Today, there are so many people who are blogging full-time and earning good money from it. In fact, it is possible for successful blogs to earn over 6 figures annually, with millions of unique visitors each year.

However, when you are starting a blog, it is important to have realistic goals. Even $3000 dollars a month is an excellent number to aim for. Everyone has to start from scratch and slowly make their way up. There will be errors, falls, setbacks, and lots of patience required. However, there are some mistakes you can avoid to make your blogging journey a lot easier. And there are some important steps you must not miss. Let’s talk about these today.

The best way to start your blog

The quickest and most effective way to start a blog is to sign up for Bluehost web hosting service. You can sign up for their basic plan which is very affordable at only $2.95 every month. With a hosting plan, you also get to choose a domain name for free.

Then you need to follow the instructions to complete setting up your Bluehost account. It is recommended to skip buying extra packages, except for domain privacy + protection as it is very useful.

Once you have finished the setup procedure, you will have your own spot on the Internet. However, there are a number of steps remaining, so hold on tight.

Getting your blog ready

Next, you need to start working on how your blog looks, the main platform you will be using, the layout, and more. The steps are listed below:

Install your blogging platform, WordPress.
Browse through different themes and choose and install one. There are plenty of beautiful, free themes available.
Customize the theme, add your own header, sections, images, or backgrounds to personalize your blog.
Start writing and publishing on your new blog.
Remember to be consistent and publish blogs regularly.
Monetize your blog.

Let’s break down these steps into more detail to make the process easier for you.

Be creative and have a niche

Having a unique blog with an individual voice can help you build and grow your platform faster. Try to look for a different niche so that your blog offers something that others don’t. In this way, you will have your own audience, following ‘your’ distinctive voice and experiences.

Now, you may be dizzied by ideas and wondering how to come up with your own niche. Well, you can take some steps to make this easier:

1. The Topic and You

First, think about yourself and your relationship with the topic you want to talk about. Do you have personal experiences you can share? Is the topic something you are deeply interested in and wish to explore? The main thing is, you should feel drawn to the subject and have curiosity towards it. Also, think in terms of the content you can churn out from the given topic. It is important for the topic to be broad enough so you can keep coming up with new aspects to talk about.

2. The Topic and Others

The next thing to consider is how many other people will actually be interested in this topic. Sometimes, we tend to assume that only we are obsessed with certain things – when there are many others like us. You can do some basic research through Google and find out.

One tip is to avoid using generic words to describe your blog. Try to be a little specific so that it appeals to others who are also interested in that exact activity. For instance, how about a ‘lipstick’ or ‘nail art’ blog rather than a generic ‘makeup’ blog. Or, a ‘cat’ blog rather than a pet blog. More people are likely to relate to you if you talk in specific terms.

Choosing a name for your blog

This is the fun part but it can also get confusing in no time. Once you have decided on your niche, you can start brainstorming different names for your blog.
One way to approach this is to take a piece of paper and write down any word that comes to mind. These words can then be mixed and matched, and combined to see possible options.
Some people also go by their own names for their blogs. This is also a good option, but you must have alternatives. Not all names are available as domains so you will have to check through Bluehost’s domain name-checker.

Tips for choosing a domain name

It is best to choose a .com.
Avoid using hyphens, numbers, and homophones in the domain name.
Keep the name short and brief and uncomplicated.
It should be easy to pronounce and free flowing.

Bluehost for web-hosting

With web hosting and a domain name, you can take your blog live. Bluehost is one of the best web hosting companies as they have affordable packages. For the first year, your domain name is also free.

You can opt for their basic plan for $2.95 a month or you can choose their Plus package for $5.45 per month. The Plus package offers unlimited websites and SSD storage.

Package extras

While you set up your domain, you will be offered to invest in some package extras. It is important to know what these will be and which ones you must use.
Domain Privacy + Protection – this is the one you should definitely get. It is integral for the safety of your information as it keeps your personal information away from the public.
Codeguard Basic – this is for creating a daily backup of your blog.
Bluehost SEO Tools – this offers SEO tools but it is not the best option.
Microsoft 365 Mailbox Trial – this is free and it helps manage your business email account. One excellent alternative is Google Workspace.
SiteLock Security Essentials – it helps to protect your blog from malware. Better alternatives are available for this, so you don’t need to get this.

Install WordPress for blogging

Without blogging software, you cannot start a blog. WordPress is the most user-friendly, fast, and well-designed blogging platform. The best part is, it has lots of free plugins to help you modify and enhance your blog.

So, how do you install WordPress? After you have your free domain with your hosting account, you will find an icon that says ‘Install WordPress’. Follow the remaining steps and you are ready to blog on your very own WordPress!

Design Your Blog

Now you have a fully functional blog in your hands. But before you start publishing, you need to revamp your page, design it, and bring personality into it. You can start by browsing through the Themes section and finding a design that expresses you and your blog best. You should look for a theme that aligns with your brand’s identity, voice, and purpose. WordPress even has a Feature Filter that looks for a theme to fit with your blog. Premium themes are also available if you want more options. Don’t stress too much about picking the right theme as you can change it any time. You can always experiment and improvise on the final look of your blog.

Customize and Optimize your Blog

To add more functionality to your blog, you can choose from a list of plugins available on WordPress. You can add contact forms, forums, widgets, and many interesting features to your blog.
You should remember to optimize your blog for SEO (search engine optimization) as it helps in increasing your discoverability and improves your website’s Google ranking. You can do this by installing Yoast SEO from the plug-ins menu.

You should also remember to configure XML Sitemaps while setting up YoastSEO. This setting allows search engines like Google to crawl your website for updates.

Think About Blog Topics

Now that the technical aspect is complete, you can start thinking about your creative content. Brainstorm different topic ideas and think about them from different angles to decide on one. Think about what would excite your readers, what challenges they might be facing, or what the common traits of your readers are. The more you think from your reader’s perspective, the better ideas you will be able to come up with.

Once you have your blog topic, make sure you also have a catchy headline to attract your readers and potential ones.

Start Writing

Go on the Posts sections and then click ‘Add New’ to begin working on your first piece. You will now be in the editor section where you can write, edit, and customize your article in every way. You can add headers, images, quotes, and much more.

Also, remember to make customizations based on the Yoast SEO plug-in’s feedback.

Monetize your blog

Now, the last step is monetizing your blog. Once your blog generates traffic, you will start earning from it. You can think of different ways you wish to monetize from it.
One way is to sell advertisements on your page. By selling ad placements to big corporations, you can make some serious money through your blog. Another way to monetize is by selling physical items and directing people to Amazon sale pages.

Remember that you can never start monetizing your blog immediately. First, you need to work on creating powerful, engaging content that drives large traffic. Once you have achieved this, you will start making money from your blog in one way or the other.

Always remember to write from your heart and connect with your audience. Lastly, be consistent and regular. Best of luck on starting your new blog!