How to Start a Blog in WordPress: A Beginners Guide (2023)

Blogging is the latest trend. Many people quit their 9 to 5 jobs to start their own blogs.

The best thing about blogging is that you can do what you love and make money out of it.

It is a very lucrative career. You can do it full-time as well as part-time.

You can earn up to $1000 every month by blogging for a few hours.

Full-time bloggers make up to $10,000 to $20,000 every month. If you are planning to start blogging, you need to dedicate the first few months to it. 

You need to put in efforts to maintain your blogs and sometimes even invest some money to get the best out of them.

Once it is all set, you can start earning money back.

Nowadays, it has become very easier to start your own blog with all the tools and platforms available for free.

As a beginner, you have to follow some steps to start your own blog. You might be familiar with most of the things given in this guide.

Are you someone with tons of ideas about a specific niche and you have no hint on how to disburse those ideas for the world to see?

On the other hand, you might be someone who has always wanted to start a blog with no idea how to go about it.

Starting a blog can be somewhat stressful especially if you will be doing it alone.

But guess what?

You are not alone as there are a whole lot of people out there having the same thought as you,

and that is why we decided to provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to start a blog in WordPress 2023.

Before we dive deep, I will like to give a brief definition of some terms I will be using in this guide.

What is blogging?

Blogging is something that anyone can do on the internet for free to get their voice out there.

There are many different types of blogging such as sports blogging, film blogging, politics blogging, celebrity blogs, beauty blogs and many more topics you can blog about!

Depending on what type of blogging you wish to partake in.

Blogging benefits everyone in some way because it brings people together.

Whether for online fun or blogging about their daily life which could help others.

It also builds confidence by sharing your opinions on many different topics that may be of interest to other bloggers or just anyone seeking information online.

Bloggers share their knowledge with the rest of the community either through text blogging, photo blogging or video blogging whatever floats your boat!

You have the option to blog about anything you want so why not try to get involved?

Blogging is one of the easiest ways to do this, as all you need is a computer or phone that’s connected to the internet.

With just a few clicks, you can start your very own blog!

The first step in starting your blog is deciding on what type of blog you want to have.

Some people choose blogs about food while others prefer fashion blogging. What will yours be about?

History of Blog!

“Weblog” is the term that was coined by Jorn Barger the short term “blog” was then coined by Peter Merholz.

The blogs initially were commercial online services like Genie, byte information exchange, and many such,

and as time went and technology development also had taken the next level and made blogs more popular.

The modern blogs that are now currently in trend are the ones that post of the individual personal lives.

They were called journalists, diarists, and journalers but later all of them were recognized as bloggers. 

A student from Swarthmore college was the first blogger. Starting in 1994 and since then is where blogs have been popular. 

Bringing the idea of an individual to life and making it fun and informative creates a blog. 

Why you should start a blog?

Yes, I know most people start blogging to make money. But there are other things also which you can gain with Blogging.

• Self Confidence 

It improves your writing skills as well as your communication skills.

I am sure, after writing 20-30 Blog posts, you will feel so confident that even it can improve your argumentation skills.

• Helps other people

You can help others by blogging. How?

For example: Let’s say you write a blog about “How to lose weight ?”

There are many people out there who are looking for help/solutions/advice’s/ideas/tricks to lose weight.

Your article/blog post helps them.

• Popularity

Yes, you may also gain popularity and fame all over the world. For example, Harsh Agarwal, Syed Balkhi, Neil Patel etc.

Every blogger knows them & I am also a big fan of them.

What do you need before starting a blog in WordPress? 

Starting a blog is not as tough as you might have imagined, below is a list of what you will need to start a blog in WordPress;

1. Niche
2. Domain name
3. Web hosting
4. CMS

We will explain the following briefly

1. Niche

Choose a topic for your blog!

Before starting a blog, you must have to choose your topic.

This is because you can’t just start a blog and start writing on every topic.

You have to narrow your content down to a niche.

People mostly subscribe to blogs with a niche topic.

Suppose, you like my blog and subscribe to my weekly newsletters and the next blog post that pops up in your email is about health, food, or another thing,

Then what is the first thing you do,

you will unsubscribe from my blog because food is not the topic you signed up for, you are here only for Blogging tips.

Choose a topic according to your interest. Like,

• Food
• Sports
• Travel
• Fitness
• Fashion
• Politics
• Music
• Finance
• Lifestyle
• News, etc.

Choose according to your interest. So that you didn’t get bored after writing 10-20 blog posts.

However, if you are blogging for fun and not for money, then you can write about anything.

This is because you do not need to be concerned about traffic or revenue while working on a personal blog.

2. Domain name

A domain is the address of your website.

However, in your choice of a domain name, there are certain factors you should put into consideration;

1. Your Niche:

Your domain name – which is the address of your website should tally with keywords from your niche.

For example, we provide tips and tricks about WordPress and Blogging, so according to us, “FindMyTricks” is a perfect name for our domain.

My advice is, after choosing your topic write at least 5 domain names on your notepad and select one which suits best for your blog.

2. Avoid the use of numbers and hyphens:

Users find it difficult to assimilate these numbers and hyphens. what’s the use then?

For example, if you come across a domain name that looks like this; findmytricks18888-.com, what will be your reaction?

If you are like me that dislike numbers, you will probably look away without trying to have a second glance as to what the content on the blog is all about.

3. Make it short and precise:

Your domain name should be short, specific, and precise.

It should be a name that can be easily memorized by users.

For example, findmytricks.com is short, precise, and can be easily assimilated.

You can get a free domain when hosting with Bluehost.

3. Hosting

Choosing your hosting is not a difficult task. However, there are certain factors you should look out for in your choice of hosting.

1. Scalability:

If there is a spike in traffic to your site, what measures will be taken by your hosting provider to handle it?

2. Security:

What are the necessary measures put in place by your hosting provider to protect your site from malware attacks, bot traffic, and other known attacks?

3. Customer service:

How responsive are they to customer’s needs? 

4. Speed:

Speed is an integral part of SEO, what measures are put in place by your hosting provider to help improve speed?

Google also confirms that speed is one of the ranking factors in the google search engine.

Cloudways have put several measures in place such as dedicated firewalls, 24/7 customer services, dedicated cloud servers, etc, to ensure the successful performance of your site.

You should consider hosting your site with them.

4. CMS

Often beginners make the mistake of choosing the wrong CMS/blogging platform when building their blog.

Thankfully, you won’t be making the same mistake as we have selected the best CMS for you.

There are certain elements to look out for while selecting a blogging platform and they include:

1. Easy flexibility.
2. Is the installation of plugins allowed?
3. Are you allowed to customize themes?
4. Can you monetize your blog?

Well, the best CMS platform that meets all the above-mentioned requirements is WordPress.org.

We strongly recommend WordPress.org, this is because it is free.

You can install plugins, customize themes and monetize your website.

WordPress.org is the best CMS platform available in the market.

It is used by popular brands, small business owners, and much more.

How To Start A Blog in WordPress – Step by Step in 2023

Starting a blog is an exciting way to share your thoughts, ideas, and expertise with the world.

WordPress is one of the most popular and user-friendly blogging platforms available, making it an ideal choice for both beginners and advanced users.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of starting a blog in WordPress, step by step, and provide advanced tips and strategies for optimizing your blog.

1. Planning Your Blog

Before you start setting up your blog, it’s important to take some time to plan and strategize.

Here are some advanced tips for planning your blog:

Define Your Blog’s Niche and Target Audience

To create a successful blog, you need to define your niche and target audience.

Your niche should be focused and specific, so that you can establish yourself as an expert in your field and attract a loyal audience.

You should also define your target audience, including their demographics, interests, and pain points.

Choose a Blog Name and Domain Name

Your blog’s name and domain name are important branding elements that can help you stand out from the crowd.

When choosing a name, consider your niche, target audience, and the tone of your blog.

Your domain name should be easy to remember and spell, and ideally, it should include your blog’s name or niche.

Decide on Your Blog’s Tone and Voice

Your blog’s tone and voice should reflect your personality and your audience’s preferences.

Consider the tone you want to convey, whether it’s serious, humorous, or conversational, and ensure that your writing style is consistent and engaging.

2. Setting up Your WordPress Blog

Once you’ve planned your blog, it’s time to set up your WordPress site.

Here are some advanced tips for setting up your blog:

Choose a Hosting Provider and Install WordPress

To set up your blog, you need to choose a hosting provider and install WordPress.

When choosing a hosting provider, consider factors such as reliability, speed, and security.

You can use a one-click installation option to install WordPress, or manually install it if you prefer.

Configure Your Blog’s Basic Settings

After you install WordPress, you need to configure your blog’s basic settings.

This includes setting up your site title and tagline, customizing your permalink structure, and configuring your site’s privacy and commenting settings.

These settings can be found in the WordPress dashboard under the “Settings” menu.

Install a Theme and Customize Your Blog’s Appearance

To make your blog visually appealing, you need to install a theme and customize your blog’s appearance.

There are many free and premium WordPress themes available, each with its own design and features.

You can customize your theme by changing the colors, fonts, and layout, and adding custom CSS.

3. Creating Your First Blog Post

Once your blog is set up, it’s time to start creating content.

Here are some advanced tips for creating your first blog post:

Write Your First Post and Optimize It for SEO

To create a high-quality blog post, you need to write compelling, informative content that resonates with your audience.

You should also optimize your post for SEO by using keywords, meta descriptions, and headers.

Use a tool like Yoast SEO to help you optimize your post for search engines.

Add Images, Videos, and Other Media to Your Post

To make your blog post visually appealing, you can add images, videos, and other media to your post.

Use high-quality images that relate to your content and add value to your post.

You can also embed videos from YouTube or other platforms to add visual interest.

Use Categories and Tags to Organize Your Content

To make it easy for your readers to find content on your blog, you can use categories and tags to organize your posts.

Categories are broad topics that your blog covers, while tags are more specific keywords that describe the content of your post.

Use a maximum of 1-2 categories per post and 3-5 relevant tags.

4. Promoting Your Blog

After you’ve published your first post, it’s time to promote your blog and attract readers.

Here are some advanced tips for promoting your blog:

Share Your Posts on Social Media

Social media is a powerful tool for promoting your blog and reaching a wider audience.

Share your blog posts on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Use relevant hashtags and tag other users to increase visibility and engagement.

Engage with Your Readers and Build a Community

Engaging with your readers is important for building a loyal community and establishing your credibility as a blogger.

Respond to comments on your blog and social media posts, and ask your readers for feedback and suggestions.

Consider creating a forum or community section on your blog where readers can connect with each other.

Use Email Marketing to Reach Your Audience

Email marketing is an effective way to reach your audience and promote your blog.

Use a tool like Mailchimp or ConvertKit to build an email list and send newsletters to your subscribers.

Offer exclusive content or discounts to your subscribers to incentivize them to join your list.

5. Growing Your Blog

As your blog gains traction, it’s important to focus on growth and sustainability.

Here are some advanced tips for growing your blog:

Analyze Your Blog’s Traffic and Engagement Using Analytics Tools

To understand how your blog is performing, you need to analyze your traffic and engagement using analytics tools like Google Analytics.

Use this data to identify your most popular content, track your conversion rates, and identify areas for improvement.

Create an Editorial Calendar and Plan Future Content

To stay organized and consistent with your content, create an editorial calendar and plan future posts in advance.

Use a tool like Trello or Asana to create a calendar and track your progress. Consider collaborating with other bloggers or guest writers to diversify your content.

Monetize Your Blog with Ads, Sponsorships, and Other Strategies

If you want to monetize your blog, there are several strategies you can use.

You can display ads on your blog using Google AdSense or other ad networks, or partner with sponsors to promote their products or services.

You can also offer paid memberships, courses, or products to your readers.

Faqs about Starting a Blog!

1. Is it expensive to start a blog in WordPress?

Starting a blog in WordPress can be affordable, especially if you use a free WordPress theme and don’t need to pay for hosting right away.

However, if you want to use a premium theme, custom domain, and other advanced features, it can become more expensive.

Make sure to budget for these expenses before starting your blog.

2. Do I need to know how to code to start a blog in WordPress?

No, you don’t need to know how to code to start a blog in WordPress.

WordPress offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to create and manage your blog.

However, having basic knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript can be helpful for customizing your blog’s design and functionality.

3. How often should I publish new content on my blog?

The frequency of your blog posts will depend on your goals and availability.

However, it’s important to maintain a consistent publishing schedule to keep your readers engaged and attract new followers.

Aim to publish new content at least once a week, or more often if possible.

4. How do I get traffic to my blog?

Getting traffic to your blog requires consistent promotion and engagement.

Share your blog posts on social media, join blogging communities, and engage with your readers to build a loyal following.

You can also use search engine optimization (SEO) strategies to improve your blog’s visibility on search engines.

5. Can I make money from my blog?

Yes, it’s possible to make money from your blog using a variety of monetization strategies, including ads, sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and selling products or services.

However, it’s important to focus on creating quality content and building an engaged audience before monetizing your blog.

Conclusion

Starting a blog in WordPress is a rewarding and fulfilling endeavor, but it requires planning, strategy, and hard work.

By following the steps and tips outlined in this guide, you can create a successful blog that engages and inspires your audience.

Remember to focus on quality content, consistent promotion, and sustainable growth to achieve your blogging goals.