How To Start A Blog To Earn Money As A Complete Beginner In 2024

This post may contain paid and/or affiliate links. I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our Privacy Policy.

Blogging was never on my radar until this year. As a beginner in 2024, it already feels like you are behind in so many ways. 

I am here to tell you that it is possible to start a profitable blog in 2024 as a complete beginner. I made over $1600 in my first month of blogging.

However, not everyone is going to have the same success that I did in my first month of blogging. 

I started with an engaged Tiktok audience of over 60,000 which is why I had so much success early on. 

But you can definitely start a profitable blog in your first year and this blog post is going to show you how to start.

How to Start a Blog Using WordPress

The first thing that you will need to do is obtain a wordpress.org website, not wordpress.com. When I first started I made this mistake and I didn’t know how to fix it so I had to hire someone from Fiverr to help me. It cost me money right off the bat because of this mistake. 

The initial steps of this include signing up for Bluehost and installing WordPress. 

What is WordPress?

A blog consists of four main parts: your domain name, hosting company, content management system (CMS), and blogging theme.

WordPress is the go-to CMS for starting a blog. It’s where you create and store all your content, similar to how you’d use a word-processing tool.

Your domain name is your website’s address, while your hosting provider ensures your site is accessible online.

The blogging theme determines how your website looks online.

To start a blog, you’ll need to bring together these elements, and we’ll go into more detail below.

Step 1: Choose Your Blog Niche

Before picking your domain name and theme, take the time to pinpoint the core focus of your blog. What subjects will you want to talk about consistently? While you might already have an idea, take the time to really decide on your niche.

First, jot down your passions, hobbies, and aspirations. Then, compile a separate list highlighting your skills, experiences, and areas of expertise. 

Use these lists to spark ideas for potential blog topics and posts. If you find yourself struggling to generate article ideas, it might not be the ideal niche for you. Opt for a topic that ignites your passion and fuels endless conversation.

Take ample time with this step, as your chosen niche sets the foundation for your entire blogging journey.

Here are some sought-after and lucrative blog niches worth exploring:

• Beauty
• Business
• Career
• Fashion
• Finance
• Food
• Gaming
• Health and Wellness
• Home Decor
• Lifestyle
• Parenting
• Sustainability and Green Living

Step 2: Set Up Your Hosting Account

Save yourself time and use Bluehost.

They’ve streamlined the process to be user-friendly, making it accessible to everyone, regardless of technical expertise. In addition to its simplicity, Bluehost provides round-the-clock support via phone, email, and chat, ensuring assistance whenever you need it. Plus, with prices ranging from $2.95 to $13.95 per month, along with a complimentary domain name, it’s incredibly budget-friendly—a boon for those starting out with limited funds.

To begin, simply visit Bluehost.com and click on the prominent “Get Started” button.

Step 3: Choose Your Domain Name

Your domain name serves as your online address, making it crucial for visitors to locate your website. Just like a street address, it should be memorable and easy to spell. It is also easier if it reflects your niche.

When you choose a domain name, you’ll want to follow three simple rules:

When selecting a domain, adhere to three key principles:

1. Keep it simple: Avoid complex or hard-to-spell words.
2. Opt for a .com extension: It’s the most commonly remembered and typed web address.
3. Avoid homophones and similar-sounding words (e.g., to, two, too, or 2).

If you are struggling to come up with a unique name, you can always ask ChatGPT… that’s what I did!

After settling on a domain name, input it into the search box and proceed to check its availability. You might need to brainstorm several ideas to secure the desired keywords and .com extension, but rest assured, you’ll discover one that suits your needs.

Step 4: Select Your Hosting Package

Once your Bluehost account is set up, you’ll be guided to a page where you’ll need to pick your hosting package. You have the option to pay for hosting on a 12-month or 36-month basis, with longer plans offering lower prices. Simply input your payment details and anticipate a quick email confirmation of your registration, typically within a minute or two.

Step 5: Install WordPress and Pick a Theme

Bluehost makes installing WordPress incredibly easy, even for those without a tech background. Just follow the guided prompts and answer a few questions—it’s that simple!

After creating your account and setting up your password, the exciting part begins: choosing your theme!

Step 6: Design Your Blog

When logging into your account, you’ll have the freedom to personalize your site with various elements such as pages, categories, sub-categories, colors, fonts, widgets, and more. To begin customizing your site within WordPress, simply navigate to the Appearance Tab located on the left-hand side.

You will need to choose a theme. I use 17th Avenue for my themes because they look incredible and they have easy-to-follow troubleshooting guides and great customer service. 

Save yourself the headache of trying to figure everything out yourself and use one of their themes!

All blogs should have these pages in their navigational menu:

• About Me
• Contact 
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Disclaimer

In your header menu, you’ll want to have your main blog categories for your niche, and then under your main categories, you’ll have your niche sub-categories. 

For instance, if you’re a beauty blogger, you may have these are your main categories: 

• Makeup
• Hair
• Skincare

Now, under each main category, you’ll want to list your sub-categories. In this case, the dinner category may have:

• Eyes
• Lips
• Cheeks
• Product Recommendations

Organizing your categories effectively not only enhances readability for your audience and search engines like Google but also helps you to come up with fresh blog post ideas.

Add a Blog Logo

While customizing your blog, you can choose to upload a logo. Investing in a custom logo can set you apart from other bloggers, enhancing your branding. However, if it’s not feasible for your budget at the moment, you can opt for a free template from Canva. 

It’s worth noting that using a free Canva template may limit your ability to trademark the logo.

Add WordPress Plugins for More Functionality

While designing your site, you might discover the need for additional functionality by integrating WordPress Plugins. For example, you might desire a contact form or wish to gather email addresses for your mailing list.

To incorporate a new plugin, simply browse the options within your WordPress dashboard and download the ones that suit your requirements. With thousands of plugins available, tools like Yoast SEO and Rank Math assist bloggers in optimizing their posts for search engine results. Meanwhile, plugins like Grow facilitate easy sharing of your content across social media platforms by adding share buttons to your blog posts.

How to Write Your First Blog Post

Finally, the moment you’ve been waiting for: writing your first blog post! Here are some straightforward tips for crafting top-notch content:

1. Craft an attention-grabbing title to captivate your readers.
2. Break down your content using sub-headers (H2 and H3), bullet points, and numbered lists for improved readability.
3. Incorporate relevant images to complement your content and reinforce your message.
4. Proofread meticulously to catch any spelling or grammar errors (tools like Grammarly can be incredibly helpful).
5. Ensure your post is informative and comprehensive, covering the topic thoroughly.
6. Properly cite and credit your sources if you’ve drawn upon external information or inspiration.
7. Bold important information to make your blog post easier to read.

Marketing Your Blog

Before you can monetize your blog, you need to spread the word and attract readers to your articles. Here are some popular methods for driving traffic and marketing your new blog:

Word of Mouth:

1. After launching my blog, you can tell your friends and family to support your blog and start off with some initial traffic.

Social Media:

2. To promote your blog posts, establish a presence on various social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube. Each platform has its advantages and disadvantages, so choose based on your niche, audience preferences, and personal preferences. It’s advisable to start with two platforms initially and focus on growing them before expanding your presence.

Email Marketing:

3. From the moment you launch your blog, start collecting email addresses from your readers to stay connected with them. Sign up with an email marketing service provider; you don’t have to spend much to begin. I personally use Flodesk because they offer their services at one fixed price. You can use this link to get 50% off your first month!
4. Once signed up, integrate sign-up forms into your blog to collect email addresses and send regular newsletters to your subscribers.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO, short for search engine optimization, is the practice of optimizing your content to rank highly in search engine results, particularly on platforms like Google and Pinterest. 

The goal is to ensure that when people search the internet, your content appears prominently, ideally on the first page of search results.

During your keyword research and content creation process, it’s essential to consider various factors, including your niche, the intent of your audience, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and commonly searched phrases. Incorporating these elements into your blog posts helps increase their visibility and relevance to search engines. While this explanation is simplified, it provides a basic understanding of how SEO can benefit your blog.

How New Bloggers Can Make Money

If you’re thinking about starting a blog and making some money, there are lots of cool ways to do it! You can get paid for showing ads, promoting products, or even selling your own stuff like printables or online courses. Check out the ideas below to learn more:

1. Sell Ads: Get paid for showing ads on your blog.
2. Affiliate Marketing: Earn money by promoting other people’s products.
3. Ad Networks: Join networks like Google AdSense to earn money from ads.
4. Sell Your Own Stuff: You can create and sell your own printables, online courses, or e-books.
5. Get Paid for Sponsorships: Companies might pay you to talk about their products on your blog.
6. Offer Consulting: Share your expertise and offer advice for a fee.
7. Start a YouTube Channel: You can make videos and earn money through ads on YouTube.

Starting a blog in 2024 is still a great idea! It’s a fun way to talk about things you love, and you don’t need to be an expert or have a special degree to do it. Plus, you can learn lots of new skills and maybe even make some money along the way!