I am also a web designer (by degree), so let me know if you need some help creating a beautiful website or blog, I offer web design services, and would love to talk about how I can help your cause.
1.) Plan It Out On Paper. Make a diagram of what you want the blog to contain, as well as how you want it laid out. What do you want to click through to, what type of pages are important for your cause? A general, overall sketch will be important at this stage, too, and save you lots of time in the future.
2.) Build Your Website. There are so many places to start a free blog. I used to use blogger.com (and I know a ton of people use Wordpress because of how many templates are available for that platform). But, after many years of blogging via blogger.com, I decided it was time to have my very own dot com! I only pay about $8-10 per month to have a blog/website on Squarespace.com. I absolutely love this platform, because it is drag and drop designing (meaning I can just drag different elements around on the page until I like how they look). So streamlined, I just LOVE it!!
3.) Stay Organized! Before you even start a new blog or website, make a folder on your computer (NOT your Desktop, the Documents folder is best for this). Then, start folders inside of that one called whatever you will name your pages, like Home, Apply, Blog, Vendors/Members, etc.
4.) Create A Color Scheme. It's so easy to find popular blog designs and other color schemes on Pinterest or Google.
5.) Create Some Content! If you are running a craft fair, begin to share images of work from artists, and share their bio photos if they would like it. Take photos of your group members out at dinner or other events. Share photos from past events. Text is also pretty important, so begin writing as much as possible to explain what your group does, and how you're helping the community! Asking group members or community members to write guest blog posts in their own words. Canva.com is a website that makes it SO easy to design website graphics, logos, and more!
6.) Have fun! A blog is an incredibly rewarding project, and can be a very inexpensive way to create lasting memories and create awareness for your cause! If you have a blog for a group or organization, I would love to see what you have created! Please feel free to link us to it in the comments below.
7.) Host Your Website. After you have done all this work designing your website or blog, it needs to go live. Bluehost.com has extremely reasonable rates, and have amazing customer service. Click the blue banner, below, to learn more about their services. Use my link to make sure you let bluehost.com know who sent you :)
