So, you want to start a blog? 

Whether you dream of building a side hustle or growing a full-time business, blogging is a great way to reach people and market your business. 

But when you’re getting started, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. 

Don’t worry. This guide will walk you through starting a blog in seven simple steps. 

By the end, you’ll know everything you need to launch confidently (and with minimal stress).

1. Choose Your Niche

The first step to starting a blog is picking your blog’s topic. 

It’s essential to pick the right blog niche. Instead of writing about everything, you want to focus on one main idea and become the go-to resource.

Why does this matter? People trust experts, not generalists. 

Focusing on a single niche also makes it easier for search engines like Google to understand your site, which helps your blog rank higher in the search engine results. 

Need help picking a niche? Here are three questions to ask yourself.

What do you love talking about?

Blogging is a commitment. If you choose a niche because it seems profitable but you have no interest in it, you’ll struggle to stay motivated.

Think about topics you enjoy talking about or reading about. If you naturally enjoy something, it will be much easier to write about it long-term.

What do people want to read?

Passion is important, but so is demand. It’s hard to grow an audience when no one is interested in your topic.

Use tools like Google Trends, Answer The Public, and keyword research to see what people are looking for.

Search for blogs in your target niche. Are there successful ones? Don’t worry if the niche seems crowded. You just need a unique angle.

Can this topic grow with you?

Your niche should give you room to grow. Over time, your interests or expertise might shift, and you don’t want to feel stuck. You want the flexibility to evolve while maintaining a profitable blog.

Think of an umbrella topic that could cover multiple angles.

For example, instead of “vegan desserts,” focus on “plant-based living.” As you grow, you could expand into meal planning, nutrition and lifestyle content.

2. Define Your Target Audience

Once you’ve chosen a niche, the next step is understanding who you’re writing for. 

A well-defined target audience helps you create content that speaks to the right people. If you try to write for everyone, you satisfy no one. 

But when you know your readers — what they need, what they struggle with and what interests them — your blog posts will attract the right people.

Over time, you’ll build loyalty and trust with your readers. You become the go-to resource. 

To define your target audience, start by answering these questions.

Who would benefit most from your content?

Picture your ideal reader. Are they beginners looking for guidance? Experienced professionals seeking advanced strategies? Hobbyists who want inspiration?

Think about age, gender, career, interests and lifestyle. The more details you define, the easier it will be to create content that speaks to the people you want to reach.

What problems are they trying to solve?

People search for blog content because they need answers. Your job is to help them.

If your blog is about personal finance, are your readers struggling with debt? Saving for a house? Looking for investment advice? 

Identifying their problems will help you create blog posts that provide value.

Where do they spend time online?

Knowing where your audience already hangs out helps you reach them more effectively.

Are they active on social media? Do they prefer forums like Reddit? Do they follow certain influencers or subscribe to specific newsletters? 

Understanding their habits can give you insights into the type of content they prefer.

3. Set Your Goals 

Defining your goals at the beginning will shape the decisions you make later, from the content you create to how you promote your blog.

It helps to set both short-term and long-term goals.

Short-term goals keep you focused on the next steps. These might include:

• Publishing your first five blog posts
• Reaching 1,000 monthly visitors
• Growing your email list to 100 subscribers

Long-term goals guide your bigger-picture strategy. Some examples:

• Monetizing your blog through affiliate marketing or digital products
• Ranking on the first page of Google for a key topic
• Becoming a trusted resource in your niche

By breaking big goals into smaller milestones, you’ll see progress faster and stay motivated.

You want to set detailed goals.

A vague goal like “grow my blog” is difficult to track. Instead, aim for SMART goals.

For example:

“I want more blog traffic,” is a vague goal. 

But “I will increase my blog traffic to 5,000 monthly visitors within six months by publishing two SEO-optimized posts per week,” is much better. 

4. Pick a Blogging Platform 

Once you’ve chosen your niche and set your goals, the next step is deciding where to build your blog. 

There are several blogging platforms, each with pros and cons.

• Wix — A beginner-friendly website builder with drag-and-drop features. It’s easy to use, but customization and SEO options are limited.
• Squarespace — Known for its sleek design templates, Squarespace is another good option for beginners. However, it’s less flexible for advanced customization.
• Medium — A simple platform for writers who want to focus on content rather than website design. But since you don’t own the site, you have less control over your branding and monetization options.

While these platforms have their advantages, most serious bloggers use a platform like WordPress.

WordPress powers over 40% of all websites, and for good reason. It offers:

• Complete Control — Unlike Wix or Medium, you own your site, meaning you can customize it however you like.
• Flexibility — With thousands of themes and plugins, you can design a blog that fits your needs, whether you want to run a simple personal blog or a full-fledged business.
• Room to Grow — WordPress offers more options than other platforms if you plan to monetize your blog through affiliate marketing, ads or digital products.

Since Live Your Message uses WordPress, it’s the platform I recommend. A WordPress blog provides the best balance of flexibility, control and long-term growth potential.

5. Choose a Domain Name & Web Host

Before your blog can go live, you need a domain name and a web host. 

Let’s talk about your domain name first. 

Your domain name is your blog’s web address, like liveyourmessage.com. It’s how people find your site, so you want something that’s easy to remember.

Here are some tips for choosing a domain name:

• Keep it short and simple — A long or complicated name is hard to type and remember.
• Make it brandable — Avoid generic names and create something unique that reflects your blog’s identity.
• Avoid numbers and hyphens — These can be confusing when spoken aloud.
• Check availability — Search for your chosen name to make sure it isn’t already taken or trademarked.

Now, let’s talk about hosting.

All your blog’s files, images, and content are stored on your web host. Every time someone visits your blog, their browser retrieves the files from your hosting provider and displays your website.

If you’re using WordPress, you’ll need WordPress hosting. When comparing hosting providers, look for these features:

• Ease of Setup
• Speed & Performance
• Security Features
• Customer Support
• Scalability

Since I recommend WordPress, here are some beginner-friendly WordPress hosting services:

• SiteGround — A great option for beginners, with strong security, fast speeds, and excellent customer support.
• Kinsta — A premium hosting provider with top-tier performance and automatic backups.
• WP Engine — Best for bloggers who want high-performance hosting with dedicated WordPress support.

Each host offers managed WordPress hosting, which handles updates, backups and security. This is an excellent option if you want less tech hassle and more time to focus on blogging.

If you’re not using WordPress, website builders like Wix and Squarespace include hosting in their packages. However, as I said, these platforms are less flexible than WordPress.

6. Set Up Your Tech

Now that you have a domain name and web hosting, it’s time to set up your blog. 

The first thing you need to do is install WordPress. 

WordPress is the software that powers your blog. It allows you to write blog posts, add images, and customize your site’s design.

As I mentioned earlier, most web hosting providers offer one-click WordPress installation. But if you need help, your hosting company will have tutorials.

Once you’ve installed WordPress, you need to pick a theme.

A theme is a pre-designed template that controls the appearance of your blog. It affects everything from your layout and colors to the structure of your pages.

When picking a theme, look for:

• Speed
• Customization
• Mobile-Friendliness

Popular beginner-friendly WordPress themes include:

• GeneratePress — Fast, customizable and beginner-friendly.
• Astra — Easy to use, with free and premium options.
• Kadence — Great for flexibility and built-in templates.

To install a theme, go to Appearance > Themes > Add New in your WordPress dashboard. Then, you can browse free themes or upload a premium one.

Your next step is to install essential plug-ins.

WordPress plugins are small software tools that add features to your blog. They help your blog do more without requiring coding knowledge.

Here are some suggestions:

• Spam Protection — Antispam Bee 
• Security — Wordfence Login Security 
• SEO Optimization — Yoast SEO 
• Social Media Sharing — Novashare or Social Warfare 
• Caching (for speed) — WP Rocket or WP Fastest Cache

To install a plugin, go to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard. Then, you can search for a plugin, install it and activate it with just a few clicks.

7. Write Your First Blog Post

Now that your blog is ready, it’s time to write your first blog post. 

Start with a Strong Headline

Your headline is the first thing people see. A great headline should be:

• Clear — Readers should immediately understand what the post is about.
• Specific — Instead of “How to Save Money,” try “10 Easy Ways to Save $100 This Month.”
• Interesting — Use numbers, power words or curiosity-driven phrasing to draw people in.

If you’re stuck, try using headline formulas.

Write an Engaging Introduction

Your introduction sets the stage. 

A strong introduction should:

• Start with a relatable problem or question.
• Offer a quick solution or reassurance.
• Be short and to the point.

Use Subheadings 

Subheadings tell readers what each section covers. They also improve flow and readability.

The clearer your subheadings, the more likely people are to keep reading instead of clicking away.

Keep Your Paragraphs & Sentences Short

Long blocks of text can overwhelm readers. To break things up, keep paragraphs to 1-3 sentences and mix in bullet points, numbered lists and images.

Here’s an example.

Hard to Read:

“One of the best ways to stay productive is to start your day with a plan because if you wait until the morning to decide what to do, you’ll waste time figuring it out instead of taking action, and that can lead to feeling overwhelmed or procrastinating, which is the last thing you want.”

Easier to Read:

“Want to get more done? Start your day with a plan. If you wait until morning to decide what to do, you’ll waste time and risk procrastinating. Instead, write down your top three tasks the night before.”

Both examples say the same thing, but the second one is much easier to read. That’s what you want. Shorter sentences and white space make your writing more digestible, especially on mobile devices. 

End with a Strong Conclusion

Your conclusion should tie everything together and encourage the reader to take action. Instead of simply summarizing your post, give them the next step.

For example:

“Now that you have a simple system for planning your day, take five minutes to map out tomorrow’s top three priorities. A little preparation tonight will set you up for a more focused and productive day. What’s the first task on your list?”

A call to action (CTA) gives the reader a reason to engage. The more they engage with your content, the more memorable you become.

Are You Ready to Start Your Blog?

You’re ready to start a new blog and you have a solid foundation for doing so.

I’d love to hear about your blogging journey — drop a comment below and share your niche or first post idea!