 15-inch Laptop (2.5 GHz Intel Core i7 Processor, 16GB RAM, 512 GB Hard Drive, Mac OS X) (2015 version)

Macbook Pro –

I decided on the Macbook Pro version of an Apple computer because more than portability I wanted the requisite hardware to run graphic software (which I have not yet purchased for my Mac). But I was thinking ahead, you see. Now that tablets have taken the technological world by storm, I’m glad I have this for my main computer work, and later I also bought an iPad for traveling.

IPad vs. Pro

On that topic, would I still start out with a fullsize Macbook Pro versus a tablet? Yes. It depends on your needs. If you need the power to run programs and will essentially replace using a desktop, then a fullsize laptop is the right choice. If you need computing on the go that is easy to carry, then an iPad is more practical. Or like me, you might find both is the right answer.

Are you ready to make the change?

I am glad I made the change from PC’s since I do like this laptop better than the Toshiba Satellite I had as my laptop before. Apple has a better interface and is easier to use in many ways. It is a little challenging to change what you have become used to with a PC. I still don’t know how to locate things on the inside of the MAC system, but I haven’t needed to (troubleshoot) as much as I did with the PC.

Adding and deleting software is simple. Many cool utilities, Synced with iPhone ( I own one now)

Several Years Later With My Mac Pro – Would I choose it again?

lady at the desk

The Pros Of A Pro

  • I would. No question, I would choose the newest version of my Mac Pro 17 inch laptop. I like the size for working on at home. It works without glitches, and I have gotten the knack of a Mac, so that now I prefer it.
  • I still use my PC desktop, but not as often.
  • The battery life is not as long as I might have hoped, and I usually keep the laptop connected to its cord, but it is longer than anything I was used to with the old Toshiba.
  • The screen and graphics are clear and beautiful.
  • I love the usability of Apple apps and feel. The design of a MAC is outstanding, and that is important when you spend lots of time on a computer. Mostly I prefer the software of the MAC, its utilities, etc.
There was quite a learning curve for me. I don’t think that would be an issue if I hadn’t used PC’s for so long. I had to relearn how to do things I wanted to do. Overall, it is a good choice and I am happy to have made the switch, even though I can’t say I am fanatical about Apple products, but are most people nowadays?

The Longevity Of PC Laptops Vs Apple

My husband and youngest son were sold on the Acer Tablet, after my husbands friend, an electrical engineer raved on about it. I still have sort of an elitist bias against Acer, I guess, but I’m trying to stay open minded about it. Maybe that will be my next electronic expenditure. Five years down the pike, I still have my Mac and although it has signs of needing a new battery, it works well for my needs. The PCs? They had to be replaced.

Reasons To Switch, Mac Or PC?

Still thinking about a PC?

We’ve used Dells, HPs, Acers, and Toshibas in this family. Of the PC brands the Toshiba has been the best in my experience. It was a hand me down from one of my computer professional sons. Lasting through lots of use, it served well and was trouble free until it died the death that all computers seem to come to eventually- but not until lots of years of service had been put in.

Get A Protector, Like The Speck Case

An investment that made me happy.

It was my daughters idea. I had bought her a Mac Pro computer for her new working life after she graduated from college. It was her graduation present from me. She wanted a protective cover in pink and I went ahead a sprung for mine in black. Of course, that was before I started designing some of the customizable electronic products over at Zazzle. At some point I will buy one for myself from there that I customize… to replace the plain black. But I am very happy with its practicality and worry-free way it keeps the case looking like new. It has a nice feel to it, too.
Find many cases for all sorts of electronics on Zazzle (including your laptop!) update: Zazzle now offers only sleeves for laptops and only up to 15″. They no longer have Speck brand cases.

Get Some Protection

I was very happy with my Speck case, it lasted in good condition for many years. It became slightly scuffed over time, but overall retained its good looks and more importantly, protected the finish of my laptop. Mac Accessories – Car travel Something I use a lot: a car jack adapter for my Mac.

Migrate Your Data From PC To Mac

https://youtu.be/sn84FSwhax0

Things I like about Apple Products

not me No, not me in the photo Nothing really new for me to say except to add my opinion to the many. The primary thing I like about Apple, including the Macbook Pro, is that they are designed well. The features fit well, work well, and everything is solid and nicely made. Those things are increasingly important to me, and I think that is what made the Apple company. I hope they keep that aesthetic even though Steve Jobs is not around to helm the company ship. I like that I can sync together the products, although I don’t understand it very well. but I do know that when I take pictures with my iPhone I can hook it right up and easily transfer everything to my computer. Done and done. I am thinking of getting an iPad for taking with me when I travel … although my husband is a strong voice for the Acer product ( the money factor weighs heavily for him). I really like my iPhone, after resisting the change form my very old, very basic Nokia for so long. I like the idea that I can use the Sync feature. So all this means that I made the switch to Mac in more ways than just the laptop, and looking forward to working more efficiently in the future.

Are You A Dummie? – Never fear- we all start out that way. Numerous times.

MacBook Pro Portable Genius MacBook Pro Portable Genius Find out about Macbook Pro Portable Genius  

Comparisons for Gaming

Summary, Two More Years Down The Road

I use my Mac Pro laptop almost all the time, but in the interim I also replaced my old Dell desktop with another HP “All in One”. Many people are no longer using the larger laptops, but rigging up their other portable devices to do everything a laptop does. I can understand that, since it is cumbersome to lug a laptop around when traveling. The desktop still is useful for the heavy duty work of a full graphics program like Photoshop, etc. And it is better to sit up straight at the desk than slouch around on the couch when doing long periods of computer work. When comparing the two, PC and Mac, neither wins out definitively. PC still has more of the programs that I find important , while the Mac still remains more secure from problems like viruses. It is easier to use, especially given the difficulty of the newer Windows OS. I also like the idea of touchscreens; but again, switching over to new habits has proven to be a hassle, when it was supposed to have been more effective. I think the best way to decide which machine is best is to know which one fits your work style and software best. And today everyone needs some sort of portable device, but phones are incredibly powerful, an innovation not foreseen (by me, anyway) several years ago when I first purchased my Mac laptop. Buy the power and memory you need to accomplish your end results for work or gaming.

I went For a Mac the Second Time Around

After giving me almost ten years of service, my Mac Pro laptop was exhibiting problems. There was a choice of refurbishing with a new battery or buying a replacement. I decided to buy a replacement. The Macbook Pro 2017 is much lighter and very sleek. It no longer has a CD slot and the charger has changed. I’ve been very happy with it and it works very powerfully even with big Adobe graphics programs. I personally am very, very happy with Apple’s design and quality. My daughter decided she was ready to switch, however. She chose a PC laptop and switched from an iPhone to another kind. She seems equally happy with her choice. I do believe that the best choice remains in the arena of what works best for you in terms of software and what you use your machine for. For me, blogging and Adobe software makes Apple the ideal choice.

Use a wireless printer

I use a wireless printer so that I can easily print from my desktop and my laptop. My kids can print from their laptops! It makes life easy. Fujitsu PA03656-B005 Image Scanner ScanSnap iX500computer things Fujitsu PA03656-B005 Image Scanner ScanSnap iX500 With a wireless, you can print from your laptop, which is a real convenience.

Hardware equipment that goes both ways:

I am not happy when a printer or scanner can only be used by one type of machine, are you? Look for those which can be used by as many of your machines as possible.

Which Themes Will Best Build Your WordPress Blog?

A Theme Is Expected to Make your Content Look Good

First Steps In Blogging: Choosing Your Theme

I have been blogging ever since 2004, and for the greater portion of that time I have used WordPress for the platform (although I have also used others including Blogger). I’m one of those experimenters who is always changing things around, so I have used countless theme templates for my blogs.

I know it can get confusing sorting through the thousands of template choices, which seem to do a hundred different things, so I thought new bloggers, or people thinking of setting up their own blogs might benefit from some of my experience.

WHAT YOU WILL FIND HERE:

  • A quick rundown on what it takes to start blogging, and then a look at some of the types and choices of themes that will help you forge your online presence.
  • Start with a simple theme that best serves your site’s purpose. Or go with a professional theme that gives lots of support through forums, etc. Once you are used to the way a designer structures the themes, especially if there is an underlying framework (like Genesis), you will find your way around it and get it to function for you through familiarizing your self with the way that particular theme works.
  • This won’t tell you that any particular designer is the best, but just to give you, the new blogger, a beginners guide to sorting through a huge playing field of theme designs.

5 Blogging Decisions

Top 5 Website Decisions

  1. Choose your platform
  2. Choose your theme
  3. Choose plugins
  4. Write content and decide frequency of posting
  5. When and how to monetize your site

These are the most important decisions to make when you begin a blog.

Beginner’s Guide for a Headstart

WordPress Websites: Beginner's Guide to Easily Building a Website & Customizing It With Themes and Plugins (Writing Skills Book 4)
WordPress Websites: Beginner’s Guide to Easily Building a Website & Customizing It With Themes and Plugins (Writing Skills Book 4)
Once you have your site up and running, will they come? They will if you get smart about the use of social media and the art of gaining readers.

Choose The WordPress Theme For The Purpose Of Your Site

Because WordPress is one of the most popular platforms, it has been extended through themes and plugins for all sorts of special uses. Some themes have special plugins incorporated right inside to make things wonderfully flexible and useful.

It used to be that each theme had its plugins for common features like slideshows, etc.

The prevailing wisdom is to allow those features to be handled by plugins as they are commonly used: separately.

News, Food, Photos? Ecommerce?

  • Most of the professional lines of WordPress theme designers have a whole slew of specialized themes all ready for you to create the exact type of site you want.
  • Photo blogs need to highlight their great pictures. Art blogs are similar. Portfolio highlights which have images instead of text for entries or large images with minimal text serve these sites well.
  • News site and how-to sites are well served with magazine style themes.
  • For most blogs a typical 2 column style with either a left or right hand sidebar is the classic theme choice.

WordPress blogs are so versatile that they can look like almost anything and function for many purposes from ecommerce to community sites (with the addition of buddypress or bbpress). The more complex the use requirements the more likely the theme will be highly complex and probably professional, costing a fee.

Those themes are a far cry from the early ones that had just a small number of templates.

What Is a Template?

The structures inside the theme which create posts, pages, contact pages, 404 pages, archives, etc.

 

How to Install a WordPress Theme in your Hosting Site

https://youtu.be/HE1Vy3kXtBM

Your Blogging Experience

Free Or Professional Themes For WordPress?

In blogging, one of the first things you will decide is the platform. This is the general software that supports your blogging site. WordPress is one of the most popular today, and can be both self-hosted (you pay for your hosting and run your blog on the server space of your hosting plan) or free, through WordPress.com.

Other platform examples:

  • Blogger
  • Typepad
  • Tumblr
  • Drupal

But since you have made the choice for WordPress, the next big decision is how you want your site to look and act, and that “frontend” experience is dictated by your “theme”.

Themes can be both simple and extremely complex, they can be free or professional (themes that you buy) also known as “Premium themes”. When I first blogged, I used only free themes. I now need more features and I have purchased professional themes.

Once You Decide on WordPress, the Fun Begins

At first it might seem there is little difference between free themes and pro, especially if you can find a free theme with support, with a community centered around troubleshooting and guiding newbies. There are even free themes with complex features, and a great look.

But generally, a pro theme will have a higher level of design expertise, good code, and be kept up to date in compliance with the many upgrades that WordPress has engineered in recent years. In the case of the “Hybrid core” themes: the themes are free, but the support forums and articles require a paid membership.

I found many years ago that keeping up with the complexity of code, features that I wanted, and time to design were just too much for me as an individual blogger. I broke down and purchased a Pro theme membership.

Membership- what’s that?

OK. In professional themes there are often two ways to go:

Buy a single theme for a set amount of money OR buy a membership to a design company you like and have access to many themes and the support of experts. The choices are yours (choices, choices!).

Always Changing

The internet, and thus the type of writing and the look of websites, is always changing. The one thing that impacts wp theme choice today is the transition of web users to mobile phones. No longer is the desktop the primary way we access the web. This has resulted in another choice that we ought to be making:

CHOOSE A RESPONSIVE THEME FOR YOUR BLOG.

A responsive theme is one that looks good in a variety of size screens, and adjusts well to mobile users.

Most web designers are creating their frameworks and themes to be responsive now, but if you have made a previous decision, check to be sure your present one has “responsive” features.

My Own Challenges

I write lots of content and the field I blog in is crowded, and getting more crowded every day, so I need something that will stand out. One of the biggest problems for me has been the pagespeed, or time necessary to load a page on your computer screen. The template is going to impact these challenges.

CHILD THEMES ARE RECOMMENDED

The updates for WordPress result in the need for the templates to update, as well. When that happens many of the customizations are lost. Some themes have an interface which helps to preserve your changes either through use of an area to add your css or to add a “child theme”. I like it when the designer adds easy customizations to the backend or admin are of the theme.

Tips To Help You Choose The Right Theme

  1. Make a List. Do you want a blog, a gallery of photos or art? Need a portfolio for clients or e-commerce possibilities? What do you want people to do on your site?
  2. Check how much support is given for the theme. Is there support from creator or forum? How satisfied are the users of the theme? Take note of these things and add it to your decision.
  3. Check structure and flexibility of the theme. Does it have the type of pages you need? Are the style and your content a good fit?

About The Major WP Theme Players

Who Are They? What Are Their Benefits?

Some of these well known designer companies started with free themes. I used them in the past. This is not a definitive list, just some comments about the ones I know enough about to have opinions about their themes. The first two are theme platforms (theme structures that support many different styles).

Divi Is ET’s Cadillac Theme

Divi is their premier theme.
Divi is their premier theme.

Elegant Themes

The following information is outdated. Elegant Themes has almost exclusively concentrated on its DIVI theme and it has so changed and updated it that it is very user friendly now. The only thing I wish I had realized at the beginning is that when building posts and pages in their builder, the coding shows up if you ever want to with to another format. The way this is given a work-around is to then install the divi builder as a plugin.


 

DIVI is the one I ended up paying for, probably because I am kind of artsy in my predilection for theme looks, and Elegant themes has one of the most artful, and just plain pretty, looks to their themes.

Elegant Themes, by Nick Roach, are a bit complex, but made easier with the back end epanel that automates most decisions of style and action. Support is so-so, but I don’t have other experience to compare it with. The entire line of many themes- all sorts of styles and basic purpose (they have a dynamite portfolio page) themes to choose from.

I have some affiliate links, if you decide to buy their themes and want to possibly support me in some small way. Note: I became an affiliate after I liked their themes, and am not advocating because I am an affiliate.

It seems like many of the best free themes went professional, and some of theme have limited free versions available. “Platform” Pagelines is one of those, look for others.

Platforms are the software that run the blog. WordPress is a platform for blogging. “Framework” is the basic structures under the “parent themes”, underneath those are the”child themes”. The platform runs all the functions and bells and whistles in the background, the theme or the framework has the basic and not so basic features that creates the look and use of the site. A parent theme is alone or under the child theme, which “sits on top” and is called for creating the specific look of the theme- the colors, graphics, and typography, as well as special templates. It can completely change the way the parent theme is experienced by visitors.

Not all themes are built apart from special frameworks, but many of the pro theme are, and the looks are usually the result of child themes. Look for Thesis and Genesis family themes to have this type of setup.

Best Theme? Review And Advice

What Are The Big Changes In Themes?

  1. Mobile friendly has gone from a suggestion to mandatory. This is driven by the shift of users from desktops to their phones for most internet use.
  2. Design plainly favors a “flat look” that is directly related to its good looks on a phone screen.
  3. Functions increasingly move from inside the theme to a separate plugin.
  4. Style ranges, but a light modern look reigns. Alternatively, handcrafted, like watercolor elements has grown in popularity.
  5. Clean interface and fast loading becomes ever more important for a professional site.

Thesis Theme by DIYThemes

Thesis is used by some of the most successful bloggers, but so is Genesis. It has a more open look.

At first this was the premier theme platform that all the serious bloggers wanted, Genesis has since caught up.

I used the designer’s, Chris Pearson, famous ‘Cutline’ theme for quite awhile on one of my blogs. His design technique is clean and he was known for his beautiful typography. The Thesis theme has a distinctive clear grid that supports all sorts of features. I have not purchased it. Some love this theme, others found it complex to work with (word on the street of bloggers I “follow”.)

Personally, I would consider working with it just because of its nice open feel.

Genesis Theme

I used Brian Gardner’s themes before he started “Studiopress” and loved them. If I had been ready to buy a theme at that time, I would have stayed with and bought what turned into the “Genesis” theme. I am still considering it, although I hate to switch from themes I am familiar with ( learning curve when starting to use a new type of theme).

Genesis themes have a distinctive blocky look that is eye-catching and easy to navigate. They can be highly customized (in my experience). They are very well supported.

What are the assets and liabilities of these choices?

FreePro
Costs nothingCosts a fee
unlimited styles,some great,some poorpro styling
sometimes supported, usually by fansusually supported, by experts
often has built-in links to theme creatorlinks can be deleted

What Was I Using?

Past tense because I bought a premium set of themes that did not live up to the promises. Caveat emptor.

Both Elegant Themes and Studiopress have proved reliable.

I also purchased and used Elegant Themes, and Studiopress, which I had used in the past.
Each one has a learning curve to use, but they also provide forums and support.

Presently, I use Elegant Themes on almost all my sites, but still experiment with the latest free WP theme that comes shipped with the software. A few are on the Genesis platform.

Become A WordPress Ninja

I WISH I HAD A GUIDE IN THE EARLY YEARS OF STARTING A WORDPRESS BLOG

There is no reason for a steep learning curve with all the great learning resources available today. A book will condense all the important steps so you can start the important part: writing all your great content.

WordPress Is The Top Choice, So Learn To Use It

WordPress Domination - Beginner to NINJA in 7 Days: In Just Seven Days, You Can Go From WordPress Zero To WordPress Hero
WordPress Domination – Beginner to NINJA in 7 Days: In Just Seven Days, You Can Go From WordPress Zero To WordPress Hero

Don’t let your WordPress blog just sit there, learn how to develop it into a powerful online presence. Even if you are starting from zero knowledge, a guidebook like this can take you quickly through all the steps.

Buy Now

WordPress to Blogger?

Usually it is the other way around, but if the easy route is desired, Blogger is easier to learn.

Switch From Blogger To WordPress

Success Isn’t A Secret

WordPress Revealed: How to Build a Website, Get Visitors and Make Money (Even For Beginners) (Volume 1)
WordPress Revealed: How to Build a Website, Get Visitors and Make Money (Even For Beginners) (Volume 1)

The big three for many people starting a WordPress blog: build a good site, get readers to come and stay, make some income.

Get To Know Your Theme

Go to the forums or get some initial support to know what your theme can do for your site. It will save you lots of time and otherwise you may not use all the features.

Which is best? Do you have a theme you love?

WordPress Themes, Pro or No?

Which side of the fence are you on?

Quick Summary Of What’s Happening Now On Social Sharing Platforms

Quick Summary Of What’s Happening Now On Social Sharing Platforms

I came across a video that was posted to Facebook, but from the style of it seems like it might have been filmed on Periscope (that was my guess from the numerous “shoutouts” to viewers).

Anyway, it is a quick and easy way to assess whether the time you are spending on your fav social media platform is helping your online goals or not.

BTW, I came across Britt Seva through watching a James Wedmore video. He is the youtube guru who is branching out into business entrepreneurial training.

The Video

 

Understanding the difference between FB, IG, YouTube, Periscope and Snapchat as a hairstylist and where to spend your time

Posted by Britt Seva-Social Media & Marketing Strategist For Hairstylists on Friday, August 5, 2016

She talks fast, so be ready to pick up the tidbits of tips that you need.

I spent some time on Periscope, but dropped it after awhile… in fact I completely re-calibrated what I wanted to do with video and haven’t made any new ones since last year. I cocooned so I could emerge as a better creator.

In the meantime I invested time in tutorials and bought some new equipment.

One tip that I had read elsewhere,but that she underlined quite well is that you should spend time where your readers and target audience spend their time. It underlines that I should use instagram far, far more than I do and update what I’m doing on youtube.

Which social media efforts does this video address for you?

Blogging Resources and Advice

Starting Your Blog

I am updating my Blog Resource Page, all the outdated information previously written moved here.

So much has changed and is now so radically different that this post has to be completely re-written.

If you are new to blogging, sort through the following advice for timesavers and tips.

Free Themes

I still recommend the default WordPress themes to start out with, unless you are sure you know what you want. The format that the present form of WordPress uses utilizes blocks. Use this and familiarize yourself with it since it will save you lots of hassle.

I am still not used to it, and have a “classic” plugin to help me write posts with the editor I am most familiar with- but if you get used to the block system that is much better.

The Themes that come Automatically

Choices all have the name “Twenty[something]” (series starting with twenty, you should be able to find a theme that suits your blogging needs.

History of the default themes

I used all sorts of themes until settling onto the Divi from Elegant themes.

I had fits and starts with many of the themes-  I would recommend finding the one you like and sticking with it.

I did a test-drive of the default free themes on this site before deciding to use Divi. It is a very powerful theme and probably more than most people need for their sites.  I also used Genesis. It is not updated as often.

 

Paid Themes

Most paid themes have a base engine theme with childthemes to give the look and elements you desire.

Elegant Themes has reduced its efforts to two main themes, but Divi is the main one, and its newest form Divi 5 is very different than the older forms.

Pros

Divi is highly customizable and can do about anything you want it to.

Easy to work with.

Cons

The main thing I don’t like is one of the things I also do like: the pagebuilder.

The pagebuilder moved away from shortcode components. It now uses a block system as far as I can explain it, and you really need to learn how to navigate around all the customizations.

Because it is so popular there are many resources to help you with this theme. There is a very helpful blog to train in all the features as well as give some freebies.

You are still locked into this theme if you use it.

 

Looking For A Theme

  • Find features you need.
  • Pleasing layout and typography for readability.
  • Speed now tops the list of needed features.
  • Support might be important for you, and regular updating certainly will be.

 

What About Plugins?

  1. These provide features for simpler themes,
  2. They can be ways to speed up the site but condensing your images and other optimizations.
  3. Don’t overload with plugins, try to find just the ones you need.

Plugins I Need

  • I like Yoast’s plugin for SEO and readability analysis.
  • Elegant themes has Monarch, I like those within the Yoast plugin. Simple Social Plugins is good.
  • Akismet to deal with Spam. Protections included in the Jetpack plugin. Yes, I sometimes use it. It has a lot of bloat. I no longer use it on this site, only the Akismet.

There is controversy about the Jetpack, but I used enough of its features to make it worthwhile. It disturbs me to know that it can greatly increase loadtime for the site.

I used YARPP (Yet Another Related Posts Plugin) but it is not longer used in WP sites. That’s okay, there are built-in related posts in the theme now.

I wrote about some of my favorite plugins, here.

Hosting Your Site

This is a hard decision, much more difficult than it should be. I will write more in this space. but for now… I have chosen Siteground for probably the past ten years. Ever since I left Netfirms, however long ago that was!

Disclosure: I use affiliate links for some of the resources. This in no way influences the opinions I post. Everything written is transparent and based on my experience.

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