Creating Websites or Blogs: Plan First

You would think that creating websites and blogs wouldn't have any consequences, but if they're not properly thought out, they probably will.

Many of us, when we get an idea, we jump in with both feet. Instead of taking our time and thoroughly thinking it through...carefully planning and thinking of future endeavors and how this decision will factor into all aspects of my writing, we just dive in. We may quickly choose a domain name and throw up a website or blog.

Now, you may say, so what's the big deal, isn't it better to get it done. Well, in the visibility and marketing world not planning first is a HUGE deal.

Suppose you start out with one book, or wanting to write in one specific genre. You know you have to create a website to get your visibility started so you go to Blogger or WordPress and create a free site. Or, maybe, you go to BlueHost or GoDaddy and pay for a site. Whichever, you choose a domain name without thinking of any possible consequences to this seemingly innocent move.

Maybe you choose: I'm Learning to Write, or Jane Doe Writes for Children. Or, maybe this first writing venture has you hooked up with a co-author or contributor and you create a joint site. See where I'm going with this.

Suppose your domain name is "Ann and Jill Just for Children." You're starting out so this seems reasonable. But, what happens a year or two later when Jill has nothing to do with your current writing life. You've authored other children's books and even branched out into writing non-fiction self-help books and informational articles in multiple genres.

Now what do you do?

Your traffic and subscribers are all connected with Ann and Jill Just for Children. Ah, a light goes off . . . you'll create another site. This site will be specifically for you and your work. And, then you decide you want to offer some services, so you create yet another site. The after plan you scramble together is that you'll lead your readers from Ann and Jill to your other sites, posting useful information in your area of expertise.

Before you know it, you're posting unique articles to three or four sites, stretching yourself thin just trying to keep up with them all. This is only part of the problem though; as you write for article directories, which site do you send the reader to? Yes, you can send the reader to the site that works best with the article topic, but it still creates dilution of traffic. And, if this isn't bad enough having too many sites will limit the time you have to actually write for publication, follow your groups, social networks, and do research..

Ah, the webs that we weave . . .

So, before you jump into purchasing a domain name and creating your site, THINK BIG and take possible future endeavors into consideration. Don't limit yourself.