I’ll be honest with you: when I first thought about starting a blog, I spent weeks stressing about the wrong stuff.
“Do I need coding skills? What if I’m not the next Shakespeare? What if no one reads it—except my mum?”
Sound familiar? If yes, you’re not alone. Most beginners overthink blogging so much that they never even start.
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to be a tech wizard, and you definitely don’t need to spend thousands of dollars. In fact, you can start today with Blogger.com, a free, beginner-friendly platform backed by Google.
I’ve built blogs that went from zero to earning ad revenue in under six months. And in this guide, I’ll show you how to do the same—step by step, with practical tips, real-world examples, and a sprinkle of humor to keep it fun.
Why Blogging Still Works in 2025
Blogging isn’t dead—it just grew up. According to Statista, there are over 600 million blogs worldwide, and yet, new bloggers are still carving out niches and earning income every day.
Why? Because blogs can:
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Build authority around your expertise
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Generate passive income through ads, affiliates, and products
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Open doors to collaborations and brand deals
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Create long-term assets you control (unlike social media accounts that can vanish overnight)
So yes—starting a blog is still worth it.
Step 1: Pick Your Blog’s Focus
Before you rush to set up your blog, figure out what you’re going to write about. Trust me, “everything under the sun” doesn’t work.
Ask yourself:
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What do I love talking about?
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What do people already ask me for advice on?
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Are there search trends or forums buzzing with questions in this niche? (Hint: check Google Trends, Reddit, and Quora.)
💡 Pro Tip: Use ChatGPT to brainstorm blog topic ideas and even get sample titles. But don’t just copy—choose something you can bring personal experience or insight to.
Step 2: Set Up Your Blogger Account
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Head over to Blogger and sign in with your Google account.
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Pick a blog title (example: Budget Travel Diaries).
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Choose your URL (example: budgettraveldiaries.blogspot.com).
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Set your display name.
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Boom—you’re in the dashboard.
The dashboard is your command center. Posts, stats, comments, layout, earnings—it’s all there.
Step 3: Create Essential Pages
If you want to look professional (and get approved for ads later), you’ll need these pages:
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About – Who you are and why your blog exists.
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Contact – How people can reach you.
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Privacy Policy – Shows you respect data privacy.
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Terms & Disclaimer – Especially important if you share advice.
These aren’t optional. They build trust with readers—and with Google AdSense.
Step 4: Design Your Blog
Your blog doesn’t need to look like a Picasso painting. Keep it clean, fast, and mobile-friendly.
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Choose a simple responsive theme in Blogger.
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Customize colors and fonts to reflect your style.
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Add useful gadgets (search bar, popular posts).
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Avoid clutter.
Remember: confused readers don’t stick around.
Step 5: Publish Quality Blog Post
This is where most people freeze. Don’t overthink it. Start small.
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Write at least 15 posts, each 1,000+ words.
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Use headings, bullet points, and short paragraphs.
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Add images, screenshots, or infographics.
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Edit AI-generated drafts so they sound human (Google knows the difference).
Your goal: help readers solve real problems, not just fill pages with fluff.
Must-Do Blogger Tasks (Quick Table)
| Task | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Create About/Contact/Policy Pages | Builds trust & professionalism |
| Enable HTTPS | Security = credibility |
| Add Meta Descriptions | Boosts SEO ranking |
| Write 15+ Long Posts | Essential for AdSense approval |
| Clean Mobile-Friendly Theme | Better user experience |
Monetizing Your Blog
Once you’ve got content and traffic, it’s time to earn.
Option 1: Google AdSense
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Requires original content and essential pages.
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Usually easier to get approved if your blog is at least 6 months old (especially in Asia & Africa).
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Earnings depend on niche and traffic.
Option 2: Adsterra
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Faster approval process.
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Offers multiple ad formats (display, native, pop-unders).
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Payout options include PayPal, Paxum, and Wire Transfer.
Option 3: Affiliate Marketing
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Recommend products you trust.
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Earn commissions per sale or lead.
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Great for niches like tech, travel, or fitness.
Real-World Examples
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Grace, Nairobi – Started a cooking blog on Blogger with free recipes. Within 7 months, she got AdSense approval. Now she earns $200/month in ad revenue plus affiliate income from cookware links.
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Daniel, London – Tech enthusiast who blogged about budget laptops. He combined AdSense with Amazon Associates and now makes around $500/month.
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Maria, Manila – Travel blogger who focused on “hidden gems” in her city. She built her blog on Blogger, later moved to WordPress, and now gets brand sponsorships from local hotels.
Blogger vs WordPress vs Medium: Quick Comparison
| Platform | Cost | Best For | Customization | Monetization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blogger | Free | Beginners | Limited | AdSense, Adsterra, affiliates |
| WordPress.org | Hosting (~$5–10/mo) | Serious bloggers | Unlimited | Ads, affiliates, products |
| Medium | Free | Writers, storytellers | Minimal | Partner Program (views-based) |
If you’re just starting out, Blogger is the simplest choice. You can always upgrade to WordPress later when your blog grows.
Common Rookie Mistakes to Avoid
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Copy-pasting content (Google will reject you fast).
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Using cluttered themes with too many widgets.
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Relying only on ads without building traffic first.
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Giving up after a few weeks (blogging is a marathon, not a sprint).
Final Thoughts
Starting a blog doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. With Blogger.com, you can launch your site today—for free—and grow it step by step.
Focus on:
✅ Writing valuable, original content
✅ Building trust with readers
✅ Monetizing smartly with ads and affiliates
Remember: your blog is a long-term investment. Treat it seriously, and it can generate income, build your personal brand, and even open career opportunities.
💬 Your Turn:
Are you thinking about starting your own blog this year? Drop your niche idea in the comments—I’d love to hear it. And if you’re already blogging, share your challenges so we can tackle them together!