The benefits of creating websites and blogs

Have you ever thought about creating a website? It is a worthwhile hobby and in my experience it has brought about so many benefits, far more than the obvious like learning how to use Wix or WordPress sites.

I have always loved technology and if only I had been perhaps born a generation or two later, who knows, maybe I would have gone down a website developer route to learn the skill of coding and creating websites.

Over the years, I have created about 6 websites. Three are currently online which I create initially by template before customising. Using site builders are quite easy and once you have the layout set, it is all about the content. The first site that I ran many years ago in the 90’s was music related. I arranged my own hosting and then the software I used would allow me to slowly upload updates via a modem using FTP.

The Magic Seats website that I run will be four years old this year in May and sparked an interest in writing that I did not foresee. While the purpose of many of my sites was initially for reference, once I added blog pages I discovered many additional benefits when blogging that enhanced my hobbies and interests.

Writing

I discovered a true interest in writing. Building a website is one thing but without the desire to write, you would of course have no regular and interesting content. How many websites do you discover with blogs not updated or hardly any posts? Once my websites featured blogs, that is when I began to discover a passion for writing. I enjoy it so much and find it relaxing to put words on pages and post. Sometimes I will have a flurry of activity and ideas that I wish to write about, other times I may be faced with a dry spell.

It goes without saying that regular writing also helps improves your written language skills. In my case, I have even started writing a memoir as I love putting words on pages. A book that will eventually recount my experience of a part of my life and it is helping me reflect and remember things that I had otherwise forgotten. This is so much harder though than I expected and once finished, it may be up there as one of my greatest achievements.

A blog can be quite niche like my MagicSeats.co.uk blog or more general to cater for any subject matter like this blog. Categorising blog posts also helps manage your website organisation.

Grow knowledge in subjects of interest

A website/blog is a great way to increase your knowledge about a subject of interest. When blogging about magic, I now know far more about the field than I did I did four years ago. As I have used the site and blog to review magic books, effects and shows, it goes without saying that you knowledge increases as you learn.

Raises profile

As you begin to attract an audience with your website and blog, it can help raise your profile and allow you to meet new people/create friendships with those of a similar mindset. My magic website has in particular opened doors and created many friendships. The website has helped demonstrate that I have an interest in the subject of Magic and that has helped get me into magic clubs as a member and even lecture on associated subjects.

I have also been able to speak and work with talented artists that I otherwise would not of had the opportunity to do so, for instance interview many famous people (magicians) and remain in touch with some. I have also designed promotion posters for magicians and helped with the creation of a magic show.

Managing websites for others and blogs

For a year, I had the opportunity to be the web master/manager for a magic club. This opened up blogging opportunities and the chance to get creative and regularly put together promotional art to promote the club. This was enjoyable and was a skill that allowed me to support the club in a unique way. I would likely still be doing this but the club disbanded.

Collecting magic

In my case with magic, running the website opened up an interest in me to start collecting magic, getting signed autographs, books, posters and other collectable magic items. I then use a collectable section within the website to record and categorise all my items which can be viewed by anyone who is interested.

Reading

When interested in subject matter, you of course want to read. With many books on magic, I will occasionally read to write a review. However, it also ignited a new passion to start reading more auto-biographies. I have read so much more in recent years as it helps with your own writing and content.

Learning Wix and WordPress skills

Last and not least, of course your website/blogging design skills improve. For the last four years I have used Wix and will continue to do so for one of my websites. As everyone always praises WordPress and how good it is to blog, I decided to start using WordPress as well for this blog. So while I have a lot to learn about WordPress, it is a good opportunity to keep on learning.

I hope that you have found this post of interest. No doubt other benefits have been created as a result of creating my websites and blogs. Feel free to comment below if you have any that you can also share as a result of running a blog. For some in may be creating business opportunities and sales and no doubt many other purposes.