How to Start a Blog for Beginner: The Complete 2025 Guide

Kelsey L
Updated: March 7th, 2025
25 min read
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How to Start a Blog for Beginner: The Complete 2025 Guide

Do you want to learn how to start a blog?

If you want to start a blog but feel overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Blogging is a great way to start sharing your ideas, building an audience, or even making money online. With so much information out there, it’s easy to get lost. That’s why we’ve put together this simple, step-by-step guide to help beginners start a blog in 2025—quickly and easily. No fluff, just the essentials you need to launch with confidence!

FirstSiteGuide is a free resource that is 100% supported by readers.

Disclosure: If you purchase products through links on our site (i.e. Bluehost services), we may earn a commission. It comes at no extra cost to you, but it supports us in creating more useful content.

More than twenty thousand people have started their blogs using this free guide.

This in-depth guide is 8400 words. I share everything new bloggers should know for starting a blog in 2024. You can take your time and read at your own pace!

Short on Time? → Click Here for a Quick Start with Bluehost

If you want to skip the intro and just learn how to build a WordPress blog with one-click install, use the link below:

Jump to Step #4: Start a blog by setting up WordPress software

P.S. If you have any questions about this guide or get stuck with the steps, I am more than happy to assist you. You can get in touch with me and ask for free advice.

Kind words from top bloggers and influencers:

“If you’re just starting a blog or want to level up your skills, make sure to check out @firstsiteguide.”

Mark Schaefer
Mark Schaefer

“Blogging guide for beginners via @firstsiteguide. Super helpful!”

Mari Smith
Mari Smith

“New to #blogging or looking for additional blogging resources? Check out @FirstSiteGuide.”

Neil Schaffer
Neil Schaffer

How to Start a Blog in 9 Exact Steps

Here is the table of contents. This guide covers a lot of useful information, but don’t get overwhelmed, go through each step and you will succeed in blogging.

Before you move into action, here are some valuable facts about why you should start a blog.

Think about why you are starting a blog

Do you want to communicate something, like a message or an idea? Do you want to build a community around a topic you enjoy? 

A blog can help you to accomplish many things, such as: inform, educate, promote and even sell. 

Here are some reasons why many people create a blog and enjoy blogging:

  • To use it as an outlet for creative expression.
  • To establish expertise and build an audience.
  • To network with others and grow a business.
  • To enhance writing and thinking skills.
  • To become self-employed or make more money.

Blogging has a lot of benefits, and for some people, it can be a great way to earn extra income online. 

A quick primer – Blogging for beginners

All in all, there are four important steps to understanding “how to make a blog” quickly. If you are familiar with these things, you can set up a blog in 15-20 minutes or even less:

  • Pick a blogging niche (topic) 
  • Select the best blog platform
  • Get a domain and web hosting
  • Install WordPress software 

Creating a blog is your first step in entering the blogging world. However, to be successful online you have to learn more. There are more than 100 free guides and resources on FirstSiteGuide to help you to succeed on the web!

Step #1: Pick A Niche For Your Blog

Choosing the right niche is the first big step when you create your first blog. A niche defines what you’ll write about and helps attract the right audience. To make blogging enjoyable and sustainable, start by listing topics that excite you—whether it’s a personal passion or a professional skill.

Think about hobbies you love, skills you want to share, or even things you’re eager to learn. For example, if you enjoy photography, coding, or cooking, these could be great niche ideas. The key is to pick something you won’t get tired of writing about.

There are many reasons to start a blog, but having a clear niche makes it easier to grow and monetize. Whether you want to blog online for fun or build a business, choosing the right topic sets the foundation for success.

Step #2: Choose a blogging platform

At this stage, you’ll need to look at the currently available blogging platforms and determine the type of blog management software you will use.

When it comes to blogging sites, you have a few options. Below are usage statistics showing the distribution of blog technologies in the United States.

blogging tecnologies in us july 2022
As of 24.05.2023, source: BuiltWith.com

As you can see from the graph, WordPress software is by far the most popular technology for blogging, with over 90% market share in the U.S.

I recommend building your blog using the self-hosted WordPress blog setup that I share in this guide.

You will set up your blog using a custom domain name and web hosting (I’ll show you how in the next step).  

That way, you will completely control your blog and its contents. It will cost just a few dollars per month for the webspace (hosting account) and around ten dollars per year for a domain. The actual blogging software is free and open source.

What About Free Blogging Sites?

For many new bloggers, it’s tempting to start a blog using free-hosted platforms such as Blogger or Tumblr.

However, it’s important to understand that “free” always comes with limitations:

  • First, your blog name will be set as a subdomain
  • Second, you’ll be subject to their rules and restrictions. 

Free options come in handy for testing a blogging platform. But if you’re serious about starting a blog, you’ll have to start paying for full services and a custom domain name sooner or later.

Step #3: Choose A Domain Name And Get Blog Hosting

To make your blog using WordPress.org, you need two important things: a domain name and a web hosting company.

Domain Name 

Your domain name will be the name by which you will be known online, no matter what niche you choose. It’s your blog’s unique address on the Internet.

Here’s what you should consider when choosing a blog name: 

  • It should be short and catchy, easy to pronounce and type. 
  • You can also use combinations of your first and last names.

The general rule is to choose a widely recognized domain extension, but other options can work too. The key is to be memorable—if a unique extension helps you stand out, don’t be afraid to break the rules!

Have a name idea for your blog? Use this quick domain search tool powered by Bluehost – our recommended web hosting provider (I’ll explain why in a moment).

If you can’t find a domain name you like, don’t worry.  Bluehost lets you choose a Free custom domain later before your blog goes live. That will give you time to do some thinking and research.

Web Hosting 

After choosing a domain name, selecting a reliable hosting service will be one of your most important decisions. 

To a great extent, the functionality and performance of your blog will depend on your hosting provider. The host makes sure that your blog is available 24/7 to potential readers and it’s where your content is stored online.

If you are a new blogger, I suggest using Bluehost hosting.

Here is why you should be confident going with this company:

  • Ease-of-use: With Bluehost, you will be able to set up your blog with a few clicks of a button. 
  • Good value: You get reliable service with excellent customer support at an affordable price. 
  • Room to grow: They offer a great set of features that you need to start, run, and grow your blog. 
  • Security: Free SSL certificate included and pre-installed to keep your blog visitors data safe.
  • Verified provider: Bluehost is a recommended hosting provider on the official WordPress.org website. 
  • Used by many: I use their services, as do many blogger friends and family members. 
  • Survey winner: Based on our research, Bluehost is a top choice in the opinion of many blogging experts.
1st choice for new bloggers
4.8 / 5
Starting at $2.75/month $1.99/month
  • Starting at: $2.95/month
  • Free domain name: Included for the first year
  • Discount: Save up to 75% off regular price
  • Money-back guarantee: 30-day
  • Setup: One-click blog installation
Visit Bluehost website →

How much does it cost to start a blog?

Below are the costs of a 1-year Bluehost basic hosting plan and what extras you get with it. I was able to negotiate a special deal only for our visitors. Use this link to get an exclusive 67% discount.

WordPress.org + Bluehost
Blog hosting service $2.95 per month (billed for 1 year)
Domain registrationFirst-year free (after $19.99 per year)
Custom email Free Web-Based E-mails/ Forwarding
SSL CertificateFree SSL certificates
Storage space*50 GB
Bandwidth*Unlimited
Total price$35.40 (for a 1-year plan)
* Storage space shows you how much space you can use for your blog and media files. Bandwidth is the amount of data your blog can transfer to visitors. These two parameters are important when your blog grows and gets more traffic.

Get A Blog Hosting Account (+ free domain name) 

This section provides detailed information to help you sign up for your web hosting account. I have included screenshots of the pages to take you through the process.

Step 1. Visit the Bluehost homepage

Go to the Bluehost.com website. Then, click the green “Get Started Now” button.

bluehost home page

Step 2. Select your hosting plan

You will start by picking a hosting plan. If this is your very first blog, you can go with the Basic plan. Later, you can easily upgrade to a Plus or Choice Plus plan once your blog starts growing. Explore what each plan offers, e.g. Choice Plus plan comes with Domain Privacy and some extras.

bluehost hosting plans

Step 3. Set up your domain name

Your domain will be your blog’s address, so you should take your time to come up with something unique and memorable. Just type your desired name into the “new domain” box and Bluehost will show you whether it’s available or not. If not, it will provide you with a list of similar names to choose from. 

Don’t worry if you can’t find a good name right away. You can skip this step and pick a name once you start a blog.

bluehost blackfriday domain

If you have already purchased a domain name somewhere else, you can use that name. Just type it into the “Use a domain you own” box.

Step 4. Register with Bluehost

After you choose your domain, Bluehost will take you to the registration page where you can manually fill in your personal info, or you can Sign in with your Google account to make the process even easier!

Add your account information

Start by filling out your personal information.

bluehost account info
Select your hosting package

At this point, it’s time to select an account plan from the available options. Bluehost offers 12, 24, and 36-month packages. 

With a 12-month package, you will pay a lower amount upfront, but with the other two packages, you will get a better deal if you are ready for a longer-term commitment.

bluehost hosting plans
Package extras

Review your package extras carefully. Not every extra is essential, and by unchecking the boxes of extras that you don’t need, your total amount owing will decrease. 

You can always add extras later if you find that you need them. I do suggest that you keep the Domain Privacy Protection box checked. This service will hide your personal contact information from the global database, which is publicly visible to anyone on the internet.

bluehost package extras
Payment information

Now, enter your payment information. Check the box that you have read and agree to the TOS (Terms of Service), and click on the green “Submit” button.

bluehost payment info

Bluehost will send you a confirmation email when your payment goes through. You will also receive an email to verify your email address to activate your domain.

Next, you will set up your Bluehost account. You are one step closer to starting a blog!

Step 5. Create your account

Let’s create your account with Bluehost.

bluehost create your account

  • Step 1. Click the “Create your account” button.
  • Step 2. Enter your password and complete the account set up.
  • Step 3. Your account is ready to go. Click the “Go to login” button.
  • Step 4. Fill in the fields “Email or Domain Name” and “Password”.

You are all set. Next, you will start working on creating your blog.

Step #4: Start A Blog By Setting Up WordPress

Once you log in to your web hosting account, Bluehost will offer a 4-step process to help you create a blog. I suggest that you go with this procedure if this is your first time starting a blog. 

You can also click the “Skip this step” button and work on blog construction on your own inside your Bluehost hosting account.

Four steps blog set up assistance process:

Step 1.

  • You will start this process by answering 3 questions: What kind of site? What type is it? And who is it for? In my example, I selected: Blog, Personal, Myself. You can select the same choices or pick what fits your individual case.
bluehost create a website step1

Step 2

  • With this step, you can choose what else to add to your site. Bluehost gives you a few options to choose from.
bluehost create a website step2

Step 3

  • In this step, you need to answer a few questions such as the name of your blog, tagline, and how comfortable you are with creating websites. Note: you can always change this later.
bluehost create a website step3

Step 4

  • Check out the suggested themes from Bluehost and see if you like any of them (if you don’t see a theme you like, skip this step). You can always change your theme and use a different one later. More information on this further on.
bluehost create a website step4

Once you finish setting up your blog with these 4 steps, you will be taken to your Bluehost account page. At this point, the WordPress software is installed and your blog structure is set up!

Launch your blog

Inside your Bluehost account, you can customize your WordPress blog site further based on Bluehost’s recommendations. These options are here for you to do some pre-launch customization to your blog.

bluehost hosting account panel

Your blog will go live after you click the “Launch My Site” button!

If you open your website in a web browser, don’t get frustrated if it doesn’t look quite right. This is just the first draft. Inside the WordPress dashboard, you will have to apply a few changes and add some content to make it look polished and complete. I will show you how to do this later!

You can access the WordPress blog dashboard from your Bluehost account by clicking the blue “WordPress” button in the top right corner of your screen.

Did you start a blog yet? → Click Here to Get Started

Next, as promised, I’ll show you how to find the right theme for you, and how to customize your blog.

Step #5: Select a Theme And Design Your Blog

Your blog first needs a face (design and layout). 

Installing a new WordPress theme is exciting and fairly straightforward.

Inside the WordPress dashboard, under the “Appearance” tab, click “Themes”. You will be presented with some popular options. You can click on the WordPress.org Themes button and search for free themes. There are more than three thousand themes available on WordPress.org.

wordpress appearance theme

The look and feel of your new blog rely on the theme you choose. Your first-time readers will notice its overall appearance before they even look at the content. Select a theme that looks great, but also works for your specific needs.

Here’s a quick guide for choosing your theme by searching within the WordPress dashboard:

Read the description 

  • Most themes have a short description of features and functionality. Reading it can help you to figure out if the theme matches your needs.

Preview the theme 

  • Preview the theme (demo) to get an idea of the overall look, layout, and how customizable it is.

Check the ratings 

  • Star ratings will be visible in the preview and under theme details to give you a clear idea of how good the theme is.

If you can’t find a theme that you absolutely love, don’t worry. Settle on one that you like, and you can always change it in the future.

Once you install a theme, don’t be surprised if it still doesn’t look quite right. It is just a skeleton of a blog. You’ll have to fill it in with content (text, photos, videos, etc.) to make it appealing.

Should You Choose A Free Or Premium Theme?

choose a premium theme

I think there are more than enough free WordPress themes to choose from for any blog topic. 

If you don’t feel like searching through thousands of themes, you can easily start things off with either Twenty Twenty or Twenty Twelve themes. Both free themes are presented by WordPress.org and are popular with creators.  

Remember, you can always pick a different theme later as you continue setting your blog. All the pages and unique content you create will be transferred automatically to a new theme layout.    

If the current stash of free themes does not satisfy your desire, you can check the premium themes available. These themes are usually designed by third-party companies and sold on different WordPress theme sites. The price range for single-use licenses ranges from $30 to $500, depending on which premium theme you choose.

Blog Theme Customization

Customizing your blog’s theme is the first step in making it truly yours. Your WordPress dashboard is where you’ll manage your entire blog, from design tweaks to functionality upgrades. While WordPress offers endless customization options, I’ll focus on the key changes every beginner should make. For this guide, I’ll use the Twenty Twenty theme as an example to help you get started quickly and easily.

Make your blog’s logo

You can find the “Make your logo” tool in your Bluehost account. If you didn’t do it while launching your blog, now is the time to finish it. 

Once you click the checkbox, you will be taken to an AI-powered logo maker. It’s an easy-to-use tool that you can use to create a beautiful logo for your blog in seconds. Start by entering a name and slogan (if you have one), the tool will automatically generate different types of logos.

bluehost logo maker step1

Select one logo you like the most, click on it, and further customize it according to your taste.

bluehost logo maker step2

When you are done with your logo design, click the Download button and a new page will show up with your logo files ready to be saved to your computer.

Customize your blog

Getting your blog to look and feel just right is key to making it stand out. In this section, I’ll walk you through the essential customizations—like uploading your logo, tweaking your blog title and tagline, adjusting colors, and setting up your homepage.

To help get your blog looking professional, head to your WordPress dashboard, find the Appearance tab, and click Customize. If you’re using a different theme, the options might vary slightly, but most themes offer similar customization features. Let’s make your blog truly yours!

wordpress customize theme

Each WordPress theme will customize a little differently. In my case, I’ll show you the customize options for the Twenty Twenty theme.

On the left-hand side, you will see the following Customizing menu options:

  • Site identity – Upload your logo, change site title and tagline, and upload site icon.
  • Colors – Change your blog’s background color, header, and footer colors, and customize the primary color.
  • Theme options – Select if you want to show a search icon in your blog’s header and show an author bio for your posts. 
  • Cover template – Make additional changes to the page template such as the overlay background color, overlay text color, and overlay opacity.    
  • Background image – Upload any custom background image you want to start using on your blog. 
  • Menus – Customize your blog’s menu, social media menu links, and change the locations where they are displayed.
  • Widgets – Customize your footer, add a description, and how to find you if you have a physical location.  
  • Homepage settings – Choose what’s displayed on the homepage of a blog. It can be the latest blog posts or a static page.         
  • Additional CSS – Add your own CSS code to customize the appearance and layout of your site (advanced option). 

You can also check how your blog looks on different devices by using the menu at the bottom with three icons: desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.

wordpress customize twenty twenty theme

Many themes (e.g. the Twenty Twenty theme) come with the new Gutenberg editor that revolutionizes the way users build pages and write posts inside WordPress.

Want your blog to stand out? With WordPress, you’ll have your blog looking exactly how you want by choosing a theme and tweaking its design. Many themes, like Twenty Twenty-Four, come with the Gutenberg editor—a simple drag-and-drop tool that makes customizing your blog effortless.

You can easily add and arrange blocks for text, images, and videos to create a layout that fits your style. Plus, the preview option lets you see how your blog looks on desktop, tablet, and mobile before publishing.

Add plugins to your blog

Want your blog to stand out? With WordPress, you’ll have your blog looking exactly how you want by choosing a theme and tweaking its design. Many themes, like Twenty Twenty-Four, come with the Gutenberg editor—a simple drag-and-drop tool that makes customizing your blog effortless.

You can easily add and arrange blocks for text, images, and videos to create a layout that fits your style. Plus, the preview option lets you see how your blog looks on desktop, tablet, and mobile before publishing.

wordpress add plugins section

Here you can install new plugins, deactivate, delete, and update them.

Below, I’ll show you some suggested plugins that you should be using.

List of recommended plugins for bloggers

To save you time, I’ve selected some important plugins (free) for your immediate blogging platform needs:

  • MonsterInsights – Google Analytics plugin for WordPress to monitor and analyze your website traffic.
  • Yoast SEO – A comprehensive SEO plugin for your blog, to optimize your content for search engines.
  • WP Super Cache – Helps with the load time of your WordPress blog and delivers content to your readers faster.
  • Akismet – Protects your comments and contact form from spam and prevents your site from publishing malicious content.
  • Contact Form 7 – A contact form with flexible email options. It supports CAPTCHA and Akismet spam filtering.
  • Disqus – An alternative to the basic WordPress comment system with advanced administrative and comment capabilities.
  • YARPP – Creates a related blog posts list at the end of each piece of content automatically to encourage people to continue browsing your site.

Congratulations, you just learned how to customize your blog and make web design changes! 

The next step is to learn how to write content for your blog.

Step #6: Write And Publish Blog Content

Write And Publish Blog Content

Once you’ve set up your domain, hosting, and blog theme, it’s time to bring your site to life with content. Writing a blog post is where you share valuable insights, experiences, or ideas that attract and engage readers. To start a blog and make it successful, your content should be clear, informative, and engaging.

WordPress CMS is structured in a way that you can publish your content as Posts or Pages.  

Before you begin publishing posts (day-to-day writing) on your blog make sure you fill in all the important static pages with content (such as About us, Contact, etc.). Let’s explore those types of pages.

Prepare and publish content on main pages

Depending on your individual needs you can decide what pages to publish. The following are the most common pages bloggers use: 

Homepage

  • This depends on what type of layout you choose. As I described above, when customizing your blog you can choose to display the homepage as a static page. In that case, you will have to prepare content for it.      

About us

  • The most traditional page on any blog is the “About us” page. This page tells new visitors what it is all about, who you are and why you run a blog about your niche topic. 

Contact

  • This page allows visitors to your blog to communicate with you. It can be a straightforward page with your email address plus your social network links, or you can use a simple contact form that visitors can use to communicate with you. 

Products, Services, Resources

  • Static landing pages with any additional information that you want to include on your blog.

The guidelines to publish a new WordPress page:

A blog page provides static content or information to the readers. Standard pages that bloggers use include: About, Contacts, Products, or Services. A page also can be a cornerstone (or evergreen) content with information that continues to be relevant to its readers. For example, this guide you are reading right now.

  • To create a blog page, log in to your WordPress dashboard admin area using your login details (username and password).
  • Hover your cursor over the “Pages” menu item on the navigation menu located on the left-hand side of the Dashboard. Click “Add New”.
Click on Pages menu item

Write Your First Blog Post

Creating blog posts inside WordPress is nearly the same as creating pages. However, for a blog post WordPress lets you select categories and tags while pages don’t. 

Wondering how you can write quality blog posts? It’s simple. 

Here is a simple 3-step approach to making great content of any type:

  • Point – State your main blog topic idea that you are covering.
  • Prove – Give an example of the idea you are covering.
  • Perform – Give a simple way to execute the idea.

The guidelines to publish a new WordPress post:

In your first blog post, you can take a moment and introduce yourself. Tell your readers who you are, what motivated you to blog, and what you will write. The title of the post could be “Welcome to my blog”.

  • Inside the WordPress dashboard on the left side, you will see Posts menu item. 
  • Hover your mouse cursor (or click) on the Post item. Then select “Add New”.
Add new post in WordPress

Next, I’ll talk about how to optimize your content for search engines.

Step #7: Optimize Your Blog For Search Engines

SEO helps drive traffic to your blog by making it easier for people to find your content on search engines. Recent data shows that over half of website traffic comes from organic search [.pdf], proving how important it is to optimize your blog.

To improve your blog’s visibility and grow a successful blog, focus on these basics for every new blog post:

  • Use Keywords Wisely – Add relevant keywords naturally to match what people are searching for.
  • Optimize Meta Tags – Write clear and engaging titles and descriptions to boost clicks.

With these simple steps, your blog can reach more readers and stay competitive online.

Keyword optimization

Keyword optimization

To get your blog up and running and ensure it gains traction, you need to focus on keyword optimization. This means researching and using the right keywords that your target audience is searching for.

By naturally incorporating these keywords into your blog writing—titles, headings, and content—you improve your chances of ranking higher in search results. The better your optimization, the more visibility your blog gets, helping it grow faster and reach the right readers.

SEO meta tags

When you publish a new blog post or page, you will need to add SEO meta tags for each piece of content. 

These are the SEO title and SEO description tags. These tags are not seen on the actual page, but Google will use metadata to better understand what the webpage is about.

SEO meta tags
Example of Title and Description meta tags in Google search results.

If you want to start ranking your content in search engines, this is an important step to complete. SEO tags should be prepared and added when you create a new page or a post inside WordPress. You can add SEO meta tags via free plugins, such as Yoast SEO.  

The title tag length should be between 50-60 characters (this is what Google typically displays) and the meta description tag can be between 50-160 characters.

Step #8: Promote, Market, And Grow Your Blog

Starting a blog in 2025 is a great way to share your ideas, build an audience, and even generate income. But simply creating content isn’t enough—if no one finds your blog, all your hard work goes unnoticed. That’s why promotion is key.

The 80/20 rule still applies: spend 20% of your time creating content and 80% promoting it. This is especially important for beginners looking to drive organic traffic. From SEO strategies to social media marketing, you need the right tactics to get readers back to your blog. In this section, we’ll cover the best ways to market and grow your blog effectively.

Before you start promoting your blog, check if it’s ready:

  • Make sure that your content is live and ready for promotion.
  • Test your blog on different devices (desktop, tablet, mobile) and browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge) to check that pages open correctly.
  • Check your contact info and test your contact form to see if it works well.
  • Test your social sharing buttons so that people can easily share your content. 
  • Ensure that you interlink your content so that people can easily find other important information on your blog.  
  • Give your visitors one or more ways to connect with you and subscribe to your email list.
  • Set up Google Analytics to track your blog’s performance and visitors.

Let’s look closely at the basic promotion and marketing activities that you can apply to grow your audience once you build a blog.

Let Everyone Know About Your Blog

Get started by informing your friends, family, and colleagues about your new endeavor. Basically, you should let anyone know who might be interested in reading your content.   

You should also do the following:

  • Include your blog name (URL) in your email signature. 
  • Include it in your social media accounts or any online communities you are involved in. 
  • Use every opportunity to get the word out about your new undertaking.

Be Active Within Your Niche

Get active on relevant blogs, forums, groups, and social pages. 

Blogger communities are a good way to connect with other bloggers in your niche. You can engage, build friendships, and help each other in spreading content.

Here are some popular activities you can do:

Blog commenting

Start posting comments on other relevant blogs. It’s a great way to build relationships with top bloggers within your niche.

Social media marketing

You should make use of the social media avenues that best fit your own niche and style. Choose the one (or ones) that best fit your needs and start promoting your content to grow your audience. Some of the most popular social media networks that bloggers use on a daily basis are Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Guest blogging

Take the relationship a step further and offer to write guest blog posts for another website. Just be sure that you guest post on reputable sites and that the content is directly related to your niche. Guest posting is an excellent way to build an online presence.

Promoting Your Content Through Other Platforms 

Promoting Your Content Through Other Platforms

To expand your blog’s reach and attract a broader audience, it’s essential to promote your content across various platforms. Utilizing a diverse blog content strategy not only enhances visibility but also encourages readers to come to your blog for more insights. Here are some effective techniques to consider:

Bookmarking sites.

  • Submit your blog content to bookmarking sites that can offer your content to a lot of potential viewers who are searching for information within your niche. You should do this every time you publish a new blog post to spread the word. Here are some popular social bookmarking and content curation sites: Scoop.it, Reddit, Flipboard, etc.

Content republishing

  • You can publish the same or slightly repurposed content on platforms such as LinkedIn and Medium. It’s best to publish content on your blog first, wait a few days while it gets indexed by search engines (Google), and then you can start posting it on other platforms. Also, make sure to link back to your original article as a source. You can learn about a republishing strategy here.  

Repurpose content

  • You can repurpose your content, create graphics, slideshow presentations, audio files, or even videos and publish it all on the platforms that support different content formats. Here is how you can make 64 pieces of content in a single day (PDF). 

Getting Organic Traffic From Search Engines

By now, you already know that it’s important to optimize your content for search engines but this goes beyond just Google.

In order to increase your organic traffic, you will have to learn how to get your content to rank higher in search results among different search engines, with Pinterest growing rapidly in popularity among niche site owners recently.

Google’s many updates have changed how bloggers promote their sites and we should all be focusing on creating varied streams of traffic.

There is no magic formula for higher rankings on any platform, but you should focus on the following factors: 

  • Create useful content for your readers, not search engines. 
  • Consistently create fresh and quality content. 
  • Make sure that the user experience is flawless.  
  • Ensure that your blog is secured (HTTPS), mobile-friendly, and loads quickly. 
  • Interlink your content and work on getting external links.

Advertising on the web (paid traffic)

Appropriate and well-informed use of paid media can help you to gain exposure and attention before your organic (naturally derived) traffic takes hold. 

Paid traffic avenues include: 

Remember that you can always find other ways to promote your new blog.

Start Building Your Email Subscriber List

After starting a blog, you will begin attracting new readers and visitors. It’s a good idea to collect the email addresses of those who want to be notified when you publish new blog posts or share promotional offers. As people come to know and trust you, they will respond better to your promotional efforts.

Rely on the blogging fundamentals: a clear and well-functioning blog, focused and helpful information, engaging conversation, and practical advice. Your authority will come from helping and giving advice to your audience.

Step #9: Make Money Blogging (optional)

Monetization is the process of translating your blog activity into earnings. 

You should keep in mind that blogging isn’t just about making money. It is about creating useful content and writing blog posts that will attract readers and make them come back for more.

When starting a blog think about adding content that will generate future income. Based on my own blogging experience, as well as from working with other bloggers, I’ve learned that specific kinds of content are more effective for generating money. 

Here are types of content that you should consider writing and adding to your blog:

  • Listicles or top list 
  • How-to guides
  • Tutorials and manuals 
  • Product reviews 
  • Product comparisons 

Now, let me show you some different ways how bloggers make money. 

Blog monetization channels

Blog monetization channels

Our case study of the blogging industry shows that 59.8% of bloggers make money through blogging. 

But, how can YOU make money blogging? There are several options available, but below I’ll show you the best ways to earn income from a blog:

Running ads on your blog

There are seamless possibilities for you to run ads on your blog. Regardless of your niche, you can opt for ads that are specific to what you are writing about or ads that simply better serve your advertiser’s purposes. 

Google Adsense, Mediavine, and Adthrive are some of the most popular choices for blog ads.

Enrolling in affiliate programs

Affiliate programs are ways of teaming up with retailers to promote their products and benefit from successfully carrying out sales through a commission.

Some things that you need to consider when enrolling in affiliate programs:

  • The number of affiliate sales will strongly rely on the number of visitors you have.
  • You need to be credible enough for your visitors to click on your links.
  • You may want to consider placing a notice on your Terms of Use page that you do use affiliate links.

There are a few popular online platforms that offer affiliate programs if you want to get started, such as Amazon Associates, ShareASale, and ClickBank.

Selling your products and services

Selling your products and services

If you are creative and entrepreneurial, you could consider using your blog as a venue for selling your own products and services. This is an option especially as your blog grows in readership, authority, and popularity.

There are WordPress plugins, such as the WooCommerce plugin, that you can easily integrate into a blog and start using to sell products online.

Selling sponsored posts

Collaborating with advertisers through sponsored posts is a proven strategy to monetize your blog effectively. By featuring content that highlights their products or services, you can generate income while providing value to your readers. As your blog’s popularity and authority grow within your niche, advertisers are more likely to approach you with sponsorship opportunities, enhancing your blog’s profitability.

Above are the most popular choices to earn money. However, there are more ways to monetize your blog.

7 ways to make money blogging

Consider the possibilities, and then choose the method or methods that best suit you and your audience. 

As a minimum, you should – from the very start – begin compiling an email list of your readers through subscriptions. Then, when you are ready to recommend products, you will have ready access to those who want to hear what you have to say.

Wrapping Up: Your Blogging Journey Starts Now

Congratulations! You’ve taken the first step to start your blog. Now, it’s time to access your blog, explore the dashboard, and customize it to fit your vision. A blog is a great way to share your expertise, grow an audience, and even generate income. Stay consistent, create valuable content, and promote it effectively. Need more help? Check out our expert resources to turn your blog into a lasting success.

Frequently Asked Questions

people also ask

Few more things before you get started with your journey. Below are some helpful facts and common questions that many people ask before they start blogging.

Is blogging worth it and still relevant in 2025?

Absolutely! Blogging is still relevant in 2025 and remains a powerful way to share ideas, build a brand, and even make money. While digital trends evolve, blogs continue to thrive as valuable platforms for businesses and personal brands.
Success in blogging takes effort—you’ll need to create quality content, engage with readers, and promote your blog consistently. Choosing the right blog niche and focusing on long-term growth will help you stand out. If you’re willing to blog and build over time, you can create a great blog that attracts loyal readers and generates income.

How do you start a blog for free?

You can start a blog for free on platforms like WordPress.com, Blogger, or Wix, but there are limits. Your blog will have a subdomain like “blogname.wordpress.com,” which looks less professional. Free plans also restrict customization and monetization, and some platforms may place their own ads on your blog.
If you’re serious about building a profitable blog, a self-hosted blog is the better option. Hosting starts at $2.95/month and includes a free domain, SSL, and full control over your site.
If you’re not ready to invest, start with a free platform but plan to upgrade as your blog grows.

Does it cost money to start a blog?

Starting a self-hosted blog is more affordable than you might think. With hosting providers like Bluehost, you can begin your blogging journey for as low as $1.99 per month. This basic plan includes a free domain name for the first year, a free SSL certificate to secure your site, 10 GB of NVMe storage, and unmetered bandwidth, allowing your blog to handle as many visitors as you attract. This setup provides an excellent foundation for your blog writing endeavors. 

What to do if I already have a free blog?

No worries! You can easily switch to a self-hosted WordPress site without losing your content. Most free blogging platforms allow you to export your posts, and WordPress has built-in tools to import them seamlessly.
If you’re using Blogger (Blogspot), there’s a simple process to transfer your content to WordPress. A self-hosted site gives you more control, helps get your blog online professionally, and opens up more ways to monetize. Need help? I’ll show you how to start and even share new blog post ideas to grow your audience!

What should I blog about?

Instead of chasing popular topics just to make money, choose a subject you’re passionate about. A successful blog is making genuine connections, so pick something you enjoy and know well. This ensures you stay motivated, attract the right audience, and build a brand that lasts—starting with the right name for your blog and a clear guide on how to start.

How do I find a profitable niche for my blog?

Instead of chasing trends, choose ablog niche you’re passionate about and research its profitability. Use SEO tools to analyze search volume, competition, and monetization potential—look for niches with high demand but low competition. To make money from your blog, check if brands are running ads for your niche and explore affiliate programs like Amazon to boost earnings.

How do bloggers get paid?

TBloggers get paid by promoting third-party products through affiliate marketing and ad networks or by selling their own products and services. You can monetize a blog with sponsored posts, digital products, coaching, or consulting. The key to making money from a blog is choosing the right strategy that fits your audience and the goals behind your blog.

How much money can I make from a blog?

Earnings from blogging vary widely based on factors like experience, audience size, and monetization strategies. According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for a blogger in the United States is approximately $57,097 Top bloggers can earn significantly more, with some making over $1 million annually.

How do I learn WordPress?

Learning WordPress is easier than ever, whether you’re starting from scratch or improving your skills. You can explore free tutorials, online courses, or dedicated resources that cover everything from installation to optimizing services on your blog. With the right guidance, you’ll be able to create a professional site that’s fully installed on your blog and tailored to your needs.

What to do if your domain name is taken?

If your desired domain name is taken, don’t worry—try a slight variation, add a keyword, or choose a different extension. A great domain name should be memorable, relevant, and add functionality to your blog as it gains traction. Many hosting providers, like Bluehost, let you register your domain later, so you can set up your blog first and decide on the perfect name afterward.


choose domain later

How to secure your WordPress blog?

To secure your WordPress blog, start by enabling an SSL certificate, which encrypts data and protects it from hackers. If you use a Bluehost account, log in, go to “My Sites,” select your blog, navigate to the “Security” tab, and turn on the Free SSL Certificate—changes may take up to an hour. Once active, check for a padlock icon in your browser’s address bar to confirm your blog is secure.

217 comments on “How to Start a Blog for Beginner: The Complete 2025 Guide”

  1. Andrea

    thank you, guys, for another great post!

  2. Emily Sarah

    Hi This post is really great! I appreciate all the insights you’ve shared on starting a blog and monetizing it. Your tips on finding a niche and building an audience are particularly helpful. I can’t wait to put this advice into practice. Thanks for the inspiration.

  3. Drprashant kumar

    I lik this article Thanks for posting and discussion of the topic start blog, and provide an important information.

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