How to Start a Blog on a Budget (2024)

How to start a blog on WordPress: This is a post I’ve been meaning to write for a very long time. I get a ton of questions from other bloggers as well as people who are thinking about starting a new blog about what types of programs, services and networks I use to write and monetize my blog.

How to Start a Blog on a Budget (1)

I thought that it would be beneficial to have all of these things rounded up into one post that makes it easy to reference.

So make sure you bookmark this post or Pin it to reference later, because I promise you, everything in this post is gold. These are the tools you’ll need to monetize your blog. These are the resources to get your blog going. These are the partners you’ll want to have by your side to make your life as a blogger go as smoothly as possible.

Most people can figure out what they want to blog about, and eventually you’ll come up with a title and maybe even a tagline. But the biggest questions I get focus on all the technical aspects of blogging. How do you choose a web host? What kind of plugins are a necessity? How do you monetize?

So let’s jump right in. These are the tools I use every day as a blogger to organize, write and monetize my blog. This is a LONG post but its chock full of great information (plus a few freebies and discounts!) All of these tools are free or very inexpensive but I will say that their value is well worth even a much larger investment.

Step 1: Pick a domain. Some web hosting companies offer this free (see “Hosting” below)
Step 2: Choose a hosting company. SiteGround is a great option, that’s who we use and LOVE. (again, see “Hosting”below!)
Step 3: Install WordPress (I don’t recommend Blogger, but that’s a post for another day.)
Step 4: Choose a theme. (I use the Swank theme by Pretty Darn Cute Designs)
Step 5: Write awesome content, and check out some of the tools below to help you along your way!

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Organization/Writing Tools:

Before you even start writing, you’ll need tools to help you organize your thoughts, as well as tools to help you write to the best of your ability.

WordPress Plugins:

Within WordPress there are many plugins that I find to be helpful in writing posts and operating my blog.

Graphics:

People often ask if I do my own images. The answer is yes! If its a post about something specific, I take the photos myself, otherwise I purchase stock photos.

Social Media:

Keeping up with a half dozen or more social media networks can be daunting. I use these tools to make things go a little smoother.

  • Tailwind(Use this link to get a FREE month trial of Tailwind!)
  • BoardBooster
  • IFTTT (I use this as a free tweet scheduler and will be trying out other features soon)
  • Pinning Perfect (this course is AMAZING. Pinterest now refers 97% of my traffic and I have this course to thank for that! If you can only afford one course, let it be this one, it will pay for itself in no time.)

Hosting/Blog Services:

Finding a reliable webhost with great customer service is key! You want to make sure they have minimal down time, responsive customer service and good speed. BlueHost is a great choice and you get a free domain. There’s a variety of plans for almost any budget.

Monetizing:

These are affiliate programs, ad providers and sponsored content networks that I use regularly and love!

These are all applications that I use on a regular basis. There are many MANY others so if these don’t work for your style, don’t despair. You have lots of options. I just stuck with things I use and love otherwise this post could go on for days!

One last thought: there are lots of blogger ambassador programs with various companies that you can apply to join. Click here to see my list of brand ambassador programs for bloggers. Feel free to comment on that page any additional brand ambassador programs that you belong to that are accepting new applicants.

When you’re ready to really kick it in high gear (or if you are willing to make a small investment right off the bat) I highly recommendBuilding a Framework: The Ultimate Blogging Handbook by Abby Lawson. It’s an absolutely essential resource that has everything you would ever want to know about starting a blog. This is a MUST HAVE resource for bloggers, and I cannot recommend it enough!

How to Start a Blog on a Budget (2)

How to Start a Blog on a Budget (2024)

FAQs

How do I start a blog that generates income? ›

Here's how to do it:
  1. Choose a profitable niche. If you're just starting a blog, you're probably asking yourself—What should I write about? ...
  2. Scale your blog content. ...
  3. Build a reputation. ...
  4. Promote and grow. ...
  5. Advertise within your blog.
  6. Offer paid subscriptions. ...
  7. Sell merchandise, e-books and more. ...
  8. Become an affiliate.

How to start a budget blog? ›

How to start a blog
  1. Pick a name for your blog and get the domain name.
  2. Use Bluehost or GoDaddy to host your blog (here's a tutorial)
  3. Install the Genesis theme and pick out a child theme that you fancy (this is my favorite part! I use Restored 316 Designs for my blog's theme)

How to start blogging with zero money? ›

Free blogging platforms such as WordPress.com, Blogger, and Wix offer basic features and functionality to get you started with your blog. They're easy to use, even for those without technical skills, and they often provide pre-made templates and designs to help you get your blog up and running quickly.

How to start a blog for completely free? ›

How to create a blog for free
  1. Sign up for a free blog maker. Choose what kind of blog you want to create.
  2. Pick a blog name. Let people know what your blog is all about.
  3. Choose your blog template. Customize its design to match your style.
  4. Write and publish your first post. ...
  5. Share your blog.

What is a realistic income from blogging? ›

Bloggers can earn anywhere from $0.01 to $100,000 per post, depending on a variety of factors, such as: Niche: The niche you're blogging about will have a big impact on how much you can earn per post.

How long does it take to make $1000 per month blogging? ›

In most cases, you should expect it to take at least 6 to 12 months (minimum) of consistent blogging & promoting your content to start earning something from your blog. When it comes to making $1,000/mo in blog income, expect that to take 1 to 2 years of consistent effort for most people.

Do beginner bloggers make money? ›

In general, it's unlikely for a beginner blogger to earn a significant income right away, but they can gradually increase their earnings as they gain experience, build an audience, and monetize their blog through advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, and other means.

Are blogs still profitable? ›

Yes — Bloggers still make money. In fact, there are more ways than ever to earn a living blogging. Revenue streams such as display ads, affiliate marketing, digital products, and email marketing are just a few of the popular revenue streams bloggers use to make money.

Which type of blog make money is best for beginners? ›

DIY blogs provide step-by-step guides and tutorials for projects like home remodeling, crafts, and gardening. A great example is Remodelaholic. The site averages 329,000 monthly visits. As a DIY blogger, you can make money through display ads, sponsored content, affiliate marketing, and consultations.

What are examples of blogging for beginners? ›

50 More First Blog Post Ideas for Beginners
  • Give an example of an important lesson you learned on your career journey.
  • Introduce your pets or family in a niche-themed way.
  • List out the best links you've found for helpful guides.
  • Do an article roundup in your niche.
  • Write a checklist on how to do a project.

How do I start a blog from nothing? ›

How to Start a Successful Blog in 5 Steps
  1. Choose your blog name and get your blog hosting.
  2. Start your blog by adding WordPress.
  3. Pick a simple theme to make your blog your own.
  4. Add two key blogging plugins to find your readers and track stats.
  5. Write compelling content to create a blog that your readers love.
May 3, 2024

How to start a blog when you have nothing to say? ›

It's easy to write about things that excite us. We naturally want to share exciting things. Make a list of what you're currently interested in, what's making you curious, what is bringing you joy. Don't worry about connecting it to business right away.

What is the easiest site to start a blog? ›

There are several great blogging sites to choose from when starting a blog. Our top picks include Wix, WordPress, and Blogger. These are at the top of our list as each offers a free plan, ease-of-use blog builder, and other powerful blogging tools.

Can I use Canva for my blog? ›

You can start a layout from scratch with Canva, but grabbing a template from our blog website selection can't hurt either. We have a variety of styles and themes ranging from simple and elegant to tech and corporate.

Which free site is best for blogging? ›

  • The Best Free Blogging Platforms of 2024.
  • Wix.
  • Weebly.
  • WordPress.org.
  • Drupal.
  • Craft CMS.
  • Write.as.
  • Medium.
Jan 29, 2024

How much money per 1000 views on a blog? ›

While the amount of money that bloggers can make varies widely depending on the niche, industry, and quality of the website, bloggers with 1,000 views usually make an RPM of $20-35 on average.

Which blog is most profitable? ›

The 10 Most Profitable Blog Niches for 2024
  • Niche 1: Digital Marketing.
  • Niche 2: Tech and AI.
  • Niche 3: Blogging and Making Money Online.
  • Niche 4: Health and Fitness.
  • Niche 5: Personal Finance and Investing.
  • Niche 6: Recipes and Food.
  • Niche 7: Personal Development and Self-Care.
  • Niche 8: Lifestyle.
Apr 11, 2024

Which blog platform is best for making money? ›

Best Blogging Platforms to Make Money in 2024
  • WordPress. WordPress.org. WordPress.com.
  • Medium.
  • Blogger.
  • Squarespace.
  • Wix.
  • Ghost.
  • Tumblr.
  • Weebly.
Mar 22, 2024

How much a beginner earn from blogging? ›

Yes! Some of the top bloggers make thousands of dollars per month. But many experts believe bloggers can make $500-2,000 per month within their first year of blogging. Consistently post, promote your content, build your readership, and implement some of these monetization tactics to get started.

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