Introduction

I remember the exact moment I decided to start a blog. It was a Tuesday, I was stuck in traffic, and I’d just finished a podcast about someone who quit their job to travel the world, all funded by their travel blog. My first thought? “Yeah, right.” My second thought, which came a lot faster, was, “But what if?” That tiny question sparked a huge change. I went home that night and fell down a rabbit hole of domain names and web hosting, feeling a mix of total excitement and complete overwhelm. It felt like everyone else already knew the secret handshake. If you’re feeling that same mix of ambition and “where do I even start?”—you’re in the right place. I’m going to walk you through the actual steps I took to start a blog and eventually make money from it, without the confusing jargon. We’ll cover everything from picking your passion to earning your first dollar.

First Things First: Why Are You Really Starting a Blog?

Before you spend a single dime or minute on a website, let’s get real. Why do you want to do this? Is it to share a passion for sustainable gardening? To document your journey learning to code? Or is it purely to create a new income stream? Your “why” is your compass. When you’re up at 11 p.m. trying to figure out a WordPress plugin, your motivation is what keeps you going.

I started my first blog because I was obsessed with home-brewing coffee and couldn’t find practical advice for apartment dwellers with tiny kitchens. My passion was the fuel. The money came later, almost as a side effect of genuinely wanting to help people make a better cup of joe. So, grab a notebook. What could you talk about for hours? What problem can you solve for others? Your answer is the foundation for everything that comes next.

Let’s Get Technical (But Not Scary Technical)

Okay, this is the part that trips up a lot of beginners. Hosting, domains, platforms… it sounds like a different language. I’ll break it down into simple terms. Think of it like building a house.

1. Your Domain Name: Your Blog’s Street Address

This is what people type in to find you (e.g., yourblogname.com). My best advice? Don’t overthink it. Choose something that is easy to remember, easy to spell, and relates to your topic. I spent two weeks agonizing over my first domain name, only to realize that the content mattered so much more.

A few quick tips for picking a name:

• Keep it simple: Avoid hyphens and numbers if you can.
• Make it memorable: coffeeforapartments.com is better than dansbestcoffeetipsandtricks.com.
• Check availability: Make sure the name isn’t already taken, and check if the social media handles are also available.

2. Your Hosting: The Land Your House Sits On

Hosting is simply the space you rent on the internet for your blog to live. You can’t have a website without it. When you’re just starting, you don’t need the mega-mansion of hosting plans. A basic shared hosting plan from a reputable provider like Bluehost, SiteGround, or Hostinger is more than enough. I started with a plan that cost me less than a few cups of coffee per month. It’s an investment, but it’s one of the few essential ones.

3. Your Platform: The House Itself (WordPress is Your Friend)

This is the software you’ll use to build and manage your blog. While there are many options, I strongly recommend self-hosted WordPress (WordPress.org). Don’t confuse it with WordPress.com—they’re different. Self-hosted WordPress gives you complete control, ownership, and the freedom to make money however you want. It’s the industry standard for a reason. Most hosting providers offer a “one-click” WordPress installation, so you won’t need to do any coding. It’s as easy as installing an app on your phone.

You’ve Built It. Now, What Do You Write About?

You have your blog set up. It’s a blank canvas. Exciting! And also terrifying. What do you actually write? This is where your “why” comes back into play. Your first few posts should lay the groundwork for your blog’s purpose. These are often called “pillar posts” or “cornerstone content.” They are detailed, foundational guides that your readers will find incredibly useful.

For my coffee blog, my first three posts were:

1. The Ultimate Guide to Brewing Coffee in a Small Kitchen
2. 5 Must-Have Coffee Gadgets That Won’t Clutter Your Counter
3. How to Choose the Right Coffee Beans (Without Being a Snob)

See the pattern? They directly addressed the problems my target reader faced. Think about what your ideal reader is searching for on Google. What are their biggest questions? Answer them. Write the articles you wish you could have found when you were just starting out. Don’t worry about being perfect; just be helpful.

The Slow Burn: How You Actually Make Money Blogging

Here’s a truth bomb: you probably won’t make money in your first month. Or your second. Building a profitable blog is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s about building trust and an audience first. Once you have a steady stream of visitors, you can introduce monetization methods.

Here are the most common ways to make money from a blog, from easiest to most advanced:

Affiliate Marketing

This was my first dollar. It’s simple: you recommend a product you genuinely use and love. If someone clicks your unique affiliate link and makes a purchase, you earn a small commission at no extra cost to them. The key is authenticity. I only recommended coffee grinders and scales that I had personally tested in my own kitchen. Your readers can spot a fake recommendation from a mile away.

Display Advertising

Ever seen ads in the sidebar or header of a blog? That’s display advertising. You get paid based on how many people see or click on the ads. You won’t get rich off this method initially, but services like Google AdSense are easy to set up. Once your traffic grows, you can apply to premium ad networks like Mediavine or AdThrive, which can generate a significant income.

Selling Your Own Digital Products

This is where the real magic happens. Once you’ve established yourself as an expert, you can create and sell your own products. This could be an eBook, a short online course, a printable planner, or a set of templates. You keep almost all the profit, and you’re providing immense value directly to your most loyal readers. My first product was a simple eBook called “The 15-Minute Morning Coffee Ritual.” It sold way better than I ever expected.

Conclusion

Starting a blog that makes money isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s a journey of learning, sharing, and connecting. It starts with a spark of an idea, a “what if?” moment. You don’t need to be a tech genius or a professional writer. You just need to be passionate and persistent. Pick your niche, get the basic tech sorted out, and start writing helpful content. The traffic—and the money—will follow your genuine effort. My journey from that traffic jam to earning a real income from my words wasn’t overnight, but it was one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. So, what’s that idea you can’t stop thinking about? Maybe it’s time to give it a home on the internet.