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What you’ll get here (fast)
- A blog live in ~60 minutes
- The exact 10 steps (with settings that matter)
- A launch checklist, costs, and a 7-day content plan
- Answers to the questions beginners actually ask
Table of Contents
- Pick your topic (that people will actually read)
- Choose a platform (why WordPress.org wins)
- Get a domain & hosting (what to look for)
- Install WordPress (one-click)
- Essential settings (do these first)
- Design: theme + brand basics
- Must-have plugins (keep it lean)
- Create your core pages (and legal)
- Publish your first 5–7 posts (templates)
- Set up SEO & analytics
- Email list + opt-ins (start day one)
- Monetization options (simple first)
Plus: Launch checklist • Typical costs • FAQs • Troubleshooting
1) Pick your topic (and reader promise)
Choose one audience and one clear promise. If you can’t finish this sentence, narrow further:
“I help [who] get [result] with [unique angle].”
Examples
- Busy students → $50/week meal prep (cheap + fast)
- New remote workers → home office + routines that prevent burnout
- First-time dog owners → confident puppy training in 30 days
2) Choose a platform
Use WordPress.org (self-hosted) if you want full control, monetization options, and portability.
Alternatives: Squarespace (simpler design), Ghost (writers), Substack (newsletter-first). You can start anywhere, but most pro blogs end up on WordPress.org.
3) Get a domain & hosting
- Domain: .com if available; short, pronounceable, passes the radio test.
- Hosting: Look for free SSL, one-click WordPress, backups, and solid support.
Add your affiliate picks here:
- Host A – beginner-friendly, low intro price
- Host B – faster + staging
- Host C – managed WP (pay more, fewer headaches)
Typical starter cost: $2–$15/mo hosting (promo) + $10–$20/yr domain.
4) Install WordPress (one-click)
In your host dashboard: Install WordPress → set site title, admin user, password → make sure SSL/HTTPS is on.
5) Essential settings (5 minutes)
- Settings → General: Site Title, Tagline, Timezone
- Settings → Permalinks: Post name
- Users: Create your author account (don’t publish as “admin”)
- Updates: Turn on auto-updates for minor versions
6) Design: pick a theme + basic brand
- Start with a clean block theme (e.g., Twenty Twenty-Four or your favorite lightweight theme).
- Set Fonts (one heading, one body), Colors (1 primary, 1 accent, dark text).
- Create a simple logo (text is fine) and a square favicon.
Don’t overthink it: publish content first; design polish later.
7) Must-have plugins (keep it lean)
- SEO: Yoast or RankMath (one)
- Speed: Caching (your host often provides this) + image compression (e.g., Optimole/Imagify)
- Security: Your host or a lightweight security plugin
- Backups: Daily via host or plugin (e.g., UpdraftPlus)
- Spam: Akismet or Antispam Bee
- Contact: Native Form block or a simple forms plugin
8) Create your core pages
- Home (what you do + latest/featured posts)
- About (why you, who you help, next step)
- Contact (form + social)
- Privacy Policy + Disclosure (especially if you use affiliates or ads)
9) Publish your first 5–7 posts (use these templates)
1 pillar + 4–6 helpers is enough for launch.
Pillar (2,000–3,000 words):
- “[Ultimate Guide] How to _____ in 2025 (Step-by-Step + Tools)”
- H2s = steps; include a checklist, costs, tools, and a quick start
Helper posts (800–1,500 words):
- “[Tool] vs [Tool]: Which is best for [use case]?”
- “Common mistakes beginners make with _____ (and what to do instead)”
- “Starter kit: everything you need for _____ under $200”
- “7 quick wins for _____ this weekend”
Formatting that ranks + converts
- One H1; descriptive H2/H3; short paragraphs; bullets
- Original images/screenshots; compressed
- Internal links to pillar/related posts
- A clear CTA (email opt-in) mid-post + end
10) Set up SEO & analytics
- SEO plugin: Add your homepage title/description; create XML sitemap
- Google Search Console: Submit sitemap; check for errors
- Analytics (GA4 or Plausible): Verify traffic is recording
11) Email list (start day one)
- Create a simple opt-in: “Get my 7-Day Starter Plan for _____.”
- Use your ESP (e.g., ConvertKit) and place forms: sidebar, below posts, homepage section.
- Deliver a short welcome sequence (3–5 emails): quick wins, your story, best posts, reply CTA.
12) Monetization (start simple)
- Affiliate recommendations (tools you truly use)
- Digital downloads (checklists, templates)
- Services (starter offer; “book a call”)
- Ads later (after traffic), or sponsored posts if aligned
Launch Checklist (1–2 hours)
- ☐ Domain connected, SSL on
- ☐ Theme set, basic brand colors/fonts
- ☐ Essential pages live (About, Contact, Privacy, Disclosure)
- ☐ 1 pillar post + 3+ helper posts published
- ☐ SEO plugin set, sitemap submitted
- ☐ Analytics + Search Console verified
- ☐ Email opt-ins placed (sidebar, below posts, home)
- ☐ Test on mobile
Typical Starter Costs
- Domain: $10–$20/yr
- Hosting: $2–$15/mo (promo), $10–$25/mo later
- Optional premium theme/tools: $0–$150 (one-time or yearly)
7-Day Content Kickstart (copy this)
- Day 1: Pillar outline + intro
- Day 2: Steps 1–3 (screenshots)
- Day 3: Steps 4–6 + checklist
- Day 4: Finish pillar + publish
- Day 5: Helper post #1 (comparison)
- Day 6: Helper post #2 (mistakes)
- Day 7: Helper post #3 (starter kit) + internal links
FAQs
How long does it take to start a blog?
About an hour to get WordPress online; a weekend to publish your first posts.
How much does it cost?
$10–$20/yr for a domain + $2–$15/mo starter hosting (promo rates).
Do I need WordPress?
No—but it’s the most flexible for growth and monetization.
What should I blog about?
Pick a problem you can help with every week for a year. One audience, one promise.
How do blogs make money?
Affiliates, ads (later), sponsored posts, services, and digital products. Start with one.
Do I need to be on every platform?
No. Publish on your site first; share one short summary on the platform you already use.
Troubleshooting
My site is http, not https.
Turn on Free SSL in your host → force HTTPS (often a toggle) → clear cache.
My pages aren’t in Google.
Submit sitemap in Search Console; publish consistently; get a few relevant links (from your socials, profiles, or friends’ sites).
Site is slow.
Compress images, enable caching, avoid heavy page builders and plugin bloat.
Your next step
- Get hosting + a domain
- Install WordPress + do the essential settings
- Publish your pillar post this week
- Add your email opt-in and send your first welcome email
You don’t need perfect. You need published.