The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Blog That Makes Money (in 2025)

You’ve seen the blog success stories—people making thousands (even millions) from their little corner of the internet, working from coffee shops, traveling the world, or just enjoying the sweet, sweet freedom of not answering to a boss. Sounds great, right?

But then reality kicks in. What even is a blog? Isn’t the internet already flooded with them? Do people actually make money from this, or is it just another online pipe dream?

Let me clear things up: Yes, blogging is still alive and well. No, it’s not just an online diary. And yes, you can make money—good money—if you do it right.

The trick? Treat it like a business, not a hobby. That’s where most people go wrong. They start a blog, throw up a few posts, and expect cash to roll in. Spoiler alert: it won’t.

But don’t worry though—I’ll walk you through everything step by step. From setting up your blog the right way to growing traffic and actually making money, this guide will get you from “Where do I even start?” to “Why didn’t I do this sooner?”

What Even Is a Blog? (And Why Should You Care?)

A blog is simply a website that gets updated regularly with new content—usually articles, guides, or personal insights. Some people use blogs like online journals (which is totally fine, but not what we’re here for). Others use them as full-blown businesses that make money through ads, affiliate marketing, digital products, and services. That’s what we’re focusing on.

Why should you care? Because a blog is one of the best ways to build a business that works for you. No physical inventory. No opening hours. No dealing with cranky customers face-to-face. Just a laptop, WiFi, and a smart strategy.

Ready? Let’s get to it.

Step 1: Pick a Profitable Blog Niche (Yes, This Actually Matters)

Before you start throwing words on a website, you need to decide what your blog will be about. This part is crucial—because if you choose something random without a plan, you’ll be stuck writing about things no one cares about (and that won’t make you money).

But let’s be clear: not every niche is profitable. You might love writing about your dog’s daily adventures, but unless you can monetize it (think pet product affiliate links, sponsorships, or digital products), it won’t generate consistent income.

So how do you pick a niche that actually makes money?

1️⃣ Choose Something You Won’t Hate Writing About

Blogging is a long game. Even the most successful blogs take months (sometimes years) to grow into a money-making machine. If you pick a niche just because it’s “trendy” or seems profitable—but you have zero interest in it—you’ll burn out fast.

Ask yourself:

• Could I write about this topic for the next 1-2 years without running out of ideas?
• Am I genuinely interested in learning more about this industry?
• Do I already talk about this topic in real life (with friends, family, or on social media)?

If the answer is no, keep brainstorming.

2️⃣ Make Sure People Actually Search for It

Even if you’re obsessed with a topic, it won’t matter if no one else cares. Your blog needs an audience, and that means people have to be actively searching for information related to your niche.

Here’s how to check demand:
✅ Google Trends – Type in your topic and see if search interest is steady or growing. If it’s declining, that’s a red flag.
✅ Answer the Public – This tool shows you what real people are asking about in your niche. If there are tons of questions, that’s a good sign!
✅ Pinterest & YouTube – These platforms work like search engines. Type in keywords related to your niche and see if popular content already exists.

💡 Pro tip: Competition isn’t a bad thing—it means there’s money to be made. If no one else is writing about a topic, that usually means there’s no demand.

3️⃣ Check the Money Potential

Some topics are interesting but nearly impossible to monetize. A profitable niche should have multiple ways to make money, such as:

• Affiliate marketing – Can you recommend products and earn commissions? (Think Amazon Associates, LTK, or niche-specific affiliate programs.)
• Sponsored content – Are brands actively working with bloggers in this space? (A quick Google search for “[your niche] + sponsored blog post” can tell you.)
• Digital products – Could you sell an e-book, templates, printables, or an online course down the road?
• Ad revenue – Are there high-paying advertisers in this niche? Some industries (finance, tech, health) tend to pay more for display ads than others.

💰 Bonus Tip: If you want to see what’s already working, check out successful bloggers in your niche. What products or services are they selling? What affiliate links do they use? This can give you a head start on your own monetization strategy.

Need Help Choosing?

I break this down even more in [How to Choose a Profitable Blog Niche], where I walk you through real examples of profitable niches, how to validate demand, and what to avoid.

Step 2: Choose a Blogging Platform (Spoiler: Go with WordPress)

There are plenty of blogging platforms out there—Blogger, Wix, Squarespace—but if you’re serious about making money, WordPress.org is the way to go. (Not to be confused with WordPress.com, which is a completely different thing and way more limited.)

Here’s why professional bloggers swear by WordPress.org:

✅ Full Control Over Your Site

With WordPress.org, you own your website. You can design it however you want, install any plugins you need, and even move it to a different hosting provider if necessary. Platforms like Wix and Squarespace own your content, meaning they can shut down your site or limit your monetization options. No thanks.

✅ More Customization Options

Want a sleek, professional-looking blog? WordPress gives you access to thousands of free and premium themes that make designing your site easy. Plus, with over 59,000 plugins, you can add features like email opt-ins, social media sharing buttons, and SEO tools without touching a single line of code.

✅ Better for SEO (aka Getting Found on Google)

WordPress is built with SEO (Search Engine Optimization) in mind. That means Google loves it. With the right plugins (like Yoast SEO or Rank Math), you can optimize your content to rank higher in search results—bringing in more traffic and, ultimately, more money.

Other platforms have SEO limitations, making it harder for your blog to get discovered.

✅ Can Actually Make Money With It

If you want to monetize your blog through ads, affiliate marketing, digital products, or sponsorships, WordPress.org gives you complete flexibility. Unlike free platforms (which often restrict monetization or take a cut of your earnings), you keep 100% of your profits.

🚨 Avoid “Free” Blogging Platforms 🚨
Yes, it’s tempting to start with a free platform like Blogger or WordPress.com, but they come with major downsides:

• Limited monetization options – Many don’t allow ads or restrict affiliate links.
• Unprofessional domain names – A site like yourblog.wordpress.com doesn’t scream credibility.
• Less control – You can’t fully customize your site, and they can shut you down anytime.

Step 3: Get Your Blog Online (Domain & Hosting)

This part might sound techy, but I promise—it’s easier than ordering a Starbucks drink with five modifications. And once it’s done, your blog will officially exist on the internet. 🚀

1️⃣ Pick a Domain Name

Your domain name is your blog’s web address (like yourblogname.com). Think of it as your online identity—it should be easy to remember, simple to spell, and brandable.

Tips for Choosing the Perfect Domain Name:

✅ Keep it short & simple – Long, complicated names are easy to forget and mistype.
✅ Stick with .com if possible – It’s the most recognized and trusted domain extension.
✅ Avoid numbers & hyphens – They make your domain harder to say and remember.
✅ Make it niche-relevant – If your blog is about fitness, travel, or finance, a name that hints at your niche helps with branding.

💡 Need inspiration? Use tools like Namecheap or Lean Domain Search to brainstorm available names.

2️⃣ Choose a Hosting Provider

Your hosting provider is what makes your blog live on the internet. Think of it like renting space online—without hosting, your blog is just a bunch of files sitting in a folder.

There are tons of hosting providers out there, but here are some solid choices:

⭐ SiteGround – Great for beginners, fast servers, and excellent customer support.
⭐ BigScoots – Super fast and reliable, but a little pricier.
⭐ Bluehost – One of the cheapest options, but mixed reviews on speed and customer service.

Pro Tip: Don’t fall for the “free hosting” trap. Free platforms like Blogger or WordPress.com own your content and limit monetization. If you’re serious about making money, go with WordPress.org and invest in good hosting. For this website, I am using Bluehost.

3️⃣ Set Up WordPress (The Right Way)

Once you have your domain and hosting, it’s time to install WordPress.org—which most hosting providers make ridiculously easy.

How to Install WordPress (No Tech Skills Needed):

1️⃣ Sign up for hosting – Choose a plan and register your domain (if you haven’t already).
2️⃣ Find the “One-Click WordPress Install” option – Most hosts have this in their dashboard.
3️⃣ Log into your new WordPress site – After installation, you’ll get a login link (something like yourblog.com/wp-admin).
4️⃣ Set up basic settings – Change your site title, set a tagline, and adjust permalink structure (for SEO-friendly URLs).

🎉 That’s it! Your blog is officially online! Next up: making it look legit (without needing a design degree).

Step 4: Design Your Blog (Without Making It Ugly)

Your blog’s design actually matters—a lot. If your site looks like it was built in 2008 or is harder to navigate than IKEA, people will click away faster than a pop-up ad. The good news? You don’t need a graphic design degree to make your blog look sleek and professional. Just follow these simple rules:

1️⃣ Choose a Clean, Mobile-Friendly Theme

Your theme is the foundation of your blog’s look and feel, so pick one that’s fast, simple, and user-friendly.

🚀 Best WordPress Themes for Bloggers:

• Restored 316 – Beautiful, feminine, and customizable (the theme for this blog is a Restored316 theme. they are great for lifestyle + business + pretty much can be customized for most blogging niches).
• Astra – Super lightweight and beginner-friendly.
• Kadence – Great for flexibility and speed.

👉 Pro Tip: Avoid free themes if you plan to monetize. Premium themes often load faster, have better SEO, and offer way more customization options.

2️⃣ Keep Fonts Readable (No Fancy Cursive for Body Text)

You want readers to stay on your blog, not struggle to decipher your content.

Stick to:
✅ Sans-serif fonts (like Lato, Montserrat, or Open Sans) for body text.
✅ 14-16px font size (so it’s readable on all devices).
✅ Decorative fonts only for headers or accents (if at all).

3️⃣ Stick to 2-3 Main Colors (Simple = Professional)

Color sets the vibe of your brand, but too much can look chaotic.

Stick to:
🎨 One primary color (for buttons, links, and accents).
🎨 One neutral color (for backgrounds and text).
🎨 One optional accent color (for small pops of contrast).

💡 Not sure what colors to use? Try Coolors to generate color palettes that work.

4️⃣ Make Navigation Stupid Easy

If people can’t find what they’re looking for, they won’t stick around.

Make sure your site has:
✔ A clear menu with essential pages (Home, Blog, About, Contact).
✔ Categories for posts (so readers can browse by topic).
✔ A search bar (because nobody wants to scroll endlessly).

💡 Bonus Tip: Keep your homepage clean and focused. If it’s cluttered with distractions, your readers won’t know what to do next.

Boom! Your blog now looks like a legit website, not a chaotic DIY project. Next up: writing your first blog posts that actually get traffic. 🚀

Step 5: Write Your First Blog Posts (Because an Empty Blog Looks Sketchy)

You wouldn’t open a coffee shop with zero drinks on the menu, right? The same logic applies to your blog. Before you start telling people about it, make sure there’s actually something to read—otherwise, visitors will bounce faster than a bad Tinder date.

At a minimum, you should have these five essential blog posts ready to go:

1️⃣ The “Start Here” Post (Your Blog’s Welcome Mat)

Think of this as your elevator pitch. This post should:
✔ Introduce who you are and why you started this blog.
✔ Explain who your blog is for (so your ideal readers know they’re in the right place).
✔ Highlight what kind of content they can expect (so they know why to stick around).

👉🏻 Example: “Hey, I’m Sarah! I started this blog to help busy moms make money from home with digital products. Here’s what you’ll find here, plus my top posts to get started!”

2️⃣ The “Pillar” Post (Your Heavy-Hitter Content)

This is the meaty, high-value post that establishes your authority. It should be:
✔ Long-form (1,500+ words) and packed with helpful, actionable info.
✔ SEO-friendly (so it ranks on Google).
✔ Something that answers a BIG question your audience has.

👉🏻 Example: “The Ultimate Guide to Making $1,000/Month with Digital Products (Even as a Beginner).”

💡 Pro Tip: This post should be so good that people want to bookmark it and share it.

3️⃣ The List Post (Because People Love Quick Wins)

List posts are gold for new blogs because they:
✔ Are easy to skim (which readers love).
✔ Can be packed with affiliate links (hello, passive income).
✔ Get shared a lot on Pinterest.

👉🏻 Example: “10 Mistakes New Bloggers Make (And How to Avoid Them).”

4️⃣ The How-To Post (Teach, Don’t Just Talk)

People love step-by-step guides—especially when they solve a pain point. Write a post that walks your readers through a problem they’re struggling with and show them exactly how to fix it.

👉🏻 Example: “How to Set Up a Money-Making Blog in One Weekend (Step-by-Step).”

💡 Bonus: Include screenshots, examples, and action steps to make it even more valuable.

5️⃣ The Personal Experience Post (Build That Connection)

People don’t just follow blogs for information—they follow for the person behind it. A relatable, real-life post helps build trust and makes your blog feel human, not corporate.

👉🏻 Example: “Why I Quit My 9-5 to Start a Blog (And How I Made My First $500 Online).”

This type of post resonates with your audience and makes them think, “Wow, if she can do it, maybe I can too.”

🎉 Congrats! Your blog now looks legit, not like an abandoned internet graveyard.

Now, let’s tackle the next big thing: actually getting people to find your blog so all your hard work doesn’t go to waste.

Step 6: Get People to Actually Find Your Blog

No traffic = no money.

You could write the best blog posts in the world, but if no one sees them, it won’t matter. So, how do you get eyeballs on your content without begging your friends and family to read it?

Here’s where you start:

🔹 SEO (Search Engine Optimization) – Get Found on Google

SEO is how your blog posts show up on Google when people search for things related to your niche. It takes time, but once your posts rank, they can bring in traffic on autopilot.

✅ Use the right keywords – Find what people are searching for using free tools like Ubersuggest or Google’s autocomplete.
✅ Write detailed, helpful content – Google favors in-depth posts that actually answer a searcher’s question.
✅ Optimize your blog post – Use your keyword in the title, headings, and URL—but don’t overstuff it.
✅ Get backlinks – When other websites link to you, Google sees your blog as more trustworthy.

💡 Start Here: Check out [SEO for Local Businesses]—most tips apply to all blogs!

🔹 Pinterest – A Hidden Goldmine for Blog Traffic

Pinterest isn’t just for DIY projects and recipes—it’s actually a search engine, and new bloggers can get traffic way faster here than on Google.

✅ Create Pinterest-friendly graphics – Vertical images (1000×1500 px) with bold text do best.
✅ Use keywords in your pin descriptions – This helps your pins show up in searches.
✅ Pin consistently – You don’t have to go crazy, but aim for 5-10 fresh pins per week.

💡 Need help? See [How to Use Pinterest to Get Traffic to Your Blog].

🔹 Social Media & Email – Build an Audience That Cares

While SEO and Pinterest bring in cold traffic, social media and email help you turn readers into actual fans who keep coming back.

Social Media

✅ Pick one or two platforms to focus on—don’t try to be everywhere at once.
✅ Share blog posts in a way that adds value, not just “Hey, I wrote a new post!”
✅ Use short-form content (Reels, TikToks, or carousels) to drive curiosity.

Email List

✅ Start collecting emails from day one (a small list of engaged readers is better than 10K random followers).
✅ Offer a freebie (like a checklist or mini guide) to get people to sign up.
✅ Send valuable emails regularly—not just “Hey, new post up!”

💡 Reminder: You don’t need to master all of these traffic sources at once. Start with one (Pinterest or SEO is best for beginners), then add more over time.

Once you’re getting consistent traffic, it’s time for the fun part—making money from your blog.

Step 7: Make Money Blogging (The Part You Actually Care About)

Here’s the truth—blogs don’t start making money overnight. But if you set things up the right way and stay consistent, you can start earning within a few months and eventually turn it into a full-time income stream.

So, how do bloggers actually make money?

Here are the four best ways (plus which one to focus on first).

💰 1. Affiliate Marketing – The Easiest Way to Start

Affiliate marketing is one of the fastest ways to monetize your blog, especially when you’re still building traffic. It’s simple:

✅ You recommend a product you love.
✅ Someone clicks your link and buys.
✅ You get paid a commission (without handling any products or customer service).

👉🏻 Best for: Beginners, since you don’t need your own product.

🔹 Where to Find Affiliate Programs?

• Amazon Associates (great for all niches)
• ShareASale & Impact (connects you with tons of brands)
• Specific brands (check the footer of their websites for “Affiliates” or “Partner Program”)

💡 Need a step-by-step guide? Check out [The Best Way to Monetize Your Blog].

💰 2. Ads – Passive Income (Once You Have Traffic)

Blog ads work like YouTube ads—once your blog gets enough traffic, ad networks pay you to show ads on your site.

✅ Best networks:

• Mediavine (50,000 sessions/month – best payout for bloggers)
• Ezoic (no minimum traffic – great for beginners)
• Google AdSense (easy to get into, but lowest earnings)

👉🏻 Best for: Bloggers with consistent traffic (5,000+ monthly visitors).

💰 3. Digital Products – Your Own Income Stream (No Middleman)

Selling digital products is hands-down the best way to make serious money blogging—because YOU keep all the profit.

Some high-profit digital product ideas:
✅ Ebooks – Example: A guide on meal prepping, travel hacking, or budgeting.
✅ Online Courses – Teach a skill (like blogging, photography, or marketing).
✅ Templates & Printables – Think planners, Canva templates, or social media content calendars.

💡 Want to start selling? Check out [How to Sell Digital Products on Your Blog for Maximum Profit].

👉🏻 Best for: Bloggers who want to scale beyond just commissions and ad revenue.

💰 4. Services – Get Paid for Your Expertise

If you have a specific skill, you can use your blog to attract clients for:

✔ Freelancing – Writing, graphic design, social media management, etc.
✔ Coaching/Consulting – Business, mindset, wellness—whatever fits your niche.

👉🏻 Best for: Bloggers looking for quicker money while building their audience.

Where Should You Start?

✔ If you’re new → Start with affiliate marketing (easy, no product creation).
✔ Once traffic grows → Add ads for passive income.
✔ To make BIG money → Create digital products (this is where six-figure bloggers thrive).
✔ If you want quick cash → Offer freelance services while building your blog.

Making money blogging is totally possible, but it takes time, consistency, and a smart monetization strategy. Start with one income stream, master it, and then layer in more as you grow.

🚀 Up next: Is blogging even worth it in 2025? Let’s wrap this up. ⬇️

Final Thoughts: Is Blogging Worth It?

If you’re looking for a get-rich-quick scheme, let’s be real—blogging isn’t it. But if you want a business that gives you flexibility, freedom, and long-term income potential, blogging is one of the best ways to build an online income.

Here’s why blogging is still worth it in 2025:

✔ Low startup costs – You don’t need a huge budget to get started.
✔ Unlimited income potential – Your blog can make money in multiple ways.
✔ Work from anywhere – Coffee shop, beach, your couch… your choice.
✔ Build something that lasts – Unlike social media, a blog is yours forever.

The Key to Success? Treat It Like a Business.

Most people fail at blogging because they treat it like a hobby. The ones who succeed? They commit, keep learning, and keep showing up—even when it feels slow in the beginning.

Here’s what to do next:
🚀 Step 1: Set up your blog. (Go back to Step 1 if you haven’t yet!)
🚀 Step 2: Start creating valuable content.
🚀 Step 3: Promote your blog & start monetizing.

A year from now, you’ll either wish you started today—or you’ll be glad you did.

So… go start that blog. I’ll be cheering you on. 🖤