Last updated on June 16th, 2023 at 07:44 am
If you’re reading this, you most likely know already that blogging is one of the best ways to promote your business and even make money online. But did you know that it’s also one of the easiest?
In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about becoming a blogger in the UK. From setting up your blog to managing your audience and monetizing your blog, we will help you get started on the right foot.
So without further ado, let’s get started!
What is a Blog?
A blog also called a site blog or a website blog is a free website that you set up to publish content and communicate with your readers.
Blogs are very much like journals – you can either type content on the site or use a third-party tool to create content for you.
And are often targeted toward a certain topic and can be used to promote a variety of different topics.
Although the content of a blog can be about almost anything, it is often related to a certain topic in some way.
Why Become a Blogger in the UK?
Blogging in the UK can bring in a lot of readers, both new and existing.
There are lots of different reasons you might want to become a blogger, such as to boost your website traffic, and to earn money with your blog.
But the most common one is to expand your knowledge and to increase your social proof.
You see, by publishing regular content on your blog, you are creating a base for your audience and establishing yourself as a thought leader in your niche.
And having a large and engaged community around your posts will give you the boost you need to stay relevant and encourage people to learn more about the topics you cover.
Another common reason why people get into blogging here in the UK is to make money.
Yes, you can also earn money from your blog with online ad sales or affiliate programs.
We will look into this later.
What do I need to start a blog?
You need the following to become a blogger in the UK:
- A domain name: You will need to register a domain name for your blog. This is basically your website address.
- A hosting account: You will also need to purchase a hosting account. This allows you to store your website on the web and also run it. Some platforms offer free hosting, but most will require you to pay a monthly fee for certain features (such as the ability to upload more content).
- Passion for a specific topic: You need to have a passion for the topic you want to write about.
- Computer skills: You will need to have the ability to use a computer, especially if you are going to be writing in HTML, CSS, and PHP.
But don’t be fooled.
You don’t need any degree or be an expert in any topic to become a blogger in the UK.
While you don’t need any money to get started, having a budget won’t hurt.
How to become a blogger in the UK (Step by Step)
Now that you know what a blog is and why you should become one, let’s go over the steps you need to take to get your blog up and running in the UK.
First and foremost, you will need a blog.
There are many different types of blogs you can choose from, such as personal and business. If you’re just starting out, a personal blog is the best way to go as it is easy to maintain and only requires you to worry about adding content.
However, if you’re looking to make money with your blog, you may want to look into setting up a business blog.
Step 1). Choose a niche/blog topic
If you are starting out, it’s best to start with a niche that you already have an interest in. You can use your existing knowledge and skills to write about your topic, which will help you get more traffic.
For example, if you love music and want to write about it, start with a blog about music.
Step 2). Register a domain name
You will need to register a domain name. This can be done here.
Make sure the name you are registering is something unique. You can choose between a .co.uk, .com or .org domain name.
The most popular one is the .co.uk domain name as it is easy to remember and type, but you can also register a .com or .net domain name for more money if needed.
Step 3). Get hosting account
Once you have your domain name registered, you will need to get a hosting account. This is where your blog website is stored.
There are many different types of hosting accounts available, but the most popular ones are shared and VPS hosting.
For shared hosting, you will only get one website. However, you can get a VPS hosting account where you have your own web page on a server.
You can get cheap hosting and domain here.
Step 4). Install WordPress
Once you have your hosting account, you can use your domain name to install WordPress.
WordPress is a free blogging tool that can be used on multiple websites. To install WordPress, just log in to your hosting account and visit the wordpress.org website ( https://wordpress.org/ ).
Click on the blue download button and download the WordPress installer.
Step 5). Set up WordPress
After you have downloaded the installer, click on it and click next to install it on your blog.
Once installed, log in to your blog with the username and password that were sent to you upon registering your hosting account. This will take a few minutes, depending on how many plugins or themes you have downloaded with the installer.
Finally, go to settings > general and set up the look of your blog by changing some settings (colors, etc.).
Setting up WordPress involves the following:
- Install a theme: This is a set of HTML and CSS code that will customize the look of your blog. You can choose from a wide range of themes to customize the look and feel of your blog.
- Install a plugin: A plugin is a program that will add functionality to your blogs, such as an email mailing list or social media buttons.
- Set up your theme: This is done in Settings > Appearance > Themes. Each theme has its own set of options, so it’s important to go through each one and customize it the way you want.
Step 6). Start publishing content!
You can now start publishing content to your blog.
What should I write?
You should write about the things that you know. This is your blog, so you can write about whatever you want!
But remember, it is a blog, so try to keep it somewhat focused. Don’t write an essay every time you get an idea for something new and exciting to say.
How will I find content?
You can do a search for content on your blog. You can also use Google’s RSS feed to get content updates.
Most importantly, do keyword research. Search Google for your topic. See what comes up, and decide what the most important keywords are for your blog (and your niche).
3 Sure Ways to Drive Traffic to Your New Blog
Once you have a blog up and running, you will want to drive traffic to it. Here are 3 sure ways to do that.
a). Use SEO
What is it?
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the art of getting your site to rank higher on Google, Yahoo, and Bing.
Why do I need it?
You want to be found online. The faster you get traffic and the more people that find your site, the better.
How do I get it?
You can use free tools like Google’s Keyword Planner or WordTracker. You can also use paid tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Moz.
b). Post on Social Media
What is it?
Social media is the place where people go to discuss and share everything from politics to fashion.
Why do I need it?
To get traffic. The best way to drive traffic is to have people talking about your blog on social media sites like Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook.
How do I get it?
You can use free tools like Hootsuite or Buffer to schedule posts on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook. You can also pay for services that automate the process. There are several paid options, such as Hootsuite Pro and SocialOomph.
c). Use Guest Blogging Platforms
What is it?
Guest blogging platforms are websites where bloggers can post their blog articles for other bloggers to read for free.
Why do I need it?
To get traffic. Guest posting gives you a chance to be found by other people who will link back to you with a link back to your blog.
How do I get it?
You can use free tools like Bloglovin or Publishizer to post on guest blogging platforms. You can also pay for services that automate the process.
d). Use PPC Campaigns
What is it?
PPC campaigns are used to drive traffic through search engines.
Why do I need it?
To get traffic. PPC campaigns are highly effective in finding new visitors to your blog.
How do I get it?
You can use free tools like Google Adwords or Bing Ads to advertise on search engines that will send people to your website.
You can also pay for services that automate the process. There are several paid options, such as Google Adwords and Bing Ads.
5 Ways to Monetize Your Blog in the UK
Once you have got a blog up and running, it’s time to think about monetizing it.
Here are 5 sure ways to do that.
a). Advertising
How does it work?
Advertising allows you to promote products and services directly to your audience.
How do I get it?
There are two main ways to advertise on your blog: pay-per-click programs and sponsored posts.
Pay per click programs is used to send people directly to a webpage on your blog that has an ad already placed on it. This is the most effective type of advertising because it sends the viewer directly to a page that has an ad already on it.
Sponsored posts are blog posts that are written by someone else and paid for by an advertiser. A good example is Google AdSense.
b). Affiliate Programs
How does it work?
Affiliate programs work by paying you a commission for every time that you refer people to a product or service.
How do I get it?
The two most popular affiliate programs are Amazon Associates and eBay Affiliates. Both allow you to promote products and receive a commission for every sale that is made using your link.
c). Paid Sponsored Posts
How does it work?
Paid sponsored posts are blog posts that are written by someone else and paid for by an advertiser. A good example is Google AdSense.
How do I get it?
First, you need to reach out to brands who’d be willing to sponsor your blog. Once you have a sponsor, you write the blog post and submit it to your blog. Then, you submit the post to Google AdSense and wait for them to review it. After approval, you can start making money off of your blog.
d). Selling your skills
How does it work?
Selling your skills is different than any of the other methods on this list. This method is best for people who have a skill that they’d like to monetize. For example, if you are a writer, you can sell your writing skills and get paid for every article that you write.
How do I get it?
First, you need to find a niche related to your skill set that people would be willing to pay for. Then, you need to create a sales page for your skills and put it on your website or blog.
Finally, once someone shows interest in what you have to offer, you can negotiate the rates.
e). Selling your products
How does it work?
Selling your products is similar to selling your skills. You can either sell physical or digital products through your website or blog.
How do I get it?
First, you need to find a niche related to your product. Then, you create the product and sell it through an online store. Finally, once someone purchases the product, they’ll pay with a credit card and you’ll then receive a check in the mail.
Final Thoughts
You can easily become a blogger in the UK.
And blogging is a great way to promote your business and make money online. There’s lots of room for creativity so you can create original content that gets lots of traffic. And with a little effort, you can make a lot of money with your blog. In fact, you can make so much money with your blog that it won’t even matter how little traffic it gets!