So you want to know how to start a news website?
Well, it’s going to take some time to get established, but with the right plan, content, and team, you’ll be able to create one within a few weeks. We’ve decided to help you out by giving you 4 tips on how to get started!
Create a Business Plan
First, you need to have a plan when making your news website. Launching a news website is like launching any other form of business. Everything needs a plan in order for it to be successful.
Write down a mission for your news website – for example, “to educate members about global politics.” Write down ideas for the topics you want to cover. After fleshing out the editorial side of your website, you’ll be able to find out how to obtain revenue.
Use the business plan to outline revenue strategies; this includes things like charging for subscriptions, creating sponsored content, or selling advertising. Finding out how much online revenue you’ll make will help you determine if you need to hire editors or writers. Making a budget is a great way to determine how to allocate your resources.
Platform
You need a platform that will help you bring your content to your audience. For instance, most publishers useWordPress.com. Among independent news publishers, WordPress is popular because it’s easy to use and inexpensive. However, the details your plan will determine what publishing platform is the right one for you.
When looking for a publishing platform, choose those that offer scalability and flexibility. The last thing you’ll want is to switch platforms once your publication goes off. The best news publishing platforms have high security, responsive sites, customizable designs, and they are SEO friendly.
Use Plugins!
Plugins will help you expand your website’s functionality. Adding plugins to your website is a great way to add features without having to pay a developer to create it for you.
For instance, a publisher might use a Events Calendar plugin to add a new calendar to their website, or they can use WooCommerce (a free plugin by WordPress) to sell digital and physical goods. In fact, you could use Google Analytics to help see who is viewing your content.
Write Valuable Content
Once you have your business plan and website in place, its time to add life to it. Start by creating editorial pieces that match the site’s vision. Take photographs, write articles, and put together information in videos or infographics that will get readers engaged with your publication.
Within the first few weeks, determine if you can create the content on your own, or hire a group of writers to work with you. Professional writers will write with SEO in mind and create content that keeps their readers engaged and improves traffic to the page.
Conclusion
After you create your website, hire some advertisers to help you increase your revenue. By doing so, you’ll find it easier to get paid for each viewer that clicks onto your site. Remember, making a good news website will require work, but you’ll be rewarded for your efforts.
Last Updated on February 3, 2021.
