How to Start a Blog and Make Money in 2024

I created my first blog in 2022. 

And oh boy, I made so many mistakes along the way.  

Plus it took me almost a month to complete a blog that I can now whip in 1 day.  

But hey, we learn from our blunders, right? 

No shame in admitting I made a boatload of mistakes. 

Lucky for you, I’ve turned those trials into triumphs, so you can sidestep the same pitfalls.

So, I created this free guide so that a complete beginner can learn how to blog quickly and easily. 

Keep reading to learn how you can simply create your blog in just 20 minutes.

Why Should You Start a Blog?

Wondering why you should dive into the world of blogging? 

Let me give you a few compelling reasons:

• Share your story: A blog gives you a platform to express yourself and share your experiences with the world, whether it’s daily anecdotes or profound insights.
• Make money from home: Blogging can be a lucrative endeavor, offering opportunities for both full-time professionals and part-time enthusiasts to earn income from their content. Even with just a few hours of work per week, you can generate passive income from your blog.
• Recognition for yourself or your business: A successful blog can establish you as an authority in your field, garnering recognition and credibility. Some bloggers have even secured book and movie deals based on their online presence.
• Find a community: Blogging is inherently social, allowing you to connect with like-minded individuals who share your interests. Engage with your audience, share knowledge, and learn from others in a vibrant online community.

Steps to Create Your Blog

You can start your blog by simply following the steps below. 

Let’s get started.

1. Pick a Suitable Domain Name

The first step in starting your blog is selecting a domain name. 

If you’ve already brainstormed a name for your blog, the next step is to ensure it’s available for registration.

A quick search on Google can confirm whether your chosen name is already in use.

Remember, domain names cannot include spaces or certain punctuation marks, except for dashes. 

If your desired name is already taken, don’t worry. 

Here are some options:

• Try a different domain extension. If the .com version is unavailable, consider alternatives like .net or .org.
• Add small words like “a”, “my”, “best”, or “the” to personalize your domain.
• Utilize dashes between words to create a distinct domain name. For instance, instead of “ExampleSite.com,” you might opt for “Example-Site.com.”

How Can You Choose a Blog Topic or Name?

If you’re starting from scratch and haven’t settled on a blog name yet, the first step is defining your blog topic.

Not sure where to begin? 

Here are some avenues to explore for finding a compelling blog topic:

• Life experiences: Draw inspiration from your own life lessons and experiences. Sharing these insights can be immensely valuable to others facing similar circumstances. For instance, a recent client of mine launched a blog centered around life as a firefighter’s spouse. Her wealth of knowledge and personal anecdotes resonated deeply with her audience.
• Personal blog: Embrace the freedom of a personal blog, where you can delve into various aspects of your life, from daily activities to philosophical musings. This approach allows you to share your authentic self with the world, unrestricted by a specific niche.
• Hobbies & passions: Leverage your interests and hobbies as a springboard for your blog. Whether it’s cooking, travel, fashion, or niche pursuits, your enthusiasm will resonate with like-minded individuals worldwide.

Once you’ve settled on a topic, it’s time to choose a blog name, also known as your domain name.

Here are some tips for choosing a blog name:

• Descriptive: Opt for a name that succinctly communicates the essence of your blog’s content.
• Inclusive of topic: If your blog focuses on a specific theme, consider incorporating relevant keywords into your domain name. While “cooking” is an obvious choice for a cooking blog, alternatives like “food,” “recipes,” or “meals” can also convey your blog’s focus effectively.
• Personal blogs: For personal blogs covering a range of topics, consider using your name or a variation thereof. Adding a middle name or initial can help if your name is already taken. For instance, “mercymaiyo.com” or “Bloggingwithmercy.com” offer personal branding options.

Once you’ve brainstormed potential names, consider the domain extension. While .com is the gold standard, .net or .org can also serve your needs. 

Remember, spaces between words are not allowed in domain names, so opt for a seamless combination like “bloggingwithmercy.com.”

2. Get your Blog Online

With your blog name selected, it’s time to bring your vision to life online. While this might seem daunting, the following steps will guide you through the process seamlessly.

To establish your blog, you’ll need two essential components: blog hosting (or web hosting) and blogging software. Fortunately, these are often bundled together for convenience.

A blog host is a service provider that stores all your blog’s files and delivers them to users when they access your blog. Without a blog host, your blog can’t go live.

Additionally, you’ll require software to build and manage your blog. In this guide, I’ll demonstrate how to use WordPress, the most popular and user-friendly blogging software available.

For blog hosting, I recommend Host Papa, the provider I personally use and endorse. 

Here’s why:

• Free Domain Registration: Host Papa offers complimentary registration of your custom domain name, ensuring exclusivity.
• 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee: Experience peace of mind with Host Papa’s 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try their services risk-free.
• Easy WordPress Installation: Benefit from Host Papa’s free, automated installation of WordPress, streamlining the setup process.
• Reliable Hosting: Host Papa’s hosting services are highly recommended by WordPress, ensuring reliability and performance.
• 24/7 Customer Support: Access helpful customer service round the clock via phone or web chat, ensuring assistance whenever you need it.

To access a special discount price of $2.95 per month, simply use any Host Papa link provided on this site.

Disclosure: Host Papa compensates me for purchases made through the provided link, enabling me to offer my services to you at no additional cost.

Here are the steps you’ll need to follow to get your blog online:

• Click the provided link to access the exclusive $2.95 per month rate on Host Papa, then click “Get started now”.
• Choose the basic plan by clicking “Select”, is ideal for novice bloggers.
• Enter your desired domain name and click “next” to begin registration. If you already own a domain, use the right box and click “next”.
• Provide your billing information on the registration page.
• Choose the hosting package and options. I recommend deselecting all package extras except for “Domain Privacy & Protection” to keep personal information secure.
• Set up your Host Papa account and password.
• Upon account creation, you’ll be guided to an installation helper. Since you’re following this tutorial, simply click “Skip this step” on subsequent pages to access the dashboard:
• The system will automatically install WordPress. Once completed, click “Log into WordPress” on the top right to access your blog’s administrator area.

Customize your Blog

If you’re not already logged in, visit Hostpapa.com and click “Login” at the top right. Enter your domain name and the password you set previously. If you’ve forgotten your password, you can reset it by clicking “Forgot Password”.

Once logged in, you’ll arrive at your Host Papa Portal. Click the blue “WordPress” button to be automatically logged into your WordPress blog.

Change Your Blog Design

Upon logging in, you’ll find yourself in the WordPress dashboard, where you can customize your blog to your heart’s content.

WordPress offers flexibility in design through “Themes”, which control the overall look and feel of your blog. To change your theme, navigate to the “Appearance” tab on the left menu.

If you have a hard time customizing your blog, you can hire the best web design agencies such as Free Website Guys. The agency can help you set up your website for free.

Select a Theme

Several free WordPress themes are already installed on your blog, such as Twenty Seventeen and Twenty-Sixteen. 

These clean, well-designed themes suit a variety of blog types and are used by many top bloggers worldwide.

For simplicity, let’s activate the “Twenty Sixteen” theme. Hover over the theme and click “Activate” to instantly transform your blog’s design.

If none of the installed themes suit your taste, you can explore thousands of other free WordPress themes. Simply click “Add New Theme” under the “Appearance” tab to access the WordPress theme search screen.

Browse through themes by clicking the “Popular” tab and find one you like. Click “Install” to add the theme to your blog, then click “Activate” to make it live.

Explore Other Customizations

Changing your theme is just the beginning of customizing your WordPress blog. There are countless other modifications you can make to tailor your blog to your preferences.

Again if you need any help customizing your WordPress website, you can reach out to Free Website Guys agency.

How to Write a Blogpost and Publish It

Now that your blog is up and running, it’s time to actually do some blogging! 

Let’s create your first piece of content. 

Go to the left menu and click on “Posts”. You will see there is already a post there. This is a default post on every new WordPress blog, and we don’t need it. 

To delete it click “Trash” just under the post. To begin writing a new post, click the “Add New” link.

You are now on the post editor screen. Enter the title of your post in the top box and then begin writing your post in the lower box. 

If you would like to add a picture to your post, click on the “Add Image” icon and click “Upload” to upload a picture from your computer. 

You can make adjustments to the picture size on the next screen. When you are ready click “Insert into post” to add the picture.

Once you have finished your post, just click the “Publish” button on the top right side of the screen to publish the new post.

Creating content and publishing on your website is easy. But if you need a helping hand, you can email me on Hello@mercymaiyo.com. I create quality content and have a lot of experience with WordPress publishing.

Content That Should be on Your Blog

Your blog should feature two main types of content: static and dynamic.

Static Content

This type of content remains unchanged or is updated infrequently. It comprises essential pages intended to equip visitors with necessary information and resources, accessible via your blog’s menu.

Before launching your blog, ensure the presence of these crucial static pages:

• About Me (Us): This page provides a biographical overview of the author(s) and articulates the blog’s mission. Answer questions like: How did your passion for the subject evolve? What message do you wish to convey? What are your goals?
• Contact Me (Us): A contact page establishes a direct line of communication with visitors, offering reassurance of your accessibility as an author. Provide your physical address, and phone number, or use a contact form for privacy. Include links to your social media profiles.

Additionally, consider these less commonly thought-of static pages:

• Disclaimer Page: If monetizing your blog, describe your income generation methods as per FTC guidelines. Disclose any endorsements or affiliations that could affect content.
• Privacy Policy: Mandatory if you collect visitor data, outlining data collection, usage, and sharing practices to comply with regulations like CCPA and GDPR.
• Terms of Service: Recommended for blogs selling products or services to clarify legal terms and reduce liability.

These static pages are typically linked in the footer menu for visibility and accessibility.

Dynamic Content

This is the heart of your blog, featuring regularly updated posts that engage and inform your audience. 

Consistent posting at specific intervals is crucial for building a following and brand presence.

Your dynamic content, infused with your unique perspective and expertise, keeps visitors returning for informative tips, insights, opinions, and stories. Regularly posting and promoting content helps foster audience engagement and brand growth.

How to Make Money From Your Blog

Generating income from your blog becomes feasible once you’ve invested time and effort into crafting quality content and promoting your blog effectively. 

While blogs hold the potential for substantial earnings, it’s essential to understand that monetization typically doesn’t yield immediate returns. 

It may take six months to a year to establish a consistent revenue stream. 

Nonetheless, with persistence and dedication, your blog can become a lucrative venture.

Here are several methods to monetize your blog:

1. Sell Advertising Space

As your blog gains popularity, advertisers may seek opportunities to collaborate. Utilizing Google AdSense simplifies this process. 

Google manages the ad placement, allowing you to focus on content creation while earning revenue through displayed ads.

2. Sell Affiliate Products

Affiliate marketing offers a commission-based approach to advertising. By integrating affiliate links into your content, you earn commissions for sales generated through these links. 

It’s crucial to disclose your affiliate status to maintain transparency with your audience.

3. Sell Products and Services

Directly selling your products or services on your blog is an effective strategy for increasing revenue. 

Leverage your growing audience to promote and sell your offerings. 

Enhance visibility by showcasing products and services in your blog’s sidebar with visual images and links to your storefront.

4. Sell Digital Downloads

Ebooks, video tutorials, and e-courses are popular digital products sold by bloggers. With minimal overhead costs and no shipping expenses, digital downloads offer an accessible revenue stream. 

Consider leveraging your expertise to create valuable digital content that resonates with your audience.

5. Offer Memberships

Creating membership options provides exclusive content and benefits to paying members. 

Exclusive perks such as unlimited digital downloads, free consultations, or access to private forums incentivize membership. Tailor your offerings to cater to the interests and needs of your audience.

Capitalizing on your blog’s popularity and traffic offers numerous monetization opportunities. The method you choose depends on your objectives and the nature of your blog. 

While some may opt for affiliate programs, others selling physical or digital goods may prefer direct sales to retain traffic and maximize revenue potential.

Final Thoughts

We’ve come to the end of the article, and I hope this simple guide has answered your blogging questions. 

So, what are you waiting for? 

Start creating your blog now and start earning from your passion.