It allowed me to unleash my creativity, connect with awesome like-minded people, and make money in the process.
In this post, I'll show you exactly how to build your blog from the ground up without spending a ton of money (my readers also get a discount through this link).
So... can you really make money blogging?
Yep. I've been making over $10,000 every month for a few months now. Check out my latest income report here.
If you've ever wondered whether you should have a blog of your own, please do it. I know there's something you're passionate about, whether it's makeup, fashion, fitness, or whatever else you're in love with. Follow your creative dreams. You never know where they could take you!
Here's what I'm going to cover:
The Basics
Getting your own domain and hosting is the way to go. This means you'll have your own site, like www.crueltyfreekitty.com.
I also strongly recommend WordPress to build your blog. It's easy and free. WordPress trumps Blogger/Blogspot, and it's more affordable than Squarespace. If you don't know how to install WordPress, I'll show you exactly how to set it up in this post.
If you already have a blog hosted on Blogspot or Tumblr, making the switch is totally worth it. You get to keep all your existing posts and transfer them.
Myths And Facts
There are a few myths about having your own domain and hosting, so let me set them straight right now.
Myth #1: Running your own blog is expensive.
You can have your own, self-hosted blog for under 4$ a month. Don't go with anything more expensive than that, because it's unnecessary. BlueHost offers the best prices, and you get a free domain.
Myth #2: It's hard and confusing to set up!
I'm not particularly computer-savvy, and I still managed to do it! I'll show you how simple it is and guide you through the whole process.
Myth #3: It's impossible to make any money with a small blog.
Odds are you're going to be making more than what you're paying to run your blog. One of the advantages of having your own, self-hosted blog is having the freedom to monetize it.
Myth #4: It's really hard to make a blog look good with WordPress.
There's a ton of pretty themes you can choose from, including free ones. Installing a theme is quick and easy. You don't even need to know any kind of coding or have experience with web design. Using WordPress will make your blog look better since it's more customizable than Blogspot.
Boom! Myths debunked. No excuses. Creating your own blog is simple, cheap, and awesome.
What Should I Blog About?
It's important to know specifically what your focus will be. A focused blog makes blogging easier. Here are some examples.
- Reviews. If you're a product junkie, you can write helpful reviews.
- >Makeup artistry. If you've got skills, you can show off your looks.
- Swatches. Good swatches can be hard to find. Everybody loves dupes.
- Budget beauty. You could focus on drugstore and affordable brands.
- Nails. If you love nail polish and have a talent for nail art, you could make it your main focus.
- Jane-of-all-trades.> If you love ALL things beauty, you can figure out your focus as you blog.
What Equipment Do I Need?
You don't absolutely need any tools to start blogging, but this is what I recommend for a beginner:
- A basic camera. You can use any digital camera, a DSLR, or your iPhone. Some bloggers even use their phone's camera.
- Photoshop or a free alternative. Editing your photos will make them look professional no matter what camera you use.
- Natural light. You don't need photography equipment when starting out. Natural light is the best light to shoot in. You can always buy studio lighting along the way.
The Fun Part: Your Domain Name
Once you figure out the topic of your future blog, you're ready for one of my favorite parts: picking a domain name!
Start thinking of a potential domain name by brainstorming and expanding on your subject. Your domain name should be memorable and brandable above all.
Enter your ideas below to check if they're available.
A good tip is using your first name as part of your domain. Think of blogs like "karlascloset.com", "viviannadoesmakeup.com" or "deliciouslyella.com". Try it with your blog!
1. Sign Up With BlueHost
The first thing you need to do is find a webhost. The most popular one is BlueHost, which I recommend going with. They offer cheap hosting and a free domain name.
Go to BlueHost and click "Get Started Now".
Select the basic plan.
You need to find a good domain name that isn't taken. I recommend going with a .com, but whatever floats your boat. Click next.
Now create your account by filling out your contact info.
Pick your plan, and pick whatever additional features you want. The only extra I recommend is getting domain privacy if you want your information to be hidden. Click "Next".
Next, choose your package. Bluehost offers plans for 12 months, 24 months, and 36 months. I recommend going with the 36-month plan to get the best price, but keep in mind that you'll pay for the full package up front. For example, if you select the 36-month package at $2.95/month, your total will be $106.20.
Enter your payment information.
The final step is choosing a password for your account. Make this password extra hard to crack by using uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
Once your account is created, log into your dashboard at Bluehost.com.
2. Install WordPress
Next, you want to install WordPress. This step is super quick and easy!
In your BlueHost account, click on cPanel. Click "Install Wordpress".
Click "Start".
Select your domain and click "check domain".
Enter your blog info and click "Install Now".
Once it's done installing, you'll receive your WordPress login information by e-mail.
Go to www.yoursite.com/wp-admin/ and sign in!
Last Step: Make It Pretty
Install a theme to make your blog look nice.
On the left side, select "Appearance" and click "Themes". Click "Add new". You can now browse thousands of themes. Try selecting features such as "right sidebar" or colors. If you're stumped, try searching for "themify" or "fashionista". There's a lot of free themes. Have fun with it!
You're Ready For Your First Post
In the left menu, select "Posts" and click "Add new". Write your first post and click "publish"!
That's it!
If you followed this step-by-step guide and signed up with BlueHost, you just realized how easy it really is to start your own blog.
I hope this tutorial has been helpful. Good luck on your journey!
Which Brands Are Cruelty-Free?
Download our list of 600+ verified cruelty-free brands straight to your device. Bring it with you everywhere you go, and never worry about supporting animal testing again. Click here to download
Hey Kat! That seems like an interesting blog idea, so feel free to link me once you decide to go for it! Of course it’s always a good idea to narrow your focus, but fashion and beauty are closely enough related and I feel like it’s a great asset to add your artistic spin. I feel like having one website/blog is better. You can have different “categories” on your blog when you use WordPress and add them to your menu or wherever on the site.
Do you want to work as an illustrator/artist? If so, that should definitely be the focus of your blog. If I could draw, I would probably use my own illustrations and art within my posts about beauty and cosmetology. If you have an illustration portfolio and you’re offering your services, it should be obvious to any new reader that you’re all about illustration.
I hope you figure it out! Brainstorming and organizing your ideas is the hardest part, but everything is doable if you use wordpress.
Hey Mapiah! Yes, you can sign up with BlueHost and have an online store. For blogging, I make money through affiliate links and ads mostly. I wrote this post about the main ways I monetize by blog. 🙂
Hi Suzi, tks for sharing such an encouraging piece! I just started dabbling with blogging. Not quite sure where this new found interest is taking me but I do enjoy the creative process and find building something from scratch both fufilling and exciting ?. I’m still learning and tweaking my site along the way. Here’s my site if u are keen to take a look: http://hausofboo.weebly.com
If u did, would be wonderful to get some feedback on it ?
Pris
Looks awesome, good luck with everything! I would always recommend getting your own domain if you want to do this long-term.
Tks so much Suzi 🙂
This looks GORGEOUS! Congrats!
Congrats! Did you export your old posts from Blogger? I would definitely transfer everything, and make sure your blogspot URL redirects to your new domain. Don’t delete! This way, if anyone ends up on your blogspot link, they’ll go straight to your new site.
Here’s how to transfer your posts:
1. Follow this guide and install WordPress
2. In Blogspot, go to Setting > Other > Export blog
3. In WordPress, go to Tools > Import > Blogger
You’ll get an .xml file from Blogspot that you’ll need to import into WordPress. It should be easy to do, but let me know if you have any trouble.
Hi Suzi, thanks for this post – I have a blog with blogger / http://www.thedecemberdaze.blogspot.co.uk I love the name and the theme, which I purchased – If I get my own domain can I keep my current theme? Thank you 🙂 x
Unfortunately you’ll have to find another theme. 🙁 Maybe the designer you bought the theme from has a WordPress version as well?
It’s definitely easier to get traffic if you have your own domain, as opposed to blogger. 🙁
Hi! How come? Sorry if that’s a stupid question. $5 a month is expensive when converted to my country’s currency. 🙁
Hey Itzel, I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks for your kind words. 🙂
To answer your question:
1. Follow this guide and install WordPress
2. In Blogspot, go to Setting > Other > Export blog
3. In WordPress, go to Tools > Import > Blogger
You’ll get an .xml file from Blogspot that you’ll need to import into WordPress. It should be easy to do, but let me know if you have any trouble.
Glad to hear that, Kelsey. Good luck with your new blog! 🙂
Thank you Bella! Hope it’s helpful to you!
Glad it was helpful, Chelsea!!
Thank you so much for supporting my site, Misha! I really, truly appreciate it! Good luck with your switch. 🙂
Hi Suzi, I really2 like your blog. I recently found it as I was trying to find list of cruelty-free cosmetic brands. Speaking about blog, I bought my own domain from WordPress for about 18 USD / year. Yet, I found it difficult to organize it. My question is, is it possible to go to BlueHost with a bought domain name already? Or how does it work? I’m totally newbie and confused with all these things about blogging, so I would really appreciate it if you help me out with it. Thank you, Suzi 🙂
PS: Btw my blog is mishajohanna.com if you wanna have a look.
Hi Misha, awesome blog! You seem so interesting. 🙂 To answer your question, yes, you can definitely go with BlueHost if you already have a domain. I usually buy my domain names separately from hosting and there’s no problem. When you sign up, choose your plan and then select “I have a domain name” on the right. Hope this helps!
How do I purchase my own domain name
I use namecheap for all my domains!
Hi! I attempted to follow this step by step process which really motivated to get started. Unfortunately with blue host you have to pay upfront the entire amount for a year total. You didn’t mention that. Did you have to do That as well?
Yes, they do require everyone to pay upfront. But you can cancel and get your full money back if you change your mind within 30 days.
okay! Do you have to pay upfront again the second time around after, 36 months for example? Thanks for responding by the way 🙂 also, what’s an inexpensive alternative to that?
You do have to renew for another 36 months. I know it might seem like a lot up front, but Bluehost is actually the inexpensive alternative in terms of monthly fees! If you’re serious about blogging, this is my cheapest recommendation. 🙂
I currently have a wordpress.com blog and have been considering upgrading to the premium plan on wordpress because i want to be able to customise my blog more and have a domain name. Do you think it is easier to just go with wordpress’s plans or use bluehost? And is bluehost pretty easy to use? because i am so confused right now haha. Thanks!
https://victoriarelf.wordpress.com/
BlueHost is really simple, which is part of the reason why I recommend it for beginners! I personally wouldn’t go with the WordPress upgrades because they’re pretty overpriced for what you get. Also, if anything in particular is confusing you, I’ll be glad to help!
Hi Kaitlyn! There are a lot of free themes to choose from if you’re not 100% happy with the Fashionista theme. You can browse themes easily under Appearance > Themes. If you want to tweak your current themes, you can too, but you’ll need to learn CSS basics. I hope one of these options works for you. If you want more help, feel free to ask me!
this has been so hepful to me. i just started my beaty blog using bluehost. thank you !! rejonalovesmakeup.com
Awesome to hear, Rejona! Have fun with your new blog!!
Hi Vaneska 🙂 You don’t need to go with that option IMO. In your place, I’d go with the basic plan and just move everything, which shouldn’t be a problem for you.
Ok, thank you so much!
Great tips! Thank you! (: I have been thinking about moving over to wordpress because I have read in many reviews that bloggers like it better than blogger. Definitely going to make the switch sometime soon.
Definitely a good switch to make! Do you have a cruelty-free blog?! I wanted to check it out, but the link in your profile isn’t working. 🙁
Thanks! By following these instructions, you’ll get a self-hosted blog using WordPress. I think you’ve come to the right place. 🙂
Thanks Suzi. 🙂
I am thinking about starting a blog and have been researching. Your article is by far one of the best I’ve read! Thank you!
Awesome, thank you so much and good luck with your blog! Let me know how it goes.
I’m getting cold feet. Thinking,,,
Aw, what’s making you reconsider?
The time commitment (full time job) and that I’m not a professional in the beauty world; just a user who has tried tons of products (I love products). On the positive side, I think there is blog space for mature skinned (read: over 60 yrs) individuals. This would be a hobby (no expectations for income or product endorsements). Just want to be sure I could accomplish this and have balance in my life.
To be honest, it sounds like there’s definite potential. You’re right that there’s a need for mature skin blogs, and you definitely don’t need any credentials as long as you have good knowledge and experience. Don’t worry about that part at all! If you decide to go ahead with it, I wish you the best of luck. I’ll be here if you want to talk about it more. 🙂
Thanks for encouraging words and support!
about how much a month do you pay for your blog?
I only pay for hosting and domain name, which comes to just under $5 total per month.
I have a free wordpress blog at the moment, would I be able to turn this into my own domain name instead of “domainname.wordpress.com” using bluehost? Thank you!
Absolutely, you can transfer from wordpress.com to wordpress.org pretty easily once you get your domain/hosting with bluehost.
If you need help with that, just ask!
Great article (: it inspired me ^^
Hey Lucy, I’m glad to hear that! Good luck with everything. 🙂
Thank you so much! I would not have been able to do that without this step by step post. Your blog is amazing and has really helped me on my adventure to switching to cruelty free. <3
Carley, that’s awesome! Thanks so much for your kind words, and don’t hesitate to ask me if you have any questions or issues! 🙂
Companies of every size are interested in ad space though! And the rates are generally dependent on the number of impressions, so a small company or etsy seller might be interested.
A small blog can EASILY make up for the cost of hosting + domain name. I might go over everything soon if there’s interest. 🙂
Oh, I’d love that! 🙂
Also, Happy Easter!
Happy Easter! 😀
Thank you for this post, Suzy. My blog is currently under GoDaddy, but reading what you wrote about Bluehost made me think I should probably transfer to them.
Yep, moving to wordpress.org website was such a lift!
I looked into bluehost, but went with GoDaddy in the end. It was just generally cheaper speaking and their customer service is top notch!
Now, I’d love you to elaborate myth #3…
Like how much can you make off of ads (because from the research I’ve done, it’s not much), what do you use, and what do you recommend? 🙂
GoDaddy’s cheapest plan is $6.99 a month and they put you on a super slow server! It’s really not something I’d recommend! They’ll offer cheap domains for the signup but bump the price to 15$ the next year.
For ads, it really depends. The income depends either on impressions or clicks. I use Adsense but I’m not happy with that, mostly because of the random nature of the ads. There are “ad networks” you can join, but the good ones aren’t easy to join (I’m on waiting lists and the wait can be long). Those ad networks have the advantage of not having to do anything yourself, but the best option would be to sell your own ad space.
TL;DR ad networks or selling your own ads!
I’ve been thinking about switching to self hosting. I’ll be saving this for post for when I finally get round to taking the plunge! 🙂
Thank you for the inspiration! Being a newbie isn’t easy, but it’s worth it