Have you thought about starting a blog? Do you currently have a blog, but find you are restrained to your posting options? Guess what? You’re not alone! As many of you know, I’ve been running our ipartywithbrucewayne blog for about a year now. I started off very small and had no clue what I was doing. I still feel pretty lost sometimes, but thankfully there are some great resources that I’ve learned about that you should take advantage of too! These resources outlined below are what helped relaunch my beautiful blog that you are now looking at. 🙂
It’s all about self-hosting!
When I first started my blog, I started on Squarespace. Squarespace is great for beginner bloggers. It is easy to use with their drag and drop options and registers a proper domain name for you. The downfall? You are limited to their templates and design options. Granted, the Squarespace templates are sleek and clean, which is why I went to them in the first place, however, I was ready for a change. The more I blogged, the more I wanted to have other options and a “fancier” site.
About a month ago, I really started looking into switching to a self-hosted site. What is a self-hosted site you may ask? Good question. I had that same question. Essentially, without getting too technical, a self-hosted site is a blog/site that resides on your own server. Since most bloggers do not have their own dedicated server, they “rent” space from a host server. There are many companies that you could host your blog with. GoDaddy, iPage, and HostGator are a few, however, I highly recommend SiteGround. (Yes, that is an affiliate link.) Why SiteGround? No, it’s not just because I’m now an affiliate for them, but I honestly really do like them. If you are like me and started with Squarespace, SiteGround will migrate (transfer) your current Squarespace site onto their server for FREE!! Yes, I said for free! That may not seem like a big deal, but trust me it is. When I began researching how to transfer my Squarespace site, I found a few individuals and companies that were willing to migrate my space for me, but they also charged anywhere between $500 – $1,500.00!! Also, SiteGround’s customer service is top notch! Their live chat is so much better than SquareSpace’s, paws down! 😉
![](<a href="https://www.siteground.com" onClick="this.href='https://www.siteground.com/web-hosting.htm?afbannercode=e729b9291c1c6d1963b946da091a09c2'" ><img src="https://ua.siteground.com/img/banners/general/dynamic-price/468x60.jpg" alt="Web Hosting" width="468" height="60" border="0"></a>)
You need a great Web Designer!
Do yourself a favor and hire someone with a web designing background to help you design the blog of your dreams! When you switch over to a self-hosted site, you have the option to install a theme of your choice. A theme is a template for your site and you can buy themes anywhere on the internet. I purchased the Ellie + Jane theme from Studio Mommy. Etsy is also a great place to look for feminine themes.
I can’t even begin to tell you how scared I was to make the switch from Squarespace to a self-hosted site. I have no background in coding, I have no background in web design and I’m lucky I can even understand how my email works some days. Luckily, I hired an amazing web designer, Bren Pace. I would like to take credit and say that I found Designs by Virtual Bren on my own, but I cannot take that credit. I learned about Bren from a beauty blogger, Amanda Bella. Amanda had raved about how much Bren helped her design her blog and that she was a lifesaver for Amanda’s switch to a self-hosted site. I always love to support a small business and hiring an individual as opposed to a large company to help design your site means you often get more personalized attention and care.
I could probably go on and on about how much Bren has helped me, but my site speaks for itself. Isn’t it gorgeous?!
Brand yourself!
With the relaunch of my blog, I knew that I wanted to have a proper logo. I knew what I wanted my logo to look like, but didn’t have the coding or design skills to take it from my head to my laptop. That’s where Liz Rogala of Just Artin’ Around came into play. I commissioned Liz to design my custom logo. After a few rounds of edits, Liz was able to capture exactly what I thought I wanted my logo to look like for my site. (Be sure to follow Liz’s Instagram, as she often has sales for her work.)
Join a support group!
Yes, there’s a support group for pet bloggers!! If you are on the fence about starting a blog, you will want to check out BlogPaws. BlogPaws is a community of pet bloggers from around the world that offer learning tools to help you with your blog. Once you’ve signed up for your free BlogPaws account, head over to their Social Learning Community page. There, you will find e-courses on how to start a blog, how to monetize your blog and other helpful resources.
With so many wonderful resources at your fingertips, there’s no better time than now to start a blog or make the self-hosting switch! Yes, it is scary and yes it can be confusing, but in the end, you will be so happy that you did it! The blogging community is a wonderful network of people that will become lifelong friends. As always, I’m always happy to help. Feel free to leave any questions in the comments below or send over an email. Happy blogging!
Loving the redesign! Great work! Can’t wait to keep up with all of Bruce’s adventures! Much love to you guys!
Thank you so much, Laura and Kipper. We would love to see you blogging too!
Good luck! xoxo
Oh Wow! This looks absolutely amazing Bruce and Meesha so fancy and professional. Thank you so much for sharing your learning experience. We have often wanted to start a blog but sometimes feel it might be overwhelming especially with a full time job. But you constantly inspire us and maybe some day soon we will take the leap!
Thank you so much, Sarah and ladies! 🙂 We understand it can be time consuming. We truly hope that you do start a blog one day soon. We know you will love it too!
Good luck! xoxox
From one small chihuahua to another, you rock!
Keep it up we love you.
Thank you so much for your kind words! Lots of love right back to you.
Good luck! xoxoxo
Wow major props to you for all this work! Who knew a blog was this involved?! Not us!! This is all amazing & so exciting for you both! Good luck! 👍🏼🍾
Thank you so much! If you have great help, it is much easier! 🙂 We’d love to see you start blogging too!
Good luck! xoxo
Thank you for sharing the tips! We really want to get a proper blog started.
Absolutely! 🙂 We hope you start a blog too, it’s a lot of fun!
Good luck! xoxo
Yiu have done an outstanding job Meesha. This updated version looks fantastic and your logo is perfect. It seems blogging would take so much time, that I don’t always have with work. How do you find time?
Thank you so much for the kind words, Kim! It honestly couldn’t have been done without Bren’s help and guidance! 🙂 Blogging is certainly time consuming, but it’s also therapeutic for me, so I usually make time when I’m feeling anxious. It’s really helped with my anxieties.
Good luck! xoxo
LOVE this!!
Thank you kindly, Colin!
Good luck! xoxo
Thank you so much for this post!! So informative and helpful. Especially since I’m just starting mine. – Alice Cooper
That’s awesome, Alice and Virginia! We will have to check yours out as well. Let us know if you have any questions! 🙂
Good luck! xoxo
The blog looks so awesome! While I would love to do one I unfortunately don’t have the time since I work full time. But once I win the lottery I will, promise! Love you bunches my bestie! 💙👬😂
Thank you so much, Barbara, Papi and Rain! 🙂 We would love to see you blogging one day. It’s a lot of fun and you meet some really awesome people! You should consider coming to the BlogPaws Conference with us.
Good luck! xoxo
I have to admit, I don’t know what the site looked like before, BW…😐 But everything looks great! Great graphics, sophisticated and interesting, and the photos really pop! Pippin (My new family member and first foster- also first foster fail!) and I will enjoy keeping up with you 💥💥🙌🏼
Thank you very much, Katrine and Pippin! Great to have you on board our crazy dog lady train! 😉 The old site was very white, clean and boring, lol.
Good luck! xoxo
Thank you for all the support and helping other IG account grow! Blogging has always evaded me but I will definitely start working on it a bit more. Loving the new design btw!
Thank you very much, Kelly! If you are on the fence, I would highly recommend blogging. I know it can seem daunting at first, but I promise you will love it too!
Good luck! xoxo
Wow, loving the new look!!. Meesha & Bruce, you both never seize to impress us with all your great info! Keep up the awesome work & we look forward to receiving your newsletter!
Thank you so much, Carina and Coco! 🙂 It’s been a labor of love, but so happy with the results. We hope you ladies are doing well and enjoying some fun hikes!
Good luck! xoxo
Hi Bruce Wayne!
Our owner loved meeting you when you came to Krisers in Washington, DC! She even had the pleasure of giving you a treat! She too runs a blog, so she knows how hard it can be to successfully maintain it constantly! We love the blog, and can’t wait to read more about your exciting adventures! Sending pawsitive thoughts your way! ♥
All the best,
Zoe & Winston
(fatndfluffy)
Thank you so much, Bella! 🙂 It was great meeting you as well. We loved Krisers and hope to be back in DC soon. If you haven’t been, you should consider coming to the BlogPaws Conference with us next April. You will meet so many awesome bloggers and brands. Let us know if you have any questions!
Good luck! xoxo
Things I Wish I knew when I Started My Blog
Thank you kindly, Yuliya!
Good luck! xoxo
Love all the tips and love the new blog! Congratulations!
Thank you so much, Zoey! We appreciate the kind feedback.
Good luck! xoxo
Great site and blog! @skippertheflfrenchie is just 4 months old so we have lots to learn and this is very helpful. Thank you 😊
Thank you very much, Laura! Oh the puppy cuteness that must be going on in your house! 🙂
Good luck! xoxo
The blog looks amazing my Bestie. Mama said she’ll do a blog once she wins the lottery and can quit her job, LOL…
Keeping my grinchy paws crossed for you, Barbara! 😉
I love your golden BW insignia! Very lovely! Chloe Elle and I have both benefited from your blog; by helping with her allergies in Mexico. Sharing the raw diet on your blog was the best thing we ever did for Chloe Elle – and we thank you!
😘💙
Thank you so much, Deidre and Ms. Chloe Elle! We appreciate your kind words and so glad that we could be of some help. You’ve always been one of our most supportive friends and we are so grateful for your friendship! 🙂
Good luck! xoxo
Hey Meesha!
I’m so happy to see you launch your new design! From the looks of your comments, the revamp is a hit! I’m sooooo happy for you! It’s been a pleasure working with you on your blog and I’m sure we’re going to have fun going into the future. Don’t hesitate if you need anything.
Btw, you have a new stalker! 😉
Happy Small Friday!
Bren
Thank you so much for your help, Bren! I can honestly say the site wouldn’t look this good without your assistance! You have been amazing and we appreciate your help so much.
Good luck xoxo
I love your new design and logo! I’m sure you will continue to do well. ❤️
Thank you so much for your kind words!
Good luck, xoxo
Loving the new logo! And seeing your pup featured in the photos for every section of your blog. I never knew there were so many blogging options, but it all seems much more time consuming than I had imagined.
Thank you very much! BW is my world and will always be incorporated in anything I do. 😉 Blogging can be time consuming, but it is so much fun. I would highly recommend it to anyone!
Good luck, xoxo
Great article! Didn’t know a blog requires so much work! Thought writing is all you need but you definitely go beyond and have maintain such beautiful and organized blog. Well done BW and LL🙌🖤🙌
Thank you so much for your kind words! 🙂 We are so excited to share this journey with you all.
Good luck, xoxo
Your site looks gorgeous! I like the clean, simple, yet classy & elegant design. Thanks for sharing your journey. I’ve been blogging for a couple of years now, using a Blogger template. I never thought I’d need more than an easy template but as I’ve grown it feels so limiting! I really want to migrate to a more robust platform and self host but I’m terrified to do it! It looks like you’ve done it with ease which gives me some confidence. Thanks! I’m glad you included BlogPaws in your resources – not sure if you remember but we met there, in the Natural Balance breakfast. I brought my Husky, Icy, to the breakfast.
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Thank you so much, Cathy! Yes, we remember you and look forward to seeing you again in KC! 🙂 If you decide you want to change themes, I would highly recommend Bren. She was so helpful in the migration and designing process.
Good luck! xoxo
Hey BW & Little Lady!
Love the new look of your blog. Mommy wants to start a blog for us but she is super nervous about it.
Love ya, Evie, Graham & Sherie
Thank you so much, Sherie! It can be super nerve wrecking, but I promise that once you do, you will be so happy you did. There’s a great network of supportive pet bloggers out there, much like our dog IG community! 😉
Good luck! xoxo
Love this! Thanks for all the pointers on this adventure of puppy life. Maybe we can play some day?? Xoxo, @bailstale
Thank you kindly, Bailey! We would love to have a play date. Bruce Wayne actually hasn’t had any training yet. 🙁 But I know that if and when we do, we are heading to our local Petsmart.
Good luck, xoxo