Are you eager to transform your life, break free from the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle, and bid farewell to the 9-5 grind? Starting a blog could be the game-changer you’re looking for. But before you dive in, let’s break down the total investment required to turn your life around, explore money-saving strategies, and identify where to allocate your resources wisely. Let’s embark on this journey to financial freedom.
But before we get started, let me clarify a couple of things.
Although I have worked as a lawyer specializing in International and EU Law (LLB, LLM, PhD) for over 15 years and helped more than 30,000 bloggers and online entrepreneurs create their blog legal pages and policies with my plug-and-play legal templates, free legal templates, online courses, an affordable legal bundle for bloggers, and an affordable legal bundle for online business owners, this article is meant for informational and educational purposes only.
It does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. I will not be held liable for any damages or losses caused by acting or failing to act on the grounds of the content of this article. Should your circumstances require, I encourage you to seek legal advice through other avenues. Please read my full disclaimer for further information.
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First, I want to clarify that starting a blog can be done completely for free if it’s just a hobby. However, if your goal is to create a blog that not only brings you joy but also financial freedom, there are non-negotiable investments you need to make.
Starting any business, including a blog, requires some initial investment. The good news is that launching a blog is significantly more affordable than many other types of businesses. It’s not only cost-effective but also easier to manage, able to generate passive income, and highly scalable.
Personally, I started my first blog as a hobby, but thanks to my early investments (yes, I’m a Virgo and perfectionism is my thing), I started making money in the very first month of blogging.
The key here is starting off on the right foot, and if you do, you can recover your initial investment surprisingly quickly.
It’s essential to note that as your blog grows, your expenses will likely increase, but not necessarily at the same rate.
So, let’s break it down. I’ll provide you with the costs, and you can decide if it’s worth the investment.
Let’s dive in!
A Blogging Course
First of all, I strongly advise that you get a blogging course to gain a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to kickstart your blog. While there’s a wealth of tips available online, having a structured roadmap to follow step by step can significantly simplify the process for you.
You don’t need to invest money in this. As you are just starting out you can get my free guide that will dive deeper into how to create your own blog and get you started. This guide will walk you through the blueprint I used to start my blog that turned into a multiple six-figure business, and comes with in-depth strategies, assignments, and tons of actionable tips, so you don’t want to miss out. Get it for free here or click the image below.
Go Self Hosted WordPress
The first actual investment that you need to make to start your own blog is to get a hosting service.
No kidding, people who say you can start a money-making blog for free are pulling your leg. I’ve talked in other posts before about why going self-hosted is crucial. In a nutshell, platforms like Wix and WordPress.com might be free, but they slam the brakes on your blog’s growth, especially if you’re goal is to make money blogging, as the monetization potential of blogs on free platforms is minimal.
Besides, when you’re just getting started, you’ll find yourself investing a considerable amount of time searching for tips on developing your website. Trust me, nearly all the advice out there revolves around self-hosted WordPress.
How do I know? Well, I kicked off my first blog on Squarespace, not a free platform, but it came with its own set of limitations. On top of that, seeking help was a real headache because the majority of online resources focus on WordPress.org. When I finally realized my mistake, I had to go through the painful process of migrating my blog to WordPress.org. Save yourself the trouble and don’t make the same mistake I did —head straight to WordPress.org.
Now, while WordPress.org itself is free, you’ll need a hosting service to kickstart your blog.
Hosting rates vary based on several factors, including the company, the plan you choose, and the duration of your hosting subscription. Prices generally range from $4 per month to $100 per month.
In addition to the hosting cost, you’ll need to factor in expenses for your domain name and an SSL certificate.
Your domain name is essentially the web address of your blog and typically mirrors your blog’s name. Two key recommendations when selecting your domain name: First, align it with your blog’s name to avoid confusion. If you can’t find an exact match, consider tweaking your blog name, but it’s crucial to keep them identical. Second, opt for a domain ending in .com for a more professional look. This extension is also the default for websites, and using it enhances the likelihood of visitors finding your blog. While a .com domain may be pricier than others, it’s a worthwhile investment.
A domain name typically costs around $10-40 per year if it’s available. However, keep in mind that some domains may be taken but not actively used. In such cases, the owner might release it for purchase at any price, with certain domains holding significant value.
Same as for hosting plans, you often receive a discount for the first year when you purchase a domain. Additionally, the longer the subscription period, the lower the cost.
Now, let’s talk about the SSL certificate, a crucial element that makes your domain https instead of http. This is a must-have! Google penalizes websites still on http, and without an SSL certificate, your users may be warned that your site might not be secure. The cost for an SSL certificate is typically between $40 to $500 per year, but you can often secure a significant discount for the first year or when opting for multiple years.
Let’s get real and figure out the best solution for new bloggers who want to go self-hosted with WordPress while keeping costs down.
The key isn’t about finding the best host overall, but the best one for YOU. For instance, I’m currently on the GoGeek plan with SiteGround, which has fantastic features tailored to MY stage in the blogging journey. However, it comes with advanced features that most new bloggers don’t need and a higher price tag—I recently paid over $1,400 in renewal fees.
As a new blogger, the most important step is starting with self-hosted WordPress; it’s vital for long-term success. That’s why I recommend Bluehost.
Bluehost allows you to kick off your self-hosted blog with a minimal investment. You can always upgrade or switch hosts later, but the key is to begin on the right foot with a self-hosted WordPress blog, and Bluehost is a solid, budget-friendly choice. It serves as the gateway to Self-Hosting for those on a tight budget.
With Bluehost’s basic plan, which costs $2.95 if you get three years or $4.40 a month for a 12-month subscription, you get everything a new blogger needs. You don’t need all the features of pricier plans. The best part is that this plan includes a free domain name and SSL certificate for the first year. So, the total cost for all the essentials we’ve discussed so far would be $52.80 for the first year.
Now, let’s dive into the other non-negotiables.
Theme
The next thing you will need to start your blog is a Theme – which if your blog is your home, then your theme is the architecture and interior design of your home.
There are free and premium themes. Personally, I always used premium themes for all my websites from the start.
That’s because free themes come with some limitations. They often lack the advanced features, customization options, and unique designs that premium themes offer. Since they’re widely used, your blog’s design might not stand out as much.
Also, free themes might not be updated as frequently, which can pose security risks and compatibility issues with new versions of your blogging platform. And they don’t come with support which can be tricky when you’re only starting out and you don’t really know what you’re doing.
On the other hand, investing in a premium theme can be great as premium themes typically offer more sophisticated designs, enhanced functionality, and better support. They often come with built-in features like responsive design which make your blog work well on all types of devices including phones and tablets, SEO optimization which is great to rank on Google and search engines, and a variety of customization options, which will make your blog unique and look professional. This can save you time and the need for additional plugins. Plus, premium themes are regularly updated, ensuring compatibility and security.
But if you’re on a tight budget when starting out, there’s no rush to invest in a premium theme just yet.
Starting with a free theme will allow you to get a feel for what you like and need. Once your blog gains traction and starts bringing in some income, you can consider upgrading to a premium theme.
Moving from a free theme to a paid one is usually a straightforward process, but please keep in mind that you might need to customize some pages and design again depending on your platform, plugins, theme, and customization level.
As your blog grows, you can reevaluate your theme choice and decide if a premium upgrade aligns with your evolving needs. Many successful blogs kick-started their journey with free themes before investing in premium options as they expanded and needed more advanced features.
So, I won’t factor this into our budget as a premium theme is a nice-have but it’s optional.
You can learn more about the themes I use and some affordable ones I recommend in this post.
Protect Your Blog Legally
The next essential investment for your blog is making sure your legal pages are in order. Launching a blog without addressing legal requirements is a no-go.
As a blogger, you must have four legal pages. Compliance is not just the right thing to do to respect the rights of your users; it’s the law. So, neglecting legal aspects can expose you to financial risks, including hefty fines or legal actions. Without proper disclaimers and terms of service, you might be held liable for misinformation or damages arising from your content.
Don’t assume that being a small blog, you’re safe from lawsuits and legal disputes. Small blogs have faced fines, and under certain regulations, your users can file complaints or lawsuits against you. It takes just one unhappy user to get you into trouble.
Besides, being legally compliant will make you look more professional and trustworthy, and will build trust with your audience. Having your legals in order will not only protect you legally but it will also open doors to more opportunities and monetization channels.
So, in addition to peace of mind, legal compliance makes you look legitimate and trustworthy to clients, potential affiliates, and partners. It’s a key factor for unlocking additional revenue streams, as many monetization opportunities require compliance with specific legal requirements.
For instance, not having a privacy policy is a common reason new bloggers get rejected by ad networks like Google AdSense. Don’t jeopardize your blog’s potential revenue — make sure you have the necessary legal pages and disclosures.
Now, the cost of legal protection can vary. Hiring a lawyer for custom legal pages can be expensive, often exceeding $400 per hour. Plus not all lawyers know how online businesses and blogging work.
So here’s my suggestion: consider using “done for you” templates drafted by a lawyer who is also an experienced blogger. You can check out my best-selling Legal Bundle Value Pack. In addition to being a blogger and online entrepreneur, I hold a PhD in International EU law and have over 15 years of professional experience as a lawyer.
The Legal Bundle Value Pack has proven invaluable to thousands of bloggers and online entrepreneurs, offering comprehensive legal protection for their blogs and businesses. It includes all the necessary legal pages to kickstart your blog and more.
Now, about the cost of legally protecting your blog. The Legal Bundle Value Pack offers three tiers, based on individual needs. The basic package is priced at $247—a one-time payment that covers all your future blogs or websites. If you prefer, there’s also an option for two installments.
You can check out the different tiers and everything included here.
SEO
Moving on to the next investment, this in my opinion, is non-negotiable for bloggers. It’s learning SEO, which is optimizing your blog so that it can rank on Google and other search engines. Leaving it for later or attempting to learn it on your own is not a strategy for success.
SEO is the key to driving traffic to your blog. While social media can be helpful, nothing compares to the power of SEO. With SEO, you can reach every individual interested in your blog’s topic, unlike social media where people need to know and follow you to see your content.
Plus, the beauty of SEO lies in its passive nature. Once the work is done, your blog is accessible to anyone searching for relevant content. Unlike social media or other methods, where active effort is required to attract visitors, SEO ensures that your blog is discoverable without ongoing effort.
Most importantly, when someone lands on your blog from a search engine, you can be confident they are genuinely interested—they’ve actively searched for it.
It’s crucial to implement SEO across your entire blog, not just individual posts. Given that SEO takes time to yield results, the sooner you start, the better.
I recommend taking Stupid Simple SEO by Mike Futia as soon as possible. It’s the most complete, straightforward, and practical SEO course available. Instead of spending money on multiple courses that cover only fragments of SEO, invest in a course that provides a holistic approach and a clear method to follow.
While the price for Stupid Simple SEO is $497, you have the option to pay in four installments of $147. I understand it might seem like a substantial investment when you’re just starting out, but it’s absolutely worth it.
To make money blogging, you need people on your blog who are genuinely interested in what you offer. Especially in the beginning, achieving this result is best done through effective SEO.
If you want to get a feel for Mike’s teaching style before committing to the course, check out his FREE SEO masterclass here.
Once you start working on your SEO and are ready to put your knowledge into action, having a reliable SEO tool becomes essential.
For new bloggers, my top recommendation is Keysearch. I’ve been using Keysearch since the beginning of my blogging journey, and even though I’ve incorporated other SEO tools into my toolkit over time, Keysearch remains a daily go-to for brainstorming keywords and assessing their search volume and competition difficulty. I’m genuinely happy with this tool.
Keysearch comes at a reasonable cost of $17 per month, or you can opt for the yearly plan at $169. You can use my discount code KSDISC to enjoy a 20% OFF discount.
Email Marketing
The final non-negotiable investment for your blog is an email marketing provider. Here’s the surprise – at the starting stage of your blog, it’s free! You don’t need all the bells and whistles of paid plans; you can kickstart your email marketing journey without spending a dime.
Personally, I use, love, and recommend ConvertKit, but another excellent option is MailerLite. Both platforms offer free plans to help you get started.
It’s important to begin building a community of enthusiastic fans right from the beginning. Don’t delay on this—it’s a cornerstone for your blog’s growth and, well, your bank account! All jokes aside, you’ve likely heard the phrase, “The money is in the list,” and it’s true. A big chunk of my income comes from my newsletter. Because once people are on your email list, they get to know you, trust you, and are genuinely interested in hearing from you, learning from you, and following your suggestions.
Grand Total
So, all things considered, the grand total is
$0 Blogging course
$52.80 for hosting and the like
$0 for your theme
$247 to protect your blog legally
$497 for SEO
$135.20 for the SEO tool with my discount
$0 for your email marketing provider
Grand total of $932
With some expenses that will cover you for one year and some that will cover you for life. You would need to make as little as $73 in a month to recoup your investment in the first year. I made $128 in my first month blogging without even trying.
How? How did I make money? Read this post next where I tell you how bloggers make money and you can recoup your investment quite fast.
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