I wrote this tutorial to show you how to start your blog from scratch within minutes. All of the links in this post will open in new windows to avoid losing track of your progress. It will also help if you save this page in your browser’s favorites folder to continue working on your blog setup later!
[Note: Make sure you read this entire tutorial.]
HOW TO MAKE MONEY BLOGGING: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
If you want to make money blogging, a writing platform is crucial to have. So, I recommend that you follow each step as written to build your blog without issues.
WHAT IS A BLOG, AND HOW DO I BUILD ONE?
Before we get started, let’s discuss the definition of a blog and its purpose:
A blog is a regularly updated website containing articles (better known as posts) about a specific topic. For example, RenataBarton.com is a blog dedicated entirely to blogging and earning money as a professional blogger. You can establish a blog on travel, cooking, home and garden, or lifestyle.
Your blog niche is the subject of your blog.
While some people blog to share personal events in their lives or their favorite hobbies, niche blogging is ideal for earning money. I’ll discuss the top four methods many other bloggers use to make money at the end of this guide.
Are you ready to start building your blog? Good, then let’s go!
STEP 1: CHOOSE YOUR BLOGGING NICHE
A specific niche is less critical if you’re blogging for enjoyment or hobbies. However, a specialty is ideal if you want to earn a sizable income. One trick is to select a topic that you enjoy or is your passion that you have significant knowledge to write about at length.
Choose another topic if you aren’t motivated to write about your selected topic.
The most popular blogging themes are lifestyle, finance, technology, health, travel, and business. However, narrowing down your niche can avoid confusion and stress. For example, a travel blog about planning an exciting vacation or a startup blog about establishing your own wedding photography business are popular specialties.
My point is to choose one and OWN it!
Don’t worry if you’re having trouble picking a niche. You can begin writing about your interests, and later, narrow or shift your focus to find out what works best for you.
STEP 2: CREATE A UNIQUE DOMAIN
Now, it’s time to choose a domain name, which is the web address for your blog platform.
Here are several factors to consider when deciding on a domain:
Ensure that your name is simple to pronounce and memorable. Avoid misspellings, numbers, or special characters such as hyphens in your domain name. These factors will make it challenging for website visitors to remember your web address.
Choose the .com (meaning ‘commercial’) extension for your domain. Extensions such as .net or .org are less common and more complex to remember. They also lack security and are challenging to monetize.
Relate your blog name to your niche. People will immediately understand the goal of your site if you use this strategy. For example, a food blog is suitable if you’re a chef. On the other hand, consider blogging about road trips or your experiences visiting other countries and adding photos if you’re a traveler. Get it?
Use your real name. If you’re having trouble coming up with a unique title for your blog, consider using your first and last name or even a pen name as a safer choice.
Don’t stress about finding a domain name that pops. Once you get started, the name you choose is likely to grow, and your visitors will learn to associate it with you.
If you can’t think of a domain name right now, you can still create your blog and then return to choose one.
STEP 3: PURCHASE A WEB HOSTING PLAN
Since you’re a beginner blogger and have little or no experience, it would be best to have a managed blog to make money. You own all of your content and control your blog with some help from the host administrators.
Setting up web hosting and your domain name is straightforward and takes a few minutes. The best part is that you don’t have to know advanced code, or rely on an expert, to make your blog functional and responsive unless you choose to do so.
First, you must select a web host.
SiteGround is the web hosting company I currently use, trust, and recommend.
Here are some of the reasons why I’ve been a long-time SiteGround user:
- Their server is as fast as lightning, allowing websites to load in milliseconds.
- They offer some of the most cost-effective web hosting plans available.
- You’ll never have to worry about your blog developing frequent errors.
- They are popular among bloggers who are running blogging businesses.
1. GO TO SITEGROUND.COM
Read the details about the hosting plans carefully to avoid making the wrong choice. As you will see, the prices of all three options range from low to high, depending on the features and services.
2. SCROLL DOWN AND SELECT YOUR PREFERRED HOSTING PLAN
Can’t decide which plan you want? Well, I recommend the Startup package. Click the “Get Plan” button to start the process.
I use the same plan, but I also manage my work all in one space. Therefore, I get the tools I need for an affordable price. Since you’re just starting out, one blog is enough to focus on growing your exposure and maximizing your revenue.
3. TYPE IN YOUR DOMAIN NAME
You’ll use the domain name you chose in Step 2.
4. CREATE YOUR HOSTING ACCOUNT
Your hosting account will be your identity on the SiteGround platform. Just add your name, address, and other information required for your login and payment method.
5. CHOOSE YOUR PLAN
I recommend the 12-month plan. On the other hand, you can also choose a 24-month or 36-month plan, which will cost more money. If you discover that you dislike SiteGround but have an extended hosting package, you would have to wait two or three years until it expires.
So, the yearly plan is ideal. It allows you enough time to decide if you want to continue using the platform or refuse to renew the service, at the end of your hosting period.
What about additional package options? You have the choice to add extra services such as domain privacy and the site scanner to receive hacking notifications and warnings about suspicious activity within the coding on your blog.
6. YOU’VE CREATED YOUR SITEGROUND ACCOUNT!
Now, SiteGround will install WordPress for you and then you can start building your blog.
What is WordPress? WordPress is a platform that provides blogging tools for bloggers to write posts and create other content. Your dashboard is where you can customize the appearance of your blog, publish posts, and upload images. The features are easy to use even if you’re an amateur.
STEP 4: CUSTOMIZE YOUR BLOG
When you log into your WordPress dashboard, you’ll see various features on the left sidebar menu. There, you can view themes in many categories and then install one relatable to your niche. Most free default themes are more suitable for corporations than bloggers. However, using a premium theme will make your site appear more professional and attractive.
Here are the benefits you get when you pay for a premium blog theme:
- Step-by-step instructions for installation.
- A theme developer who provides customer support for a small additional price.
- Essential features such as a mobile-friendly design and customization capabilities
If you’re currently budgeting and trying to save money, you can always start with one of the free themes and upgrade later!
STEP 5: EARN A PASSIVE INCOME BLOGGING!
You can immediately monetize your blog after the setup. Many bloggers believe they have to create up to 50 posts until their blog is eligible for monetization, which is false. However, some beginners have earned money within their first month of blogging. Therefore, waiting is unnecessary.
Here are three of the most lucrative methods to make money as a beginner blogger:
Becoming an Advertiser: Advertising is a great way to make money blogging. Ad networks place ads on your blog and pay you based on views, clicks, or signups.
Selling Digital Products: Many bloggers spend time creating their own custom products to sell, such as digital eBooks or online courses. The method is popular among writers and can become a lucrative income source.
Getting into Affiliate Marketing: Becoming an affiliate is one of the easiest ways to earn a passive income. The process involves promoting a product on your blog and receiving a commission from each purchase through your unique affiliate links (like I’m doing with this instructional guide).
Take advantage of this amazing deal to get SiteGround hosting at a low, affordable price. This offer is only available to new members. So, act now to get your discount:
FINAL THOUGHT
As you can see, starting a blog is simple! On the other hand, you will have to put in a lot of time and work if you want to make money. While blogging isn’t a way to earn money quickly, the results will blow your mind if you dedicate yourself to leveling up.
