A little while ago, I worked on a project for a client who was using a mix of free and paid tools to manage their blog. After a 90-day check-in, they came to me with a new request: they wanted an archive page that would automatically update with the latest blog posts, displaying titles and images in a grid format. The goal was to have this page update on its own, without the need for manual updates every time a new post was added.
At first, we considered using a fully integrated blogging platform like WordPress or Wix, which offers a lot of out-of-the-box features. But instead of going that route, I decided to spend 4 hours creating a custom solution using custom HTML, the Blogger API, and Google Console. This decision allowed me to work with the existing mix of paid tools that the client had already adopted, like Make, ChatGPT, Google Docs, and MidJourney, creating a unique, automated system.
Why Not a Fully Integrated Platform?
Fully integrated platforms like WordPress or Wix can seem like the easiest option because they offer a range of features that handle everything from design to SEO. However, they often come with a lot of features that aren’t necessary for every business. This means you're paying for tools or capabilities that you’ll never use.
Rather than paying for all these features and possibly getting stuck with something that doesn't fit my client's exact needs, I opted for a more customized approach. Using free tools like Blogger alongside paid tools such as Make, ChatGPT, and MidJourney allowed us to create a system that fit perfectly into the client’s workflow—no more, no less.
Building the Custom Solution: Custom HTML, Blogger API, and Google Console
To create the desired archive page, I relied on a combination of the following:
- Custom HTML: I wrote the HTML code for a grid layout that would automatically display blog post titles and images.
- Blogger API: Using the Blogger API, I pulled in the necessary data from the client’s blog (titles and images) and displayed it on the archive page. This ensured that every time a new post was published, the archive page would automatically update.
- Google Console: Google Console helped me monitor the blog's performance and ensure that the archive page was properly indexed by search engines.
Paid Tools That Added Value (Original Project)
Before the 90-day check-in, my client was already using several paid tools to automate parts of their blogging process. These tools helped reduce manual work and saved time. Here’s how they were used:
- ChatGPT: The client used ChatGPT to generate SEO-friendly content schedules and topic outlines. It helped create a solid plan for blog posts, ensuring they were optimized for both search engines and the audience. For more details on how ChatGPT can assist with business writing, check out my previous blog, What is ChatGPT? A Beginner’s Guide for Business Owners and Entrepreneurs.
- Make: Make was used to automate tasks and move the ChatGPT-generated outlines into Google Docs for editing. It also helped move MidJourney-generated images from Google Drive into the Google Docs, making it easy for the client to finish the blog posts.
- MidJourney: MidJourney, an AI image-generation tool, helped create unique, custom images for the blog posts. Unlike free stock photos that everyone uses, these images were tailored to the content, making the blog stand out. If you're interested in learning more about MidJourney and how it can help you create unique visuals, take a look at my blog How to Use AI Tools Like MidJourney to Create Unique Images for Your Business.
- Google Docs: The client used Google Docs to edit and refine their blog posts. Once everything was ready, Make automatically posted it to Blogger. This whole process was automated, so it required very little manual input.
The Value of a Custom Solution
While a fully integrated platform could have offered a lot of features, it also would have required more investment in tools and features that the client didn’t need. By building a custom solution with Blogger, custom HTML, and the Blogger API, we created something that was flexible, cost-effective, and tailored exactly to the client's needs.
The beauty of the solution was that we didn’t have to pay for unnecessary features that came with a traditional blogging platform. The mix of free and paid tools we used allowed us to focus on the automation and customization that the client really wanted.
Instead of paying for everything up front in a platform, we created something that worked for the client, saving time and money over the long run.
Conclusion: Why This Custom Solution Worked
Looking back, I’m glad we went with this custom solution. Instead of choosing a platform with more features than the client needed, we opted for a simple, cost-effective approach. By combining free tools like Blogger with paid tools like Make, ChatGPT, and MidJourney, we built an automated system that fit the client’s workflow, saved them money, and ultimately worked better for their needs.
It’s a great reminder that sometimes, the best solution isn’t always the most obvious one. A custom solution tailored to your needs can save both time and money in the long run—especially when paired with the right tools.
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