Sports has always been a favorite element for several centuries. Yet, it has grown into more than just a recreational activity in the last decade. Today, the sports industry has become an entertainment, recreation, or just a business. Those who are into their sports and take it seriously, there might arise the need to take the interest to the next level. A sports blog is one of the ways to do so.
There are several factors that need to be kept in mind before starting a sports blog. They are:
Finding a Niche
Sports encompasses the world that is so huge that it is difficult to fit into a blog. Hence, it is important to find a specific niche where it is possible to make some valuable contributions. One of the popular, yet difficult to master, niche areas of the sports blog industry is the sporting events preview section.
Since each event is of huge importance in terms of betting or just from a fan’s perspective, there is a huge market. However, a wide range of statistics, data, and knowledge has to be applied on each preview in order to achieve a high degree of success.
Branding and a Suitable Name
A high level of competition exists when it comes to a sports blog. Therefore, standing out from the crowd is important while also managing to maintain relevance to the topic. Branding of the blog with various aspects like icons and logos is a crucial aspect that comes just after finding a suitable name. This name has to fit into the theme of the blog aside from making it shine on the Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) front.
These two factors form the crux of the blog, and they would also determine the path that would be undertaken from here on. Now, the technical stuff of setting up the blog assumes importance. Aesthetics and user-friendliness form a major chunk of the requirements at this stage. Since the Internet has grown rapidly in the last couple of years, there is a lot of focus on page load times, user friendliness, and the general attractiveness of the site.
It is possible to focus on these aspects while performing the various steps involved in setting up the blog. They are:
Getting the Best Domain Name
Domain name is vital for SEO purposes and to enhance the popularity of the blog in the future. The key is to find a short name that can be easily remembered and shared over the Internet or through word of mouth. A long name works against the popularity, despite shorter names becoming harder to find in this day of Internet explosion.
Choosing the Platform
A number of platforms are available today to act as the platform for a blog. One of the most popular options happens to be WordPress, which is available in both free and paid formats. WordPress will also help in setting up the domain name if the previous step has not been completed.
Finding the Best Theme
The attractiveness of a site or blog plays a major role in its success. Opting for the WordPress platform gives the ability to choose from a huge selection of themes. It is also essential to use a theme that has a high degree of user-friendliness, quick load times, and extensive webmaster control.
Adding Value to the Blog
Sports involves a large amount of data and statistics that become key in terms of different facets like preview and predictions. The blog gets an added advantage when it starts to present such data and statistics in a clean and easy to access format. This can be done either by using plug-ins – in the case of a WordPress platform – or in-house developed sections on the blog.
Some of the popular data include tables or recent form in the case of football. In cases where it is legally permitted, it is also possible to put up highlights of sporting events so as to enhance the value of the visitor.
Final Thoughts
Starting up a sports blog is certainly not to be taken lightly. Just as with the sport itself, the process of running a successful blog is extremely difficult. Yet, managing to stick with these basic steps can lay the foundations for a top sports blog. The most important thing you need to have in order to make this a sustainable brand and to even earn some money off it is to find your motivation. If sports is your biggest hobby, starting a blog can be a great way to spend time and maybe even turn this into a career.
