In recent years, blogging has emerged as a significant source of income for numerous individuals worldwide. It has demonstrated that dedicating oneself to a hobby can generate substantial monthly earnings when approached correctly.

Blogging has become one of the most reliable methods to make money online, attracting those who aspire to follow in the footsteps of successful bloggers. Additionally, it offers the opportunity to connect with people globally and share personal thoughts and ideas. If you are intrigued by the prospect of starting a WordPress blog and entering the world of blogging, this comprehensive guide will provide you with everything you need to know to get started and embark on your blogging journey.

Whatever the case may be – starting a WordPress blog is a great idea!

In this article, I will guide you through the step-by-step process of starting a blog, ensuring that you can follow along regardless of your experience level. I understand that initiating a WordPress blog can be challenging, particularly if you’re not technically inclined. However, rest assured that you are not alone in this journey.

Having assisted numerous beginners like yourself, I have developed a simplified guide that enables you to set up a professional WordPress blog in 30 minutes or less. This guide is designed to be easy to follow, even if you have no prior knowledge of WordPress.

So, if you’re ready to learn how to start a blog, let’s begin this exciting journey together!

4 Frequent Questions People Ask About Starting A Blog

As you gear up to build your WordPress blog, it’s natural to have a few questions swirling in your mind. Rest assured, this is completely normal!

In fact, many beginners in the blogging world have common questions that arise. That’s why I’m here to provide you with upfront answers, ensuring that you know exactly what to expect from this process. By addressing these questions early on, you’ll feel more confident and well-prepared as you embark on your blogging journey. So, let’s dive in and address those initial queries you may have!

1. How long does it take to start a blog?

Determining a blog topic can be a creative process that varies in duration for each individual. However, once you have clarity on the subject you want to write about, the technical process of starting a blog can be accomplished in just 20-30 minutes. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover that it’s easier than you might initially think. With the right guidance and resources, setting up your blog becomes a straightforward and efficient task.

2. Is it expensive to start a blog?

No, starting a blog using the method I recommend is not entirely free. However, you can begin your blogging journey for approximately $80, covering the expenses for the entire first year. This cost averages to less than $7 per month, making it an affordable investment to establish and maintain your blog.

3. Can’t I just use one of those free platforms to start a blog?

While free platforms can be suitable for hobby blogs, it’s important to recognize their limitations. With free platforms, you have minimal to no control over your blog, and there is a risk of losing your content if the platform shuts down. In contrast, the method I am about to introduce provides you with maximum control over your blog, safeguards your content, and is highly advantageous if you have aspirations of monetizing your blog. By following this method, you’ll have the freedom to customize your blog to your liking and maximize its potential for generating income.

4. Do I need to be one of those tech geniuses from TV to start a blog?

Absolutely! You don’t need any special knowledge or expertise to start your own blog. As long as you feel comfortable using a computer and browsing the internet, you have everything you need to get started. The process is designed to be user-friendly and accessible to beginners. So, don’t worry if you’re not a tech whiz – anyone can start their own blog with ease.

Easy Steps On How To Start A Blog

STEP 1- Pick What You Would like To Blog Around:

When contemplating starting a blog, one of the most crucial aspects to consider is choosing your niche. Instead of following the crowd and getting lost in the sea of similar blogs, it is essential to focus on a niche topic that you are genuinely passionate and knowledgeable about.

Starting a blog in a niche where you have expertise allows you to offer valuable and unique insights. Rather than following the herd, opt for a category that has a substantial market but is relatively untapped. By doing so, you position yourself as a standout voice in that specific area, attracting an audience seeking fresh perspectives and information. This approach increases your chances of success and sets you apart from the competition.

STEP 2- Pick A Blogging Platform:

When it comes to starting a blog, you have the option to choose between a free blogging system or a self-hosted WordPress platform.

While the appeal of something being free can capture everyone’s attention, it’s important to be aware of the drawbacks that often come with it. Using a free platform may initially seem enticing, but it can lead to significant limitations and challenges in the long run, as I mentioned earlier.

When considering starting a blog, it is best to avoid using free platforms altogether. Opting for a self-hosted WordPress blog is a more recommended choice. There are numerous reputable web hosting companies available, and I can suggest the best and most affordable option that I currently use to host all my websites. This ensures that you have more control, flexibility, and reliability for your blog.

STEP 3- Select A Site Name For Your Blog And Get Hosting

Web hosting is the place where your website resides on the internet. It can be thought of as your website’s home in the digital realm. Every website, regardless of its purpose or size, requires web hosting to be accessible to visitors. Web hosting ensures that your website is stored on servers connected to the internet, allowing users to access it at any time. Just as a physical house provides a space for you to live in, web hosting provides the necessary infrastructure for your website to exist and be available to online users.

STEP 4- Get A Domain Name For Your Website:

When starting a WordPress blog, the first step is to choose the domain name you will use. Selecting the perfect domain name is crucial for several reasons. It affects how easily people can remember your website, how simple it is to type the name, and how relevant it is to the content you plan to blog about.

When deciding on a domain name, consider choosing something memorable, easy to type, and relevant to your blog’s topic or niche. A well-chosen domain name can enhance your brand identity and make it easier for visitors to find and remember your blog. Take the time to brainstorm and select a domain name that aligns with your blog’s purpose and resonates with your target audience.

STEP 5- Install WordPress On Your Website:

Once you have obtained your self-hosted WordPress hosting and domain name, the next step is to log in to your server account to set up WordPress with just a single click. In this process, I will guide you through each step accompanied by pictures and illustrations to ensure clarity and ease of understanding. So, let’s dive right in and get started with the installation process of WordPress on your server account.

Your 5-minute guide for how to start a blog today

In this comprehensive guide, you will delve into the details of each topic mentioned. However, before we dive into the specifics, let’s take a high-level overview of the technical steps required to launch a blog.

In addition to the creative process of deciding what to blog about, here are the essential steps you’ll need to follow to get your blog online in approximately 20-30 minutes:

1. Choose a blogging platform.
2. Select a domain name for your blog.
3. Acquire web hosting for your blog.
4. Install and set up WordPress on your hosting account.
5. Customize the appearance of your blog with a theme.
6. Install essential plugins to enhance functionality.
7. Create essential pages, such as the About and Contact pages.
8. Craft your first blog post and publish it.

By following these steps, you can have your blog up and running within a relatively short timeframe. The subsequent sections of this guide will provide you with detailed instructions and insights to accomplish each step successfully.

Step 1: Choose a topic – is your WordPress blog for fun or money?

If you’re blogging purely for enjoyment, you can skip this section as choosing a topic becomes quite simple: it’s whatever interests you!

However, if your goal is to monetize your blog, things can become a bit more complex. What you enjoy writing about the most may not necessarily be the topic that brings in revenue.

Since changing your blog’s topic can be challenging down the line, it’s essential to invest effort in determining whether there is an audience and potential monetization options for your chosen topic before building your blog. Consider answering the following three questions:

1. Is there a demand or audience for the topic you want to blog about?
2. Are there viable monetization options available for that particular topic?
3. Can you see yourself consistently creating content and engaging with the audience in that niche?

By answering these questions honestly and thoroughly, you can gain valuable insights and make an informed decision about your blog’s topic, ensuring that it aligns with your goals for monetization.

1. Do I enjoy writing about this topic?

There’s no denying the fact that building a successful blog requires time and effort. The technical aspect of launching a blog is relatively straightforward, but transforming it into a platform that attracts regular visitors takes time and dedication.

For this reason, it’s crucial to choose a topic that you can envision yourself writing about for the long term. While you may have a passing interest in a particular topic today, consider whether you will still be enthusiastic about writing posts on that topic in the coming months, even if your blog isn’t experiencing a surge in traffic.

Passion plays a significant role in consistently publishing new and engaging content. If you lack passion for the chosen topic, you will face an uphill battle in maintaining a consistent posting schedule. Therefore, it’s essential to select a subject that genuinely excites and motivates you, ensuring that you can sustain your commitment to your blog over the long haul.

2. Are other people interested in this topic, too?

Once you have identified a topic that you are confident will ignite your passion for the foreseeable future, the next question to consider is:

“Are there other people who share the same level of passion for this topic?”

The answer to this question is crucial, as building an audience for your blog becomes easier if you know there is existing interest in your chosen topic.

Fortunately, you don’t need to possess mind-reading abilities to determine this. There are useful and free internet sleuthing tools available to help you assess the level of audience interest. These tools can provide insights into various aspects, such as search volume, social media discussions, and online communities related to your topic.

By utilizing these tools, you can gather valuable information to gauge the potential audience size and engagement for your chosen topic. This research will guide you in making an informed decision and enable you to tailor your content to resonate with the target audience from the very beginning of your blogging journey.

KWFinder – One helpful free tool for assessing audience interest is a keyword research tool. This tool allows you to enter a keyword related to your topic and provides insights into its popularity. A keyword can be any phrase that people search for in Google. If there is a significant number of searches for your topic, it indicates a good-sized audience.

To use the tool, think of words or phrases that best describe your topic, enter them in the provided box, and click “Find keywords.” The tool will generate a list of results, along with the corresponding number of monthly searches for each term. Ideally, you would like to see numbers with thousands of monthly searches. For instance, in the example given, the topic of this post (which is a popular topic) receives over 110,000 searches per month.

By using this tool, you can gain insights into the search volume and popularity of your topic. It helps you gauge the level of interest among potential readers and ensures that there is a substantial audience to engage with your content.

Since your blog may cover multiple potential keywords and topics, it is a wise idea to repeat the keyword research process for each of them. By doing so, you can assess the level of interest and search volume for various topics that your blog might cover.

This helps you understand the potential audience size and popularity of each topic, allowing you to make informed decisions about the content you create and the direction you take with your blog. Conducting keyword research for different topics ensures that you are targeting topics that resonate with your audience and have the potential to attract significant traffic to your blog.

Facebook Groups – Facebook can be a valuable platform to gauge the interest in your chosen topic. One effective method is to search for relevant Facebook Groups that cover a similar topic and assess the number of active members they have.

If you come across Facebook Groups with thousands of members, it’s a positive indicator that your topic has an engaged and interested audience. Large group membership suggests that there is a community of individuals passionate about the subject matter, creating opportunities for engagement and potential readership for your blog.

By exploring Facebook Groups related to your topic, you can gain insights into the level of activity, discussions, and overall engagement. This information further validates the potential interest in your chosen topic, helping you make informed decisions about the direction of your blog and the audience you can target.

Google Trends – There is a user-friendly tool available that allows you to quickly determine whether interest in your chosen topic is increasing or decreasing over time. This tool simplifies the process and provides valuable insights for your decision-making.

By utilizing this tool, you can track the trends and changes in interest for your topic. Ideally, you would want to see an upward trend indicating increasing interest, as this suggests a growing audience and potential opportunities for your blog.

Monitoring the interest level in your chosen topic helps you stay updated on the market dynamics, identify emerging trends, and align your content strategy accordingly. It enables you to adapt and cater to the evolving interests and preferences of your audience, enhancing the long-term success of your blog.

3. Can I make money from this topic?

When it comes to monetizing a blog, certain topics are more conducive to generating revenue than others, although it is possible to monetize most topics with creativity and strategy.

For instance, if you had a popular blog focusing on strategies for using credit cards effectively, you would likely attract attention from credit card companies interested in advertising and collaborating with you.

If your goal is to make money from your blog, it’s important to consider questions such as:

1. Are there companies that would be interested in paying for exposure to your audience?
2. Do other blogs covering the same topic seem to find monetization opportunities?
3. Could you create your own product in the future, like an eBook, that would appeal to your audience and generate sales?

By exploring potential advertising partnerships, affiliate programs, sponsored content opportunities, and the development of your own products, you can unlock various monetization avenues. Additionally, researching successful blogs within your niche can provide valuable insights into potential revenue streams and help you identify effective strategies for monetizing your own blog.

Step 2: Pick a blogging platform – I recommend WordPress

If you’re considering starting a blog, there’s one blogging platform that I highly recommend: self-hosted WordPress.

WordPress not only powers the blog you’re currently reading but also serves as the backbone for an astounding 33% of all websites on the internet. That’s right! More than one-fourth of every website you encounter is powered by WordPress.

Whether or not you’re familiar with WordPress, it’s highly likely that you’ve visited a website that runs on this platform at some point in your online journey. Its widespread usage is a testament to its reliability, flexibility, and extensive features that cater to the needs of bloggers and website owners alike. Choosing self-hosted WordPress provides you with a robust and trusted platform to build and grow your blog with confidence.

Why is WordPress the best platform to start a blog?

If you’re not convinced by WordPress’s impressive market share, here are some tangible reasons why it is the best platform to start your blog:

1. User-friendly: WordPress is designed to be user-friendly, allowing even non-technical individuals to easily publish blog posts and manage their content.

2. Strong Community: With its widespread popularity, WordPress boasts a vast and supportive community. If you encounter any issues or have questions, you can easily find assistance and guidance from fellow WordPress users and experts.

3. Flexible Customization: WordPress offers a wide range of themes and plugins that make it incredibly easy to change the appearance and functionality of your blog. You can personalize your blog’s look and features without requiring any special technical knowledge.

4. Constant Development: WordPress is continuously evolving, with regular updates and improvements to enhance its performance, security, and functionality. You can benefit from the advancements and stay up-to-date with the latest features and trends in the blogging world.

By choosing WordPress as your blogging platform, you gain access to a user-friendly interface, a supportive community, and the flexibility to customize your blog to your heart’s content.

You shouldn’t use WordPress.com, though

The distinction between the two versions of WordPress can be confusing, but it’s important to understand the differences:

1. WordPress.org: This is the version I recommend. It is a non-profit, open-source software developed by a large community. With WordPress.org, you have the freedom to create a self-hosted WordPress blog. You install the free WordPress software on your own web host, giving you complete control over your website. While it requires a bit more setup, the benefits are well worth it.

Advantages of WordPress.org:
– Full control: You have complete ownership and control over your blog.
– Customization: You can easily customize your website with a wide range of plugins and themes.
– Monetization options: You can monetize your blog however you wish, without restrictions.

2. WordPress.com: This is a for-profit service built on the open-source WordPress.org software. While WordPress.com offers a basic blog creation option for free, there are limitations to consider:

Disadvantages of WordPress.com:
– Limited control: You don’t have full control of your website, meaning you don’t entirely own your blog.
– Restricted customization: Access to plugins and themes is limited unless you pay for an expensive business plan.
– Monetization restrictions: WordPress.com imposes restrictions on how you can monetize your site.

In summary, if you are serious about your blog and want full ownership, control, customization capabilities, and monetization flexibility, choosing self-hosted WordPress with WordPress.org is the better option compared to using WordPress.com, even with the offer of a “free” (but limited) blog.

Step 3: Register a domain name

Now that we have covered the topic selection and blogging platform, let’s delve into the technical details of creating a blog, starting with one of the most crucial elements:

Your domain name.

A domain name serves two fundamental purposes:

1. Permanent Address: Your domain name acts as your blog’s permanent address on the internet. Once everything is set up, anyone can simply type your domain name into their browser’s address bar and access your site from anywhere in the world. It’s like the physical address of your blog in the digital world.

2. Brand Identity: Your domain name represents your blog’s brand. In most cases, your domain name will be the same as your blog’s name, making it a critical branding decision. Choosing a domain name that aligns with your blog’s purpose, niche, and overall brand image is important for establishing a strong online presence and creating a memorable identity for your blog.

Consider your domain name as the foundation of your blog’s online presence, serving as both its address and brand identity. Take the time to select a domain name that reflects your blog’s essence and resonates with your target audience.

What makes for a good domain name?

When choosing a domain name for your blog, there is a certain degree of personal choice and branding involved. While some popular websites like Google and Facebook have unique names that don’t follow a specific formula, it’s still helpful to consider some guidelines:

1. Relevance: Opt for a name that has a connection to your blog’s topic. This helps visitors quickly understand what your website is about and creates a sense of relevance.

2. Brandability: Select a name that is easy to brand. A memorable and distinctive name makes it easier for people to remember and associate with your blog.

3. Avoid Hyphens and Numbers: It is advisable to avoid using hyphens or numbers in your domain name. These can make it harder for people to remember and type correctly.

4. Prefer .com: If possible, choose a domain name with a .com extension. Although other domain extensions are gaining popularity, .com is still widely recognized and considered the standard. However, if you find a compelling domain name using a different extension, it’s acceptable to deviate from this guideline.

While these guidelines can be helpful, remember that successful websites exist outside of these rules. Ultimately, the choice of your domain name should align with your brand, reflect your blog’s purpose, and resonate with your target audience.

How to find domain names that are available

Here’s the tricky part about domain names:

Each domain name can only be owned by one person at a time, ensuring order and clarity on the Internet. For instance, if anyone could own a popular domain name like Facebook.com, it would lead to chaos.

To purchase a domain name, you must find one that is currently “available,” meaning it is not owned by anyone else. While finding an available domain name can be challenging, there are several tools available to simplify the process.

One such tool is Instant Domain Search, which allows you to quickly check the availability of a domain name. By entering your desired domain name into the tool, it will inform you whether the name is available or already taken.

Using tools like Instant Domain Search can help streamline your search for an available domain name and assist you in finding the right one for your blog. Remember to explore different options and variations to increase your chances of finding a suitable domain name that aligns with your blog’s purpose and branding.

If you’re facing difficulty finding available domain names, another helpful resource to explore is a blog name generator. These tools generate a list of relevant domain names that are guaranteed to be available for registration. By simply entering a word or keyword related to your blog’s topic, these generators will provide you with a variety of options to choose from.

Blog name generators take the guesswork out of finding an available domain name and offer creative suggestions based on your input. They can help inspire new ideas and provide alternative options that align with your blog’s niche.

Utilizing a blog name generator can save you time and effort in the search for an available domain name, allowing you to focus on finding the perfect name for your blog. Explore different generators and experiment with various keywords to discover unique and memorable domain names for your online presence.

• Lean Domain Search
• Name Station

How to purchase your chosen domain name

Once you have identified an available domain name that you like, it’s time to purchase it. While some web hosts offer domain registration services, I recommend using a separate service like Namecheap for a couple of reasons:

1. Enhanced Security: Registering your domain name separately from your web host adds an extra layer of security. By keeping your domain and web hosting separate, you mitigate the risk of a single point of failure. If someone gains unauthorized access to your domain, they won’t have control over your entire website.

2. Affordability: Namecheap is a reliable and affordable domain registrar. They offer domain registrations at approximately $10 per year for a .com domain, whereas some web hosts may raise the price, even if they initially provide a “free” year.

3. Convenience: Registering your domain with Namecheap provides you with convenient control over your domain name. If you ever need to make changes or manage your domain settings in the future, you can easily access and modify them through the Namecheap platform.

By opting for a separate domain registration service like Namecheap, you ensure better security, affordability, and control over your domain name. This approach also facilitates smoother transitions if you decide to change web hosts or make any modifications to your website in the future.

Here’s how to buy your domain name:

• Click Here To Go to Namecheap.
• Enter your chosen domain name in the search box.

• Click the button to add it to your cart.

• Click Checkout to access your cart.
• Click the Auto-Renew to ensure your domain + privacy renews automatically each year.
• Click Confirm Order and complete the checkout process.

Once you pay, you now officially own your own domain name! Now, all you need to do is hook it up to some web hosting.

Step 4: Purchase web hosting at Hostinger

Web hosting plays a crucial role in powering your website. While a domain name serves as the permanent address to your website, web hosting is responsible for making your website accessible on the internet. It can be compared to the engine of a car – without it, your website won’t function.

Web hosting provides the necessary infrastructure and resources to store and serve your website’s files, ensuring that when visitors access your domain name, they are greeted with your actual website. It serves as the house of your website on the internet, providing the necessary storage, computing power, and network connectivity for your website to function properly.

Just as every car needs an engine to move, every website requires web hosting to operate. It’s an essential component that allows your website to be accessible to visitors worldwide. Choosing a reliable and suitable web hosting provider is crucial to ensure the performance, security, and stability of your website.

Why Hostinger is the best host for new bloggers

Fortunately, finding reliable web hosting doesn’t have to be expensive. Hostinger is a recommended service that offers an excellent web hosting service at an affordable price, starting at just $2.99 per month.

There are several reasons why Hostinger is a great choice for new bloggers:

1. Affordability: Hostinger provides budget-friendly hosting plans, making it accessible for those starting out on a tight budget.

2. Excellent Support: Hostinger offers reliable customer support, ensuring that you have assistance whenever you need it. Their support team is knowledgeable and ready to help with any queries or technical issues you may encounter.

3. Solid Performance: Hostinger’s hosting infrastructure is designed to deliver reliable performance, ensuring that your blog is always available to visitors and loads quickly. This is important for providing a positive user experience and improving your blog’s search engine rankings.

4. WordPress Pre-installed: Hostinger simplifies the setup process by providing pre-installed WordPress on your hosting account. This saves you time and effort in getting your WordPress blog up and running.

By choosing Hostinger as your web hosting provider, you can enjoy affordability, reliable support, solid performance, and the convenience of having WordPress pre-installed. These factors contribute to a smooth blogging experience and help you establish a strong online presence.

STEP 1- How to purchase hosting at Hostinger

Click here to go to Hostinger’s official website.

A WordPress theme is responsible for determining the look and, to some extent, the functionality of your blog. It serves as the clothing for your website. Similar to how you wouldn’t go out in public without clothes, your WordPress blog needs a theme to function properly.

By default, your blog will have a pre-installed theme, but most bloggers prefer to choose their own theme to personalize their website. The good news is that there is a wide variety of free and premium themes available for WordPress due to its popularity.

Here are some of the best places to find WordPress themes:

1. WordPress.org: The official WordPress theme directory offers thousands of free themes that you can easily browse and install for your blog.

2. ThemeForest: This platform provides a great selection of premium themes. Over the years, I’ve personally used several of their themes and found them to be of high quality.

While some may suggest that premium themes are always superior to free themes, it’s not necessarily the case. Premium themes often offer better designs and additional features, but it’s not a universal rule. If you have a limited budget, feel free to start with one of the free themes available on WordPress.org.

The visual appearance of your WordPress blog will be determined by the theme you choose. When you first visit your blog, it will have a default appearance. However, by selecting and customizing a theme, you can transform your blog into a unique and visually appealing website that represents your brand and style.

When you first visit your blog, it will look something like this: