Yes, You Can Start a Blog—Even If You’re Not Tech-Savvy!
Transform your passion into profit with this easy, step-by-step guide to launching a blog—no tech expertise needed.
Ready to launch your own blog? Sign up for my free 5-day course and get step-by-step guidance to start your blog with confidence and ease 👇.
In 2018, at the age of 41, I started my first blog. Compared to other bloggers, it felt like I was starting really late, but for me, it was the perfect time. Just six months later, I made my first $100. From that moment, I began treating my blog as a real business, and since then, my income has grown consistently.
So, if you're wondering whether you can start a blog and make money from it, I can confidently say yes.
But also let's be honest: Starting a blog can feel overwhelming, especially if words like “hosting,” “SEO,” or “WordPress” sound like a foreign language.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need to be a tech expert to launch a successful blog. With today’s tools and a bit of guidance, anyone can do it—including you!
Let’s break it down step by step to get your blog up and running without the stress.
Is the time still right to start a blog and make money?
With more and more free platforms like Medium or Substack where you can publish your content and get paid, it’s understandable that this question comes up often.
Here’s my answer: Absolutely yes, starting a blog is still worth it. A blog never goes out of style because it’s your own space to publish content, build a community, and sell your products. Your blog will be an integral part of your online business, serving as your online presence.
While social media and writing platforms are subject to change, whether through algorithm updates or new rules, your blog remains your asset. The content is yours, and you control what gets published. Plus, a blog allows you to share much more than just articles—you can create a variety of content that serves your audience and your business.
And here’s how you can do it.
How to Start a Blog When You’re Not Tech-Savvy
Step 1: Choose Your Blog’s Topic
Before diving into the tech stuff, decide what you want to blog about. Think about:
What you love: What are you passionate about?
What you know: What knowledge or experiences can you share?
What others need: What problems can you help solve?
💡 Example: If you’re a former teacher, consider writing about homeschooling tips. If fitness is your passion, share advice for women over 40 on staying active and healthy. Already have a niche for your Substack publication? Focus on that to build consistency and value for your audience.
👉 Read more: Who is Your Ideal Customer? Choosing the Right Business Idea
Step 2: Pick an Easy-to-Use Blogging Platform
The right platform makes blogging beginner-friendly. Here are two options perfect for tech newbies:
WordPress.com: Offers free plans and user-friendly tools.
Squarespace: Known for its sleek, all-in-one design.
💡 Tip: Choose a platform that has drag-and-drop features so you don’t have to worry about coding.
Step 3: Get a Domain Name and Hosting
Your domain name is your blog’s address (e.g., www.MyAwesomeBlog.com). Hosting is where your blog “lives” online.
Here’s how to set it up:
Visit a hosting service like Bluehost or SiteGround.
Choose a hosting plan (basic plans are great for beginners).
Select your domain name—keep it simple and memorable.
💡 Example: If you blog about gardening, a name like “BloomAfter40.com” could work! You can also use your Substack’s publication name or even your own name to build a recognizable and personal brand.
Step 4: Pick a Simple Design
Once your blog is live, you’ll need a theme (how your blog looks).
Use free themes from your platform or hosting service. WordPress offers a wide range of free and premium themes to choose from. If you choose a WordPress theme like ASTRA (the one I use for all my websites), you get an all-in-one solution for just $59 per year.
Stick to clean, simple designs that make it easy for readers to navigate.
💡 Tip: Don’t overthink this step! You can always tweak your design later. If you already have a personal brand for your Substack publication, stick to it or ensure your blog's design aligns with it to maintain consistency.
Step 5: Write Your First Blog Post
Here’s a quick formula to write your first post:
Start with a relatable story: Share why you started blogging. Or choose a Substack newsletter that performed well and had high engagement and convert your newsletter content into a blog-friendly format. This will likely resonate with your blog audience as well.
Provide value: Offer one actionable tip, idea, or piece of advice.
End with a question: Encourage readers to comment (e.g., “What’s your biggest challenge in [your blog topic]?”).
💡 Example Post Title: “5 Lessons I Learned About Starting Over at 40.”
👉 Read more: Boost Your Content Game: Repurpose Substack for Blog Success
Step 6: Share Your Blog with the World
Once your blog is ready, let others know!
Post about it on your personal social media accounts, also on your Substack publication.
Share it with friends and family.
Join online communities where your ideal audience hangs out and share your content (when appropriate).
💡 Tip: Don’t worry about being perfect. Everyone starts somewhere!
Common Questions (and Reassurances!)
Q: What if I mess up?
That’s okay! Mistakes are part of learning. The important thing is to start and improve as you go.
Q: Do I need fancy equipment?
Nope! A laptop or tablet and an internet connection are all you need.
Q: How much time will this take?
If you dedicate just a couple of hours a week, you can make steady progress without feeling overwhelmed.
Next Steps for Aspiring Bloggers
Now that you know the basics, it’s time to take action!
Set a deadline to launch your blog (e.g., within 30 days).
Bookmark this guide for reference.
Remember: every expert blogger was once a beginner, just like you.
Ready to take the first step? Download my free checklist Blogging Essentials Checklist.
By keeping things simple and manageable, you’ll go from "not tech-savvy" to "blogging pro" in no time.
Let me know—what’s holding you back from starting your blog? Drop a comment below 👇
Join my free 5-day course to build a blog that complements your Substack, grows your audience, and boosts your online presence—no tech skills needed!
Having your own website is certainly a must-have. It's the place where you own the ground. There you're more than just a tenant.
BUT as an owner you're responsibilities are much more diverse than creating content. If the blog has a bug - you'll fix it. If nobody finds your blog - that's your problem. If the form for your newsletter subscription doesn't work - nobody cares, you'll have to fix it.
I have owned several websites and blogs since 2005. It's a must. But. Keep it as simple as possible. As Katja mentioned, Astra is super cool, extremely fast, and just works. WordPress and Elementor Page plugins are the way to go.
As a beginner, don't even think about SEO, backlinks, and other best practices. You'll end up fast in a new full-time job... :-)
Just post your articles or whatever and spread the word on your social media. Have fun and good luck.
Thanks, Katja for an important article and your insights.
Thank you 😊, yes, having your own website comes with responsibilities. But the technical part changed so much in the last years, for the better of course. It's much easier now to build a simple and clean website that works. There's also a straightforward way to implement our existing articles from Substack. Isn't it great?