How To Make Money Blogging (3 Simple Steps)

Yes, even in this AI-slop-filled era of the internet, you can still make money blogging. And it’s probably a lot easier than you think. In fact, I’ve broken it down into three simple steps. I’ve also included recommendations, some helpful definitions, and plenty of other resources so you can get up and running quickly and affordably.

If you buckle down and follow these steps, you could have the foundation of your blog set up today.  And, if you’re anything like me, once you have an idea you’re passionate about, you want to jump in, no floaties, limbs-a-flailing…

…so let’s do just that.

What Is WordPress?

Before we jump into building your blog, let’s talk about why WordPress is my recommended platform for blogging. Don’t skip this. It really matters.

WordPress is one of the most established website-building platforms in the world. It’s used by everyone from individual creators to large publications.

The reason I recommend WordPress for anyone who wants to make money blogging is simple:

Freedom and control.

WordPress is highly customizable, works well with search engines like Google, and gives you the ability to monetization options as your website grows. 

When it comes to adding ads and affiliate links (which we’ll cover later) WordPress works beautifully (and without charging you extra for the basics, like the Slitheryn that other sites have chosen to be).

Why WordPress?

There are plenty of beginner-friendly website builders out there. Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, Blogger, and even GoDaddy can make creating a pretty website incredibly easy.

And they’re tempting.

They’re easy to use, they look nice, and they often have free starter options.

The problem comes later. It slithers up behind you when you try to monetize your content. Remember, your goal isn’t just to make a blog, but to actually make money blogging.

If your blog grows and you want to monetize it with Google ads, affiliate links, or other income streams, you may run into limitations. Some sites will make you pay extra to link your site to Google Ads or even to add affiliate links. Others make it difficult to move your content somewhere else if you outgrow their system.

See what I mean? Slitheryn energy. 

Thankfully, you can avoid this problem altogether if you start with WordPress as your CMS and build with your future goals in mind.

What’s A CMS? (Helpful Definitions)

Articles like these start slinging around terms like “CMS,” “hosting,” and “plugins,” and it’s enough to make your left eye start twitching.

Here you are, just wanting to start a blog about crocheting top-heavy Harry Potter plushies, and suddenly I’m making you feel like you need to become a professional hacker.

But I promise, it’s not as complicated as it sounds.

Since I’m about to recommend the best way to make money blogging is to “host” your own site, set up your “CMS,” and strategize what “plugins” you use, let’s break down these nerdy terms (and others):

Content Management System (CMS)

A Content Management System (CMS) is software that allows you to create, organize, edit, and publish content on a website without needing to know how to code.

Think of a CMS as the librarian or personal assistant of your content. It’s a behind-the-scenes dashboard that lets you build your website, write blog posts, upload images, and manage your content. A good CMS makes this process easy.

WordPress is a good CMS. In fact, it is one of the most popular CMS platforms in the world (for reasons previously mentioned).

Website/Blog Hosting

Your CMS contains all your content (blog files, images, and more), but it needs a place to live. 

Wherever you choose for your WordPress blog to live (be it WordPress itself since they also provide hosting, or Bluehost—which I’ll recommend later), that is who is “hosting” your website.

And that leads up to our next term…

Domain Name

Your domain is your website address. For example, mine is KirstieKolbie.com or Youtube.com/@KirstieKolbie

In short, it’s how people find your corner of the internet. In short, if Google is a GPS, your domain name is your home address.

I buy all of my domains from GoDaddy.com, and then connect them to my sites that are hosted on Bluehost (more on that later). 

Your domain name is your website’s identity, so it’s a good idea to choose something that:

• Is easy to remember
• Is easy to spell
• Fits your brand or topic
• Gives you room to grow

A common mistake beginners make is choosing a name that is too long or too specific. A name like “ICrotchetHarryPotterPeople.com” might seem clever today, but what happens when you want to make plushies from other fandoms?

Oops. Now you’re trapped like a Muggle in Azkaban.

Plugins

Plugins are little tools that add extra abilities to your WordPress website. Think of them like apps for your phone. They can be paid or free and can do just about anything you want.

Want your blog to look nice? Plugins.

Want to see how much traffic you’re getting? Plugin time.

Ready to add a merch store? Plugin, baby.

The trick is quality over quantity. Too many poorly made plugins can slow down your website. Knowing the right plugins to use can help you build a beautiful blog that functions well. (I’ll recommend my favorite free and highly rated plugins as we discuss blog setup.)

Now that we’re on the same page, let’s mix it all together in step one of how to make money blogging: 

Step One: Set Up Your Blog

Speaking from experience, your best option for a beginner-friendly, affordable setup is:

Bluehost + WordPress + trusted plugins.

This gives you the flexibility of a professional website while still keeping costs manageable. Let me nerd out a little more on my why I like this set up:

My Recommended Beginner Setup

Personally, I love using Bluehost for beginner WordPress websites.

I launched my own websites using their lowest-tier hosting plan. The setup process was straightforward, and you can always upgrade later. 

(BEWARE: Since FatCow bought Bluehost, you cannot downgrade plans. So don’t fall for their limited 36/month offers. Just get the lowest tier and upgrade as you grow.)

One of the biggest advantages is that you can host multiple websites on the same account (up to 10 on the lowest plan).

Here’s why this is awesome:

Maybe today you’re passionate about crocheting and want to create a crocheting blog. However, six months from now, your first blog is up and going, and you realize lots of people are interested in your second favorite hobby too—knitting sweaters inspired by Twilight characters.

With the right hosting plan, you can grow multiple websites without starting from scratch every time. And once you get deeper into blogging, having control over your own websites opens up more advanced strategies, like building connections between your sites, creating backlinks, and expanding your online presence.

But that’s a topic for another article.

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Blog?

Now that we’ve covered the basic setup, let’s talk about the part everyone wants to know:

How much money does it cost upfront if you want to make money blogging?

A professional blog doesn’t need to cost thousands of dollars. The exact cost will depend on what tools you choose. If you hold a crochet hook to my temple and demand I guesstimate, I’ll whimper out, “It’s about $60/yr.”

But this number varies and changes over time according to plans, platforms, and services. Here is a general breakdown of what you need and what I use:

When I started building blogs, I found that investing a little upfront in the right tools saved me countless headaches later. This is one of the reasons why I advocate so hard for Kadence themes and plugins as well.

They’re so friggin easy.

Like taking candy from a Hufflepuff.

To help you wrap your mind around the process, here’s a great video from the folks at Kadence themselves, walking viewers through building a beautiful site with Kadence + WordPress from start to finish:

Step Two: Create Good Content

Now that we’ve set up our website, let’s get to the fun part—making content.

Technically, WordPress has several different ways to add content, but beginners often get confused by the difference between pages and posts. So let’s break those down real quick.

Pages vs. Posts: What’s the Difference?

Your WordPress website has two main types of content:

Pages and Posts. They sound similar, but serve completely different purposes.

Page Content

Pages make up the general map of your website. 

In other words, if your website is Hogwarts, your pages are main locations where important interactions take place. Different pages offer different types of content, plugins, or services.

Examples of important pages include:

• Your Home Pager where people arrive
• The About Page where they learn your history
• The Blog Page where you dive into the heart of your content
  • Blog Category Pages (once you have a lot of content)
• A Shop or Donate Page where you either panhandle or peddle your wares
• FAQs which answers frequently asked questions
• Terms & Services Page where you clarify the rules of your website, products, or services
• The Contact Page (or Contact Form) where readers or potential partners can reach you

Larger sites or older blogs may have more and different pages depending on their goals or readership, but I like to keep it simple when starting.

My advice? Set up the basics for your Home, About, Blog, FAQ, and Contact, and then add more later if you need them.

You’ll want to make these pages look nice and easy to use on both desktop and mobile devices. It’s also best if you keep them search engine-friendly (optimized) by using the Yoast’s ultimate guide for optimizing content.

Post Content

Posts are your actual blog articles. This is where the magic happens. It’s where you write the content people are searching for.

Your posts should become the majority of your website content over time. They should also be organized into categories so visitors (and search engines) can understand what your website is about.

For example, if you had a crochet blog, your categories might include:

• How-To Tutorials
• Crochet Patterns
• Beginner Projects
• Product Reviews
• Crochet Tips
• Gift Ideas

Every time you publish an article, you add it to the category it belongs in. This helps readers find similar content and helps search engines understand your website. Organized content also builds credibility with search engines like Google.

In the world of digital content, this is called optimization.

In general, you’ll need 20-30 good posts published before you can monetize your site with Google Ads, but here are other ways to monetize long before that.

Which leads us to our final step.

Step Three: Monetize Your Blog

Once you have your WordPress blog established and you’re consistently creating valuable content, it’s time to talk about the step everyone is waiting for… wait for it…

Make Money Blogging

Sadly, you can’t just throw up five articles, add a few links, wave a wand, and wake up to thousands of dollars in passive income.

(If someone tells you that, run. Slytherin energy.)

Success in blogging requires consistency. The goal should be to create regular, helpful content that answers questions, solves problems, entertains readers, or provides information they can’t easily find somewhere else.

Avoid AI-generated slop. Search engines and social platforms are becoming increasingly focused on rewarding helpful, original content. Moreover, readers can always tell when something feels generic or recycled.

“But Can I Use AI To Make Money Blogging?”

Yes.

Before anyone panics, let me say that again:

Yes, you can use AI as a tool. AI can be incredibly helpful for:

• Brainstorming
• Creating outlines
• Keyword research
• Finding FAQs
• Improving grammar
• Helping organize your thoughts
• Breaking through writer’s block
• Finding sources and links
• Spellchecking your work

Just don’t use AI to completely replace your voice. The goal should be to let AI do the things you either hate doing or are really bad at.

Mama can’t spell worth a toot, babies. Mama AI’d the crap out of this article before posting it.

How To Use AI When Blogging

Use AI like an assistant, not a replacement. Let it help you work faster, but make sure your experience, opinions, examples, and personality are still driving your work.

This is part of the reason why most of my articles have chummy, goofy quips and nerdy examples throughout them. I let AI handle the heavy and tedious research that I don’t always know. I learn from AI, then regurgitate what I’ve learned through my own lens of understanding.

My favorite approach to blogging with AI goes like this:

1. Speech-to-text my general thoughts into rough draft in Google Doc.
2. Types notes throughout for AI (like notes for an editor/researcher assistant)
3. Send it through AI for a round of edits.
4. Make my own additional edits, removing stuff or adding more ideas.
5. Maybe run it through AI for spell checking one more time.
6. Do another spell check in Google Docs (Told ya. Mama can’t spell).
7. Put it into WordPress.

How Many Blog Posts Do You Need To Monetize Your Blog?

This is one of the most common questions new bloggers ask. Unfortunately, there isn’t a magic number.

Some blogs make money with only a handful of highly targeted articles. Others take months or even years to build enough traffic. A blog with 50 amazing articles can easily outperform a blog with 500 rushed articles.

Quality and demand matter.

Monetizing with Google Ads

One of the most well-known ways bloggers make money is through advertising. Platforms like Google AdSense allow you to display ads on your website. When visitors view or interact with those ads, you can earn revenue.

The problem is, ads generally require traffic.

A website with only a few visitors per day probably won’t make significant income from advertisements. But as your traffic grows, ads can become a nice additional revenue stream.

Thankfully, there are other options for monetizing while you’re waiting on the almighty Google. Which leads us into the wizarding world of affiliate marketing.

Affiliate Marketing (My Favorite Way to Monetize)

Affiliate marketing is one of my favorite ways to monetize a blog because it allows you to earn money by recommending products or services you genuinely love. And it’s simple:

1. A company gives you a special tracking link.
2. You share that link on your website.
3. If someone purchases through your link, you earn a commission.

It’s basically a digital version of recommending your favorite product to a friend, except the company rewards you for sending them a customer.

The keyword here is trust.

The fastest way to lose your audience is recommending random products just because they pay a commission. My advice for affiliate marketing is to only recommend things you would actually use.

If you wouldn’t let your mother buy it, don’t try to talk other people into doing so.

Rakuten Affiliate Marketing

One affiliate platform I’ve personally enjoyed using is Rakuten Advertising.

Not only have I found some great brands to partner with through Rakuten, but their customer support experience has also been excellent.

When I first applied, I discovered that the domain I wanted to use (my YouTube Channel) was already connected to another account. Apparently, someone had attempted to use my channel and audience for their own affiliate activity.

I reached out to Rakuten, and they quickly verified ownership, removed the fraudulent account, and helped me get everything set up.

Within a day, I was able to start creating affiliate links for my blog.

Aside from helping me reclaim my links, Rakuten is a great option because they work with many different brands, making it easier to find partnerships that fit your content.

However, you don’t have to limit yourself to affiliate networks like Rakuten.

Indie Affiliate Marketing

If there is a company whose product genuinely fits your audience, you can always reach out directly. A simple email saying:

“Hey, I love your product, and I think it would be a great fit for my audience. Would you be interested in working together?”

can open doors.

The worst thing they can say is no. The best thing that can happen is a mutually beneficial partnership—a sort of relational Gryffinpuff, if you will.

Amazon Affiliate Links

Another popular option is the Amazon Associates program.

Amazon allows creators to create special product links and earn a commission when someone purchases through those links.

For example, say say you write a blog post reviewing the BEST electric toothbrush you’ve ever had. You can create an Amazon affiliate link for that exact toothbrush, include it in your article, and earn a small commission if someone purchases it.

This works especially well for blogs that naturally recommend products. Here are some examples:

• Beauty bloggers linking skincare products
• Craft bloggers linking supplies
• Mommy bloggers linking maternity stuff
• Home bloggers linking furniture or tools
• Hobby bloggers linking equipment

The important thing is to focus on recommending genuinely useful products. A trustworthy recommendation is worth far more than a random affiliate link.

Other Ways to Monetize a Blog

Affiliate links and ads are only the beginning. As your audience grows, you can also monetize through:

• Sponsored posts
• Digital products
• Online courses
• Ebooks
• Memberships
• Consulting services
• Physical products
• Print-on-demand products

Your blog can become the foundation for an entire online business.

Affiliates, Collabs, and Brand Deals

For a more in-depth discussion on how to make money through affiliates, gift collabs, brand deals, and more, check out The Indie Creator’s Guide to Brand Deals

How Long Until You Start To Make Money Blogging?

The honest answer? It depends.

The biggest factor is consistency. The person who publishes one great article every week for a year is usually going to outperform the person who publishes ten articles in one weekend and disappears.

My advice? The sooner you start, the sooner you can make money blogging. Give it your all, give it some time, and enjoy the journey.

Seriously, don’t forget to have fun, if only because time flies by faster when you do.

So get on out there.

Your fellow Potterheads are waiting.

Love,

Kolbie