Since many of you have asked, I’m sharing practical technical blogging and basic web design tips. I’ll admit upfront I’m not a professional developer — I learned by doing, making mistakes, and searching the web for answers. Still, I’ve designed and operated this blog with very little outside help, so these are the lessons that worked for me. Note: the image below is a lighthearted coding joke.
I build and maintain this blog mostly on my own (with help from my partner on design choices and occasional technical assistance from friends or our host). If you’re newer than I am, take this as friendly, practical advice. If you’re more advanced, please feel free to add suggestions — collaboration helps everyone learn.
MY BACKGROUND: I first studied computer basics in high school, where I learned introductory C++ and a little HTML. I don’t remember much C++, but it taught me how sensitive code can be — one missing bracket can break everything. I started creating simple pages back then and gradually learned more on the job. That early exposure made it easier to pick up WordPress, CSS, and other web tools later on. Yes, I even owned a Dilbert sweatshirt back then — a small sign of my inner tech nerd.
THE CODE-FREE WAY: If you don’t want to touch code, blogging platforms like WordPress.com, Blogger, and Tumblr make it very simple to start. You can begin a site, write posts, and upload images without editing files. We began on a free WordPress.com account and spent months there before moving to a self-hosted setup. For many bloggers, the code-free route is the fastest way to get started and focus on content and photography.
FIND A GOOD HOST: To gain flexibility we migrated to a self-hosted WordPress installation. That meant choosing a web host and paying for server space instead of using the free platform. Shared hosting is inexpensive and ideal for small blogs, but as traffic grows you may need a more robust plan or a dedicated server to avoid frequent downtime. Research hosting providers, compare support options, and plan for growth so you don’t get stuck with unexpected crashes as traffic increases.
OH YEAH, HOSTING IMAGES TOO: Offloading images to a separate service can reduce server load and improve site performance. We experimented with free photo hosts, but later moved to a paid object storage service that scaled with our needs. Image hosting costs can grow substantially with heavy traffic and lots of photos, so factor that into your budget. Hosting images separately also helps ensure fast image delivery and more reliable site performance for visitors.
ESTABLISH A THEME: A theme controls your site’s visual layout — columns, navigation, fonts, and colors. WordPress offers many built-in themes, plus countless third-party options. Start with a theme that roughly matches the layout and features you want, then customize it. Using an existing template lets you avoid coding from scratch while still creating a unique look through adjustments and styling.
STYLING: Most themes use Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) to define how elements appear. CSS files set sizes, margins, colors, and typography so you don’t have to style elements manually each time. Our theme uses separate stylesheets for layout and color/image rules. I learned CSS mainly by changing things and observing the results. If you want to learn systematically, search for reputable CSS tutorials and reference guides — they make the trial-and-error faster and less frustrating.
AN IMAGE IS WORTH A THOUSAND CODES: Visual assets—headers, icons, and photo edits—are crucial for a polished blog. Use photo editing software that lets you resize in pixels, adjust colors, and export optimized web formats (compressed JPEGs and transparency-capable PNGs). Professional tools are helpful, but there are also easy online editors that get the job done. Make sure you have a reliable way to upload images to your host, whether through built-in FTP, a file manager, or a dedicated uploader.
TRIAL, ERROR, AND GOOGLE: My primary method for learning has been “change some code, see what happens.” Always keep backups of original files so you can revert changes. When I’m stuck, I search for the exact code or error message; online forums, documentation, and community answers often point directly to a fix. WordPress has extensive documentation and community resources that explain common functions and best practices.
PLUG IT IN, PLUG IT IN: Plugins extend WordPress with features ranging from performance caching to social widgets. Well-chosen plugins can add important capabilities, but too many or poorly coded plugins can slow your site or cause conflicts. If possible, implement performance-critical features in code rather than relying on plugins, and keep only the plugins you truly need. Monitor their impact on speed and stability, and remove or replace anything that causes repeated issues.
GET HELP: Everyone hits a wall sometimes. My go-to resources include search engines, support forums, hosting technical support, social networks, and fellow bloggers. Paid support or hiring a developer is a smart investment when problems affect uptime or revenue. Building a small network of reliable technical contacts will save time and stress when emergencies arise.
Those are the core tips I’ve gathered from building and maintaining a growing blog: start simply, choose tools that match your skills, learn by experimenting, and scale hosting and image delivery as traffic grows. If you have specific questions, ask — I’ll likely suggest experimenting, searching for the exact error, or reaching out to support. And if you’ve been through this process, please share your tips.
Update – We’ve also shared a detailed guide on how we started our blog, grew traffic, and turned it into a full-time project for anyone interested in more on professional blogging and site growth.