Deciding to create a personal website and stepping into the world of web development can be both exciting and intimidating for a newbie like me.
As an individual interested in 💰 finance, ⚖️ law, and 🔒 data protection, I wanted to establish an online presence that showcases my expertise while allowing me to share my thoughts and experiences.
The process of setting up a personal website has been filled with learning experiences and challenges, which I would like to share with you in this first blog post. Let’s walk through my ongoing journey, address the potential fear of criticism, and embrace the challenges along the way.
1. Overcoming the Fear of Criticism 😨
Before diving into the technical aspects of setting up a website, I had to overcome the fear of judgment and criticism. Naturally, these things will definitely come in the near future —probably as soon as I start sharing my website—, but I just had to make up my mind that I had to start somewhere. I decided to embrace the possibility of making mistakes and actually view them as opportunities for growth. This will be an evolving project, and as I gain more knowledge and experience, I know I’ll be able to refine and improve it over time.
2. Choosing a Platform 🤔
With a multitude of website builders and content management systems (CMS) available, selecting the right platform can be overwhelming. I opted for WordPress.com, given its user-friendly interface, an array of customisable templates, and a strong support community, making it a suitable choice for a beginner like me. Additionally, it was one of the cheaper options in the market.
3. Selecting a Theme 🎨
Once I had chosen my platform, the next challenge was finding a theme that represented my personal brand and served my goals. I spent hours sifting through its multiple free themes, searching for the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality. Eventually, I settled on a minimalist design that allowed my content to take centre stage while maintaining a professional appearance.
4. Learning to Customise 🛠️
As a work in progress, I’m still in the process of customising my website. The learning curve can be steep, and navigating the WordPress dashboard, customising widgets, and tweaking the theme’s appearance has been both exhilarating and frustrating. With time, patience, and the help of online tutorials, I’ll slowly become more comfortable with the customisation process, so I’m excited to see my website take shape!
5. Creating Engaging Content ✍️
As I work on setting up my website, I’m also focusing on brainstorming ideas for blog posts, refining my resume, and finding the best ways to showcase my expertise in finance, law, and data protection. I want to make an impact in the world, so creating engaging content is essential to captivating my audience, and I’m striving to find a unique voice and maintain consistency in my writing.
6. Preparing for SEO and Promotion 🔜
While I’m still in the process of setting up my website, I’m aware that I might need to optimise it for search engines (SEO) and promote it across various channels to increase its visibility. I am still deciding how I’ll do it, but this will likely involve conducting keyword research, optimising meta descriptions, and creating promotion strategy on social media platforms. Even though it will require a significant time investment, I believe it’ll be a fun journey!
Conclusion:
🌟 Embarking on the journey of setting up a personal website as a newbie is full of challenges, from overcoming the fear of criticism to learning the ins and outs of website customisation. By embracing these challenges and treating them as learning opportunities, I believe to be growing both personally and professionally. If you’re a newbie like me, don’t be deterred by the hurdles ahead — face them head-on, and you’ll be well on your way to creating a personal website that truly represents you and your passions 😃.
Javier Vergara 