If you believe that blogging is just a hobby, reconsider – as it has the potential to generate a significant income. The following steps will guide you on getting started, identifying your area of expertise, and transforming your blog into a profitable venture.
Our guide provides a specific set of actions to help you start your blog and transform it into a successful small business that can be managed from home.
Starting a Blog
To commence, the initial task at hand is to establish your blog. Now, let’s carefully navigate through each step in this procedure.
There is no need to worry because it is actually quite easy.
The most effective method to begin a blog for free and earn money is by building a website using Google Sites, which are completely costless websites accessible through Google, in case you are unfamiliar with them.
A cool feature is that you have the ability to create an unlimited number of free websites using Google.
As they are under Google’s ownership, their ranking in search results is high (which will later be crucial for monetizing your blog).
Here is a quick list of the incredibly easy and intuitive steps involved in setting up a blog with Google sites.
- Go to https://sites.google.com/new
- Choose a website template
- Fill in your website/blog details
- Click publish
There are two primary choices available for setting up a blog: utilizing a free blogging platform or building your own website. In the following sections, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
Free blogging platforms
Ideal for: Individuals who are blogging casually and do not have any intention of generating income from their blog.
Advantages: Setting up is extremely simple and does not require any payment.
Drawbacks include restrictions on customization and the uploading of videos/images, limitations on placing advertisements or using affiliate links, inability to create a customized URL, and the platform’s authority to delete your blog.
If you’re looking to start blogging casually, many platforms offer free and user-friendly options that you can easily set up. This could be a good fit for you.
However, the use of free blogging platforms can have significant limitations. Your ability to customize your blog will be restricted, and there will be a storage limit that could pose difficulties when uploading large videos and images.
Furthermore, an additional disadvantage is that the URL for your blog will display the platform branding, such as ‘www.yourblog.wordpress.com’.
Additionally, majority of bloggers rely on banner adverts or affiliate links as essential sources of revenue, and these monetization options are usually prohibited on most free blogging platforms.
Here’s a quick overview of the top free online blogging platforms, if these aspects are not a concern for you.
Best blogging sites
- WordPress.com – This is a free basic blog hosting service that’s easy to use. You’ll have to put up with WordPress ads and branding unless you pay a monthly fee. It’s also not possible to earn ad revenue unless you pay for the Premium, Business or eCommerce package. There are also limited options for customisation and expansion.
- Blogger – Google’s free blog hosting service, Blogger, is really simple to use. But, the customisation and design options are very limited, and there aren’t a lot of options if you want to add new features.
- Medium – With Medium, the emphasis is on the writing rather than design. It’s used by lots of journalists, writers and experts and is a great way to share your work with a particular community. You can’t run any ads and it’s difficult to create your own personal branding.
Create your own website
Ideal for individuals who are passionate about blogging and those who are interested in monetizing their blog.
Advantages: You have full control over design and customization, the option to have your own customized URL, and the freedom to utilize advertisements and affiliate links as desired.
One drawback is that you will need to cover expenses. First, you will have to pay for your domain name (URL), and then for hosting. However, we can provide you with advice on affordable web hosting.
Creating your own website may seem intimidating if you lack technical skills. However, it is quite simple and can be accomplished in only 20 minutes.
By having your own website, you will have the opportunity to establish a distinctive personal brand using your own URL, and you won’t have to worry about your blog being removed by the platform. This way, you will be the owner of the site and have full control over it.
Take your time to choose a WordPress template or ‘theme’ that matches both your personality and the subject of your blog as there is a vast selection available.
Please choose a design that is clear and simple, with ample space for large images and fonts that are easy to read. Avoid using fonts like Comic Sans and Courier.
Set up Your Free Content Management Platform
The structural foundation of the house or business, which is the content management platform, is like the bones or frame within the plot of land it is hosted on. Its purpose is to serve as the internal aspect of the house or business, rather than the external appearance that is visible to others.
If you create a blog using Google Sites, you will already have a Content Management Platform (CMP) at your disposal.
Google is the abbreviation for your Content Management Platform. I informed you that this was very simple and easy!
focus on driving traffic to your products and services first).
Start by getting your free blog set up for success. By the end of this post, we will cover the easy and automatic ways to generate income.
Choose Your Template or Theme
Your website’s template or theme is similar to the appearance that your website presents to the public. In a comparative sense, it can be likened to the outer appearance of a house.
If you want to make a good choice, you need to carefully consider the appearance.
When starting a free blog to earn money through Google Sites, you have the option to select a template or construct one from the beginning.
I suggest selecting a pre-made template and customizing it with your own images and text. This process involves simple drag and drop actions facilitated by Google.
Promote your blog on social media
In today’s competitive business landscape, it is highly unlikely to gain attention if you lack social media presence.
We suggest creating pages/accounts for your blog on various social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and even LinkedIn (since you’re essentially your own business, right?). Make sure to design these accounts with a similar color scheme/theme as your blog, ensuring your brand remains consistent and easily identifiable.
To increase the reach of your content, utilize social media platforms to share new posts and mention bloggers, influencers, or companies that may be interested in sharing your content to a larger audience.
In order to expand the reach of your blog, you have the option of incorporating paid advertising or organizing a competition to increase the number of likes. After obtaining followers, it is vital to ensure their engagement by posting regularly, beyond just new blog content.
Use affiliate marketing on your blog
Affiliate marketing functions through incorporating tracked affiliate links within the content of your blog. Whenever a reader clicks on the link you suggest and proceeds to make a purchase, you have the opportunity to earn a small commission.
When you click on the links provided, you will be taken to the brand’s website. The purpose of the money you receive is simply to show gratitude for directing some of your wonderful readers to their website.
Online eCommerce websites such as Amazon, ASOS, and Apple, almost always have some sort of affiliate program.
Add banner adverts to your website
One way of visually advertising on your blog page is by selling banner advertising space to brands that align with your readers.
Advertisements can potentially be placed in various locations, but they are frequently observed at the top of blog pages or in the sidebar.
There are two ways to earn income. If you choose CPC (cost per click), you will receive a fixed payment for each reader who clicks on the advertisement. On the other hand, if you choose CPM (cost per thousand), you will negotiate a fixed payment for every 1,000 impressions the ad receives.
The CPC and CPM may be low due to the increasing popularity of AdBlocker plugins, but their effectiveness does vary depending on the industry. Nevertheless, there is no harm in testing them for your own benefit.
Write advertorials and sponsored content
Based on the bloggers we interviewed, offering sponsored content opportunities, also known as advertorials, is considered one of the most effective methods to generate income from a blog. Essentially, these are paid articles or blog posts that serve as advertisements.
If you have a blog on women’s sportswear, Adidas might pay you to write an article about their new swimwear line. Additionally, you could potentially include some affiliate links.
Typically, this method of monetization is most effective when you possess a niche audience that is well-established. Once your readership has increased, brands frequently approach you to initiate conversations about sponsored posts.
