Hey, listen: blogging is serious business! It literally is! And if your friend, family member, loved one, or spouse is a blogger (or vlogger/video blogger), then you know how serious it is to them! I started blogging in the early 2000s, when it was still in its infancy. Back then, it was still a taboo and most of the people kept their online hobby at a low level. Now here we are, a decade later, social media has taken over the internet and blogging has become a way of life for many. As we approach the holidays, birthdays, or other special occasions, you’re probably wondering, “What special gift can I give the blogger in my life?” I’ve put together a list of the best gift ideas for fans of the blog!
one. Services: There are a few essentials that a blogger will need when deciding to take their website to the next level. Many will start out on free platforms like Blogger (previously known as BlogSpot), WordPress.com or Typepad, however if they want to be taken seriously, moving to a dedicated host (ie an independent.com) is a must. Getting your own website is a relatively simple process: you simply purchase your domain name from a provider like GoDaddy.com and sign up for hosting with a company like HostGator.com. You can buy a domain for as low as $1.99 with coupon codes and hosting packages as low as $4.99 – $9.99. Give away a full year of hosting service paid in advance. For less than $100, your loved one will be on their way to super blogger status!
2. Website templates and design: After your blogger friend upgrades to a dedicated hosting service and his own.com, he will have to decide on a blogging platform and start building his website. WordPress.com is the most popular CMS (content management system) available. It is free software that is available in a one-click installation through HostGator.com’s hosting service. However, it is the most versatile platform on the web: the “out of the box” installation comes with a standard template that is rather boring and simple. Personally, my favorite thing about using WordPress is the ease of creating a beautiful looking website. There are literally thousands of web templates available on the web, many of which are free. Now, I’m not one to turn my back on “free”, but when it comes to establishing yourself as a trusted blogger and building your brand, it’s best to go with one of the Premium WordPress themes. Premium themes can cost anywhere from $25 to $150, but it’s money well spent in my opinion. You get a modern-looking, optimized web template that you can edit at your discretion, and most packages come with support for a limited (or unlimited) period of time. My favorite sites for premium WordPress templates are WooThemes and StudioPress. These are, without a doubt, the go-to sites for quality issues and support.
3. Services: As a blogger, I know that there are a lot of tedious tasks that need to be done in the back-end if you really want to succeed in your chosen blogging niche. Some of these tasks include managing a Facebook fan page, creating backlinks, designing banners or logos, and building your social network. As mundane as they are, they are crucial to the success of a website, I like to outsource a lot of these tasks; doing so frees me up time to do other things (like the actual blog!). My favorite outsourcing site is Odesk.com – I’ve been able to hire workers to do tasks for as little as $2 an hour (yes, that’s true!). If there is something that needs to be done and can be outsourced, Odesk.com is the best place to find quality shortlisted talent that is competitively priced and ready to work!
Four. organization: An organized workspace is essential for successful bloggers. Similar to your office workspace: A website owner needs a place to store important books, articles, drives, and a quiet place to work. If your bedroom has become the home of a blog, it’s a good time to dedicate a part of the house just to your online hobby. If you have extra room, opt for a high-quality desk and chair. The desk should have enough space for multiple computers and/or computer screens, as well as a printer, scanner, and hard drives. If you’re short on space, opt for a mobile desk, like the FoldAndStow Mobile Desk from StacksAndStacks.com.
5. Contraption: Taking a short, informal survey, there was one item each blogger selected for their holiday wish list, and that was a new laptop! We are not casual internet surfers, there are days when I can spend hours working on my laptop, doing research, writing, photo editing, or doing general maintenance on my websites. Because of this, a dedicated blogger’s computer takes more than average wear and tear. We need computers with a ton of space, wireless capabilities, easy to carry, and capable of multimedia.
Of course, you can always go for the coveted top-of-the-line Macbook Pro, just keep in mind that there tends to be a bit of a learning curve when it comes to Apple products. Macbook Pro will cost between $1999 and $2500, but they are known for their security, durability, and include all the bells and whistles. Generally speaking, Macs last a long time, though you’ll pay more up front; You’ll also save a ton over the years.
If a Mac is out of the question, you’ll want to look for a laptop that’s portable: thin, light, and with a decent-sized hard drive. Netbooks are affordable, stylish, effective, and strike a balance between mobility and performance. I also find standard notebooks to be great alternatives to Macbooks. I would recommend the Sony Vaio (portable) laptop above anything else.