One of the things I love about blogging is that there is always so much to learn. It’s both exciting and potentially overwhelming. Here is the one technical tip for the beginner blogger that I wish I had known when I started blogging.
Read to the bottom of the post to find out about Bluehost’s semi-annual sale. If you’ve been thinking about starting a blog, this is great time to do it! The price for hosting is going as low as $2.95/month!
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase. Thank you for your support in this way!
HTM… What?
I’m not a technical person. When I guest posted on Simplicity Relished, Daisy asked me to send the html code for the post. I wrote back to her asking where I would find the html code. I had been writing in the “visual” tab on WordPress and had never ventured to the “text” tab. Daisy was kind enough to explain where to find the html code and what it’s purpose was – thanks Daisy!
For those of you who also may have never ventured into the “text” tab, it’s located to the right of the screen by the Publish box.
Since then, I’ve grown a little bit in my technical knowledge, and coding doesn’t make my head hurt quite as much as it used to.
Technical Tip for the Beginner Blogger
Linking Within
When you are writing a post, it’s a good idea to link to one or two of your own posts from the past that are relevant to the one that you are writing now. When you link to a post that you have written (linking within), you should NOT click the box that says “open link in a new tab”.
By leaving that box unchecked, it helps with increasing pageviews for your site. I don’t know all the technical reasons behind this, but Kelli and Crystal at Learn to Blog Hangouts have more information about this and so much more!
Linking Without
When you are linking to another website (linking without) – such as another blogger’s website (like above) – you DO check the box “Open link in a new tab”. Since they’re leaving your website, you want to make sure to have that open in another tab.
I was clicking the “Open link in a new tab” for every link that I added to my posts for months. If you’re just starting out, remember this tip so Google Analytics will accurately reflect the pageviews that your blog is receiving. If you’ve been blogging for a long time, I would suggest going back to your most popular posts and making sure your links within are set up properly.
BlueHost’s Semi Annual Sale
Bluehost is having a crazy semi-annual sale this month. Starting on April 25th and ending on May 2nd, they are offering a special promotional price of $3.49/month on our 36 month starter plan. This was the plan I started with.
But the really exciting part is the ONE DAY SUPER PROMO SALE on Wednesday, April 27th. Prices will drop to $2.95/month for 12 months on the Basic Plan and $4.95/month for 12 months on the Plus Plan.
I’ve written a simple Step by Step Post on How to Start a Blog with easy to follow screenshots. If you’ve been thinking about starting a blog, this would be a great time to get started!
Other posts on Blogging that you may have missed:
This post will be shared at these lovely link ups.
Thanks for the tip about when to open a new tab and why. I also select Yes, just because I personally hate to click on a link in an article and be redirected away from what I am currently reading. But since I am not the person reading my blog (gosh, I hope I am not the only person reading my blog!), I am going to implement your tip. Hopefully, it will make the experience better for my readers.
That’s true Jill. As a reader I find that I read through the whole article first, then go back and click on other links I was interested in reading. Hopefully it’s not too annoying for readers!
Thanks, Angela. I also click new tab too! I’ll have to see what a difference it makes.
I think I have seen a difference in my pageview numbers Melinda. Let me know if you see a difference
I definitely wish I’d known the linking within tip when I first got started! I only learned it in the last few months. Hopefully you’ll save someone else!
I know Abby – I wish I had known this tip sooner too! There are so many things to know and learn!
Kelli and Crystal’s class taught me the same thing and I totally gasped when I saw it. I’ve been clicking “open in a new tab” for ALL my posts. Now I’ve got sooo many posts to fix! Great that you shared the tip here and saved other bloggers some of my same heartache.
Thanks for sharing with Small Victories Sunday Linkup. Pinning to our linkup board and hope you found some great posts to visit this week!
Kelli and Crystal have so much valuable info to share. That free series they did with SITS girls was a great way to get started.
I had no idea about the whole linking in – linking out thing! Just like you, I’ve just been clicking “linking out” for everything – going back to change that now, though!
Great Saar! Let me know if you think you see a difference!
Thanks for the blogging information – very helpful! Blessings, Janet
Your welcome Janet!
I don’t think I’ve checked that box for going to any of my stuff.
I’d seen the “open in new tab” box before, but never checked it. Now I know what it’s for.
You’re right, I don’t want to make it super easy for my readers to LEAVE me. Thank you for sharing!
Your welcome Lorelai!
I wish I had known this early on too! I’m on blogger but it still comes in handy to know what it is all about.
Who knew? Oh, right, not me. But what else is new? 😉 Thanks for this tip…stopping by as your neighbor at Women With Intention!
I love simple little tips like this. Thanks! This newbie will definitely benefit.
Glad it will help you Meg!
Great tip! So simple, yet so important for page views! Thanks 🙂
Ayelet from #strengthinwords
I hope it helps!
Thanks for sharing this is great info. I have to say I never noticed the open in new tab box.
I had no idea. I thought it was better to open in a new page so that the reader didn’t loose where they were on the current page. I’ll have to research this a bit more before I go and do a massive change! Thanks for sharing.
I came across this again today. Such good tips! I had no idea about linking without and within and I’ve been doing the exact same thing you were! I need to go back and change them now. I’m so glad I learned this sooner rather than later. Pinning and tweeting this post.
Thank Lindsey. I have to say that I have noticed an increase in page views since I’ve made the change.
Great Info, thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome Angela
Great tip. Did not know this!
Thanks for sharing at Let’s Get Real Friday Link Party. Thanks for this tip. I have always checked open in a new link. Will be stopping that for my internal links.