Getting Started

Now that you’ve decided that you’re going to go ahead with this food blog thing, you need to decide what tools you’re going to use to do it. The big question in your head right now is probably, “Should I use WordPress for my new food blog?”. You’ve heard good things about it from people you consider to be in the know. Maybe it has something to offer you as you embark on your food bloggin’ journey.

Well friend, WordPress goes with food blogging like meat goes with potatoes. It can make running your website as easy as pie. And we know how you feel about pie. So let’s talk about why you should use WordPress.

What Is WordPress?

First, WordPress is a content management system and blogging platform. Content management systems are designed to help people like you and I build and run our websites. There was a time on the internet where a powerful content management system could run the user over a hundred dollars to purchase and install, only to have to muddle through the technical end of using it.

Enter WordPress. It seems that the second it burst on the scene, the competitors quickly disappeared. It’s not surprising with how fundamentally brilliant WordPress is, and how easy it makes your job as a blogger. WordPress has become increasingly relevant over the years as not only a blogging platform, but a full blown content management system, capable of being the foundation for some of the biggest websites on the internet.

WordPress has shown longevity. First released in 2003, it’s overtaken the internet a decade later. It has proven its staying power, and built an audience and following to ensure its success into the future. The broad community of users is constantly allowing it to grow and adapt with the time and the user base.

But Why Should YOU Use It?

Listen, like I mentioned last time, this is going to take conviction on your part. If you’re going to go the distance and open up a food blog, do it on a self-hosted website, and use WordPress to help you manage it. It’s a program that will soon become your sous chef in this little endeavor of yours. If my history of its inception hasn’t convinced you, here’s more:

It is as simple to use as writing a grocery list. Just because the Big Time Food Writers use it to power their sites, doesn’t mean it’s too technically advanced or complicated for you to use too. You don’t need a tech guy to manage your site, stop reaching for his phone number. WordPress is so user friendly, you operate it from a dashboard. You know, that place in your car where you rest your snacks while heading to work? And when WordPress needs an update? It let’s you know. How thoughtful is that? And an update takes all of one or two clicks of your mouse is most cases.

And this is a system that loves social media almost as much as you do. This is a good thing, since you need to get started creating buzz immediately. Here’s a platform that allows you to easily share your posts with the world via Facebook and Twitter. You won’t have to worry about copy and pasting your posts from one profile to another. That means you have time to to check the roast, and interact with the lovely people receiving all these tweets and status updates – your growing audience. This audience is going to be what boosts you to stardom as they try out your recipes in their kitchens and share the results.

Not only that, it’s obscenely SEO friendly (if you’re into that). Google loves WordPress sites, which is another little help in your quest to take over the blogosphere. No need to read SEO For Dummies (though it probably wouldn’t kill you to read up on it a little), your content management system has got you covered.

Making Your Food Blog Stand Out

WordPress is completely customizable straight out of the box. You don’t need to be a coding genius to have a well designed space for your writing. There are hundreds of thousands of themes available to download that can help get you started.

This is an area where WordPress shines for food bloggers. There are many theme developers who know how important visual impact is to your food writing. They’ve gone and developed themes that highlight the food, and set you up for success. Whether you want a magazine style layout that focuses on high definition images, or a site that really presents grocery lists in a compelling way, there’s something out there to help you achieve that. They range from simple to mega customizable. Some will put you out a few dollars, while many are entirely free.

WordPress already knows the next thing that you need : a mobile site so that folks can read your blog from the grocery aisle, or the train after work. You’re covered there too. WordPress provides amazing mobile functionality. Many themes easily go mobile, and the WordPress app makes managing your site on the go efficient.

Amazing Mobile Sites And Plugins

It goes beyond themes. There are over 25,000 plugins available to WordPress users. Plugins are extensions to your site that allow you to further interact with your audience and deliver relevant content to them. Some of them allow you to backup and protect your work so it doesn’t get lost. Some generate useful widgets for your readers.

WP Ultimate Recipe allows you to showcase recipes on your site the best way possible. A dynamic plugin, it creates clean, printable recipes for your readers. The premium edition allows for further customization and meal planning. Anything you can imagine to enhance you site, someone’s thought of it and created a plugin. And installing plugins and experimenting them is as easy as writing a post, since they’re all accessible through a search on your dashboard. Have I mentioned recently how easy WordPress is?

A Growing Community Of Friends

One of the best things about food blogging is the opportunity to build relationships with other writers in your genre. The food blogger community is a close one. Friendships are born over sharing stories of recipes gone awry, or of successful dinners. The possibilities for collaboration and group projects are endless. WordPress makes this as simple as boiling water. It facilitates multiple users, profiles, and dashboard options. Bringing aboard a writer to review restaurants or teach the world how to make pizza is as easy as setting their login and sending them on their way.

It is a platform that will work for you regardless of the size of your project. Whether your project is a simple recipe collective, or a giant multi-user test kitchen, you’re covered. You can facilitate your own community and make guest posting super simple. WordPress is breaking down walls!

Still wondering if you should use WordPress for your blog? Ask yourself a few questions:

1. Do you want a content management system that is simple to set up and use?
2. Do you want a platform that allows total customization?
3. Would you like access to a giant community of resources constantly working to improve your experience creating your site?
4. Would you like to be able to build a community of fellow food minded people without hassle?
5. Do you want to be able to use cool plugins, such as WP Ultimate Recipe, to facilitate your audience interacting with your site and making the most of what you have to offer?

If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, WordPress is your answer.