How to Manage Your Blog

Step 1: Access Your Blog Admin

Your blog is managed through your site editor (Decap CMS), a user-friendly content management system. To access it:

• Go to your website in your browser
• Add /admin to the end of your URL
• For example: if your site is yourbusiness.com, go to yourbusiness.com/admin
• Bookmark this page for easy access in the future

Step 2: Log In

When you first visit the admin page, you'll see a login screen. Click "Login with Netlify Identity". If this is your first time, you should have received an invitation email from Netlify - check your inbox and click the link to set up your password.

Forgot your password? Click the "Forgot password?" link on the login screen to reset it.

Step 3: Create a New Blog Post

Once logged in, you'll see your dashboard. Click "New Blog" or "Collections" > "Blog" > "New Blog".

Fill in the following fields:

• Title: Your blog post headline (keep it clear and engaging)
• Description: A brief summary that appears in search results (150-160 characters)
• Author: Your name or business name
• Date: Publication date (defaults to today)
• Tags: Keywords related to your post (helps with organization)
• Featured Image: Upload a relevant image (recommended size: 1200x630px)
• Body: Your main blog content

Step 4: Write Your Content

The blog editor uses Markdown, but don't worry - there's a "Rich Text" mode that works like Microsoft Word. Click the formatting buttons to:

• Add bold or italic text
• Create headings and subheadings
• Add bulleted or numbered lists
• Insert links and images
• Add quotes or code blocks

Tip: Break up long paragraphs with subheadings, bullet points, and images to keep readers engaged.

Step 5: Publish Your Post

When you're ready, look for the status dropdown at the top. Change it from "Draft" to "Ready", then click "Publish". Your post will go live within 1-2 minutes.

Not ready yet? Save it as a draft and come back to it later. Your work is automatically saved.

Why Blogging Matters for SEO

Regular blogging is one of the most effective ways to improve your search engine rankings. Each blog post is a new opportunity for your business to show up in Google search results. When you write about topics your customers are searching for, you increase the chances they'll find your business online.

Blogging Best Practices

• Post regularly: Aim for 1-2 posts per month to keep content fresh and maintain search visibility
• Use keywords naturally: Include terms your customers search for (e.g., "plumber in Saginaw" or "best coffee shops near me")
• Write 300+ words: Longer, detailed posts tend to rank better in search results
• Add images: Visual content increases engagement and time spent on your page
• Include links: Link to other pages on your site and relevant external resources
• Use clear headings: Break up content with H2 and H3 headings for better readability
• Proofread: Check spelling and grammar before publishing—quality matters

Let Me Write Your Content

Short on time? The Enhanced plan includes 2 content credits a month: a blog post, FAQ entry, seasonal section, or guide addition. I suggest topics from your search data, write it, and publish it for you.

Need Help?

Questions about your blog, a technical problem, or not sure what to write about? Email me and I'll help.