Start a Blog and Make an Income: Beginners Guide & Checklist

You don’t need many reasons to start a blog. One is enough. Starting a blog is easy. You’ll see how easy in the next few sections. Growing it is hard. That’s where mindset matters.

You’ll invest time, money, and mental energy into your blog. Some months, nothing will work. Traffic will flatline. Revenue will disappoint. That’s normal. Success in blogging takes time. But once momentum builds, the results compound.

My first real income took 3 years. But once I started earning, income jumped 2X, 3X every year. Now I make close to 7 figures in USD from blogging and related activities.

Note: “Related activities” includes affiliate marketing and email marketing built on the blog’s audience.

The actual trick? Proper keyword research and content that genuinely helps people. Everything else follows from those two things.

Why Blogs Still Work

Search “blogs are dead” and you’ll find plenty of articles claiming YouTube and podcasts have replaced written content. That’s wrong.

Blogs serve a different purpose. When someone searches “how to fix WordPress redirect loop” at 2am, they want written steps they can follow, not a 15 minute video. When Google indexes content, it indexes text. When people research purchases, they read comparisons and reviews.

This blog (gauravtiwari.org) started as just another WordPress site. Today it earns hundreds of thousands of dollars annually and reaches over 10,000 readers daily. It changed my entire life and business.

But not everyone succeeds. Most blogs fail because people quit too early or never learn what actually drives traffic and revenue. That’s what this guide addresses.

This guide uses WordPress as the platform. WordPress powers over 40% of the web for good reason: it’s flexible, well supported, and you own your content. The specific hosting and tools I recommend have changed over the years as I’ve tested more options. I’ll explain the current best choices below.

Why Start a Blog?

A blog gives you a platform to be heard. Beyond that, there are practical reasons worth considering.

Blogging forces you to learn. When you write about something, you understand it deeper. You connect with others in your field. You build an audience that trusts your perspective. And yes, you can earn real money.

The income potential is significant. I’ve earned over $650K from affiliate marketing alone, built on content that ranks in search engines. Add direct advertising, sponsored content, and services, and a blog becomes a genuine business.

How to Start a Blog

Here are the steps that actually matter. I’ve started dozens of blogs over 16+ years. This is the process that works.

Pick a Niche

Your niche determines everything: your hosting needs, your monetization options, your competition, and your potential traffic. Choose carefully.

Pick topics where you have genuine knowledge. Not just interest. Knowledge. If you’re going to compete with established sites, you need actual expertise or a unique angle.

Related: How to Choose a Profitable Niche for Your Blog

I recommend having 2-3 major niches and several minor ones. Major niches are your core topics that drive most traffic and revenue. Minor niches are related keywords that bring additional traffic but may not convert as well.

Major vs Minor Niches

Look at successful bloggers in any field and you’ll see this pattern. They focus on 2-3 core topics while occasionally covering related subjects that attract search traffic.

Take Anil Agarwal’s blog, Bloggers Passion. His major niches are SEO, blogging, and digital marketing. But he also covers product reviews and Black Friday deals as minor niches. Those seasonal posts can generate significant revenue during specific periods.

How to Validate a Niche

Deep dive: How to Choose a Profitable Niche and 130+ Profitable Niches for Making Money Online

Loving a topic isn’t enough. The niche needs to be commercially viable. Before committing to any niche, verify three things:

1. It has measurable search volume on Google (use Ahrefs, Semrush, or even free tools like Ubersuggest)
2. There are enough sub-topics to sustain 50+ articles
3. It’s not a prohibited niche that Google restricts for advertising

If your topic passes all three, proceed. If not, keep looking.

Choose Your Domain Name

Your domain is your blog’s address. Choose something memorable, relevant to your content, and easy to spell.

See: Top 10 Free Business Name Generator Tools

Stick with .com if available. It’s still the most trusted extension. Avoid hyphens and numbers. Keep it under 15 characters if possible.

For registration, I use Namecheap (cheapest renewal rates) or Name.com. Some hosts include a free domain with annual plans, but watch out for renewal prices that jump significantly in year two.

Pick Your Hosting

Hosting is where your blog’s files live. This choice affects your site speed, uptime, and how much headache you’ll deal with over time.

I’ve tested dozens of hosts over the years. Most cheap shared hosting is fine for the first few months, then becomes a bottleneck. You end up migrating anyway. Better to start with hosting that scales.

My current recommendations:

• ScalaHosting offers managed VPS hosting at shared hosting prices. You get dedicated resources, their SPanel control panel (cPanel alternative), and solid performance. Their managed WordPress plans start around $30/month and include automatic updates, security monitoring, and daily backups. Best value for serious bloggers who want VPS performance without managing servers themselves.
• WPX Hosting is pure managed WordPress hosting with exceptional speed. They include a CDN, unlimited site migrations, and support that actually responds fast. Slightly pricier than ScalaHosting but the performance and support justify it. I’ve moved several high-traffic client sites to WPX and seen consistent sub-second load times.

For those comfortable with technology, a VPS from Racknerd, Hetzner or DigitalOcean with xCloud (free to begin) or CloudPanel (free) installed delivers the best performance per dollar – around $5 a month is fine. But that requires managing your own server security, updates, and troubleshooting.

Related: Complete WordPress Hosting Comparison

Test Before You Commit

Before spending money on hosting, you can test WordPress for free. This is especially useful if you’re new and want to learn the interface before going live.

Online Testing Tools

• InstaWP spins up a temporary WordPress site in seconds. No signup required for basic testing. You get a fully functional WordPress installation that lasts 7 days on the free plan. Perfect for testing themes, plugins, or learning the dashboard before committing to hosting.
• ZIPWP takes it further with AI-powered site generation. Describe what you want, and it creates a complete WordPress site with content, images, and styling. The AI suggestions aren’t perfect, but they give you a starting point to customize. Good for seeing what’s possible before building your real site.

Both tools are free for testing. Use them to experiment with different themes and plugins without risking your live site.

Local Testing Tools

For ongoing development, local WordPress installations are better. They’re faster, work offline, and don’t expire.

• Studio by WordPress.com is the newest option, built by Automattic. Clean interface, fast setup, and integrates well with the WordPress ecosystem. One click creates a local site. It’s simpler than alternatives but covers what most bloggers need.
• LocalWP (formerly Local by Flywheel) has been the standard for years. More features than Studio: multiple PHP versions, SSL certificates, live link sharing, and one-click staging. If you plan to do any serious theme or plugin testing, LocalWP is the better choice.

I use LocalWP for all client work. Test changes locally, then push to staging, then to production. Eliminates the “I broke my live site” panic.

Set Up Your WordPress Site

The exact steps vary by host, but the process is similar everywhere. Here’s what to expect.

Most managed WordPress hosts (ScalaHosting, WPX, and others) include one-click WordPress installation. After signing up and accessing your dashboard, look for “Install WordPress,” “Add Website,” or similar. The wizard asks for:

• Your domain name (either one you’ve registered or a temporary subdomain to start)
• Site title (can change later)
• Admin username and password (don’t use “admin” as username)
• Admin email address

Click install and wait 1-2 minutes. Your WordPress site is now live.

If you’re using a VPS with a control panel like CloudPanel or cPanel, the process involves creating a site, setting up the database, and running the WordPress installer. More steps, but still straightforward if you follow the documentation.

Understanding Your Dashboard

Your site has two parts. The frontend (yourdomain.com) is what visitors see. The backend (yourdomain.com/wp-admin/) is where you control everything.

The left sidebar contains all your controls: Posts for writing content, Pages for static content, Appearance for design, Plugins for adding features, Settings for configuration.

Spend an hour clicking through every menu. Understanding what’s where saves time later.

Install a Proper Theme

The default theme works, but a quality theme improves both appearance and performance. Your theme affects page speed, layout options, and user experience.

I’ve tested most popular themes over the years. These are my current recommendations:

1. GeneratePress (my primary choice, fastest and most reliable)
2. Astra (most popular, huge template library)
3. Kadence (excellent free version, modern block-first approach)
4. Blocksy (great for beginners, lots of customization without code)

To install a theme, go to Appearance > Themes and click Add New. Search for your chosen theme, click Install, then Activate. Use the Customizer or Site Editor to adjust fonts, colors, layouts, and more.

Install Essential Plugins

Plugins add functionality WordPress doesn’t include by default. But don’t go overboard. Every plugin adds code that can slow your site or create security vulnerabilities.

I keep client sites under 15 plugins. If a plugin hasn’t been updated in a year, it gets removed. If I can accomplish the same thing with theme settings or a code snippet, the plugin goes.

SEO Plugin

Rank Math handles meta titles, descriptions, sitemaps, schema markup, and content optimization. The free version covers everything most bloggers need. Install it from Plugins > Add New, then follow the setup wizard.

Read: Rank Math Review: The Best WordPress SEO Plugin in 2026! Period.

Caching Plugin

WP Rocket or FlyingPress for speed. WP Rocket is easier to configure. FlyingPress is faster once set up. Both are paid. For free alternatives, try LiteSpeed Cache (if your host supports it) or WP Super Cache.

Form Plugin

Fluent Forms is my current recommendation for contact forms. Lightweight, fast, and the free version includes features that competitors charge for: multi-step forms, conditional logic, and spam protection. The interface is intuitive enough that non-developers can build complex forms.

Contact Form 7 works if you want minimal functionality. WPForms is popular but the free version is limited. Fluent Forms hits the sweet spot.

Block Editor Plugins

The default WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg) is capable but limited. These plugins extend what you can build:

GenerateBlocks adds four versatile blocks: Container, Grid, Headline, and Buttons. Sounds simple, but the flexibility is remarkable. You can build almost any layout with these four blocks. Pairs perfectly with GeneratePress theme. Lightweight and doesn’t bloat your site.

Spectra (formerly Ultimate Addons for Gutenberg) adds 30+ blocks including pricing tables, testimonials, post grids, and marketing-focused layouts. Free version is generous. From the team behind Astra theme.

Kadence Blocks offers similar functionality with excellent design presets. The row layouts and advanced columns work well even without the Kadence theme.

Stackable focuses on design-forward blocks with lots of styling options. Good for creating visually distinctive content without custom CSS.

Pick one block library and learn it well. Using multiple block plugins creates conflicts and bloat. I use GenerateBlocks for everything.

Other Essential Plugins

• Site Kit by Google connects Analytics, Search Console, and AdSense in one plugin
• UpdraftPlus for automated backups (free version works fine)
• Akismet prevents comment spam
• Code Snippets for adding custom code without editing theme files

See my complete list of recommended tools and plugins.

Set Up Analytics

You need to track traffic. Otherwise you’re guessing about what works.

Site Kit by Google makes this painless. Install it from Plugins > Add New, click Start Setup, and sign in with your Google account. Grant the permissions requested. Site Kit automatically connects Google Analytics 4 and Search Console.

Now you can see traffic data directly in WordPress. Search Console shows which keywords bring visitors and which pages Google has indexed.

For a detailed walkthrough, read my complete Search Console setup guide.

Critical Setup Steps

Before writing content, finish these configurations:

• Set your permalinks to /%postname%/ in Settings > Permalinks. This creates clean URLs like yourdomain.com/blog-title/ instead of ugly parameter strings.
• Add site info in Settings > General. Your site title and tagline appear in search results.
• Upload a logo in Appearance > Customize (or the Site Editor for block themes).
• Create a contact page using Fluent Forms or your chosen form plugin.
• Set up caching with WP Rocket or FlyingPress for faster load times.

Also claim your blog name on major social platforms. Even if you don’t plan to use them immediately, secure the usernames before someone else does.

What to Write (And What to Avoid)

New blogs can’t compete on everything. You need to be strategic about content.

If you know how to do X, write about it. If you only know what X is, hold off. New sites rank much easier on “how to” content than definitional content. Wikipedia already owns “what is” searches for most topics.

Content types that work for new blogs:

• How-to tutorials with specific steps
• Product comparisons (X vs Y)
• Best-of lists with genuine recommendations
• In-depth product reviews
• Problem-solution posts (how to fix specific issues)

All of these have clear search intent, are monetizable through affiliate links or ads, and give new blogs a chance to compete on long-tail keywords.

Here are 25 blog post ideas that actually drive traffic.

Finding Topics to Write About

Search your niche on Google. Study the top-ranking blogs. See what they write about and how they structure content. These sites are your future competitors. Learn from them.

This process is the foundation of keyword research. Brian Dean’s keyword research guide covers the methodology in detail.

Other sources for topic ideas: Reddit threads in your niche, Quora questions people are asking, YouTube video topics that get views, Amazon book reviews (what are people praising or complaining about?), and your own experiences solving problems.

75 Profitable Blog Niches

If you’re still deciding, here are proven niches with monetization potential:

1. Gadget Reviews
2. Computer Hardware
3. Software Tutorials
4. Mobile Apps
5. Personal Finance
6. Investing
7. Blogging
8. SEO
9. Home Decor
10. Health and Wellness
11. Fitness
12. Beauty and Skincare
13. Weight Loss
14. Nutrition
15. Sports Analysis
16. Fantasy Sports
17. Gaming
18. Board Games
19. Parenting
20. Homeschooling
21. DIY Projects
22. Home Improvement
23. Gardening
24. Coupons and Deals
25. Online Shopping
26. Entrepreneurship
27. Side Hustles
28. Freelancing
29. Remote Work
30. Productivity
31. Web Hosting
32. Domain Names
33. Web Design
34. WordPress Development
35. Event Planning
36. Food and Recipes
37. Travel
38. Budget Travel
39. Weddings
40. Relationships
41. Self Improvement
42. Career Advice
43. Job Hunting
44. Resume Writing
45. Photography
46. Video Editing
47. Podcasting
48. YouTube Tips
49. Social Media Marketing
50. Email Marketing
51. Affiliate Marketing
52. Cryptocurrency
53. Real Estate
54. Cars and Automotive
55. Motorcycles
56. RV Living
57. Pet Care
58. Dog Training
59. Aquariums
60. Outdoor Activities
61. Camping
62. Hiking
63. Fishing
64. Golf
65. Running
66. Yoga
67. Meditation
68. Mental Health
69. Online Banking
70. Credit Cards
71. Insurance
72. Legal Advice
73. Education and Courses
74. Language Learning
75. Science and Technology

Writing Content That Ranks

Your content quality determines whether your blog succeeds or fails. These are the rules I follow after publishing 1,750+ articles:

Check grammar and spelling. Errors signal unprofessionalism. Use Grammarly or similar tools.

Structure for scanning. Use subheadings, short paragraphs (3-4 sentences max), and bullet points for lists. Readers scan before they read. Make it easy.

Include images. Break up text with relevant visuals. Pixabay, Unsplash, and Pexels offer free options. But original screenshots and graphics perform better than stock photos.

Answer the search query. If someone searches “how to install WordPress,” they want installation steps, not the history of WordPress. Give people what they came for.

Write comprehensively. Cover the topic fully. A longer, detailed article typically outranks a thin one. But don’t pad with fluff. Every sentence should add value.

Use conversational language. Write like you’re explaining something to a friend. Use “I” and “you.” Avoid academic stiffness.

Create evergreen content. Posts that remain relevant for years continue generating traffic. Time-sensitive content dies quickly.

AI and the Future of Blogging

AI is changing blogging. Pretending otherwise is naive. But the change isn’t what most people fear.

Yes, AI can write blog posts. I’ve tested Claude, ChatGPT, and others extensively. They produce coherent content quickly. But coherent isn’t the same as valuable. AI-generated content without human expertise tends toward the generic. It lacks the specific experiences, tested recommendations, and earned opinions that make content worth reading.

The bloggers getting hurt are those who were already producing generic content. Thin affiliate posts, rewritten Wikipedia articles, content that existed purely for search rankings. AI does that faster and cheaper. Those sites are dying.

The bloggers thriving use AI as a tool, not a replacement. Here’s how I use it:

Research acceleration. AI helps me explore topics faster, find angles I hadn’t considered, and identify gaps in existing content. What took hours of reading now takes minutes of conversation.

First draft assistance. For certain content types, AI provides a starting structure I can build on. I never publish AI drafts directly. But they speed up the outlining process.

Editing and refinement. AI catches errors, suggests clearer phrasing, and identifies weak arguments. Better than spell check, not as good as a human editor.

Code and technical tasks. Writing schema markup, fixing CSS issues, generating structured data. AI handles technical implementation faster than I could manually.

What AI can’t do: share genuine experience. Tell you what actually worked after testing 15 different caching plugins. Explain why a recommendation changed after three years of using a product. Provide the context that comes from running real businesses, making expensive mistakes, and learning from them.

Google’s recent updates target AI-generated content that lacks originality and expertise. The sites ranking well are those demonstrating E-E-A-T: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. AI can assist with expertise. It can’t fake experience.

My prediction: blogging becomes more competitive at the low end (AI floods the market with mediocre content) and more valuable at the high end (genuine expertise stands out more). If you’re starting a blog, the path forward is clear. Use AI tools to work faster. But build on real knowledge, real experience, real opinions. That’s what Google rewards. That’s what readers trust. That’s what competitors can’t easily replicate.

Promoting Your Content

Publishing isn’t enough. Millions of posts go online every day. You need to actively promote your work, especially when starting out.

Share new posts on social platforms where your audience hangs out. Build an email list from day one. Engage in communities related to your niche. Write guest posts for established blogs to build backlinks.

The first six months are the hardest. Traffic grows slowly. But consistent publishing and promotion compound over time.

Improving Your Blog Over Time

Optimize for Speed

A slow blog loses readers. Every second of load time costs you visitors. Aim for under 2 seconds, preferably under 1 second.

The biggest improvements come from quality hosting, proper caching, and optimized images. Fancy optimization tricks matter less than getting these three right.

Focus on Search

Search engine traffic is the most sustainable traffic source. Learn keyword research. Use Google Search Console to find what’s working. Update old content that’s slipping in rankings.

Tools like Rank Math help with on-page optimization, but the real work is creating content that genuinely answers search queries better than competitors.

Build Relationships

Connect with other bloggers in your space. Comment meaningfully on their posts. Share their content. Guest post when appropriate. Building genuine relationships leads to natural backlinks, which Google values highly.

Build an Email List

Email marketing often converts better than social media. You own the relationship with your subscribers. Algorithm changes can’t take that away.

Start collecting emails from day one, even if you only send monthly updates initially.

Making Money From Your Blog

Once you have traffic, monetization options open up. Here are the primary methods:

Display Advertising

Ad networks like Google AdSense, Mediavine, or AdThrive pay you based on impressions or clicks. This works best with high-traffic blogs in niches with valuable advertisers.

Mediavine requires 50,000 monthly sessions minimum. AdThrive requires 100,000. Until you hit those thresholds, AdSense is your option. Expect $2-10 per 1,000 pageviews depending on your niche.

Affiliate Marketing

You recommend products and earn a commission when readers purchase through your links. This is my primary income source. Over $650K lifetime from affiliate commissions alone.

The key is recommending products you actually use and believe in. Readers can tell when you’re pushing something for the commission versus genuinely helping them.

Sponsored Content

Companies pay you to write about their products or to publish guest posts with links to their sites. Rates depend on your traffic and domain authority.

Be selective. Too much sponsored content damages reader trust and can hurt your SEO if you’re linking to low-quality sites.

Digital Products

eBooks, courses, templates, and other digital products let you monetize your expertise directly. You create once and sell repeatedly. Higher effort upfront, but the margins are excellent.

Your Next Steps

Use the blogging checklist to track your progress and make sure you haven’t missed anything important.

Disclaimer: My content is reader-supported, meaning that if you click on some of the links in my posts and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links help me keep the content on gauravtiwari.org free and full of valuable insights. I only recommend products and services that I trust and believe will genuinely benefit you. Your support through these links is greatly appreciated—it helps me continue to create helpful content and resources for you. Thank you! ~ Gaurav Tiwari