Plan to use your phone to create a blog?
While possible, it’s definitely not a walk in the park.
The good news is that I’m here to help you navigate the complicated world of mobile blogging.
Let’s dive in.
You may not know, if you blog solely from your phone or any other portable device, you will be classified as a mobile blogger.
Mobile blogging is a tempting option for aspiring bloggers who don’t have a decent personal computer.
It doesn’t matter if you only have an iPhone, iPad or Android device. You can still access important blogging tools and services using a mobile browser.
If you prefer a simpler blogging experience, there are also a handful of useful mobile blogging apps you can use.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Problems You May Face When Blogging On Your Phone
Indeed, blogging solely on a smartphone or tablet has some disadvantages:
1. The screen size
Let’s face it, the main disadvantage of blogging on a smartphone is the small screen. This makes it more difficult to perform blog-specific tasks that require a lot of screen space.
For example, when you’re browsing topics, a larger screen lets you see more ideas at once.
The tiny screen of a smartphone also makes it difficult to read and write articles for an extended period of time.
Solution: If possible, go to your internet cafe to do your research in bulk. You can also borrow a friend’s or family member’s computer for a short time.
2. Writing long articles can be challenging
Another problem with mobile devices is the typing experience with their on-screen keyboards.
You can probably get used to them over time. Still, the lack of physical feedback when pressing an actual key could make your documents prone to typos.
Solution: If you have the budget, consider purchasing a Bluetooth keyboard accessory for your device. Some brands of wireless keyboards are compatible with tablets and smartphones, making prolonged typing significantly more manageable.
You can also try typing using the text-to-speech feature on your phone. Simply narrate what you want to type: the virtual assistant on your phone will automatically type the words.
The downside is that it can be difficult to type unique words and make corrections to your draft.
As a final tip, you can use a mobile keyboard app that automatically checks your spelling and grammar. A great example would be Grammarly Keyboard for iOS and Android.
3. Designing and creating pages is difficult
It is possible to create custom pages, design and edit images on a smartphone. However, some mobile blogging platforms have very limited design and customization options.
Not to mention, trying to design pages with touch screen technology can be counterintuitive.
Solution: A tablet would be better suited for designing web pages, especially if a wireless keyboard and mouse are available. Alternatively, you can hire someone else to design your blog or borrow a computer from a friend or family member.
4. Some of the best blogging tools are best used on a computer
Some of the best blogging tools work best on a computer or laptop.
While these tools may offer a mobile app equivalent, they often don’t come close to the capabilities of their desktop counterparts. That is why most of them get bad reviews on app stores.
Solution: Again, borrowing a computer from someone you know is an option. You can also use the “desktop site” option on your mobile browser to unlock the features of the blogging tools.
5. You may encounter performance issues on entry-level devices
If you only have an entry-level or mid-range device, blogging on it can lead to some performance issues. The main concern here is overheating from prolonged use, which could cause stuttering and possible crashes.
However, upgrading to a flagship-level smartphone or tablet will not be practical. This is because the cost of a high-end mobile device can already get you a decent personal computer.
Solution: A simple trick you can do to avoid performance issues is to close all background applications when blogging. You can also try uninstalling excess apps, updating your phone software, and moving your blogging apps to your internal storage.
6. It’s hard to multitask with your phone
While you can have multiple apps open on your smartphone, you can’t switch between them seamlessly like you can on a computer. Not to mention, a larger screen can display different windows side by side.
Of course, there are outliers like iPhones and Samsung flagships with good multitasking capabilities.Despite this, the multitasking experience is still much smoother on a computer.
Solution: First, check if your smartphone or tablet has a “split screen ” or “Picture-in-Picture” for better multitasking. Alternatively, you can try multitasking apps like Taskbar for Android and Split Screen Multitasking View for iOS.
What What about the benefits of mobile blogging?
While mobile blogging has many drawbacks, it does come with some advantages.
For one thing, blogging on the go can be a much smoother experience when using a mobile device.
You don’t have to lug around a laptop or functional surface to put it down in. Just open your smartphone or tablet and tap whenever inspiration strikes.
In addition, most modern smartphones are equipped with much larger cameras. or better than even the most expensive laptops. This is a big problem, especially for bloggers who regularly upload photos and videos to social media.
Finally, there’s no shortage of blogging tools, apps, and services that can be used on your phone.
Let’s talk about them now.
What is the best platform for mobile blogging?
Here are the top five platforms you can use for mobile blogging:
1. WordPress.org
WordPress.org, also known as the largest platform for bloggers, is still the best regardless of whether you use a computer or a smartphone. Using your mobile browser, you can access everything that makes the platform great.
You can install themes, create posts, use plugins, manage comments, create mobile-optimized pages, and more. If you want, you can even use a page builder to design custom pages from scratch.
Statistics show that 39.6 percent of all websites in the world are managed by the WordPress CMS.
I recommend WordPress.org if you have big plans for your future blog. This includes building your authority online, providing rich user experiences, and making money.
But if you just want a hobby blog, other blogging platforms would be a practical option.
2 . Blogger
Blogger is a popular blogging platform with one of the most optimized mobile apps on the market. You can set up a new blog, choose your theme, and create posts within the same interface.
The Blogger app also allows you to manage your AdSense account without leaving the app and use custom domains. That means you can run a complete and profitable blog using just this app.
3. WordPress for Android
WordPress is undoubtedly the king of the CMS arena.
They also offer WordPress.com, a beginner version.
In case you didn’t know, WordPress.com is a blogging service that streamlines the blogging process. While this is great for beginners, their service is not as flexible as the CMS version.
The WordPress.org CMS, on the other hand, is a versatile platform that gives you full control over configuring your blog. . It allows you to change individual design elements, use custom code, install third-party plugins, and more.
On the other hand, WordPress.com comes with all the basic features needed to run a blog. This includes analytics, theme customization, post format presets, and comment management.
4. Tumblr
Tumblr is a mix between a microblogging platform, a blog editing tool and a social network.
Each user is free to set up their own blog and post anything from articles to animated GIFs. You can also take advantage of the photo-editing applet to make sure your images are share-worthy before uploading.
Most Tumblr bloggers use their phones and personal computers. Based on reviews, the Tumblr app for iOS seems to perform better than its Android counterpart.
5. Write.as
If you want to blog anonymously and on the go, Write.as is the mobile app for you.
No registration required, design your site and promote your blog posts.
With Write.as, all you need to worry about is putting your thoughts into words. After publishing, you can also use the app to edit, polish, and publish your work.
The minimalist and easy-to-use design of the Write.as app is perfect for those who enjoy blogging regularly as a hobby.
How to Create a Blog on Mobile
If you choose a native mobile blogging app like Blogger or Tumblr, you probably won’t need any additional instructions. These apps will take you by the hand through every step of creating a blog.
But if you want to create a blog from scratch using WordPress, don’t worry.
I’m here to help.
Let’s talk about the steps to use your smartphone to create a blog with WordPress:
1. Start by choosing your niche
First, you need to choose a niche (topic) for your blog.
Make sure you pick something you’re passionate about or know about.This will drastically improve the quality of your content and make blogging more rewarding in the long run.
Check out my comprehensive guide on choosing the perfect blogging niche for over 100 additional ideas to get you started.
2. Create your domain name
Next, you need to create a domain name that is identifiable or describes what your blog is about. Try to use only two or three relevant words that clearly communicate what users should expect.
Never rush the process of naming your blog. Learn the nitty-gritty of domain name selection with this guide.
3. Get Your Domain Hosted
Before you can build your site, you must first choose a web hosting service provider.
I recommend going with WordPress-recommended web hosts, like Bluehost.
To host your domain, go to the official Bluehost website and choose a pricing plan. Bluehost will help you through all the steps, like registering your domain and installing WordPress.
Just remember to follow the on-screen instructions carefully. Always double check any information you provide, including your email address, phone number, and full name.
4. Install WordPress
After you successfully register and host your domain, Bluehost will immediately guide you through the steps of building your WordPress site. Just make sure to select the switch next to “Want a blog?“
This will tell Bluehost to install WordPress automatically and help you choose your first theme. Just remember that you don’t have to think too much about this step: you can still change your theme whenever you want.
5. Get Started
After choosing your theme and completing your WordPress setup through Bluehost, you’re almost done!
You can now log into your WordPress through your “My Sites” page on Bluehost. From there, find your blog and click ‘Login to WordPress’.
On the login page, simply enter the credentials you created during the setup phase .
Finally, select ‘Posts’ and then click ‘Add New’ in your WordPress dashboard.
That’s it: you can start writing your first post!
Be careful when blogging while traveling. If your device suddenly loses internet connection, try not to close your blogging app as you may lose your work.
6. Share Your Post
A big part of being a blogger is promoting your blog to readers through various content delivery channels.
Fortunately, you don’t have to look far for content promotion tools if you’re on mobile.
Social networking apps like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram let you share your latest blog posts with your followers.
You just need to use your mobile browser’s built-in sharing feature when viewing your finished post.
Learn how to promote blog posts on social media and other potential distribution channels by reading this guide!
Other questions you might be asking
So far, we’ve covered everything you need to know to create a profitable blog using any mobile device.
To conclude this post, let me address any remaining questions you may have about mobile blogging.
Which phone is best for blogging?
Any A smartphone high-end with good touch technology and a screen size of more than 6 inches is enough to run a blog. Remember, you don’t need to have the “perfect” mobile phone to get started. If your existing phone can run blogging apps, you’re good to go.
And if you’re planning to buy a new phone, the OnePlus Nord N10 is a good option that’s conveniently available on Amazon . Be sure to do your due diligence before making a purchase.
Tip:
Don’t spend more than $300 on your phone.
Why?
Because you can get a handy work laptop for around $350.
If $300 is your budget, I recommend holding off and saving for those $50 additional. That should be enough for a laptop with good specs, which you can use as your daily driver for blogging.
Can you make money blogging on mobile?
Yes! Bloggers make money from their blogs because of their content, regardless of whether it is posted via phone or laptop. If you can publish your content via your mobile phone, you can earn money from it too.
And not to mention, always stay focused on your blogging goals.
If you’re focused on your blogging goals, blogging solely from your phone won’t hurt your earning potential.
The Bottom Line
Running a blog on your smartphone is more than doable if you know what to do
Now, it’s your turn.
What do you think is the biggest challenge keeping you from starting a blog?
Let me know by leaving a comment below!
The comments section is always is open for you. 🙂
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