Learn How to Start a Blog Successfully with Expert Advice

(Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links meaning I get a commission for recommending the products to you guys. Read full disclaimer here).

You want to start a blog but don't know where to start. Learning how to start a blog alone can be very frightening when you have no knowledge. But don't worry, I got you covered! Through my experience, I've found many ways to help you guys get started.

Please remember that multiple strategies exist for creating and driving traffic to a blog. There is no right or wrong answer to getting started. Everyone has their own strategy. You just have to find a way that works best for you.

It may sound overwhelming because you don't know where to start. Still, I promise you that there will be results if you stay optimistic and consistent. The starting stages are always difficult to overcome. However, you just have to push through to be successful.

Step-By-Step Guide

1. Niche and Name for Blog 

When you are starting your blog, the first thing you should do is ask yourself some questions. “What do I want to be known for?” “What do I want to give my readers?” “What is my passion?” “What am I good at?” “What are some problems people have?”

Asking these questions can help you narrow down what niche you want to write about and a name for your blog. 

I recommend not to narrow your niche because you might run out of ideas down the road. Just find what you love or what your passion is. You could think about mixing different niches together because some bloggers do that. Blogs do become interesting when you have two or more other categories. If you get overwhelmed with multiple niches, just start with one and expand on it later. 

Some niches I've seen people blog about would be fashion, lifestyles, health & wellness, and personal finance.

Think about your life experiences, personal self, and hobbies. You want to name your blog once you've found a niche you like. Figuring out your brand name is the first step to starting a blog.

You don't want to spend much time thinking about a name because you can always rebrand your blog. Most people try to make their blog sound catchy and cool when starting out as a beginner. Trust me, I've been there, and I wasted too much time than I needed to.

Just start off with a simple name that gets your niche across. Sometimes keeping it simple is the way to go! A simple yet memorable name will catch your audience's attention. Don't think hard about it because you might lose time launching your blog.

After you name your blog, this will be your domain (name of the website). Remember to check if your name is a trademark or not at USPTO. You do not want any copyright issues when you are just starting out.

If you need help coming up with a name, here is a list of name generators you can go to for ideas:

• Panabee
• Themeisle
• Zyro

Once you have a name, the next step is to sign up for web hosting. 

2. Web hosting 

A web host is a place where you build and write your blog. It stores all your information and allows you to publish it online, where users can access it. Most web hosting services you need to pay for (if you are starting out with little money, I recommend starting on Bluehost)

It is better to get paid web hosting and not a free one. If you are considering scaling your blog and making money from it, you must have the paid version. With a free version, you can't do much with it.

Choose a Plan (I go for the Basic)

Type in your Domain Name

If you don't have a domain name, you type it in the first box. But if you do, you type it in the second box. Make sure your domain is easy to read and spell because it'll be easier for your readers.

Create your Account and Choose your Package

Make sure you fill all the important information out.

For the package information, the best deal is the 36 months at $3.95 a month, but you can choose whichever you want.

You also have the option of getting extras but you don't have to because WordPress offers free plugins.

3. Customization 

Congrats on getting your web hosting set up. Now it is time to customize your blog. When you read other bloggers, they have different layouts, colors, designs, typography, and more. Every blogger has a unique design. I suggest you find a theme that you like and personalize it. 

A blog's design can say many things about a person.

Go out there and find the design that resonates with you. WordPress does a great job of offering many themes. If you don't like the themes, you don't have to use them, but you'll have to design them from scratch.

If you want a feminine vibe, the popular themes are from Bluchic. You have to pay for this, but the design is out of this world. I just like mine, simple and minimal.

Your design mustn't be perfect because it can be changed anytime. Just set up the important things first, and you can always go back and fix it. Don't spend too much time designing it because you must think about producing content and getting traffic. Many of you want a cute or cool design to compete with other bloggers, but it's not worth wasting time on.

After you pick a design, I suggest getting your legal pages (Privacy Policy, Disclaimer, and Terms & Conditions) to protect your blog. When starting out, you might not have many visitors, but if you plan to make money and have many visitors on your blog, you need to have these legal pages.

These important legal pages are necessary because they can protect you if someone is to sue you. I would do it when starting out because then you don't have to worry about it in the future.

It's better to be protected now than later. I don't want you guys to get into trouble down the road. Learning how to start a blog by yourself can be intimidating and overwhelming when starting out without knowledge. However, I hope my guide has helped you so far!

Whether your blog is a hobby or a business, you still want to legally protect yourself. We live in a world where people are easily sued. It's better to do it correctly the first time.

You can get a free one like Termly, but I prefer a legit one from a lawyer. I used Plug and Law by Erika Kullberg, which was worth the investment. I got 3 legal documents for only $97, a great price compared to hiring an actual lawyer.  

After you are done with that, you should do the header with the “Home,” “About,” “Blog,” and “Contact” pages next. This will help your audience to navigate through your blog.

Once you set up all your pages and the design layout you like, it is time to start writing!

4. Write and Publish

You are almost there! It is finally time to start writing.

Your first blog post might be exciting and overwhelming but don’t worry. I have been there. Just take baby steps. Remember, everyone has his or her own starting point. Finding inspiration for your blog can be tough, but the more you learn and research, the more you become an expert.

This was fun but difficult because I'm writing mostly independently and trying to rank on Google through SEO. This takes lots of work.

Writing can take much longer if you go to school, have a full-time job, or have a family to care for. If you have no time, I advise you to outsource to ghostwriters or copywriters. This can help to get your blog out there faster. 

However, if you love writing, you can do it yourself. Some people prefer doing it themselves because they want it to be their writing style or are on a budget. Just spend about 30 minutes to 1 hour a day writing.

I do both because my schedule can be hectic, and to me, time is everything. I have to prioritize my schedule to get most of my work done. 

Once you finish writing a post, you just have to click “Publish,” and it's on the internet.

After a while, you get the hang of it. Next, you can start making money through affiliate marketing, advertising, digital products, and sponsored posts. You might have nothing, but start building slowly, and you'll get there. If you need more help and want your blog to become a business, you must invest in groups or courses. I am a part of the Insiders, and the people in the group have helped me grow as a person and as a blogger. If you want to grow your blog quickly, invest your time and money. 

Overall, the blogging process is self-explanatory. It's just a lot of work in the beginning. Blogging can suck until it doesn't!

5. Promote Your Blog

No one knows about your blog when you are a beginner, so there's no reading it. You must let the world know who you are and what you write about.

This part is one of the hardest parts because there are multiple ways to promote your blog, such as SEO, social media, or paid ads. People have strategies, so you must find one that suits you.

I suggest starting with one social media and sticking with it to see if it works. If you try multiple, you might feel overwhelmed, and it can cause burnout. If you see no result, you should switch gears. Usually, it takes 3-6 months to see the result, so please be patient.

As long as you keep consistency, you will get the desired results. Try Pinterest, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, or SEO.

By doing and testing things out, I know you will find the perfect method for yourself!
I hope I simplified the information on how to start a blog for you guys, and I hope you are excited about getting your blog up and running.

Start Your Blogging Journey

There you have it! The guide that will help you get started! Starting a blog can be an exciting and fulfilling endeavor. Remember, consistency, authenticity, and commitment are keys to being successful as a blogger. Whether your goal is to share your passion, inspire others, or establish a business, anything is possible if you stay true to yourself.