Hi, i am Anku.
Let’s rewind to my first year of college.
I was just another student juggling lectures, deadlines, and late-night study sessions when I met Anu, who would soon become my closest friend and partner-in-dream-chasing.
We clicked instantly and quickly realized we both had the same itch that we didn’t want the typical 9-to-5 life after graduation.
We wanted freedom, creativity, and a way to build something of our own.
So, we started exploring ideas. From small side hustles to big dreams, we threw everything on the table. But as broke college students, most of those ideas were completely out of reach.
That’s when we stumbled upon blogging.
We figured out that it was simple: get a domain, set up a site, write helpful content, bring in traffic, and monetize it through ads or affiliate links.
No office, no huge investment and just us, our laptops, and a lot of late nights.
We devoured every piece of information we could find, especially from a blog called ShoutMeLoud.
We literally printed out pages of it and studied it like a course. That’s how determined we were to figure this thing out.
Fast forward to today, and blogging is no longer just a side hustle. It’s our full-time business.
Together, Anu and I have launched multiple blogs, reached millions of readers, and created a life that we once only dreamed about, one that gives us both freedom and income.
If you’re wondering how to start a blog or whether you can actually make money blogging in 2025, I’ve been in your shoes. And I’m here to show you that yes, it’s 100 percent possible.
This guide is everything I wish someone had handed me when I first got started. No fluff. Just clear steps, honest advice, and real talk from someone who went from broke college student to full-time blogger.
So, let’s get started.
Why start a blog in 2025?
Here are some of the points, i think start a blog in 2025 is still great.
Evolving Digital Economy
Traditional 9-5 jobs are shifting, and more companies are embracing remote or hybrid work.
A blog offers flexibility, independence, and an online presence that can bolster your professional brand or become a new career path.
Multiple Revenue Streams
The digital creator economy is booming. Through a blog, you can tap into income from affiliate marketing, advertising, e-courses, memberships, and more.
Plus, with the rise of short-form video and AI tools, it’s easier than ever to diversify your content.
Platform for Thought Leadership
Whether you’re in finance, food, fitness, or tech, a blog helps you stand out as an authority.
A strong blogging presence opens the door to paid speaking gigs, consulting, or brand sponsorships.
Personal Development & Network Building
Blogging refines your communication skills, fosters creativity, and can connect you with influencers, entrepreneurs, and potential clients.
In 2025, networking via online communities continues to expand your circle well beyond geographical boundaries.
Automation & AI Support
The AI explosion means bloggers can automate repetitive tasks such keyword research and basic writing outlines -freeing up more time for high-level strategy and personal touches.
Choose Your Niche
Choosing the right niche is one of the first and most important steps when starting a blog in 2025.
A clear focus on your blog’s topic helps you stay organized and attract a dedicated audience.
If you already know what you want to write about, you can move on to setting up your blog.
But if you’re still unsure, don’t worry, here’s how to find the perfect niche for you.
Your blog should center around a single, main topic.
So, how do you pick the right one?
Questions to Help You Decide:
- Do you have any experience you want to share?
Think about your personal or professional experiences that others might find useful.
- Are you passionate about something?
Choose a topic you love and can’t stop thinking about. Passion makes it easier to create content consistently and keeps you motivated.
For example, when I started my first blog,
I shared my knowledge of tech. I used to tinker smartphones, apps, laptops and other devices a lot since my college days.
So, when I started my tech blog, I had some knowledge, and I was passionate enough about tech.
So, I shared tips, tricks, how to’s and more stuff related to tech, which attracted readers and helped me grow as a blogger.
Examples of Popular Blog Niches:
- Travel: Share your adventures, tips, and destination guides.
- Food: Explore recipes, restaurant reviews, and culinary trends.
- Personal Finance and Money: Offer advice on budgeting, saving, and investing.
- Health and Fitness: Provide workout routines, wellness tips, and healthy living strategies.
- Technology and Gadget Reviews: Review the latest tech products and innovations.
- Parenting: Share experiences, tips, and resources for parents.
- Fashion and Lifestyle: Discuss the latest trends, style tips, and lifestyle hacks.
Well, these niches are still very broad. In 2025, there is competition than ever in blogging.
So, you need to narrow down to sub niches or micro niche.
Exploring Niches and Micro Niches
Within larger categories lie thousands – if not millions – of specific niches, each targeting unique audiences and their distinct needs.
For example, if you choose the fitness category, your niche could be “yoga for beginners.”
However, for beginners, even a specific niche like “yoga for beginners” can still be too broad, making it harder to stand out.
What are Micro Niches?
Micro niches are smaller, more specialized segments within a broader niche. The more you understand your industry’s needs, the easier it is to identify a profitable micro niche.
For instance, the broad niche of “yoga for beginners” can be refined into:
- Yoga for busy professionals
- Yoga for postpartum mothers
- Yoga for seniors
- Yoga for individuals with back pain
Why Focus on Micro Niches?
- Less Competition: Easier to establish authority with fewer bloggers targeting the same audience.
- Targeted Content: Create highly relevant and specific content that resonates deeply with your audience.
- Better Monetization: Attract advertisers and sponsors looking for niche-specific audiences.
How to Choose Your Micro Niche
- Build a List of Interests and Expertise:
List topics you are passionate about and areas where you have experience or knowledge.
- Research Market Demand:
Use tools like Ubersuggest or Google Keyword Planner to check the search volume for your potential micro niches.
We personally like to use Google KW Planner.
Well, to initially setup and use it can be a little tricky.
However, you can use any tutorial video on YouTube on how to set it up.
Once, the Google Keyword planner is properly setup, it is easy to use.
You have to enter the keywords, choose your location, select the date range, and you are good to go.
Here, you can get the very accurate monthly or yearly volume of the keywords, as this data is provided directly by the Google.
Note: Volume for different keywords can be different and differ largely, even with slight difference in the keywords.
For example, Volume for “Yoga for Beginners” and “Beginners Yoga” can differ largely.
So, try out as many as different combinations you can, while searching for the keywords.
The best part is Google Keyword Planner is free to use.
- Analyze the Competition:
Google your micro niche to see how many other blogs are covering the same topic and find ways to differentiate your content.
- Narrow Down Your Choices:
Select a micro niche that balances your passion with what people are actively searching for, ensuring there’s enough content potential without being oversaturated.
Final Tips
- Take Your Time: Don’t rush the process of selecting a niche; thorough research leads to better long-term success.
- Build a List: Start with a broad list of niche ideas and gradually narrow them down based on your research and passion.
- Stay Flexible: Be open to adjusting your niche as you learn more about your audience’s needs and preferences.
By focusing on a micro niche, you can create a blog that stands out, attracts a dedicated audience, and effectively addresses specific problems, setting the foundation for a successful blogging journey.
If you are still unable to decide or want an more extensive guide on how to find your niche and keyword, see our detailed guide on finding niche and keywords.
Moving Forward…
With your niche and micro niche defined, the next step is to set up your blog.
This includes choosing a blogging platform, designing your blog’s layout, and configuring essential settings to ensure your blog is user-friendly and optimized for search engines.
Setting Up Your Blog
Now that you’ve chosen your niche, it’s time to bring your blog to life.
Setting up your blog involves several crucial steps, from selecting a memorable name to designing a visually appealing website.
Let’s walk through each step to ensure your blog is set up for success.
1. Choose the Perfect Blog Name
Creating your blog’s name is an exciting first step. A great blog name should reflect your niche, be easy to remember, and resonate with your target audience.
Here’s how to craft the perfect name for your blog:
Brainstorm Keywords
Start by listing keywords related to your niche. Think about words that describe your blog’s content, your target audience, and the value you provide.
For instance, if your niche is sustainable living, keywords might include eco-friendly, green, zero waste, and sustainability.
Descriptive Blog Names
Descriptive names incorporate a target keyword or its variation, giving readers a clear idea of what to expect.
Popular examples include:
- EcoWarrior.com
- GreenLivingTips.com
- ZeroWasteJourney.com
Using a keyword list makes it easier to come up with relevant blog names.
Tools like the Ubersuggest Keyword Tool can help you generate keyword-based name ideas by entering a keyword and exploring variations.
Get Creative with Brandable Words
While keyword-based names are effective and can help you rank faster in your niche, brandable names offer uniqueness and memorability.
Examples of successful brandable blog names include:
- EcoChic.com
- GreenGoddess.com
- SustainablySavvy.com
You can create brandable names by mixing your name with popular phrases or unique words.
For example, if your name is Emma and you’re in the sustainable living niche, you might create:
- EmmaEco.com
- EcoEmmaLiving.com
- EmmaGreenGuide.com
Write a Mission Statement
A mission statement clarifies the purpose of your blog and provides meaningful words for your blog name. Include:
- Your target audience: Who is your blog for?
- Your value proposition: What will readers gain?
- How to describe yourself: How do you want to be perceived?
Example Mission Statement: “Empowering urban dwellers to embrace sustainable living through practical tips, eco-friendly product reviews, and inspiring success stories.”
Generate Name Ideas from Keywords:
- EmmaEcoLiving.com
- UrbanGreenGuide.com
- SustainableEmma.com
Go with Your Instincts
If you’re still unsure, trust your gut. It’s okay to start with a name that might not seem perfect.
You can always rebrand later if needed. Remember, even unconventional names like GreenHarmonyHub can become successful with dedication and quality content.
Check Domain Availability
Once you have a list of potential names, check their availability as domain names.
Use registrars like NameCheap, Hostinger, GoDaddy, etc to see if your desired names are available.
Enter your blog name and explore different Top-Level Domains (TLDs) like .com, .net, or .blog. While .com is popular, all TLDs are treated equally by search engines like Google.
2. Purchase Your Domain Name
After selecting the perfect blog name, the next step is to secure your domain name.
Here’s how:
Use a Reliable Registrar
Choose a reputable domain registrar such as NameCheap, GoDaddy, Bluehost, or Hostinger.
These platforms allow you to search for available domains and purchase them easily.
Also, we would suggest to purchase the domain name and hosting from the same provider. So, you don’t have to manage the domain name hosting seperately.
Select the Right TLD
While .com is the most recognized, other TLDs like .net, .org, or niche-specific ones like .blog can also work.
Choose a TLD that best fits your blog’s purpose and audience.
Register Your Domain
Once you’ve found an available domain name, proceed to register it.
Most registrars offer a simple checkout process where you can purchase your domain for a year or more.
Remember to enable domain privacy protection to keep your personal information secure.
3. Purchase Hosting
With your domain secured, it’s time to choose a hosting provider.
Hosting is where your blog’s files are stored and accessed by visitors. Here’s how to select the right hosting service:
Choose a Reliable Hosting Provider
Popular hosting providers for bloggers include:
- SiteGround
- Hostinger
- A2 Hosting
- BlueHost
On our blogs, we use Hostinger. Its quite reliable and offers some good features and is affordable.
Why Hostinger?
I recommend Hostinger for several reasons:
- Excellent Customer Support: 24/7 support to help you with any issues.
- High Performance: Fast loading times and reliable uptime.
- User-Friendly Interface: Easy to navigate, perfect for beginners.
- Great WordPress Integration: Seamless installation and management of WordPress.
- Free Domain Name and Free Daily Backup, Free SSL (Well, it may differ depending upon the plan you choose)
Select a Hosting Plan
Intially when starting out you don’t need any advance plan, even the basic one will work.
Start with an entry-level plan, such as the basic Hostinger Premium Plan, that start at $2.5 monthly, which is affordable and sufficient for new blogs.
You can always upgrade as your blog grows.
Register and Host Your Domain
During the signup process, link your domain name to your hosting account.
If you registered your domain with a different registrar, Hostinger provides easy steps to connect them.
4. Install WordPress
WordPress is the most popular Content Management System (CMS) for bloggers, powering over 39.5% of all websites.
Here’s how to install it:
Use Hosting’s Installation Tool
Most hosting providers, including Hostinger, offer a one-click WordPress installation feature.
Simply follow these steps:
- Log in to your hosting account.
- Navigate to the WordPress installation section.
- Click Install Now and follow the on-screen instructions.
Set Up Your WordPress Account
During installation, create your WordPress administrator account.
This account will give you access to your blog’s dashboard, where you can manage content, settings, and plugins.
Access Your WordPress Dashboard
Once installed, access your dashboard by adding /wp-admin to your domain (e.g., www.yourblogname.com/wp-admin).
Log in with your admin credentials to start customizing your blog.
5. Initial WordPress Settings
After installing WordPress, configure the basic settings to optimize your blog:
Set Up Your Site Title and Tagline
Go to Settings > General and enter your site title and tagline. These should reflect your blog’s purpose and niche.
Configure Permalink Structure
Navigate to Settings > Permalinks and choose the Post name option.
This makes your URLs clean and SEO-friendly (e.g., www.yourblogname.com/sample-post/).
Set Up Reading Settings
Under Settings > Reading, choose whether your homepage displays your latest posts or a static page.
For most blogs, displaying your latest posts is ideal.
Adjust Discussion Settings
Go to Settings > Discussion to manage comments. Decide whether to allow comments, require moderation, and set up anti-spam measures.
6. Install Essential WordPress Plugins
Plugins extend the functionality of your WordPress blog.
Here are some must-have plugins for every blogger:
SEO Plugins
- Yoast SEO: Optimize your content for search engines.
Security Plugins
- Wordfence Security: Protect your blog from threats.
Performance Plugins
- WP Super Cache: Improve your site’s loading speed.
- W3 Total Cache: Enhance performance and user experience.
Backup Plugins
- UpdraftPlus: Schedule regular backups of your blog.
- BackupBuddy: Reliable backup and restoration.
Contact Form Plugins
- WPForms Lite: Create custom contact forms easily.
- Contact Form 7: Another popular option for forms.
Install Plugins from Your Dashboard
- Go to Plugins > Add New.
- Use the search bar to find the desired plugin.
- Click Install Now and then Activate.
7. Create Essential Pages
Every blog needs a few key pages to establish credibility and provide important information to visitors. Here’s how to create them:
About Page
Your About page introduces you to your audience. Include:
- A compelling headline: Grab attention with a strong statement.
- Personal introduction: Share your story, experience, and what your blog offers.
- Social proof: Include testimonials or mentions from reputable sources.
- Call to Action (CTA): Encourage readers to subscribe, follow you on social media, or contact you.
Contact Page
A Contact page allows readers to reach out to you. Here’s what to include:
- Contact form: Use plugins like WPForms Lite to create a simple form.
- Email address: Provide an alternative way to contact you.
- Social media links: Encourage readers to connect on other platforms.
Privacy Policy Page
A Privacy Policy page is essential for transparency and legal compliance. It informs visitors how you collect, use, and protect their data. You can generate a Privacy Policy using online tools or plugins like WP AutoTerms.
Other Essential Pages
- Home Page: The main landing page of your blog.
- Blog Page: Displays your latest posts.
- Services Page (if applicable): Outline any services you offer.
8. Design Your Blog
A visually appealing design enhances user experience and keeps visitors engaged. Here’s how to design your blog effectively:
Choose a Responsive Theme
Select a WordPress theme that is mobile-friendly and responsive.
Popular options include:
- Astra: Lightweight and highly customizable.
- GeneratePress: Fast and flexible.
- OceanWP: Feature-rich and versatile.
We personally use GeneratePress on most of our blog as it is one of fastest and easy to use theme. Also, we can use it on multiple website by purchasing it just once.
Customize Your Theme
Use the WordPress Customizer (Appearance > Customize) to adjust:
- Colors: Match your brand’s color scheme.
- Fonts: Choose readable and stylish fonts.
- Layout: Decide on sidebar placement, header style, and more.
Use a Page Builder
For advanced customization, use a page builder like Elementor:
- Install and activate the Elementor plugin.
- Use the drag-and-drop editor to create custom layouts.
- Add elements like content blocks, images, buttons, and forms.
Optimize for User Experience
- Navigation: Ensure your menu is easy to navigate with clear categories.
- Loading Speed: Optimize images and use caching plugins to improve speed.
- Readability: Use headings, bullet points, and short paragraphs to enhance readability.
Add Branding Elements
Incorporate your logo, consistent color palette, and unique design elements to establish your blog’s brand identity.
Test Your Design
Preview your blog on different devices (desktop, tablet, mobile) to ensure it looks great everywhere.
Make adjustments as needed to provide a seamless user experience.
How to Bring Traffic to your Blog in 2025
Now that you know how to setup you blog, next steps is to bring traffic to your blog.
Driving traffic to your blog is essential for its growth and success.
No matter how well you write or how much knowledge you have in your niche, if you are not able to drive traffic to your blog, its a failure.
In 2025, the digital landscape continues to evolve, offering new opportunities and strategies to attract visitors.
Now, there have to be a seperate guide on how to bring traffic to your website as there are many ways to bring traffic to your blog.
Here, i will be talking about some most effective ways in brief.
Start by optimizing your content for search engines (SEO) to ensure your posts rank higher in search results, making it easier for potential readers to find you.
Leverage social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook to share your content, engage with your audience, and attract new visitors.
Check our guide on How to make your first $100 with Pinterest by driving traffic to your blog.
Consistently creating high-quality, valuable content that addresses your audience’s needs will keep readers coming back and encourage them to share your posts with others.
Email marketing remains a powerful tool—build an email list by offering freebies like eBooks or checklists, and send regular newsletters to keep your subscribers engaged and drive them back to your blog.
Don’t underestimate the power of networking with other bloggers; guest posting, collaborations, and participating in online communities can help you reach a wider audience.
Moreover, you can also invest in paid advertising on platforms like Google Ads or social media can give your blog a significant traffic boost quickly.
Incorporate visual content such as eye-catching images, infographics, and videos to make your posts more engaging and shareable.
Finally, regularly analyze your traffic using tools like Google Analytics to understand what’s working and what’s not, allowing you to refine your strategies for even better results.
By combining these approaches, you can effectively increase your blog’s traffic and grow your audience in 2025.
✍️ Starting a blog is exciting – but figuring out how to actually get traffic? That’s where most people get stuck.
Pinterest became my go-to platform early on because it brought in traffic fast – even before Google rankings kicked in. I now help new bloggers grow from day one using smart Pinterest strategies and attention-grabbing pin designs.
How to Monetize your Blog
Now, let’s come to the part you might have been waiting for that how to actually monetize and earn money from your blog.
Well, there are dozens of ways to earn money from a blog, but here we will be taking about most effective, simple, and popular ways.
- Placing Ads
- Affiliate Marketing
- Sponsored Reviews
- Offering Your Services
- Sell an eBook/Digital Products
1. Placing Ads
One of the most simple, easy and effective way to make a good amount of money is by placing ads on your blog.
Placing ads on your blog means you are selling some space on your website to display ads and getting paid.
For beginers, Google AdSense is one of the best ad networks that pays decent money to place ads on your blog.
For placing Google Adsense ads on your blog, you need to apply for Google AdSense.
They manually review your blog and then decide to approve/disapprove your blog.
So, once your application is approved, you have to place some codes on your website and your are good to go.
However, the amount of money you will make from ads depends on the audience your are targeting to your blog.
Demographics of the audience and niche of the blog matters a lot.
For example, 1000 views from US will earn you 10x more than 1000 views from any Asian country.
Similarly, blogs about finance, travel, digital markeing etc will get much more ad revenue than other blogs with generic content like entertainment.
Well, Google Adsense is good for beginners, but it’s not the best.
The industry leading Ad networks are Raptive (earlier known as Adthrive) and Mediavine.
Raptive and Mediavine provide RPMs (revenue per thousand impressions or views) way better than Google Adsense.
However, the getting approved by these networks isn’t easy.
Raptive require your site to have atleast 100k pageviews montly with more than 50 percent of audience from tier one countries.
Mediavine has slighty lower requiremnt with about 50k monthly sessions.
We use Raptive on most of our websites and consistently making over $100K yearly by just placing the ads on the websites.
Getting traffic over 50k pageviews monthly can take years, so getting approved with Mediavine and Raptive is a long way to go for beginners.
Well, there is a good news for you.
Mediavine has launched a new ad network know as Journey by Mediavine for sites with lower traffic.
Journey requires you to only have 10k monthly pageviews. So, you can move from Google Adsense to Journey once your site gets 10k monthly visits.
Well, Placing ads is one of the many ways to earn money from blogging, it would require a seperate guide to explain that all.
So, now let’s move on to the next popular method to earn money from a blog that is affilate marketing.
2. Affilate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is promoting a product and earning a commission when someone buys it using your affiliate link.
An affiliate link is a special tracking link you get when you join an affiliate program for a product.
Types of Commissions:
- One-Time Commission: You earn money once when someone buys a product through your link.
- Recurring Commission: You earn money every time the referred user makes a payment. This creates an automated, repeated source of income.
How to Get Started:
Find Affiliate Programs & Networks: Don’t worry, you don’t need to spend hours searching.
Here are some of the best affiliate marketing programs and networks:
- ShareASale
- ClickBank
- Amazon Associates
- eBay Affiliate Program
- Impact Radius
- CJ Affiliate
- Awin
- Flex Offers
- Semrush
- Grammarly
- BlueHost
- SiteGround
- WP Engine
- GetResponse
- AWeber
Join These Programs: Sign up for the programs that best fit your blog’s niche and audience.
Promote Products: Add affiliate links naturally within your content, such as in product reviews, tutorials, or resource lists.
Earn Commissions: When your readers purchase through your affiliate links, you earn a commission.
3. Sponsored Reviews
Sponsored Reviews are a quick way to monetize your blog.
A sponsored review involves reviewing a product or service on your blog and getting paid in return.
How to Get Started:
Build a Professional Blog:
- Use a premium theme for a polished look.
- Create a well-designed logo.
- Set up essential pages like Contact, About Me, and Advertise.
Publish Detailed Reviews:
- Write in-depth and honest reviews of products related to your niche.
- Create a dedicated “Review” category on your blog.
Reach Out to Brands:
- Contact brands that offer products you can review.
- Look for brands that other bloggers are reviewing as well.
4. Selling eBooks and digital products
Selling eBooks and digital products is a fantastic way to monetize your blog while providing valuable resources to your readers.
Start by choosing a topic that aligns with your blog’s niche and addresses a specific need or problem your audience faces.
For example, if you run a fitness blog, consider creating an eBook with workout plans or healthy meal prep guides.
Once you’ve selected your topic, focus on creating high-quality, well-structured content that offers real value.
Tools like Canva can help you design a professional-looking cover, making your eBook more appealing.
Next, set up a sales platform to sell your digital products directly from your blog.
Platforms such as Gumroad, SendOwl, or WooCommerce integrate seamlessly with your website, allowing you to manage sales and deliveries effortlessly.
Promote your eBooks and digital products through dedicated blog posts, social media channels, and your email newsletter.
Offering free samples or previews can entice your audience to make a purchase by giving them a taste of the value you provide.
To maximize your sales, ensure that your products are easy to purchase and download.
Provide clear instructions and excellent customer support to enhance the buying experience.
Building digital products can take some time, but when you promote then in the right way and provide value, it can be become a major source of income for you.
5. Offering Your Services
Similalry like selling digital products, you can sell your services.
So, If you have a specific skill set, you can start offering your services to your blog visitors.
Whether you specialize in consulting, freelance writing, graphic design, or web development, your blog can serve as a powerful platform to showcase and sell these services.
Start by defining the services you offer and creating a dedicated “Service” page on your blog.
Make sure this page clearly outlines what you provide, your pricing, and how potential clients can get in touch with you.
Promote your services through relevant blog posts, social media channels, and your email newsletter to reach a broader audience.
You can also list your services on freelance platforms like Fiverr or Upwork to attract more clients.
To build credibility, showcase your skills by sharing case studies, testimonials, and examples of your past work.
Offering packages or bundled services can make your offerings more appealing and accessible to a wider range of clients.
Final Words:
And thus, I have reached the end of this guide.
Now, you know how to start a blog in 2025 and earn from it.
Our job is done. And yours begins.
If you face any problems while trying to start your own blog, drop a comment right now. I would love to help you on your blogging journey.
Remember, every successful blogger started where you are today. Stay dedicated, keep learning, and watch your blog grow into a profitable and fulfilling venture.
Good luck!