Would you like to have your own blog? Check out these insider tips and tricks for How to Start a Blog Today!
You only need 15 minutes to get started. That’s really all the time it will take to set up your brand new blog! Just follow my easy step-by-step guide for How To Start A Blog, and you’ll be ready to start writing your first post within minutes. It’s time to finally make your blogging dream a reality.
Why Start a Blog?
Oh you know… be your own boss, work from home, set your own hours, travel when it works with your schedule… those kind of things! 😉
Now as you know… I started my blog back in 2009, after getting laid off from my job at the hospital. And let me tell you… I’m so glad I did! It has allowed to work from home, spend lots of time with my family, have the flexibility to travel, and make a great income, too! {bonus} It truly has changed my life… and is honestly my dream job!
What Type of Blog Should I Start?
Before you start your blog… you’ll first want to consider what type of blog you want to start. There are so many fun types of blogs, and you’ll want to make sure your blog aligns well with your passions. Popular types of blogs to consider include…
- Food and Recipe Blog
- Travel Blog
- DIY or Home Decor Blog
- Finance or Frugal Living Blog
- Fashion or Beauty Blog
- Lifestyle Blog
- Parenting Blog
How to Start a Blog Today…
Now that you know what type of blog will love writing… let’s get started!
Check out these tips and tricks I’ve learned over the past 10 years, and let’s go start that blog you’ve been dreaming of…
Step #1. Pick a Blog Name & Set up your Hosting! {+ Get a FREE Domain Name!}
When picking a name… think about your passions, what you’ll be blogging about, and who your target audience will be. DIY/Crafts, Food/Recipes, Deals/Money Saving, Fashion, Home Decor, Photography, Travel, Technology, Gardening, honestly…. it’s whatever you love! Just keep in mind… easy to remember and easy to spell names are always a good choice! 😉
—> Sign Up with Bluehost {click on the green ‘Get Started’ button}
Take advantage of the sale right now for $2.95/month!! You’ll love the easy 1-click WordPress Install, 24/7 support, and you’ll even get a FREE Domain Name! Now just follow the easy step-by-step instructions below…
—> Select your Plan! {you’ll pay by the year and score a sweet monthly deal!}
—> Enter the Domain Name {website address} you’ve chosen on the left under ‘New Domain Name’, then click Blue ‘Next’ Button.
—> Finalize Your Purchase!
Step #2: Install WordPress
WordPress is easy to use and sets you apart as a professional. Plus… it’s free! So my advice to you? Start off with WordPress from the get-go! You’ll avoid the headache of a blog migration later on, and learn on a great tool from Day 1 of your blog!
Step #3: Pick a WordPress Theme!
Now that you’ve got your Blog Name and Hosting Set up with Bluehost, it’s time to choose a beautiful theme for your new website.
Bluehost has several themes you can choose from, many of which are FREE! I recommend choosing a user friendly, mobile-responsive theme. Mobile responsive themes automatically adjust to different types of screens, based upon what you’re reading the blog on – laptop, tablet, phone, etc.
Step #4: It’s Time to Blog!
Now that you’ve picked your Niche, your Web Host, and your Blog Name… it’s time to start blogging! Before you announce your new blog to family, friends, and the world ~ take some time to first publish several new posts. I’d recommend publishing at least 5 posts to begin with, then just make it a habit to keep publishing new content consistently… at least one new post per week. Remember… content is King, so great content will bring in loyal followers!
Step #5: Set up your Social Media Pages!
Now that you’ve started a blog, go set up your Social Media pages to drive traffic to your new site!
My favorite Social Media sites include: Pinterest | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Then after you set up your pages, start following similar accounts in your niche and interact with them to get your pages out there!
And that’s it… You’re Officially a Blogger Now!
So… that about sums it up! I hope you’ve enjoyed these tips for How to Start a Blog Today! Congratulations on your new blog, and enjoy the journey! 🙂
Start Making a Profit From Your Blog! {So You Can Ditch the Commute}
One of the best parts of blogging is the complete flexibility… seriously, you can blog from anywhere! So yes… you can enjoy the luxury of working from home, setting your own hours, taking vacations whenever you choose, and even working on the road while you travel for extended periods of time!
A blog is a business… work hard, produce quality content, develop a loyal following, and make a living! I’m going to give you some tips on how you’re going to make this a reality. Here are some of my best tips and tricks to get your blog income building quickly…
How to Make Money Blogging
How to Drive More Traffic To Your Blog with Great Pictures!
We’ve all heard that a picture is worth a thousand words… and that goes for the photos on your blog, too! To set your self apart from others, you’ll want to make sure you’re showing off your best, top-notch photos on your blog! Check out my favorite tips and tricks for how to take top notch photos that stand out from the crowd…
Blog Photography Tips and Tricks
So do you have any questions about How to Start a Blog Today?
Ask away! I’d love to help!
Rebecca Dillon says
This is perfect for the start of the new year. Thanks!
Tammy Simonton says
Love this info! I’ve been procrastinating about blogging for a couple of years now.. Mostly because it intimidates me, as i am the family tech idiot, lol! While money is not tight at the moment, it has become increasingly clear that I need to have an income.. Besides, my husband says I have so much to say, I may as well get paid for it. (just kidding, he’s a good man!)
But I do have a question–When your blog is set up with a domain name, is that the same place people would go if they were to buy your products, or would that be a separate website? I handcraft several items, but the trade shows are becoming more and more of a scheduling conflict, and I also need a place with a “shopping cart” to sell my items.. I ask, because I noticed an affiliate ad for wix..
Thanks!
Tammy
Heidi says
Hi Tammy,
That’s so exciting you’re ready to start a blog! Yes… if you have products to sell, this website could be where people could come and shop for your products. After setting up your hosting and free domain name with Bluehost, you’ll want to add a WordPress Shopping Cart Plugin {there are several options to choose from} to your site to enable an online shopping cart experience for your customers. You can also choose to work with PayPal on your site as a secure way to receive payments for your products. Hope that helps!
Terri Stewart says
Hi. I want to start a blog and don’t want to limit myself to just one “subject.” I want to blog about whatever is on my mind from day-to-day. Is this possible? Does it change the way I start up?
Thanks
Terri
Heidi says
Hi Terri ~ I completely understand… I love blogging about a variety of topics, too! My only suggestion is to pick more of a generic name for your blog and website url when signing up… this will allow you the flexibility of blogging about whatever is on your mind, and not feeling like you are cornered into a niche topic with a limiting blog name. Hope that helps… have FUN starting your new blog!
Melissa says
Hello Heidi! I lost my job about 6 months ago. I have always wanted to blog. I have so many ideas and tips I love to share with people. I appreciate you giving yours. I’m just curious, how do you make money eye off of it? How do I go about getting that set up?
Thank you for your time!
Heidi says
Hi Melissa ~ I’m so sorry to hear about your job loss. A layoff is actually what encouraged me to start my blog, too! Both advertising and affiliate marketing are excellent ways to make a good income from your blog. You can learn more about that here:
https://thefrugalgirls.com/make-money-blogging-tips
Hope that helps… and have fun Blogging! 🙂
Amy Pelzner says
Thanks for all the great info! I’m in the beginning stages and trying to get all the ideas I can.
Heidi says
You’re ver welcome, Amy… that’s so exciting!!
Luisk says
This is great. I just like the step by step guideline. To start a blog perfectly I believe these instructions will be effective. I’m looking forward to follow these tips to start my first personal blog.
Karen says
Hello Heidi. Just wanted to take a minute and tell you how much I love and appreciate The Frugal Girls. I am a 54 year old Southern girl and not to brag but I am an amazing cook. As an only child my late Mother “Made” me help her with every meal in the kitchen from a very young age… and because of that a good cook was formed. I owe my Mother so much.
I have tons of old Family Recipes, I collected Cookbooks for years,and….. then…… along came the Internet.!!
I am a Subscriber to several Cooking/ Recipe Sites and I was getting several emails daily from them.
Then One day I found The Frugal Girls on Pinterest.!!!!! I immediately Subscribed with you. I have enjoyed each and every email you have sent and read each of them completely.
Honestly I have unsubscribed from most of the other sites as they cannot compare to you. Your recipes are delicious yet simple, your Tips make my hectic life much Easier. And you are Christian. What a blessing. Just wanted to say GREAT WORK so glad to have found you. Karen in NC
Heidi says
Aww ~ thanks so much for the sweet comment, Karen! You just made my day! 🙂
Cynthia says
Hi!! I always enjoy your blog and all the wonderful recipes that you share!! I hope to start a food blog sometime in the near future, but I don’t really understand the advertising part–by that I mean, companies actually pay you to post their ads? I’m assuming this takes time, of course, in which you have to establish your blog and gain some followers…can you elaborate when you get a chance?
Thanks so much!!
Heidi says
Hi Cynthia! How exciting that you’ll be starting a food blog soon! Working with advertising companies is definitely a great way to monetize your new blog. I highly recommend both Google Ads and Gourmet Ads. Once you have a blog, you can add their ads to your sidebar and start making an income off of that ad space. The amount of money you will earn will be in direct correlation to the volume of traffic you receive on your site. So as your traffic grows, so will your earnings! You can read more about how Gourmet Ads works here: http://tinyurl.com/nm23g5a Hope that helps!! 🙂
Rene Bass says
Love The Frugal Girls website, have enjoyed it for years
Heidi says
Aww ~ thanks for the sweet comment, Rene! 🙂
Brita Stewart says
Hi! I’ve read your article and I have a few questions about blogger vs wordpress. What kind of issues did you have with blogger? And what are the advantages to using wordpress?
Thank you,
Brita Stewart
Heidi says
Hi Brita ~ in my experience, WordPress gives you more control, flexibility, and creative license when blogging. Hope that helps! 😉