Step-by-step guidance for beginners who want to build something real (without a tech degree or marketing degree). 🧭
So… You’re Thinking About Starting a Blog?
You’re not alone—and you’re not late.
Blogging isn’t dead. In fact, niche blogs and content sites are one of the most beginner-friendly, low-cost ways to start earning money online.
No big audience. No fancy camera. No influencer dream needed.
Just a topic you care about, a little consistency, and a plan that doesn’t leave you yelling at your screen.
Let me show you how to get started—the same way I did.
Wait—What’s a Niche Site?
A niche site is just a blog focused on a specific topic or audience.
Not a personal journal. Not a get-rich-quick scheme. Just a helpful little corner of the internet that answers questions, solves problems, or shares useful info with people who need it.
Examples:
- Budget travel for solo moms
- Meal planning for picky kids
- Productivity tips for neurodivergent adults
- Dog training for apartment dwellers
If someone’s Googling it, you can build a blog around it.
How Blogs Make Money
You won’t make money by just “posting thoughts.” But if you focus on being helpful and targeted, here’s how income shows up:
- Affiliate Marketing – You recommend products, tools, or services and earn a commission when someone buys.
- Display Ads – Once your traffic grows, you can earn passively from ad networks like Google AdSense or Mediavine.
- Digital Products – Sell ebooks, printables, or templates.
- Services – Freelance writing, consulting, or coaching—if that’s your vibe.
🛠 How to Start a Blog from Scratch in 5 Simple Steps
Step 1: Pick Your Niche
You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to be a few steps ahead of someone else. Ask yourself:
- What do people ask me for help with?
- What do I Google a lot?
- What could I write 10 posts about without screaming?
Go for something specific, not “everything lifestyle.”
💡 Sidegig Scout started as a way to help others avoid the same scammy traps I fell into. That’s a niche.
Step 2: Choose a Blog Name
Don’t overthink it. Pick something short, easy to spell, and available as a .com if you can.
It can be:
- Descriptive (e.g., SidegigScout.com)
- Personal (e.g., WithKris.com)
- Creative (e.g., BudgetNomads.com)
Use a free tool like Namecheckr to see if your name is available across platforms.
Step 3: Get Hosting + Set Up WordPress
Now it’s time to go from “idea” to “actual website.”
You’ll need:
- A domain name (your blog’s web address)
- A hosting provider (where your blog lives)
- A platform to build your blog (I recommend WordPress—it’s free and beginner-friendly)
🧠 Sound overwhelming? It was for me too—until I found a shortcut.
🔁 My Shortcut: Wealthy Affiliate
This is where I personally got started, and it’s what I recommend if you want someone to literally walk you through each step with videos.
Wealthy Affiliate teaches you:
- How to choose a niche that actually earns
- How to set up your blog with zero tech stress
- How to write content that attracts the right readers
- How to monetize with affiliate links the right way
You’ll get:
- Step-by-step training
- Your domain + hosting included
- Real support from an active community
- No upsells required to start
🎯 Click here to read my Wealthy Affiliate review
Step 4: Pick a Clean, Simple Theme
When you first log into WordPress, you’ll choose a theme (design template). Don’t stress—pick something minimal to start. You can always change it later.
Look for:
- Mobile-friendly
- Fast loading
- Easy-to-read fonts
I like GeneratePress, Astra, or the Kadence free theme for beginners.
Step 5: Write 3–5 Helpful Posts
Start by answering the basic questions your readers are asking. You don’t need to be a “writer”—you just need to be helpful.
Good starter posts:
- “How to [solve problem] for beginners”
- “Top 5 tools for [your niche]”
- “What I wish I knew before [experience]”
✍️ The internet doesn’t need more opinions. It needs more answers.
⏳ How Long Does It Take to Make Money?
Honestly? It depends. But here’s the real talk:
- Month 1–3: Learning, writing, building
- Month 3–6: Starting to see traffic
- Month 6–12: Monetization becomes possible
- After 12 months: Your site starts to feel like a real business
You’re planting seeds. The more consistent you are, the more your blog can grow into a passive income asset that keeps giving.
🔧 Tools I Use & Recommend
Here’s what I personally use (or used when I started):
| Need | Tool | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Training + Hosting | Wealthy Affiliate | All-in-one starter kit with video lessons |
| Graphics | Canva | Free for most uses—perfect for blog images |
| Writing & Editing | Google Docs | Keep it simple |
| AI Assistant | ChatGPT (that’s me!) | For outlining, idea generation, and editing help |
🧭 Ready to Start Your Blog?
Here’s what to do next:
- ✅ Sign up for Wealthy Affiliate (free starter account)
- ✅ Follow the beginner training to launch your site
- ✅ Write your first post this week—you’ve got this!
And remember: You don’t have to figure this all out alone. I’ll be here (and so will Scout) to walk with you every step of the way.
—Kris
& Scout 🧠