Create a WordPress blog.
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Ready to create a WordPress blog? 🙋‍♂️ Great! You’ve made two outstanding choices! The first – learning how to start a blog – is the beginning of an exciting new adventure. The second – picking WordPress as your blogging tool of choice – is a very smart move on your part. WordPress is not only open source, user-friendly, and powerful, but it also allows you to start your blog for free (well, almost for free).

On top of that, it’s also surprisingly easy to create a blog on WordPress. Even if you’re not the most tech-savvy person in the world. That wasn’t the case some years ago, but nowadays, in 2025, you can do it in under 15 minutes. ⏰

This post is divided into two main sections: (1) the Quick-Start Guide 🌱 that walks you through how to set up a WordPress blog the fastest way possible, (2) the In-Depth Guide 💪 that explains each of those steps in much more detail. You can follow the quick-start or the in-depth guide depending on how comfortable you are with these things.

Your quick-start guide to creating a WordPress blog

Step 1: Sign up for web hosting and pick a domain:

Before you can start blogging, you need two things: hosting (where your blog’s files are stored) and a domain (your website’s address, like yourblog.com). The good news? You can get both at the same time, making setup quick and easy.

For beginners, I recommend Bluehost because it’s affordable (starting at $1.99/month), includes a free domain for the first year, and offers one-click WordPress installation – no tech skills needed. Plus, it has enough performance to handle a new blog.

How to sign up with Bluehost

  1. Click here to visit Bluehost and unlock the special $1.99/month deal.
  2. Select the Basic plan – it’s more than enough for a new blog.
  3. Choose a domain name (or skip this step and pick one later).
  4. Complete the checkout process – your hosting and domain are set!

Once you’ve signed up, you’ll be ready to install WordPress and start building your blog!

👉 Skip to this section of the in-depth guide for more detail.

Step 2: Install WordPress blog software using a one-click installer:

To start your blog, you’ll need to install WordPress – but don’t worry, it’s easier than it sounds! If you signed up with Bluehost, they’ll walk you through a simple setup wizard when you log in to your account for the first time. Just follow the prompts, and WordPress will be installed automatically.

If you don’t see the setup wizard, go to the Websites section in Bluehost, click Add Site, and follow the steps. You’ll enter your site’s name, set up a username and password, and within minutes, your blog will be live.

Once the installation is complete, log in to your WordPress dashboard at yourdomain.com/wp-admin, and you’re ready to start exploring your new blog!

👉 Skip to this section of the in-depth guide for more detail.

Step 3: Choose a theme - your blog design:

Your WordPress theme controls how your blog looks. When you first install WordPress, it comes with a default theme, but you actually have 13,000+ free themes to choose from, plus thousands of premium ones. Free themes are available in the official theme directory, while premium themes can be found on marketplaces or developer websites. If you want a solid recommendation, Neve is a great option with both free and paid versions.

How to install a WordPress theme

  1. Log in to WordPress, go to AppearanceThemes, and click Add New Theme.
  2. To install a free theme, search for it by name and click InstallActivate.
  3. If you bought a premium theme, click Upload Theme, select the ZIP file, and activate it once installed.

Customizing your theme

Most themes let you tweak colors, fonts, and layouts through the WordPress Customizer (found under AppearanceCustomize) or the Full Site Editor. The exact options depend on your theme, so explore the settings to make it fit your style.

(If you’re using Neve, you can install pre-made starter designs in a few clicks to get a polished look instantly.)

👉 Skip to this section of the in-depth guide for more detail.

Step 4: Set up essential pages:

To make your blog look professional and trustworthy, you need a few key pages. Some are must-haves, while others depend on your goals, but all help build credibility, connect with readers, and even make money.

At a minimum, start with an About page (share your story and why people should trust you) and a Contact page (so readers and potential partners can reach you). If you’re a freelancer, add a Portfolio or Hire Me page to showcase your work and attract clients. A landing page is useful if you want visitors to sign up for something or buy a product.

👉 Skip to this section of the in-depth guide for more detail.

Step 5: Write your first blog post:

The key is to write for your audience – what problems do they have? What questions are they asking? Do some keyword research (tools like LowFruits help find easy-to-rank topics) and check your competition to see what’s missing in your niche.

Once you have ideas, structure them into different content types: how-to guides, lists, trending topics, case studies, personal stories, and evergreen content. Aim for topics that help, inspire, or entertain your readers.

How to write your first post in WordPress

  1. Log in to your blog (yourdomain.com/wp-admin).
  2. Go to PostsAdd New Post to open the WordPress editor.
  3. Start typing or use the block editor to add images, videos, or other elements (click the + button to explore).
  4. When you’re happy with your post, click Publish – congrats, your first post is live!

👉 Skip to this section of the in-depth guide for more detail.

Step 6: Install a couple of useful plugins:

WordPress starts with just the basics – writing posts and creating pages. To expand its features, you need plugins, which work like apps for your blog. With plugins, you can add contact forms, improve SEO, set up backups, optimize images, and more – if you need a feature, there’s likely a plugin for it.

Here are a few essentials for most blogs:

How to install plugins

  1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins → Add New.
  2. Search for a free plugin and click Install NowActivate.
  3. If using a premium plugin, click Upload Plugin, select the ZIP file, and activate it.

You can manage your plugins anytime under the Plugins tab. Most plugins have settings under the Settings menu or in a dedicated sidebar section.

👉 Skip to this section of the in-depth guide for more detail.

Step 7: Promote your blog and track results:

Creating content is just the first step – getting people to read it is where the real work begins. Google Analytics helps you track what’s working by showing which posts get the most traffic, where your visitors come from, and how they interact with your site. If your traffic isn’t growing, the data can reveal whether your SEO needs improvement or if your topics aren’t resonating.

Without data, you’re just guessing.

You can either manually insert the Google Analytics tracking code into your site or use a WordPress plugin to do it for you. The plugin method is faster, while the manual approach reduces extra load on your site. Either way, setting up Analytics ensures you make informed decisions about your blog’s growth.

👉 Skip to this section of the in-depth guide for more detail.

Step 1: Get web hosting and domain for your blog 🌐

Before you can start building your WordPress blog, you’ll need to set up two key things:

  • Hosting – This is where all your content, images, and files live so people can access your blog online. Every website you’ve ever visited has a hosting provider behind it.
  • Domain – This is your blog’s unique address on the internet, like Themeisle.com (this site). It’s how people will find you online, so choosing the right domain name is an important step.

The good news? You can get both hosting and a domain at the same time. This makes the process easier, especially if you’re just getting started.

For now, don’t stress too much about the technical side of things. The first decision you’ll need to make is choosing a hosting provider. Since WordPress is such a popular platform, there are tons of hosting companies out there specifically designed for WordPress blogs.

That said, this abundance doesn’t make your choice any easier. We know how these things work since we’ve been involved in WordPress for over 15 years now. Actually, we’ve developed a detailed testing process to ensure anything we say about hosting is accurate and helpful. We thoroughly test and review hosting providers to help you choose the best option. Our process includes setting up test WordPress sites with demo data and then monitoring performance, such as load times and uptime, from multiple global locations. Since 2009, we’ve reviewed tens of hosts relying on expert analysis, real user feedback, and insights from our annual hosting surveys.

There’s a lot that goes into this, and I invite you to check out this post if you’d like the full context. However, if you just want my top recommendation to get things going for you as fast as possible, then I think that Bluehost is the top choice for new bloggers in the WordPress world.

👉 Here’s why:

  • It’s affordable. You can host your site for the price of a small latte each month – it’s just $1.99 per month for your first 12 months.
  • You get a free domain name when you sign up. This ties in with affordability – your own domain would otherwise cost $10+.
  • You can easily install WordPress. With just a few clicks, you can launch the WordPress software and have a working blog. No tech knowledge needed!
  • It has enough performance to get you started. When you’re just starting out, Bluehost offers plenty of performance to keep your site loading.

All in all, it will cost you ~$30-$35 to host your blog at Bluehost for the entire year, which includes your free domain name. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

That’s about as cheap as it’s going to get if you want to create a WordPress blog.

🤔 'Wait, what is WordPress, anyway?'

To quote my own self on this one, “WordPress is your website’s operating system.” Click here to learn more on all the aspects of WordPress.

How to sign up with Bluehost

To get started, click here to go to Bluehost and unlock their special offer for Themeisle users ($1.99/mo). Then click on “Get Started Now” button. You’ll be taken to Bluehost plans.

For beginners, we recommend the cheap Basic plan because it packs plenty of power for every new blog. More than that, even; it actually allows you to host up to 10 blogs:

Bluehost basic - great hosting plan to create a WordPress blog.

On the next screen, you have three options: (1) enter a new domain that you’d like to register as part of a bundle deal together with your hosting – remember, Bluehost gives you that domain for free for the first year, (2) click on Choose Domain Later, or (3) check the box that says, “I want to use a domain I already own.”

Bluehost choose a domain
🤔 Not sure how to pick a good domain name for your blog?

Here are some tips that might help:

  1. Keep it short, like, really! Long domain names are like tongue twisters – no one wants to say or type them. A short name sticks in people’s minds, is easier to type, and leaves less room for typos. Trust me, simplicity wins every time.
  2. Use keywords (but don’t overdo it). Keywords tell people (and search engines) what your site is all about. If you’re opening a coffee shop, something like brewcentral.com is clear and catchy. Just don’t go overboard – stuffing in every possible word makes your domain look spammy.
  3. Choose the right extension (TLD). The classic .com is still king because it’s familiar and trustworthy. But don’t be afraid to explore other extensions if they make sense – like .blog for a true old school blog or .tech for a tech blog. Just think about what feels natural for your audience.
  4. Avoid numbers, hyphens, and weird spellings. These are recipe ingredients for confusion. Imagine telling someone your website is cool-kidz4u.com. It’s clunky, awkward, and hard to remember. Stick with simple, easy-to-spell names, and thank yourself later.
  5. Make it your own. Your domain is a chance to show off your brand’s personality. Play around with words, make something unique, or even invent a new word if it feels right. If your name sparks curiosity or makes people smile, you’re onto something.

Pro tip: Before you commit, do a quick check and make sure the name isn’t trademarked. Also see if the matching social media handles are available. Having the same name across the board makes life so much easier.

Also, you can use this tool by Bluehost to check if your desired name is available:

In the next step, you get to select the length of the contract, plus add a couple of extras if you’re interested, but that’s not mandatory. For simplicity, you can just click continue to checkout.

Bluehost hosting cart
The amounts shown here are just an example.

One click later and you land on the final screen, where you’ll need to enter basic account and billing details:

Bluehost checkout

All in, you should pay around ~$30-$35 for your domain name and one year of a hosting plan.

Once you’ve filled in all the information, click SUBMIT PAYMENT to complete your purchase.

That’s the money part handled! Now let’s talk website setup:

Step 2: Install the free WordPress software ⚙️

If you want to create a WordPress blog, you’re going to, unsurprisingly, need to install the WordPress software.

I know this might sound a little intimidating – but I think you’ll be surprised by how easy it is to actually install WordPress.

When you completed the sign-up process in the previous step, you should have received an email from Bluehost with details on how to log in to the Bluehost customer area. Go ahead and do that.

ℹ️ Note; If you’ve ended up signing up with a different host than Bluehost, here’s an in-depth guide on how to install WordPress in different scenarios.

As soon as you log in for the first time, Bluehost will give you a simple wizard that takes you through the process of installing WordPress on your new site.

Don’t see the setup wizard? No worries, you can still get through all the steps on your own. Just go to the Websites area and click the Add Site button to launch the wizard:

Bluehost add site

Bluehost will ask if you’re creating a new site or transferring over an existing one:

Bluehost new site or old

Then, you’ll be able to fill in all the important details for your site’s name and then the username/password that you’ll use to manage your WordPress blog:

Bluehost site title

Once you finish the install process, you can access your new blog’s dashboard by going to yourdomain.com/wp-admin.

Step 3: Choose a theme – your blog’s custom design 🎨

When you decide to use WordPress to act as the engine for your blog, one of the major benefits that you get is access to WordPress’ huge collection of themes and plugins. Here’s a quick overview of the two:

🎨 Themes – they change how your free WordPress blog looks

🔌 Plugins – they add new functionality to your blog

We’ll cover the former in this section.

As soon as you create a WordPress blog, you already have a theme active. This is either the default WordPress theme or the theme that you chose during the Bluehost setup wizard.

But there are actually 13,000+ of themes available for WordPress sites (many of them are open source like WordPress itself), so you’re by no means limited to that small selection that Bluehost shows you initially.

Where to find WordPress themes for your blog

When you go to choose a WordPress theme, you’ll need to pick between free and premium themes. There’s no inherent difference between the two, and most people’s choice often comes down to visual preference or specific feature set that the theme might have.

  • To find free themes, people often go to the official theme directory over on WordPress.org, but that one is rather difficult to navigate given that, as I said, it lists 13,000+ different themes. For a bit more laser-focused inspiration, here’s our list of the top 10 best free themes.
  • To find premium themes, you’ll need a broader approach. Not to sound too self-promotional, but our collection of housemade themes is always a good place to visit for those. 😉

⭐ If you want to skip the searching, I can confidently recommend our flagship theme, Neve, which comes in both a free version and a premium version.

Neve

Neve has been downloaded millions of times by users from across the web and has an extremely high approval rating in the WordPress repository – currently at 94%. The cool thing about Neve is that the theme doesn’t offer just one look. Instead, it lets you pick from a range of starter designs. There’s over a hundred of them, plus you can install them in a couple of clicks.

Neve theme starter sites for blogs

How to install a WordPress theme

Once you’ve found a theme that you love, WordPress makes it easy to add that theme to your site.

👉 Here’s how:

  • Log in to WordPress
  • Hover over Appearance
  • Select Themes
  • Click the Add New Theme button
Adding a new WordPress theme to a free WordPress blog.

Now, at this stage, you have two options:

If you want to use a free theme:

Simply search for that theme by name and click Install. Like so:

install free theme
If you've purchased a premium theme:

Click the Upload Theme button and upload the ZIP file you should have received when you purchased the theme.

Adding a new WordPress theme to a free WordPress blog.

After installing your theme, make sure to click the Activate button to make it active on your site.

BONUS: How to further customize your WordPress theme

You can treat your theme as a sort of template and further customize the way it looks and how it transforms your whole WordPress blog.

There’s just one problem, however, every WordPress theme tackles the customization aspect a bit differently. So it’s a bit hard for me to give you some ultimate tutorial here that would apply to all.

Instead, let me just point out where the customization usually takes place, and then I’ll leave it up to you to explore the features available.

Okay, here’s where to get started:

First, go to your current homepage and look at the top bar. You’ll see one of two things:

Version (a)

theme version a

Version (b)

theme version b

Whichever version of the link you see – be it Customize or Edit site – click it!

This will take you to the customization interface of your theme. What you will find in that interface depends on the theme, but usually, you will find a set of options in the sidebar, like these:

theme customization options 2

Or:

theme customization options 2

From that point on, you can explore all those options and have a go at modifying your headers, footers, and other elements of your blog design.

If you’re using Neve, a great starting point is to go to NeveStarter Sites, and from there pick whatever design fits your idea for the blog:

neve starter sites

There, you can preview the design and then import it with a couple of clicks:

import neve starter

You can still customize your design further if anything needs doing to make it truly perfect.

💡 I know we’re only scratching the topic of blog design and website design here, but as you would expect, it’s a very wide area – with entire websites dedicated just to it, in fact. If you’d like to learn more and start optimizing your design in a bit more conscious way, check out this guide on the main ways to edit a WordPress theme. Then, further explore the topics of using the WordPress Customizer and WordPress full site editing.

Step 4: Set up essential pages 📄

If you want your shiny new WordPress blog to look professional and attract readers, there are a few key pages you shouldn’t skip – at least most bloggers shouldn’t.

Some are essential, while others depend on your goals, but all of them help build trust, improve engagement, and even make money:

  1. About page. People want to know who’s behind the blog. A great About page shares your story, what your blog is about, and why people should trust you. Make it personal and engaging!
  2. Contact page. If people can’t reach you, they won’t take you seriously. A simple contact form or email address is enough to show you’re open to communication.
  3. Portfolio page. Show, don’t just tell. If you’re a freelancer, designer, or writer, a portfolio page lets potential clients see your work before hiring you.
  4. Landing pages. Want people to sign up, buy something, or take action? A landing page focuses on a single goal – whether it’s growing your email list, selling a product, or getting clients.
  5. “Getting started” page. New visitors might not know where to begin. A “Getting started” page highlights your best content, products, or services to help them navigate your site.
  6. Advertising page. If you want brands to advertise with you, make it easy for them. A simple page explaining your ad options, rates, and audience reach can attract sponsors.
  7. Sitemap / archive. As your blog grows, old content can get buried. A well-organized archive or visual sitemap helps visitors find what they’re looking for quickly.
  8. Resources page. A list of useful tools, books, or services you recommend can provide value to your readers – and even has the potential to earn you affiliate commissions. Just make sure you only recommend things you truly believe in!
  9. “Hire me” page. If you’re a freelancer, this page is a must. Clearly list your services, rates, and how potential clients can work with you.
  10. Media page. If you want to build your brand in media, be invited to other people’s projects (like podcasts, etc.) then a media page helps showcase your credibility. It can include press mentions, logos of publications that have covered you, headshots, and brand assets.

And let me say this again; not every blog needs all of these pages, but picking the right ones for your site can make a huge difference. They help you connect with readers, build credibility, and even turn your blog into a business.

💡 For more in-depth info on what these pages are and how they could look, read this post of ours.

Step 5: Write your first blog post ✍️

“Okay, but what do I write about?” – is likely something you’re wondering right now.

Coming up with great blog topics is key to attracting readers. The secret comes down to a couple of factors:

  1. Know your audience – Who are you writing for? What problems do they have? Focus on solving their challenges.
  2. Do keyword research – Use tools like LowFruits to find low-competition, longtail keywords that give your blog a chance to rank.
  3. Check the competition – Look at successful blogs in your niche. What’s missing? Find gaps and unique angles to stand out.

Once you have ideas, organize them into content types to keep your blog diverse. Here are some ideas to get you started:

  • Solve problems. Write guides that answer common questions or challenges.
  • How-to posts. Step-by-step tutorials are great for beginners and they work in basically every niche.
  • Lists and roundups. Compile useful tools, resources, or expert insights.
  • Trending topics. Cover timely subjects to attract more traffic. Look on Twitter/X for inspiration.
  • Case studies. Share real success stories for credibility.
  • Personal stories. Relatable experiences make your content more engaging.
  • Guest posts. Invite experts to add value and expand your reach.
  • FAQs. Address common audience questions in blog format.
  • Evergreen content. Create posts that stay relevant over time – address problems or matters that are always “going to be here.”

Mix these ideas with keyword research to create a strong content plan. Once you have your first few topics, it’s time to start writing!

💡 If you’d like to check out some more inspiration, here’s a list of 50+ blog post ideas.

Now that your blog is set up and you have topic ideas, it’s time to write! Keep it simple, focus on value, and don’t overthink it – just start.

First, let’s go over just how easy it is to start blogging with your new WordPress setup. When you first log in to your blog’s dashboard (yourdomain.com/wp-admin), you should see a screen similar to this:

The WordPress dashboard on a free WordPress blog.

👉 To write a blog post:

  • Hover over Posts
  • Click Add New Post
Creating a new post on a free WordPress blog.

This will launch the WordPress editor, which lets you write your blog posts using a really intuitive block system.

💡 To learn more about how this block interface works, read this guide.

To add text, you just click and type. For other content – like an image or an embedded YouTube video, you can add new “blocks.” For that, simply click the PLUS icon that you can see in the top left corner in the image below:

Using the WordPress Editor to create a blog post.

You’ll see a larger menu that has all the possible elements for you to choose from there:

available blocks

When you’re done adding your content, simply click the Publish button:

publish post on WordPress

And just like that, your first post is live!

Step 6: Add functionality to your blog 👨‍💻

All WordPress blogs start out simple – they let you write posts and create pages, but not much else.

That’s where plugins come in. Think of them like apps for your blog – they add extra features without requiring you to code.

With plugins, you can easily:

  • Add a contact form so readers can reach you.
  • Improve SEO to help people find your blog on Google.
  • Set up backups to protect your content.
  • Add social sharing buttons to spread your posts.
  • And so much more – if you need a feature, there’s probably a plugin for it.

So, first order of business: Where to find plugins?

The best place to start is the official WordPress plugin directory, which has around 59,000+ plugins listed. You can browse, install, and activate them directly from your WordPress dashboard – similarly to how it’s done with themes.

“Okay, but which plugins do I actually need?!”

A valid question…

Must-have WordPress plugins

Here are some of my must-have selections. These are the plugins that most websites will find a good use for:

How to install WordPress plugins

We already wrote a detailed guide on how to install WordPress plugins. But here’s the quick version:

  • Go to Plugins → Add New
  • If you chose a free plugin, search for the plugin by name and click Install Now.
  • If you purchased a premium plugin, click the Upload Plugin button and upload the ZIP file you should have received when you made the purchase.
Installing WordPress plugins on a free WordPress blog.

Make sure to Activate the plugin after installing it.

You can always manage your existing plugins by going to the Plugins tab of the WordPress dashboard:

Managing WordPress plugins in the WP-admin area

Each plugin has its own set of features, interfaces or configuration panels. You can usually find those under the Settings menu of the WordPress dashboard or in the plugin’s own section of the sidebar.

Step 7: Promote your blog and track results 📈

Google Analytics helps you track your blog’s growth over time. If you’ve been consistently posting but see little to no traffic increase after months, it’s a sign you need to adjust your strategy. Maybe your topics aren’t resonating, or your SEO needs work – Google Analytics helps you figure that out.

It’s also essential if you plan to sell products, promote affiliates, or build an email list. Let’s say you create a sales funnel with multiple pages, and people keep dropping off before reaching the final step. Google Analytics will show you exactly where they’re leaving so you can fix the problem. Without data, you wouldn’t even know where to look.

Beyond funnels, you can track which blog posts bring in the most traffic, what sources (social media, search engines, etc.) drive visitors, and even what devices they use. With this knowledge, you can double down on what works and improve what doesn’t. Simply put, Google Analytics turns guesswork into strategy.

How to add Google Analytics to WordPress

There are two main ways in which you can add Google Analytics to WordPress:

  • Manually insert the code for Google Analytics yourself.
  • Use a WordPress plugin to install Google Analytics for you.

Neither of these methods is necessarily worse, but they do involve different steps. The plugin approach is going to be much quicker in most cases, while the manual approach will have less impact on your site’s performance.

👉 Here’s a separate guide where we cover both approaches step by step.

What to do next? 🤔

Okay, so you’ve just learned how to create a WordPress blog, install your own theme, and add some functionality with plugins. However, unless you followed everything step-by-step while simultaneously doing it, then you’re still technically at square one, but just armed with a whole lot of knowledge on how to make your way to the finish line.

So what does that mean?

Well, first you should probably bookmark this page unless you intend on creating a WordPress blog in the very near future and plan on doing it all in one go. That’s certainly possible, but it’s still a good idea to keep it bookmarked. That way you can easily come back to it if you need to.

As I said at the start of this guide, the advice is divided into two main parts: the quick-start guide and the in-depth guide. The easiest way to get from A to B (where A is a blank slate and B is a working blog) is to begin with the quick-start guide and jump to certain sections of the in-depth guide whenever more instruction is needed.

That’s about it!

At this stage, you’ve been equipped with everything you need to create a WordPress blog, so get out there, put some hard work into your new content, and turn that new blog into a success!

👟 Next steps: Have your blog running already? If you’re like most people, you’ll probably want to look for ways to: get more visitors to your blog and make money from your blog.

FAQ about creating a blog on WordPress 🙋

Frequently Asked Questions 🤔💭
What is a blog?

A blog is a website where the author shares articles, opinions, or updates on a particular topic. Posts appear in reverse chronological order, meaning the newest content is shown first. Blogs can cover anything – personal experiences, industry insights, tutorials, or even news. Many allow reader interaction through comments and social sharing.

Why start a blog?

Blogging is a great way to share your thoughts, build a personal brand, or even make money. You can connect with like-minded people, improve your writing, and establish credibility in your field. Some bloggers use their platforms to sell products, promote businesses, or create passive income through ads and affiliate marketing. No matter your goal, a blog gives you a voice and a space to grow.

How do I plan my blog content strategy?

Start by identifying your audience – who are you writing for, and what problems can you solve? Set clear goals, whether that’s driving traffic, making sales, or building a community. Use keyword research to find topics people are searching for, then organize your ideas into a content calendar. Mix up content types (guides, lists, personal stories) to keep things interesting. Most importantly, focus on quality over quantity. Helpful, well-written posts will always perform better than rushed content.

How much money do bloggers make?

Earnings vary widely. Some bloggers make nothing, while others pull in six figures or more. New bloggers often struggle to earn at first, but those who grow an audience and monetize smartly (ads, affiliate links, products, sponsorships) can earn a few hundred to thousands of dollars a month. Success depends on your niche, traffic, and effort. The key is consistency – most profitable blogs take months or even years to build. If you’re interested, here is some data on the most profitable blog niches.

How often should I post on my blog?

Consistency matters more than frequency. Posting once a week is better than posting daily for a month and then disappearing. Focus on creating valuable content rather than rushing to publish. If you’re short on time, consider batching posts in advance and scheduling them.

Do I need technical skills to start a blog?

No, you don’t need to be a tech expert to start blogging. I hope I’ve shown this to you in this guide. WordPress makes it easy to set up a blog without coding. You can choose a theme, install plugins, and publish posts with a few clicks.

How do I get traffic to my blog?

The best way to get traffic is through a mix of SEO, social media, and networking. Optimize your posts for search engines by using relevant keywords, writing helpful content, and linking to other resources. Share your posts on platforms where your audience hangs out, like Twitter, Pinterest, or LinkedIn. Engage with other bloggers by commenting on their posts or guest posting on their sites. Growth takes time.

Should I use AI when writing a blog?

AI can be a great tool for brainstorming ideas, improving readability, and speeding up content creation, but it shouldn’t replace your voice. Readers connect with authenticity, personal insights, and original perspectives. Things AI can’t fully replicate this. Use AI to assist with research, outlines, or refining your writing, but make sure you edit and add your own personality. The best blogs feel human, not robotic!

Prefer to see a video guide on starting a WordPress blog?

Do you still have any questions about how to create a WordPress blog? All questions are good questions so leave yours in the comments below. We’ll see you there.

Yay! 🎉 You made it to the end of the article!

18 Comments
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David Myth
January 18, 2024 5:58 pm

Thanks for the article! Was helpful to learn about creating blogs.

Member
Ivica
January 19, 2024 8:21 am
Reply to  David Myth

Glad you liked it 😉

Martin B
September 3, 2018 12:24 pm

Thanks for sharing really awesome tips Colin.Could you recommend a theme for mutiuser guest blog?

incipientinfo
July 27, 2018 9:07 am

I was thinking am too late to be part of blogging,but thanks for your post it’s really encourage me to start soon

Digitofy Social
May 31, 2018 4:45 pm

Such a nice post. Thank you so much for sharing this excellent article which would definitely help me to create my first blog. Before this I was wondering that how to start. Thank You once again, hope you would give the tips whenever I would be in trouble

crestinfotech
May 14, 2018 2:46 pm

Nice blog. Thanks for sharing, this is very helpful especially for the Beginners out there Keep posting.
Great job!

Wallet Squirrel
May 9, 2018 4:49 am

Great post Colin. The only thing I would like to add (hopefully I didn’t miss this in your post) is for new bloggers not to be tempted to try the free blog hosting options out there. There are so many pro’s to actually do the paid hosting such as advertising money, flexibility, and an actual domain name.

Aletta Arganaraz
April 26, 2018 11:59 am

Thanks for this tips Would it be possible to start a WordPress blog and than later sign up for HostGater and purchase a domain name?

Saddam Kassim
April 15, 2018 3:20 pm

Which web hosting would be better to speed up wordpress blog? I tried a lot and optimized my blog too but nothing helping me out to reduce page load time. I am still at 3sec page load time

Katherine Smith
March 12, 2018 10:13 am

Since I’m a beginner in the world of word press and post like this are really vital for the beginners who are like me. I have bookmarked this post and whenever I got confused, I just come to this post and try to clear out my confusion. Thank you for writing such a brilliant post who is working like a weapon to me.

Tushar Sharma
December 14, 2017 4:06 am

hello colin how can i add social share plugin in botton of wordpress site

Muhammed Moeez
November 1, 2017 1:48 pm

Hi Collin. You’ve recommended self hosted WordPress but don’t you think some bloggers are tempted towards WordPress.com because of its free hosting? I have seen many blogger who don’t worry too much about control because cost and ease of installation is their priority. They want to get started right away.

Sabina Ionescu
February 1, 2018 2:39 pm
Reply to  Muhammed Moeez

Nothing is free 🙂 A WordPress.com free hosted site comes with a lot of restrictions. Most bothering of all is their ads policy. You don’t get to have a say on which type of ads get displayed on your site, or a penny for that matter. If your site’s traffic grows, you get to split the ads revenue with them. Does that sound like free?

Michael Turcan
October 29, 2017 6:37 am

Great tutorials and links ! Thanks Colin !!

Shaila Gray
October 27, 2017 4:37 pm

Really recommend people use domain privacy if they don’t have non-personal addresses to put in whois. Many individuals are caught off-guard, and blame the registrar, when they get a bunch of spam/scams because they didn’t realize their contact information was publicly published online as part of their registration. And if text exists on the internet, bots will scrape it when given the opportunity.
Several domain registrars offer privacy for free, but even pricey choices are worthwhile if you’re not up to managing an extra flow of email and physical junk mail.

Not even getting into the risks of exposing a home address to strangers who can’t be guaranteed to act like mature adults (when many are not).

Sabina Ionescu
October 31, 2017 4:09 pm
Reply to  Shaila Gray

Good point Shaila!

WpHound
September 13, 2017 9:37 am

Beautifully explained all process step by step, Awesome article for Word press Beginners Keep sharing..

PSV RAMANAKUMAR
March 28, 2017 12:46 pm

it is nice article, many bloggers uses niche specific domain to get more sales for their affiliate offers. Any way they need to land up on wordpress ultimately irrespective of the hosting

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