How to start blog writing and steps of it.

Starting a blog is an excellent way to build credibility for your brand. A blog is also a great outlet for self-expression if you’re a budding writer or have a hobby you want to document and share with others.

However, there are certain strategies you need to know before you start a blog. Therefore, we’ve created this comprehensive step-by-step guide for new bloggers to kick-start their journey.

We’ll discuss everything from finding a niche and setting up a blogging platform to publishing content and promoting your blog.

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How to Start a Blog – Video Guide
How to Start a Blog in 10 Simple Steps
How Much Does it Cost to Start a Blog
Is Starting a Blog Worth It
Blogging Best Practices for Beginners
How to Start a Blog FAQ
How to Start a Blog – Video Guide
More of a visual learner? No problem – watch this WordPress tutorial to learn how to create a blog on WordPress.


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How to Start a Blog in 10 Simple Steps
In the upcoming sections, we’ll break down each step in the journey of how to make a blog for beginners and provide more details.

1. Pick Your Blog Niche
A niche is a specific topic that your blog will focus on, and it’s key in determining your target audience. A strong blog niche can also help you pick the perfect blog name and develop a focused blogging strategy.

Examples of blog niches include books, travel, gaming, photography, and food.

When setting up your new blog, it may be tempting to cover a broad range of blog ideas or topics. However, trying to master too many subjects is difficult and often unsustainable.

You might pull off a few successful quality blog posts, but your audience will be scattered, making it hard to maintain a loyal readership.

That’s why sticking to a niche that can attract a devoted following is important. A dedicated audience will look forward to your next piece of content, giving your blog a steady stream of traffic.

To find the perfect niche for a successful blog, keep the following tips in mind:

Pick a Niche That You Like or Are Passionate About

Writing about a topic you enjoy will always be more fulfilling than forcing yourself to write about something you’re uninterested in.

Consider your hobbies and interests or topics you’d like to learn more about. Then, make them more specific. If your passion is food, try focusing on a particular cuisine like Japanese, Mexican, or Italian.

Similarly, if you want to start a book blog, consider blogging about reading on a budget or specific literary styles.

Select a Niche That Has Audience Potential

Your main topic should have a level of pre-existing interest to ensure you’ll have an audience to target. Use Google Trends to find the search volume of specific keywords related to your niche and determine whether enough people are discussing it on social media and community forums.

Google Trend's Explore page showing trends for AI
This way, you’ll know what’s trending in your niche and which blog post ideas have more engagement potential.

You Don’t Have to Be an Expert to Profit From a Niche

Being a topical expert gives you a certain authority that many readers look for, but it’s not a requirement. What’s more important is having a unique perspective on your niche and being eager to learn more.

For example, you might not be a professional photographer, but you can still start a photography blog as a beginner. To help build authority, feature interviews with experts on your blog.

2. Choose a Suitable Blogging Platform
Once you’ve settled on a niche, it’s time to start preparing a website for your blog. Blogging platforms are divided into two categories – hosted and self-hosted.

Hosted platforms like website builders are all-inclusive. They generally come with all the tools needed to build a blog. Plus, there’s no need to purchase hosting and a blog domain name from a third party.

On the other hand, self-hosted platforms require you to buy hosting solutions separately. These platforms are typically content management systems (CMSs) that offer extensive customization options for your blogging website.

Let’s take a look at some examples to understand these options better.

Content Management System (CMS)

CMSs are among the most common website-making solutions. They let you create and manage a website easily with a graphical user interface. CMSs are suitable blogging platforms due to their versatility and are perfect for those who want extensive control over their websites, from choosing blog hosting providers to implementing security measures.

WordPress is the most popular option among the many CMSs out there and powers almost half of all websites on the internet. Due to its popularity, users have numerous options for paid and free WordPress themes and plugins to enhance their blog pages.

This CMS also has a large and active community that shares useful knowledge and information regarding the platform. Therefore, we recommend using WordPress if you want to start a blog using a CMS.

First, it’s important to grasp the definition of web hosting because you’ll need to select a hosting service if you plan to start a self-hosted WordPress blog. Consider managed WordPress hosting to minimize technical complexities and focus more on creating content.

Expert Tip
The big things I look for in a web host are:

1. Convenience. Let’s say you’re using WordPress – does your host let you install WordPress with one or two clicks of a button?

2. Speed. If a host is fast, your site will load faster, which will help with your rankings and traffic.

3. Great support, because it just makes it easier whenever you have a problem

Editor
Neil P.

Digital Marketing Expert and Entrepreneur

Here are some pros and cons of choosing a CMS like WordPress as your blogging platform:

Pros

Complete control. You’re free to adjust, manage, and switch web hosting resources and providers.
Seemingly endless customization. You can add custom code or choose from thousands of WordPress plugins and themes from the official directory or third-party sources.
Built to scale. Self-hosted platforms can sustain complex websites of any size as long as your blog hosting plan has sufficient resources.
Cons

Steeper learning curve. Even though using a self-hosted platform is significantly easier than coding a website from scratch, it still requires some technical knowledge compared to website builders.
Time to set up. Unlike the instant setup of most hosted platforms, self-hosted platforms require extra steps like purchasing web hosting, registering a domain name, and installing the platform’s software.
No dedicated support. Most self-hosted platforms don’t offer customer support. So, you’ll need to rely on your hosting provider or community support.
Independent security and maintenance. You’ll be responsible for keeping your blog secure and properly maintained. This means installing security add-ons, running regular backups, and conducting software updates.

Website Builder

If you want to start blogging but want to avoid a lengthy setup process and steep learning curve, website builders are the best option.

This type of platform gives you a straightforward way to make a website without any complicated technical requirements, making it a great solution for beginners.

Services like Hostinger Website Builder provides users with professionally-made templates to jumpstart the blog building process.

You can customize the blog template easily with a user-friendly drag-and-drop editor and various AI tools like the AI Writer, AI Heatmap tool, and AI Logo Generator.

See below for the pros and cons of choosing Hostinger Website Builder for your blog:

Pros

Quick setup. Use the AI Website Builder option to generate a completely custom blog in just a few clicks – all you need to do is provide a short description of your ideal blog. Then, head to the visual editor to adjust all the site elements to your specifications.
Premade templates. Speed up your building process by choosing from the many Hostinger’s templates specifically designed to optimize your blog. All the designs are mobile-friendly and customizable.
Essential blogging features. Hostinger Website Builder offers built-in tools that make blogging easy. These include a visual blog post editor, article groups with categories, post scheduling, and a URL customizer.
Comprehensive hosting resources. From just $2.99/month, your blog gets a free domain name, weekly backups, unlimited bandwidth, and robust security features.
Cons

Less flexible. Most website builders are built on a closed-source system. The templates and add-ons are usually limited to what the service officially offers. However, Hostinger Website Builder is compatible with popular third-party tools to grow your blog, such as Google Analytics, Hotjar, and Google AdSense.
No phone support. Currently, you can’t reach our Customer Success team by phone. However, Hostinger Website Builder offers live chat and email support to ensure you get all the help you need.

Third-Party Blogging Websites

Many successful bloggers use websites like Medium, Blogger, or Tumblr in addition to their own platforms. Some blogging websites use a social media-like algorithm where visitors can discover trending blog posts based on their interests.

Leveraging this system can help you build a strong audience base for your blog. You can also use these platforms to build backlinks and funnel more visitors to your blogging website.

Here are some unique benefits and disadvantages of using a third-party website for your blog:

Pros

Easy to start. All you have to do is create an account, and you’re ready to make your first blog post.
No maintenance work. There’s no need to think about technical aspects like the site’s performance or security – you can focus on publishing and promoting your blog.
Existing audience base. Blogging websites already have an established user base you can leverage to build your online presence. Plus, creating unique and valuable content gives you a chance to be featured on the platform.
Budget-friendly. Many of these blogging websites are free to use. That way, you can create accounts on more than one platform to expand your reach without worrying about costs.
Cons

Limited ownership. Your blog and its content will be stored on the platform’s server, so there is a chance you may lose them if the website goes offline.
Tough competition. Since you share the platform with other bloggers, getting traction can be challenging. Most of the time, contributors with established reputations will take precedence on the home page and get most of the traffic.
Fewer monetization options. Unlike running your own blogging platform, you can’t display ads or sell products directly from these third-party websites. The only options are promoting affiliate links or joining the platform’s partner program.
Choosing the right platform plays a big part in your blogging success. Make sure to identify your needs and preferences before deciding on a solution.

Beginners and those who want to save time will benefit from using builders like Hostinger Website Builder.

On the other hand, CMSs like WordPress are perfect for those with some web-building experience wanting the freedom to code or install custom extensions.

In addition to these two options, you can create accounts on popular blogging platforms to increase your reach and build a stronger audience base. However, don’t over-rely on them as they are not an ideal long-term solution.

For the rest of this article, we will focus on how to set up a blogging website using WordPress as the platform.

3. Create a Blog Name and Get the Domain
The next step in how to become a blogger is creating a thought-out name. It shouldn’t just be catchy and unique – it should also be brandable and relevant to your industry.

There are three main qualities a good blog name should have, namely:

Related to your niche. Ideally, readers should know your niche from the blog title. For this, consider using relevant keywords.
No longer than 2-3 words. While some blogs with long names are highly successful, the best practice is to keep them short.
Easy to spell and remember. For optimal brandability, avoid using numbers or special characters in the blog name.
Thankfully, you can use various blog name generators to jumpstart the brainstorming process.

All you have to do is give the generator a few keywords, and the AI will come up with different names for your blog. Simply choose the one you like the most, or combine a few suggestions, and your new blog name is ready.

The next step to start a blog is getting your blog’s domain name. This is the web address visitors need to enter to access your website.

Ideally, you should pick a domain name that is exactly your blog title. If that’s not available, find an alternative that resembles or is related to it. This is to avoid confusion and help your site become more identifiable.

You can purchase a domain name from an accredited registrar. Some web hosting companies, like Hostinger, double as domain registrars. With this approach, you can buy a domain and hosting in one go to save time and money.

Suggested Reading
Check out our tutorial to learn how to get a free domain name for your new blog.

While .com is the most popular domain extension, using a unique suffix such as .xyz, .online, or .club can make your blog address stand out. For example, consider opting for the .club domain if you offer a membership subscription.

4. Set Up and Customize Your Website
As mentioned previously, different platforms suit different needs and preferences. They also have different setup and customization processes.

In this section, we will provide a step-by-step guide to setting up and customizing a WordPress blogging platform.

Suggested Reading
If you’re not using a CMS, read our tutorial to learn more about how to create a website from scratch using Hostinger Website Builder.

We will cover three key steps of creating a new blog – installing the content management system, customizing its appearance, and adding plugins.

Installing WordPress

After purchasing your web hosting plan, the first step is to install WordPress using the auto-installer provided by your web host through the control panel.

Here’s how to do it on Hostinger’s hPanel:

1. Sign in to your hosting account dashboard, then navigate to Website → Auto Installer.

2. Under WordPress, click Select.

The Auto Installer menu on hPanel with the Select button highlighted
3. A new window will pop up. Fill in the form with the following details:

Check that your domain name is correct.
Type in the administrator username, password, and email. This login information will be used to access your WordPress dashboard or admin area.
Enter your website title – you can input the blog name here. It’s possible to change this later via the Site Identity settings on your WordPress admin dashboard.
Choose your preferred language.
Select Always update to the latest available version to get the newest features and security patches.
4. Click Install.

Once the installation is complete, log in to your WordPress admin area. Here, you can begin to make changes to your new blog.

Pick a WordPress Theme

Next, we will focus on how to design the website and customize your self-hosted WordPress blog using pre-designed themes.

A WordPress theme is a pre-made design template for WordPress sites that is customizable. Free and premium options are available in the WordPress library and third-party sources like ThemeForest. Developers also offer premium themes on their own websites, like Astra.

With paid WordPress themes, you can expect access to dedicated support, regular updates, and premium plugins bundled with your purchase. While free themes can be a sufficient starting point, they usually include little to no support, making premium themes worth the investment.

When looking for the best WordPress theme for your blog, consider these crucial factors:

Pricing. If you’re contemplating a premium blog theme, make sure it is worth the price. Consider comparing it to other similarly priced themes.
Design. The design of the theme should fit the content of your blog. When in doubt, always prioritize user-friendly and simple designs that highlight each blog post.
Features. Check whether the theme includes features like a drag-and-drop builder, premade layouts, and customer support.
Responsiveness. Use a responsive theme that will adapt to any screen size. This is important since over half of all website traffic comes from mobile devices.
User reviews. Before purchasing a theme, check whether other people have had a positive experience with it.
To install a theme from the WordPress directory, log in to your dashboard and navigate to Appearance →Themes →Add New. Hover over your chosen blog theme and click Install. Once the process is complete, hit Activate.

Add a new theme in the WordPress admin dashboard.
To install a theme from a third-party source, select Upload Themes, upload the .zip file of the theme, and then install and activate it.

Hostinger users who sign up for Business Web Hosting or any of our Cloud Hosting plans can install Hostinger Blog Theme for free. It’s available for users who choose WordPress as their platform during the website setup process.

A selection of website themes in the setup wizard, including Hostinger Blog Theme.
Suggested Reading
Learn about bad website design to ensure a good first impression on your visitors.

Install Plugins and Tools to Extend Functionality

A WordPress plugin is an extension that expands a website’s functionality. Plugins provide extra features and can be installed easily with no coding necessary, making them excellent for beginner bloggers.

Different plugins serve different purposes. Some improve site security, while others can perform backups, enable contact forms, moderate comments, or integrate Google Analytics.

Check out the following plugins to get started:

Hostinger WordPress Plugin. An in-house, pre-installed plugin that guides users through the website setup process. When combined with the Hostinger AI Assistant plugin, you’ll get an AI blog post generator on your WordPress dashboard.
iThemes Security. Use it to extend the security features of your WordPress site.
UpdraftPlus. Install it to simplify backups and site restoration.
WPForms. Create forms easily with its drag-and-drop interface.
Akismet Spam Protection. Activate this to combat spam and clean up your blog’s comments section.
MonsterInsights. Link your blog with a Google Analytics account to monitor performance.
Yoast SEO. Use this free plugin to manage your blog’s search engine optimization (SEO).
We recommend installing only the most necessary extensions, as keeping a large number of plugins updated can be challenging. Having too many plugins installed can also slow down the blog, so make sure your chosen hosting company offers sufficient server resources.

5. Create the Necessary Pages and Categories
Website pages contain the content of a site. Unlike posts, a standard web page requires little to no edits or updates. The most common types of pages on blog websites are the following:

Homepage. Your homepage is the introductory page of your blog. This is what visitors will see when they enter your domain name into their browser’s address bar. The homepage should include snippets of your best and latest blog posts.
The About page. This is the section of your site where visitors can learn more about the person or organization behind the blog. The page may include a bio, the objectives of the site, and relevant images.
Contact page. This blog page contains information on how users can contact the website owner. A contact page usually includes an email address, a phone number, links to social media profiles, a contact form, or an address with its location on Google Maps.