If you have an interest in football, learning how to start a football blog could be something you’ve thought about.
Starting a football blog could open up a decent array of opportunities, if you put the right amount of effort into it. It can be a great side hustle. You can make money in a few ways from blogging:
- Advertising – Google AdSense pays you per click and view for having adverts on your blog
- Affiliate marketing – You can advertise other companies’, such as Amazon’s, products/services on your blog and if customers sign up using your link, you will get commission.
- Sponsored posts/articles – If your content is relevant enough, companies will pay you to mention them in the post, or will collaborate with you on it.
Writing good content on a blog could also be used as a platform to showcase your writing skills which could lead to opportunities such as becoming a football journalist or writer.
So, let’s dive into how to start a football blog.
Step 1 – Finding Your Niche
The first thing you need to think about when figuring out how to start a football blog, or any blog for that matter, is finding your nice. Especially when starting out.
If you start with a topic that is too broad, it is harder to catch an audience that properly resonates with your content.
Choosing a niche also means you’ll have less direct competition. If you start out going for just football, you’ll be competing with major competition like The BBC, Sky Sports, etc.
A good first place to look when planning how to start a football blog, is by choosing a specific country or league. There are only so many hours in the day. It would be literally impossible to cover each league of each country on your own.
Start small and narrow. If your blog starts to take off, you can always decide to expand on topics.
When choosing my niche, I decided to go with an FPL blog. I enjoy playing FPL and have done for years. Writing about FPL helped me to build up an audience of FPL players, before branching out to a wider football market. Most of my content still is for FPL because that is what my audience comes back for.
My advice would be to choose whatever you think you will enjoy writing about the most. Starting a football blog can be hard work. You’ll probably have to stick to writing for a while before your blog will get off the ground, so if you enjoy writing about a particular subject, you’ll be more likely to stick with it.
Step 2 – Getting a URL/Domain Name
Once you’ve chosen your niche, then next thing to do is to purchase a domain name URL so you can get online.
A domain name is the name of your website and what visitors type in to the address bar to access your website.
To get started, you should choose a name for your brand, which relates to your niche. For example, mine is fantasypltips.com. It’s easily searchable, memorable and of course, wasn’t already taken.
Try to avoid names which are:
- too long – making them too hard to remember
- unrelated to your niche – so that when people are searching for your niche, you won’t show up
- poorly translated – if you expect visitors to be visiting from countries that speak other languages, a quick translation check is always smart, especially if you have made up a word.
To get a domain name, there are a few marketplaces.
The one I use is Bluehost. When starting a new website, they give you a free domain name when using their hosting. Others include:
Step 3 – Getting Hosting For Your Football Blog
Website hosing is how you get your website onto the internet. Basically, when people click onto your website, they are downloading your webpages, which have to be stored (hosted) somewhere. So you pay a small monthly fee to use a hosting platform’s server, on which your website is stored.
You can also set up your own server, however for one website, it is not time or cost efficient.
As mentioned, I use Bluehost for my website hosing. They have the cheapest hosting I’ve managed to find and are extremely reliable. They also have a customer service section so you can ask for help if you ever have a problem with your website.
Step 4 – Choosing a Website Builder
Once you’ve got your domain name, and chosen where your website is being hosted, you can now start building your website. There are plenty of options when it comes to choosing a platform to build your website on, so I’ve narrowed down some of my favouites.
WordPress
WordPress is the most used content management system in the world. This is mainly because it is free. I use WordPress to run my blog because I had previous experience of using it. WordPress is fairly straightforward to use but not as beginner friendly as other platforms.
I recommend using WordPress if you have a little website experience, otherwise it could take some learning before you can dive right into blogging.
It is fully customisable, as long as you know your way around code, which is another reason as to why it’s so popular. With WordPress, there is nothing you can’t do, if you know how.
Bluehost works seamlessly with WordPress. If you have chosen to host your blog with Bluehost, I would recommend WordPress to build your website.
Wix
Wix is, in my opinion, the best option for a complete beginner to build a website on. Its drag and drop builder makes it extremely easy to get set up with, and you’ll be blogging in less than a day.
Although it is not as customisable as WordPress, it has all you need to run a successful blog. Wix also has it’s own hosting platform, which means you can keep your domain name, website hosting and website building all in the same place.
They also offer great customer service, so if you’re just starting out, you don’t have to worry if you run into any trouble.
Step 5 – Choosing a Website Design For a Football Blog
Now that you’ve got your niche, domain name, hosting, and chosen a platform, it’s time to make your blog visually appealing. Think of your website as your online home – you want it to look inviting. Most website builders, like WordPress and Wix, offer a variety of templates to choose from.
When designing your website there are a few important things you should keep in mind to help users enjoy their experience when visiting your website.
When selecting a design for your blog, prioritise a clean and user-friendly layout. Opt for a design that facilitates easy navigation, as this helps keep visitors engaged and enhances their overall experience on your site.
It’s also crucial to ensure that the design you choose not only looks good on computers but is also mobile-friendly. Given that a significant number of people access websites on their phones, having a design that adapts well to various devices is essential for reaching and retaining a broader audience.
Tailor your design to reflect the niche of your football blog. Incorporate relevant images, colors, and themes that resonate with the world of football. This cohesive approach not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also reinforces the theme of your content.
Prioritise readability by selecting fonts and colors that are easy on the eyes. Remember, your visitors are here to read your content. Clear and legible text contributes to a positive user experience, encouraging visitors to explore and engage with your football blog.
Step 6 – Creating Content
With your blog set up, it’s time to dive into the exciting part – creating content. This is where your passion for football and writing comes to life. It’s always important to learn as you go. Don’t worry if you have no idea where to start. Below are some pointers that can help you in the beginning stages of learning to become a great writer of football content.
To keep your audience engaged, make it a priority to regularly publish content on your football blog. Whether it’s match reviews, player analyses, or captivating football-related stories, maintaining a consistent posting schedule is instrumental in building a loyal readership over time.
While consistency is crucial, it should never come at the expense of quality. Emphasise well-researched and engaging content. Ensuring the substance and depth of your posts will not only satisfy your current audience but also entice visitors to return for more high-quality content.
Take the time to understand your target audience. Identify whether they are die-hard football fans or casual followers of the sport. Tailor your content to meet their expectations and interests. Utilising tools like Google Analytics can provide valuable insights into the demographics and preferences of your audience.
Diversify your content to cater to different preferences. Incorporate a variety of media formats such as articles, videos, infographics, and podcasts. Many successful football bloggers have embraced platforms like YouTube to publish videos and podcasts, reaching audiences who may prefer these alternative forms of content over traditional reading. This approach broadens your reach and engages with a diverse audience, contributing to the overall success of your football blog.
Step 7: Getting the Word Out
Now that you have a well-designed blog with fantastic content, it’s time to share it with the world. Building an audience takes time, but there are effective ways to get the word out.
Utilise the power of social platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to expand the reach of your football blog. Share engaging snippets of your content, actively interact with your followers, and incorporate relevant hashtags to increase discoverability. Leveraging social media effectively enhances your blog’s visibility and fosters a community around your football-related discussions.
Forge connections within the football blogging community by engaging with other bloggers, participating in forums, and joining relevant communities. Building relationships in this sphere can lead to valuable collaborations, shared insights, and increased visibility for your football blog. Networking opens doors to opportunities that can significantly contribute to the growth of your online presence.
Familiarise yourself with the basics of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) to enhance your blog’s visibility on search engines like Google. Incorporate relevant keywords strategically within your content to improve its ranking. Understanding SEO principles helps potential readers find your football blog more easily, contributing to increased organic traffic over time.
Contribute guest posts to other blogs or websites within your niche to broaden your audience and establish yourself as an authority. This collaborative approach allows you to tap into existing communities, reaching a broader demographic of football enthusiasts. Guest posting is a mutually beneficial strategy that not only expands your blog’s reach but also builds credibility within the football blogging landscape.
Step 8 – Can You Make Money From A Football Blog?
There are numerous ways you can make money from learning how to start a football blog and growing it. When you build an audience and get traffic visiting your website, you this audience is a valuable asset to any company who wants to gain access to those people. Therefore, you’re able to charge a fee for access. When you have a specific niche, which you will have when you’ve decided how to start a football blog, this audience becomes more specific and even more valuable.
It’s not a quick process though, building an audience. It takes time and consistency but as long as you create good content, and work hard, you will get there.
Methods of making money from your football blog include:
- Advertising: Make money through advertising by using platforms like Google AdSense. They pay you for every click and view on the ads displayed on your football blog. It’s a straightforward way to earn revenue as your audience engages with the content and clicks on the advertisements.
- Affiliate Marketing: Explore the world of affiliate marketing to boost your earnings. By featuring products or services from companies like Amazon on your blog, you can earn commissions. When visitors sign up or make purchases through the affiliate links you provide, you get a share of the revenue. It’s a simple and effective way to monetise your football blog by recommending products you believe in.
- Sponsored Posts/Articles: Capitalise on your content’s relevance by incorporating sponsored posts or articles. Companies willing to reach your audience may pay you to mention them within your posts or collaborate on dedicated articles. This form of collaboration not only adds value to your blog but also provides a direct source of income, especially when your football-related content aligns with the interests of potential sponsors.
Once you’ve learnt how to start a football blog and you start growing, the exciting journey begins. Remember, it’s a gradual process, so stay patient and enjoy the ride. As you continue to create quality content and connect with your audience, your blog will kick off into something truly special!