Starting a blog can feel like stepping into a whirlwind of endless possibilities. It’s exciting to imagine sharing your thoughts, building an audience, and even turning your passion into a profitable venture.
But the reality is that many new bloggers struggle to build a successful blog, and some even give up before they’ve started.
A blog is essentially your personal or business platform on the internet — a space where you can share ideas, showcase expertise, or connect with like-minded individuals. A blog can boost your online presence, establish your authority in a niche, and even open doors to new opportunities.
However, while there’s no shortage of articles on “how to start a blog,” few discuss the common mistakes that often lead to failure. In this article, let’s shift gears and explore how not to start a blog. By avoiding these pitfalls, you’ll be better equipped for a successful blogging journey.
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Should You Start a Blog (Or Not)?
The decision to start a blog in 2024 might feel daunting, especially with the market already teeming with content. It’s easy to wonder if there’s still room for new voices or if blogging can be financially viable.
After all, with the rise of video content, it seems everyone’s attention is shifting away from the written word.
The truth is, while the market is crowded, there’s always room for quality content that offers real value.
People still read blogs — especially when they need in-depth information, personal insights, or expert advice that can’t be fully conveyed in a short video.
Moreover, blogging isn’t just about text anymore. A successful blog can integrate multimedia elements like images, videos, and infographics to enhance the reader’s experience.
Adrianna Crawford started her blog in February 2024, and she generated $1600 in her first month of blogging.
When it comes to making money, blogging remains a viable option through various revenue streams such as affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and even digital product sales.
So, while the competition is fierce and trends are shifting, blogging still holds significant potential — if you approach it with the right strategy and mindset.
Four reasons to start a blog
Let’s look at four key reasons to inspire you to start your first blog!
1. Make money
Blogging can be a profitable venture if you’re strategic about it. A well-monetized blog can generate significant income from affiliate marketing and sponsored posts to selling digital products and services.
It requires time, effort, and a solid understanding of your audience’s needs, but the financial rewards can be substantial.
2. Share your story
You don’t have to be a great writer to start a blog. Blogging allows you to express yourself, share your experiences, and connect with others going through similar journeys.
Whether it’s personal stories, professional insights, or creative ideas, your blog can become a platform for your voice.
3. Build your business recognition
A blog can be an invaluable tool for building brand recognition for entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Regularly publishing high-quality content that resonates with your target audience can establish your business as an authority in your industry, attract more customers, and build long-term trust.
4. Connect with a community
Blogging isn’t just about broadcasting your thoughts — it’s about engaging with others.
Through your blog, you can connect with a community of like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and build relationships that can lead to collaborations, partnerships, and even friendships.
Four reasons not to start a blog
Most blogs fail to attract traffic or page views because their creators need more patience and give up just after publishing their first blog post.
While I’m all for starting a blog, here are four reasons you might want to reconsider if you think you can’t commit.
1. Unclear purpose or goals
If you’re unsure why you’re starting a blog or what you hope to achieve, you might struggle to stay motivated and focused.
Without clear goals, your blog could become a disorganized collection of posts with no real direction, making it harder to attract and retain readers.
2. Lack of time commitment
Blogging is often perceived as a path to passive income, but many overlook the significant time commitment it demands before it can start generating that income.
Blogging requires consistent time and effort, from creating content to promoting your posts and engaging with your audience.
If you can’t dedicate the necessary time, your blog may suffer from irregular updates and a lack of growth.
3. Expectation of quick results
Many new bloggers expect instant success and become discouraged when they don’t see immediate results.
However, blogging is a long-term investment that requires time and patience to build an audience and gain visibility. If you’re unprepared for the slow and steady process, you might reconsider starting a blog altogether.
4. Underestimating the competition
Blogging is easy to start and potentially profitable, but there’s no denying that the field is crowded, especially in popular niches.
However, this doesn’t mean you can’t stand out. Success comes from having a strong value proposition and differentiating yourself from competitors.
To thrive, you must be willing to go the extra mile in content creation and promotion.
Read also: 17 Affiliate Marketing Programs That Bloggers Should Not Miss
How Not to Start a Blog: Lessons From Common Mistakes
We’re often eager to learn the secrets of starting a successful blog, but what about the common mistakes that can derail your efforts?
Understanding these pitfalls is just as important as knowing what to do right. Here are a few mistakes to avoid when starting your blog.
1. Ignoring your audience
One of the biggest mistakes new bloggers make is diving in without a clear understanding of their audience.
Blogging isn’t a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Your content will likely fall flat if you don’t know who you’re writing for.
For example, if you’re creating a blog focused on software and SaaS products for small businesses, entrepreneurs, or freelancers, your target audience isn’t large enterprises, corporate employees, or stay-at-home readers.
If you try to reach everyone, you might attract traffic, which will result in a high bounce rate. This will ultimately hurt your blog’s domain rank.
Take the time to research your audience’s pain points, interests, and what they’re searching for online.
In short, your audience should guide your content creation — from the topics you choose to the tone and style of your writing. Tailoring your content to meet their needs will make your blog more engaging and relevant.
2. Overlooking content planning
Many new bloggers enthusiastically launch their sites but quickly falter when content planning is neglected.
Jumping into blogging without a content plan is like going on a road trip without a map. You might get somewhere, but it’s unlikely to be where you intended.
Failing to create a content calendar or strategy can lead to inconsistent posting, missed opportunities, and a disorganized blog.
Create a content calendar outlining your topics, posting schedule, and key milestones.
This approach will help you stay on track and also allow you to strategically plan your content around significant events, trends, or seasonal themes.
3. Neglecting SEO basics
No, search engine optimization (SEO) is not dead — it’s alive and essential for your blog’s success.
If you skip the SEO basics, don’t be surprised when traffic fails to show up. With Google processing over 5.9 million searches per minute and more than 600 million blogs on the web, standing out amid the vast amount of content can be challenging.
So, how does your audience find your blog? Instead of assuming SEO is outdated, consider how it integrates with today’s evolving Google algorithms.
While traditional SEO elements like keywords, meta descriptions, and alt tags are still essential, it’s also important to stay updated with Google’s algorithm changes.
Adapting to these changes ensures that your blog remains visible and relevant in search results.
4. Skimping on quality
In the rush to publish content, it’s easy to prioritize quantity over quality.
Take the example of a Reddit user who, when ventured into blogging, aimed to publish one post a day. They sought feedback on whether this approach was right, and the consensus from experienced Reddit bloggers was unanimous — quality matters more than quantity.
Quality content resonates with readers, answers their questions, and provides value that keeps them returning for more.
Producing high-quality content is essential for building credibility and retaining your audience. A good starting point is to aim for two to three well-crafted weekly posts, which can vary depending on your niche and the type of content you’re creating.
For instance, long-form articles that require sourcing opinions from subject matter experts might take several days to a week to produce.
On the other hand, an 800- to 1,000-word article could be completed in two to three days, depending on the complexity of the topic.
Take the time to thoroughly research your topics, craft well-written posts, and edit meticulously. Quality always wins in the long run.
5. Disregarding design and user experience
When thinking about how to start a blog, one common mistake is needing to pay more attention to the design aspect.
As writers, it’s natural to focus primarily on the text, but user experience (UX) is just as important. Your blog’s design and UX play a crucial role in retaining visitors and keeping them engaged.
UX design creates an intuitive and seamless interaction between your readers and your blog platform.
Think about how you react when you land on a clunky website or a confusing app — you probably click away almost immediately. Your readers will do the same if your blog isn’t easy to navigate or visually appealing.
To avoid this, ensure that your blog is easy to navigate, mobile-responsive, and visually consistent.
Investing in a professional design, even if it’s simple, can significantly impact how your blog is perceived and how long visitors stay on your site.
6. Failing to promote your blog and make money
Creating great content is only half the battle; promoting it is equally important.
Many new bloggers need to avoid assuming that readers will find their blog independently. But no matter how good your content is, people won’t come to your blog unless you actively invite them.
Promote your blog posts across social media, collaborate with other bloggers, and use tools like email marketing and push notifications to reach your audience. An omnichannel approach is essential — leverage every feasible channel to attract readers and grow your audience.
Additionally, don’t delay monetizing your blog. If you wait too long, readers might start to assume that all your content is free.
Implement multiple monetization strategies early on, such as affiliate marketing, ad sponsorship, guest posts, or online courses.
Diversifying your income streams will help you maximize your earning potential.
7. Avoiding engagement with readers
One of the golden rules of starting a blog is understanding that you’re not just writing for yourself — you’re building a community with your readers.
The relationship between ‘you’ and ‘I’ is crucial, which is why it’s often advised to write in the first and second person — making it feel like a direct conversation with your audience.
In other words, a blog is a two-way street where interaction with your readers is key. Avoiding engagement, such as not responding to comments or ignoring feedback, can make your blog feel impersonal and uninviting.
Instead, engage with your readers by replying to comments, encouraging discussions, and actively conversing about your blog’s niche.
Read also: Top 5 Essential Skills to Become a Professional Blogger: A Guide
How to Brainstorm a Name for Your Blog
As you consider how not to start a blog, you’re also thinking about what to name your blog. A good blog name should reflect your content and be memorable at the same time.
Here’s how you can effectively brainstorm a name for your blog:
Make it memorable and easy to spell
A great blog name should be easy to remember and easy to spell. Avoid overly complex words, tricky spellings, or names that are too long.
Take TechCrunch, for example. The name is catchy, and the word ‘tech’ clearly indicates that the blog covers technology topics.
This blog talks about everything from the latest developments in Silicon Valley to venture capital funding.
The goal is for visitors to remember your blog and find it easily when they search online. Shorter names are often more memorable but should still convey the essence of your blog.
Consider using keywords
Incorporating relevant keywords into your blog name can boost SEO and make your blog more discoverable.
Think about the primary topics or themes you’ll be covering and see if there are related keywords that could naturally fit into your blog’s name.
A great example is the Search Engine Journal. The name clearly indicates that the blog is focused on search engines and SEO.
They’ve seamlessly integrated the keyword “search engine” into the name, making it both relevant and descriptive.
However, it’s important not to force it — your name still needs to sound natural and engaging.
Get creative with wordplay
Creativity can make your blog name stand out. Consider using puns, alliteration, rhymes, or combining words in unique ways.
Just make sure the name is clear and doesn’t confuse potential readers about what your blog is about.
For example, if I asked you to guess what these blogs are about based on their names — Pinch of Yum, Budget Bytes, and I am a Food Blog, you can instantly tell they’re focused on food-related content.
Essentially, your blog’s name should reflect its personality.
Pro Tip: Your blog’s name should appeal to the audience you’re trying to attract. For instance, a blog aimed at young professionals might have a modern, snappy name, while a blog focused on parenting might opt for something more warm and relatable.
Choose a blog domain
Once you’ve chosen a blog name, the next step is to check if the domain is available. Ideally, your domain name should match your blog name to avoid confusion when readers search for your blog.
You can easily check domain availability using various online tools. If your preferred domain extension (like .com) isn’t available, consider alternatives such as .net, .org, .co, etc.
However, try not to get too attached to a blog name until you confirm the domain is available. It’s wise to have a few options in mind, so you can choose a name that works both for your blog and as a domain.
Read also: 20 Smart Email Marketing Tips Bloggers Should Know
How to Choose the Right Blogging Platform
Selecting the right blogging platform is essential for building and hosting your website without needing any coding skills.
A web hosting platform is a service that allows you to create, manage, and maintain your blog. It influences everything from how your blog looks and functions to how you manage content and interact with your audience.
Here are a few things to consider while choosing your blogging platform.
Understand your blogging goals
The first step in choosing a blogging platform is understanding your long-term goals. Are you blogging as a hobby, or do you want to turn it into a full-fledged business?
If you’re aiming for a professional blog with monetization in mind, you’ll need a platform that offers scalability, customization, and robust features.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a simple, user-friendly space to share your thoughts, a more basic platform might suffice.
Evaluate your technical skills
Many blogging platforms offer no-code options, meaning you can easily set up your blog using their intuitive drag-and-drop builders. If you have no technical expertise, a no-code website builder would be your best bet.
However, if you have technical skills and want full control over your site’s design and functionality, a more complex platform might be worth considering. This allows you to tweak your blog’s design and features to meet your specific requirements.
Look for responsive templates and customization options
A good blogging platform should offer a wide range of templates to choose from. When selecting a template, make sure it:
- Fits well with your blog’s theme or niche.
- Is easily customizable to reflect your brand’s look and feel.
- Is responsive, meaning it’s mobile-friendly and looks great on any device.
Choose a blogging platform that gives you the creative freedom to design your blog the way you envision it. Make sure it supports the level of customization you need to truly make your blog your own.
Consider SEO capabilities
Some blogging platforms come with built-in SEO tools and features, like meta tags, keyword optimization, and sitemaps.
For example, WordPress blog offers free Yoast plugins that help optimize your site for search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing. Yoast provides features such as content analysis, readability scores, meta description and title tag optimization, keyword analysis, and more.
Choosing a platform that supports strong SEO practices right out of the box is a smart move.
Consider the cost
Many blogging platforms offer both free and paid versions. When starting, you might opt for a free plan, but be aware that these often come with limitations like restricted features, ads, or limited customization options.
As your blog grows, you can always upgrade to a premium plan. These plans typically offer more features and greater flexibility, but they do come at a cost.
When choosing a platform, think about your budget and which features are worth paying for to meet your blogging needs.
Read also: Blog vs Vlog: Which is Better for Small Business Marketing?
Popular Blogging Platforms to Consider in 2024
When choosing a blogging platform, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each option. Here are five popular web hosting companies to consider:
WordPress.org: WordPress blogging platform offers complete control over your blog’s design and functionality, making it ideal for those with technical skills. However, it requires self-hosting and can be overwhelming for beginners due to its extensive features and customization options.
Wix: Wix is a user-friendly, no-code platform with a drag-and-drop builder that’s perfect for beginners. It’s easy to use, but customization can be limited, and the free plan includes ads on your site.
Squarespace: Squarespace provides beautifully designed templates and is great for creatives who want a visually appealing blog. While it’s easy to use, it lacks the extensive plugin options that other platforms like WordPress offer.
Blogger: Blogger is a free, simple platform owned by Google, which makes it easy to set up and manage. It’s great for hobbyists, but it offers limited customization and may not be the best choice for long-term growth.
Medium: Medium is a platform focused on writing and content sharing, offering an instant audience. It’s easy to start with, but you have limited control over your blog’s branding and monetization options.
Read also: How to Start an Online Business in 2025
Tips on How to Write Great Content
A successful blog post is one that your readers enjoy and return to for more. To make your blog posts stand out, here are some expert tips on how to write great content:
Use catchy headlines
Your headline is the first thing readers see, so it needs to grab attention and give them a reason to click.
Consider using tools like the Sharethrough Headline Analyzer to evaluate your headlines. It assesses your headline based on six characteristics: Relevance, Punchiness, Clarity, Catchiness, Context, and Emotional Impact.
Use their suggestions to tweak your headline for maximum impact.
Use visually appealing images
Visuals play a crucial role in making your content more appealing.
Including images, GIFs, or short videos can enhance the reader’s experience and make your post more engaging. Free stock images are readily available, so you don’t have to create visuals from scratch.
Just ensure that the images are relevant to your content. Infographics are also a great way to simplify complex ideas, making them easier for readers to grasp.
Make your content scannable
Most readers won’t read every word of your article, so making your content easy to scan is essential.
Break your text into small paragraphs, use bullet points, and write short, clear sentences. Using an active voice wherever possible also helps make your content more readable.
While drafting, imagine that you’re explaining your topic to a child — that’s how simple and direct your text should be. It will help improve your post’s readability and make it attractive to consume.
You can check the readability of your content using online tools like Sitechecker or WebFX, which indicate how easily your blog content can be understood.
Edit and proofread thoroughly
Great content is polished content. After writing, take the time to thoroughly edit and proofread your work.
Check for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and awkward phrasing. Your content flow should be logical, and each section should connect smoothly.
Tools like Grammarly, Hemingway, or ChatGPT can help you refine your text. They offer suggestions to improve readability and correct grammar mistakes.
A well-edited piece is more professional and enjoyable to read.
Read also: 5 Reasons Content Marketing Is The Future Of Your Business
Conclusion
Blogging is truly an art form. When mastered, it holds the potential to become a lucrative venture, and the best part is that you don’t need to be a tech wizard to excel.
What you need is creativity and passion. If you’ve contemplated starting a blog, there’s no better time than now.
Choose a niche you’re passionate about, which will sustain your motivation and effort.
Blogging requires patience and dedication, and aligning your niche with your interests will inspire and drive you. By avoiding these tips on how not to start a blog, you’re well on your way to becoming a successful blogger.
Learn from others’ mistakes, apply these insights, and you’ll find yourself closer to creating a successful blog.
Ultimately, while your content should provide value and engage your readers, the most important thing is that you enjoy the process. Happy blogging!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How can I start blogging as a beginner?
Starting a blog is easy. Simply choose a blogging platform like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace, select a domain name, and set up your blog. Focus on a niche you’re passionate about, create valuable content, and learn basic SEO to attract readers. Many platforms offer easy-to-follow tutorials to get you started.
2. How do bloggers get paid?
Bloggers earn money through various methods, including advertising (like Google AdSense), affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, selling products or services, and memberships. The key is to build a strong readership and explore monetization options that align with your blog’s content and audience.
3. Do blogs still make money?
Yes, blogs can still be profitable. Successful bloggers generate significant income through advertising, affiliate marketing, and product sales. The key is to create high-quality, engaging content and build a loyal audience.
4. Can I start a blog with no money?
Yes, you can start a blog with minimal or no money. Free blogging platforms like WordPress.com or Blogger offer basic services at no cost. However, investing in a domain name and hosting can enhance your blog’s professionalism and functionality in the long run.
5. What is blogging vs vlogging?
Blogging involves writing articles and creating written content for a website or blog. Vlogging, or video blogging, involves creating and sharing video content on platforms like YouTube. Both formats serve similar purposes but differ in medium and presentation.
6. How to write a blog post?
To write a blog post, start with a compelling headline and a strong introduction. Outline your main points, write clearly and engagingly, and include relevant images or data. End with a concise conclusion and a call to action if applicable. Edit and proofread your post before publishing.
7. How do I name a blog?
When naming your blog, choose a name that is memorable, easy to spell, and reflects your blog’s content or niche. Consider incorporating relevant keywords and using creative wordplay. Check for domain availability to ensure consistency between your blog’s name and web address.
