When I spoke at Gleek Retreat, the subject of my session was “Defining your Niche”. I’m a niche blogger because 90% of my blog is about gadgets and techy stuff. This came about because of my hobby, computers. I have always loved computers and I got a job in IT because it was my hobby. So, starting a hobby website can also be defined as starting a niche website. Check out the guest post full of tips below from Kirsten Ramsburg if you are thinking about starting a new site.

Even the busiest of moms needs some downtime to work on her favorite hobby! The internet is a great place to find information on everything from recipes to tech gadgets, and can act as an open forum for sharing your own advice or creations.

If you’re looking to start a website about your favorite hobby, the following tips can help you get started.

Decide What Type of Site You Want to Create

If you want to share information and tips or offer things like how-to guides, a static website may be the best choice. A compelling home page and easy-to-navigate categories will give visitors a reason to stay, as well as help you to share information in an attractive, organized manner. Static sites are best for offering information that remains pertinent over time.

However, if you’re more interested in showing off your creations as they come together and writing about your day-to-day adventures with your hobby, you might want to try a free blog service like WordPress. Or you can invest in some cheap web hosting and host a blog on its own server, which will give you more control over the layout. A blog is more dynamic than a static site and works best when you want to add fresh content on a regular basis.

Aim for Great Content

No matter what type of site you choose to create, you’ll want to fill it with great content. Be creative and engaging when writing text. Try to present your hobby in a unique way that will hold visitors’ attention in addition to getting your point across.

Take Great Pictures

If you plan to share pictures of your recipes, finished crafts, or works-in-progress, make sure to post your best shots. Bright, attractive photos with good contrast and color definition catch the eye, and give visitors the best representation of your creations. If your hobby involves drawing or painting, consider investing in a quality scanner in order to get the best possible reproductions of your work.

Get Your Own Domain

A unique domain name is an inexpensive investment that will help other people with similar interests find your site without hassle. Having a memorable URL that relates to your content also makes it more likely that visitors will recommend your site to friends. Then look for a reliable web hosting company that offers domain registration, and you might find a great deal on hosting space in addition to your domain! Try to search here to see if the name that you want is still up for grabs. Participate in the community By setting up your own website, you’re joining a vast online community of moms and hobbyists. Why not check out what that community has to offer? Browsing forums, blogs, and other websites that have to do with your favorite hobby is a great way to discover new projects and meet new people. You can also generate interest in your own site by sharing links and information around the hobby community.

Be Authentic

Most of all, be yourself! Chances are, if you’re interested in starting a whole site about your hobbies, you’re already a creative person. Let that creativity shine through in your text and layout. Be comfortable presenting yourself and your creations to the internet public. Sharing your enjoyment of a hobby can be just as rewarding as the hobby itself, so have fun with it!

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Kirsten Ramsburg is a Senior Writer for a well-respected web hosting guide. She is currently juggling responsibilities to give way to her passion for being a mom and a writer.

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