how to make money blogging

Introduction

Just a few years ago, blogging was seen as a hobby. While it’s still a hobby for some people, there is definitely potential to turn it into a business. No, making money blogging isn’t some pipe dream or hoax – it’s a reality that you can achieve given that you put in the time and effort. There are no specific hard skills required – setup is simple and there are things that you can learn along the way.

If you’re wondering how to make money blogging, you’re at the right place. Here, we break down everything from how to start blogging to blogging platforms.

That being said, there is one caveat – blogging isn’t something that pays off immediately. Building a following and increasing traffic may take some time. However, like other blogs, we’re not going to tell you it will take years – with the right guidance, you can cut this time down to months. Unlike other articles, we’re not going to give you a gist of what you need to do – we have a comprehensive guide that you can follow for success in blogging.

What Is a Blog?

A blog (a shorter form of “weblog”) is a website or journal on the internet that focuses on one or several topics and is seen in reverse chronological order. While this type of self-publishing was previously associated with diary entries, now blogs can be fully functional websites that are chock-full of useful information about different topics. Typically, blogs consist of informal language, a way to communicate with readers, and frequent updates.

How to Start Blogging Step-by-Step

Not sure where to start? Instead of relying on generic advice like staying consistent, follow this step-by-step guide on how to make money blogging.

Selecting a Blog Name and Topic

The first step to take when starting a blog is to choose a topic. Take care not to make this a general topic – there’s plenty of information out there and you need to choose a niche in order to stand out. While you should be blogging about something you’re interested in and a topic you can actually contribute to, it’s important to note that not everyone is interested in every idea. You have to be practical, do your research, and see what there’s a demand for. In addition to looking at other blogs, you can search for popular topics on Google, track trends, and check whether there’s enough information available on the subject.

Naming your blog is just as important as choosing a topic. Since the name of your blog will become your brand, it’s important not to rush the process of choosing it. You can use websites like Bluehost to check availability and make sure that your chosen domain name isn’t already taken. While .com domain names are preferred, this depends on the availability and hosting platforms. Other tips include keeping the name short and easy to read and including the blog topic in your domain name.

Buy a Domain and Get Hosting

Now that you’ve chosen a name and a niche, it’s time to get your blog on the internet. To do this, you need a web hosting company. Basically, you have to choose a blogging platform and a web hosting plan. Luckily, hosting is pretty affordable. On Bluehost, you have multiple hosting options available, with some starting at $2.95 a month. Once you pick a hosting plan, you can pick a domain and make the payment.

Select a Blogging Platform, Theme or Template

If you’re looking for a free hosting service, you always have the option of using WordPress. However, this will result in a different domain name, i.e., name.wordpress.com. Free options are also limited when it comes to customization, and some don’t allow you to put ads on your blog. That’s why most people who are looking to make money blogging use the WordPress-recommended and owned Bluehost.

Install the WordPress software and select your theme. Customization is also simple with WordPress blogging. In fact, while many complain about needing to know code in order to optimize their blogs, those using WordPress don’t have this problem. Their blogging platform is intuitive and easy to use, with no knowledge of coding required to create a beautiful and functional website. WordPress blogging also lets you choose from an array of themes and templates so that there’s something for everyone.

Launch the Blog and Create Content

Once you’re done customizing and optimizing your blog, it’s time to launch it and start creating content. After all, that is what’s going to drive traffic to your blog and ultimately allow you to make money blogging. In addition to creating engaging content, you should use SEO and media to make your blog articles stand out.

Promote Your Blog

In addition to advertising on social media, one of the best ways to promote your blog is by writing guest posts for other blogs or media sources. If people find your content engaging, they’ll check out your blog and become returning visitors.

SEO can also help you advertise your content, as can backlinks from other websites. The most important aspect to remember is to create shareable content – if you can achieve this, your readers will take care of the promotion for you.

Make Money from Your Blog

The final step in this process is to monetize your blog. There are several ways to do this, including advertisements, affiliate marketing, and sponsorships. You can even use your blog to sell physical or digital products. Once you’ve built up your reputation and have a loyal audience, you can use a multitude of ways to make money blogging.

Conclusion

Blogging isn’t as hard as it seems – all you need are good writing skills, a stable internet connection, and some patience. Once you gain a following, you’ll start making money online. The hardest part of blogging is starting. That’s why we created this step-by-step guide. We hope that this has taught you how to start blogging and wish you the best in creating a website and earning money!

TIP

This article is part of our Online X Money project. You can find more interesting and – I hope – more helpful articles in our blog about making money online.

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