How to Start a Blog That Makes Money

how to start a blog that makes money

Photo by Windows on Unsplash

Let’s be honest. The idea of making money from a blog used to sound like a fantasy. You picture someone lounging by a pool, laptop open, passive income rolling in like clockwork. But here’s the truth:

It’s not a dream. It’s a system.

And the best part? You don’t need to be a tech wizard or social media influencer. If you’ve got a message, a niche, and the drive to build something consistent, you can absolutely turn a blog into real income.

Let’s break it down.

The Big Picture: Why Blogging Still Works in 2025

You might be wondering: “Aren’t blogs kind of… dead?” Not even close.

While TikTok and YouTube are booming, blogs still rule the search engine game. Google favors well-written, organized blog content. And when people search for “best credit cards for beginners” or “how to refinance my mortgage,” they’re not looking for a dance video—they’re looking for someone like you with answers.

Blogging wins because it’s searchable, evergreen, and monetizable from multiple angles. That’s why major media sites still pump out thousands of articles a month. And you? You only need a fraction of their reach to make meaningful money.

Step 1: Pick a Niche (But Don’t Overthink It)

You don’t need a brand-new idea. You need a focused topic that helps people and can make money.

Some high-earning blog niches include:

  • Personal finance (hello, Stackonomics!)
  • Travel
  • Health and wellness
  • Tech and software
  • Parenting
  • Career development
  • Online business & side hustles

Ask yourself:

  • What do you actually enjoy writing about?
  • What do people search for?
  • What can you monetize with affiliate links or ads?

If those three things overlap, you’ve got a viable blog niche.

Step 2: Set Up Your Blog

You’ve got two main options:

  • Free platforms like Medium or Blogger (not recommended if your goal is real money)
  • Self-hosted WordPress blog, which gives you control, customization, and access to all monetization tools

Here’s the simplest route:

  1. Buy a domain name (like stackonomics.com)
  2. Get hosting through Bluehost, SiteGround, or another beginner-friendly host
  3. Install WordPress (usually one-click setup)
  4. Pick a theme (Kadence is clean and flexible)
  5. Install a visual builder like Elementor (makes everything easier)

Congratulations—you now own digital real estate.

Step 3: Write Articles That Solve Problems

Every article you write should answer a question or solve a problem. It’s not about dumping your thoughts into the void. It’s about providing value—and doing it in your own voice.

For example, don’t just write “10 Ways to Save Money.”  Instead, write something like  “10 Ways to Save Money That Don’t Involve Living Like a Monk”

Inject your personality. Be helpful. Be human. That’s what keeps readers coming back—and what keeps Google paying attention.

Your blog doesn’t need 100 posts. It needs 10–20 solid, useful, well-written pieces of content that hit your niche hard.

Step 4: Monetize Like a Pro

Now we get to the fun part.

1. Google AdSense

Once your site has about 10–15 content-rich pages, you can apply to Google AdSense and start showing ads. It won’t make you rich right away, but it adds up—and it’s passive.

2. Affiliate Marketing

his is where the real money often comes in. You join programs (like Amazon, Chase, Bluehost, or any brand in your niche), and they pay you when someone clicks your link and buys.

Say you write: “Best Investment Apps for Beginners.”
Each app has an affiliate link. If someone signs up? Boom—commission.

3. Digital Products & Courses

Once you have traffic and authority, you can create ebooks, PDFs, checklists, or full-blown courses. These are 100% profit and scalable.

4. Sponsored Content

As your site grows, brands may pay you to write about them or include their links. Again, real money.

Step 5: SEO—The Secret Sauce

Search engine optimization (SEO) is how people find you on Google. Without it, your blog is a digital ghost town.

But don’t worry—it’s not rocket science.

  • Use keyword-rich titles (like “How to Build an Emergency Fund in 2025”)
  • Structure articles with H1, H2, and H3 headings
  • Use clean URLs and internal links
  • Write naturally—Google’s smarter than you think

You can go deeper into SEO later, but for now, just focus on writing clearly, consistently, and with purpose.

Step 6: Be Consistent—Then Be Patient

Most blogs don’t fail because the idea is bad. They fail because the creator gives up after three posts and two weeks of low traffic.

Here’s the deal: traffic comes slowly, then all at once.

Google needs time to trust you. Readers need time to find you. Monetization builds as your content snowballs. But if you stick with it—posting 1–2 times per week—you’ll wake up one day and realize: this is working.

Real Talk: How Much Can You Make?

  • $100–$500/month with a small blog and decent traffic
  • $1,000–$5,000/month with focused SEO and good affiliate links
  • $10,000+/month once you rank for competitive keywords or build an email list/products

It’s not overnight. But it’s absolutely possible.

Stackonomics Takeaway

You don’t need to be an expert.

You need to start.

Every blog that makes money began with a blank screen and a half-formed idea. Yours can too. Learn as you go. Write what you know. Help people. And remember: money follows value.

Next Steps

Launch your blog. Build your voice. Stack the habits. And let your money—and your message—work for you.