The Ultimate 2024 Guide to Starting a Blog (And Making Money)

Total Startup Cost: Around $40–$60 for the first year if you pick an affordable hosting plan.

That’s all you need to get your first blog live and ready.

Now, let’s talk about how to actually start it step-by-step.

Step 1: Choose a Topic You’ll Enjoy Writing About

Picking a topic (or niche) is the first step. You don’t have to be an expert in something. You just need an interest and a willingness to learn.

My first blog was in a topic I cared about personally, and I learned as I went. If you choose something you enjoy, writing will feel natural and fun.

Here are a few broad topics that do really well in the U.S. market:

• Personal finance and budgeting

• Lifestyle and productivity

• Food and recipes

• Fitness and health

• Home improvement or DIY

• Blogging and digital tools

Start with what feels right to you. You can always refine it later once you learn what your readers enjoy.

Step 2: Pick a Name and Register a Domain

Your blog’s name is your brand. Keep it simple, short, and easy to remember. Avoid numbers or complicated spellings.

You’ll need to register a domain name (like myblog.com). Don’t worry, it’s not expensive. Most hosting providers include a free domain for your first year, so you don’t have to buy it separately.

A good domain makes your blog look professional right from the start.

Step 3: Get Reliable Hosting

Hosting is the engine that runs your blog. Without hosting, your site won’t appear online.

When I first started, I went with the cheapest host I could find. It was a mistake. My site went down several times, and their support never replied.

After years of testing, here are three hosting companies I personally recommend for beginners:

Bluehost – Perfect for new bloggers. It’s beginner-friendly, includes a free domain name, free SSL, and one-click WordPress setup. Their support is very helpful and available 24/7.

• Bluehost — Activate 75% discount, free domain name and SSL

KnownHost – My favorite for long-term reliability. It’s slightly more advanced but extremely stable, with fast servers and excellent customer support.

• knownhost — Activate 50% Off Knowhost deal

A2 Hosting – Great if you want speed. They focus on performance and also include free SSL and easy WordPress setup.

• A2hosting — Activate 85% Off A2 hosting deal

You can start with any of these, and you’ll be in safe hands.

Step 4: Install WordPress

WordPress is the tool that powers your blog. It’s free, flexible, and used by millions of websites.

Your hosting provider will have a button that says Install WordPress. Click it, follow a few simple steps, and your blog will be ready within minutes.

When I did this for the first time, I was surprised how simple it was. You don’t need to know coding or web design. If you can use email, you can use WordPress.

Once installed, you’ll have your very own website where you can start writing posts and customizing your layout.

Step 5: Choose a Clean Theme

Your theme decides how your blog looks. Don’t get lost trying to find the “perfect” one. Simple and clean designs always work best.

Here are a few free WordPress themes that look professional:

• Astra – Fast, lightweight, and customizable

• Kadence – Great design flexibility and easy to use

• GeneratePress – Simple, responsive, and SEO-friendly

When I started, I spent too much time changing colors and fonts. Looking back, I wish I had focused more on writing. Your design can evolve later.

For now, pick a free theme and move forward.

Step 6: Write Your First Blog Post

This is where your voice starts to shine.

Your first post doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be real. Write about something that helps or inspires your readers.

A good structure for beginner blog posts is:

1. A friendly introduction that explains the topic

2. Clear steps, tips, or advice

3. A simple summary at the end

When I published my first post, I didn’t expect anyone to read it. But when I saw the first few comments, I felt a spark of motivation that kept me going.

Write with honesty. Write like you’re talking to a friend. That’s what builds trust.

Step 7: Add a Few Important Pages

Before promoting your blog, add some basic pages that make your site look complete and trustworthy:

• About Page: Tell your readers who you are and why you started your blog. Keep it conversational.

• Contact Page: Add a simple form so people can reach out to you.

• Privacy Policy: You can generate one for free online. It’s important if you collect emails or show ads.

These pages show that you’re serious and transparent.

Step 8: Get Readers to Visit Your Blog

When you first publish a post, you might expect traffic right away. It doesn’t work like that. Readers need to find you, and that takes some effort.

Here are the methods that worked best for me:

1. Google Search (SEO): Learn basic keyword research and use a free SEO plugin like Rank Math. Write posts that answer real questions people are searching for.

2. Pinterest: Create pins using Canva and link them to your posts. Pinterest works great for lifestyle, food, and home blogs.

3. Social Media: Share your articles on Facebook groups and X (Twitter). Join conversations instead of only posting links.

4. Email List: Start collecting emails early using a free tool like MailerLite. Email helps you bring readers back.

Getting traffic takes time, but if you stay consistent, your numbers will grow steadily.

Step 9: How to Make Money from Blogging

Let’s talk about the exciting part: income.

When I first started, I didn’t even think about making money. But as my traffic grew, opportunities naturally appeared.

Today, my blogs earn $7K to $10K easily every month, and here’s how that income breaks down:

Display Ads: Platforms like Mediavine or Raptive pay you for showing ads. It’s passive income that grows with your traffic.

Affiliate Marketing: You recommend products or tools you personally use and earn a commission when someone buys through your link.

Digital Products: You can sell simple guides, printables, or courses.

Sponsored Posts: Brands may pay you to review or mention their product.

You don’t have to do everything at once. Focus on building trust with your readers first. Money follows when your audience believes in you.

Step 10: Be Consistent and Keep Learning

The biggest secret to successful blogging is consistency. Most beginners quit after a few months because results are slow.

When I started, my first few months were quiet. Hardly anyone visited my site. But I kept publishing, improving my writing, and learning SEO. Gradually, traffic grew, and things took off.

If you stick with it, your hard work compounds over time. Each post adds value. Each reader can become a loyal follower.

Step 11: Free Tools and Plugins I Use

Here’s a list of mostly free tools and plugins that I use across my blogs:

Rank Math SEO: Helps your posts rank higher in Google with easy tips.
UpdraftPlus: Automatically backs up your site for free.
WP Super Cache: Speeds up your blog.
Site Kit by Google: Lets you track your traffic and earnings right from your dashboard.
Pretty Links: Makes affiliate links look clean and professional.
Wordfence Security: Protects your site from spam and hackers.
MailerLite: Free tool for building your email list.
Canva: Free design tool to create graphics and Pinterest images.

All of these are beginner-friendly and take only a few minutes to set up.

Step 12: Understanding the Earning Potential

Blogging income varies depending on your traffic and niche, but here’s a simple example of what’s possible once your blog grows: