“How much does it cost to start a blog” is the common question most people ask before starting their blog.
I have seen these questions online, such as on Quora, Twitter, and Facebook.
And Even some people have reached out to me by email and in my blog comment section. Asking this same question.
So I will break down the cost of starting a blog in this guide.
Let’s get started
How much does it cost to start a blog
Starting a blog can be an affordable venture, especially if you already have a laptop and a good smartphone.
It will cost only $35 for hosting your blog and setting up WordPress on your server.
If you don’t have these gadgets, you will need to budget for them. Expect to spend between $300 to $1000 to purchase a laptop and smartphone. You can find good deals on Amazon or other marketplaces.
The type of blog you want to create will also impact your costs. A simple blog for publishing articles and basic listicles does not require extra tools and gadgets.
But a professional or marketing blog may require extra tools and even a professional blog designer. Additionally, you may need to hire writers to help you create content.
No matter the kind of blog you want to start, This guide provides all the information you need.
Can I start a blog completely free
You can start a blog for free but your chances of making money with the blog are slim.
Unless you already know what you are doing. Then you can start your blog using these platforms.
Medium, Quora, Tumblr, and some other free blogging platforms that are not listed here.
What you have to know about using this platform is that you can lose your content at any time.
Because you don’t have full control over them. Any little violation can get your account deleted.
But they are good for testing your writing skills. And sharing your thoughts with a large audience.
You can also use WordPress.com to start a blog. In case you are confused WordPress.com is different from WordPress .org.
You can use both of them to build a blog. But WordPress.org is more widely used and offers more flexibility and control.
If you are serious about starting a blog and want to make money, it’s best to invest in a self-hosted blog.
What is the cheapest way to start a blog
Most bloggers have this thought in their mind when they are getting started with blogging.
I also did. So you are not the only one looking for the cheapest way to start a blog.
You know most people have not started blogging because they think you have to spend between $500 and above.
Before you can set up a blog. The truth is that you can start a blog with just $10. Once you already have the necessary gadgets like phone and laptop.
With $10 you can get a domain name from Namecheap and use Blogger to start your blog.
Using blogger
Blogger is a free blogging platform owned by Google.
Some popular news blogs are using blogger. But they are some limitations.
With blogger, you don’t have to worry about hosting. In fact, Blogger’s uptime is 100% guaranteed.
Once you are using blogger. You are sure that your website is always online.
You can run your blog with blogger URL. Or you can buy a domain from Namecheap and assign your own custom domain.
The downside of using blogger is that you don’t fully own the blog. If Google decides to shut down the service one day.
You might lose all your hard work. Am not saying it is happening anytime soon. But it is better to use a self-host platform.
Blogger don’t have tools for building an email list or running marketing automation. They are many tools lacking in this platform.
But it is good for people building simple news or article website.
Read: how to start a blog with blogger.
Blogging with WordPress
People with low-budget can start a blog with WordPress.
All you need is to look for a cheap web hosting provider that suits your budget.
One of the best cheap web hostings for WordPress is Hostinger.
With $35 you can set up your blog on Hostinger. Once you fully pay for your hosting space, Hostinger will automatically install WordPress on your server.
Inside the WordPress directory, you can find a lot of themes and plugins you can use to design the look of your blog.
WordPress is best for those who have the mindset of scaling their blog into a full-time business.
You can start your blog on WordPress with a free theme and plugins. Then later you can upgrade to premium tools.
Cost of building a professional blog
Creating a professional blog requires having knowledge of blogging.
So if you don’t know anything about blogging. Go and read this how to start a blog guide.
Professional blogs require money. You are not only spending on hosting but also on other resources.
Such as design, marketing tools, SEO, Content creation, and so on.
Am not saying you must invest money in all these things mentioned above.
If you have the above skills, then you just have to spend more on tools and hosting.
It can cost you above $500 if you have the dream of building a successful professional blog.
Building a professional blog means showcasing yourself as an expert in your target niche.
For you to achieve that you need to invest in extra stuff like Podcasting software, Video camera, Video editing software, Professional image editor, and reliable web hosting.
Am not saying you must have all this. But you want your audience to view you as an expert.
Then you need to invest in some of these things. Most tools and software have free versions you can start with and scale up later.
So I will break down the cost of building a professional blog using the stuff mentioned above.
Setting up your blog
Let’s go through the cost of the tools and gadgets for setting up a professional blog.
Web hosting
Setting up this type of blog requires a reliable hosting service. You can use dedicated WordPress hosting. Or Shared hosting that provides the resources for managing your traffic.
The best-shared hosting provider for hosting a professional blog is Bluehost. They offer 100% uptime.
Also provide some best tools for SEO and marketing.
Bluehost’s Choice Plus plan is a great option for small businesses looking to start a blog. It costs $65.40 to get started and offers 40 GB SSD storage, an SSL certificate, unmetered bandwidth, and domain privacy. It has everything you need to build and maintain a successful blog.
Pro theme & page builder plugin cost $0 – $328
WordPress theme and page builder plugin help in designing a beautiful layout blog without the knowledge of coding.
The most popular used WordPress theme is Kadence and the page builder is Elementor.
Kadence theme – $129
Kadence is a powerful theme to help you build beautiful blog or podcast sites, and monetize them with membership functionality.
With the power of dynamic and restricted content, you can create amazing membership sites. Kadence is a paid theme, it costs $129 per year, but it also has a free version with limited resources.
If you’re on a low budget, you can still use the free version to get started and upgrade later on as your site grows.
Elementor page builder – $199
Elementor is a powerful page builder that allows you to visually design stunning websites with its drag & drop live editor.
The plugin costs $199 per year, but it also has a free version available so you can use it even if you don’t have $199 to spend right away.
With the free version, you can start designing your blog and upgrade to the paid version when you need more features
Extra plugins cost $0 – $337
Here are some of the extra plugins to enhance the functionality and performance of your blog. These plugins are used for SEO optimization and form building.
WP Rocket – $199
Improve your blog’s speed and reduce bounce rate with WP Rocket. It’s a powerful caching plugin that automatically optimizes your website’s performance.
The pro version costs $199 per year and it comes with advanced features such as lazy loading, database optimization, and more.
With WP Rocket, you can deliver a fast and smooth browsing experience to your readers without having to touch any code. It’s a must-have plugin for every blogger looking to improve their website’s performance.
RankMath – $59
Rank Math is an SEO plugin for WordPress that makes it easy to optimize your content. Customize important SEO settings, control indexable pages, and improve your website’s search appearance with structured data.
The pro version costs $59 per year and it offers additional features such as Advanced SEO analysis, Redirection manager, and more.
Gravity Form – $159
Gravity Forms is a reliable tool for creating advanced forms on your WordPress website.
It allows you to easily customize the number of columns, width, and drag fields to add a new column.
The Pro version costs $159 per year and offers advanced features such as conditional logic and multiple form pages.
Keep in mind that these extra plugins also have free versions available. These versions can offer a good starting point for bloggers with limited budgets, to test the plugin and its functionalities before committing to the paid version.
Email marketing tools – $13.30
Email marketing tools will help you collect emails from your users. Building an email list will help grow your blog fast.
An email marketing tool like Getresponse can help you collect emails from your users, helping you to grow your blog fast.
Getresponse is one of the best email marketing tools for bloggers, it’s a powerful and simplified tool to send emails, create pages, and automate your marketing.
The tool has a free version that allows you to collect only 500 emails and a paid version that costs $13.30 per month. It’s a great way to connect with your audience and increase your blog’s reach.
Hiring a designer: Between $150 – $500
If you lack knowledge in customizing WordPress themes, using page builders, or setting up extra plugins, consider hiring a WordPress expert to set up your blog for you.
This service can cost between $150 to $500, and you can find WordPress designers on platforms such as Fiverr. Hiring an expert will save you time and ensure your blog is set up correctly for success.
Content creation
To build a professional blog, the most important factor is the quality of your content.
Depending on your niche, you can either write the content yourself or hire writers. Additionally, you’ll need a keyword research tool and content planning software. The costs for these tools and services will vary but it’s important to invest in them for the success of your blog.
Keyword research tools
There are many keyword research tools available, with some costing up to $100 per month. While there are also free options, paid tools tend to offer better statistics for ranking.
One of the best keyword research tools is Kwfinder, which is affordable and provides good data for your SEO strategy.
KWFinder is a top-notch keyword research tool with a user-friendly interface, powerful features, and sleek design.
The dashboard is easy to understand, unlike some other tools that present a lot of data that can be overwhelming.
KWFinder shows you only the necessary data. You can try it out for 10 days with their free trial and upgrade to the pro plan for $44 per month.
Content planning software
Content planning software helps bloggers manage daily tasks and create a content writing timeline, store keywords, and track progress.
Notion is a popular choice as it’s a comprehensive project management software. It’s a great way to stay organized and on top of your blogging tasks. It can be used for free. Or you can pay $8 per month if you need extra features.
Copywriting tools – $82
AI writing assistance tools have made it easier for bloggers to save on hiring writers and focus on investing in copywriting tools. These tools can help create quality blog posts with simple commands, but it’s important to not solely rely on them and to thoroughly research before publishing.
Jasper is an AI platform that helps marketers and sales teams create high-quality content quickly. It can assist in writing various types of content, such as blog posts, marketing copy, and video scripts, at a cost of $82 per month.
It’s a valuable tool for bloggers looking to increase their productivity and improve the quality of their content.
Hiring writers – $0.02 per word
When building your blog, you can hire writers who specialize in different topics depending on your blog’s niche.
For example, if you’re in the digital marketing niche, you can hire writers who specialize in social media marketing content.
You can find these writers on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or Freelancer, and typically pay by number of words, such as $0.02 per word.
Extra tools and software
I have covered some of the basics of setting up your blog and creating content. Now let’s focus on some of the extra tools that will help boost your brand. And also help you generate revenue.
Landing page builder
A landing page builder is a platform that allows you to create a simple single web page where you can collect personal information from potential clients, such as email, phone, and name. It’s a great way to generate leads and grow your blog’s audience.
Systeme.io is a platform that helps professional bloggers monetize their blog by gathering potential client/customer data, such as email, phone, and name, through landing pages. It also has a free drag & drop editor to create beautiful landing pages. The StartUp plan includes extra add-ons and costs $27 per month. It’s a great tool for those looking to generate income through affiliate marketing or email outreach.
Podcasting software
Podcasting has become a popular way for businesses and individuals to reach their target audience. According to a survey, 67% of consumers in the United States listen to podcasts.
Riverside.Fm is an online podcast recording studio that makes it easy to create professional-sounding podcast episodes.
The pro plan costs $24 per month, but there is also a free version with limited features. Use Riverside.Fm to create high-quality podcast content and attract more visitors to your website.
Photo editing tools
As a blogger, it’s important to have visually appealing images to attract readers to your content.
Canva is a great online photo editor with a variety of tools to design eye-catching images.
It can be used for free, or for more options, you can upgrade to the pro version for $12.99 per month. This includes access to premium photos and templates.
Video editing tools
Creating videos can help you generate income and boost your credibility. Video editing software like InVideo.io can help you fine-tune your videos before publishing. It has a free version and a business plan that starts at $15 per month.
The plan includes access to 1 million+ premium media, background removal, istock media, and HD video export. InVideo.io is an easy-to-use online video editor that comes with advanced tools to help you create professional-looking videos.
Accounting software
It’s important to keep track of your expenses, including the cost of hosting and tools.
ZohoBooks is an online accounting software that can help you manage your spending. It’s easy to use and has been used by top brands.
It has a free version and a paid version that starts at $15 per month. With ZohoBooks, you can easily track your expenses and make sure you’re staying within budget.
Cost of Blog marketing
It’s a good idea to budget for promoting your blog in order to drive traffic and generate leads.
One way to do this is by running ads on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Quora, and Google Ads, which can cost around $150 per month.
You can also target low cost-per-click keywords and spend around $5 per day. Additionally, you can invest in backlinks from high-domain authority sites for around $50 per month.
Another option is to run ads through native ad networks like OutBrain, MGIDS, and Taboola, which can cost around $100 per month. It’s important to keep in mind that the budget you allocate for promotion will impact the results you see.
If your blog requires using influencers to market it. You can get influencers from Collabstr at the rate of $50.
