Startup Guide for Amateur Bloggers: +13 Blogging Mistakes to Avoid

Best guide for amateur bloggers who want to start with a strong foundation and avoid amateur blogging mistakes.

Starting a blog is exciting, but like anything new, it comes with challenges. Especially if you want to make a living from it.

Many amateur bloggers make the same blogging mistakes when they’re just beginning and that makes them quit before they even start making any money.

The truth is that without a clear strategy, blogging can be really hard and frustrating. There are many common amateur blogging mistakes that can hold your blog’s growth back.

Understanding the top mistakes in amateur blogs can help you grow faster and truly set yourself up for success.

Sadly, many experienced bloggers tend to discourage other people on starting a new blog as a profession, but the reality is that with a little knowledge and the right approach, you can can actually make it your full-time job.

That’s why I made this super helpful guide for new bloggers.

In this article, we’ll break down how to start a blog the right way and the most frequent blogging mistakes to avoid, so that your blog starts strong and grows continuously from the get-go.

What is amateur blogging?

Amateur blogging is the first stage into the world of blogging.

It’s when you’re just starting out, learning the ropes, and figuring out how to write articles, optimize your content for SEO, how to start building an email list, etc.

As an amateur blogger, you may not have all the tools or strategies down yet, but it’s an exciting and crucial stage that will lay the foundation and make or break your future success.

Starting out as a beginner blogger can be challenging, and it’s totally normal to feel frustrated in those early days.

Many new bloggers experience moments where they wonder if their hard work is paying off or if anyone is even reading their posts.

You might put a lot of effort into creating content, only to see little engagement or traffic at first, and that can feel really discouraging.

Trust me, I’ve been there myself.

But the truth is that every successful blog begins as an amateur blog, so it’s a natural and essential part of the journey. So don’t be scared to take the first step.

Do amateur bloggers make money?

Often, people ask me this question, and the answer is a big fat YES.

You can, without a doubt, make money from amateur blogging even if your traffic isn’t just there yet.

And if you ask me how, a profitable niche + an email list + affiliate marketing is the answer.

There are hundreds of new bloggers making passive income in less than a year of their blogging journey.

We will cover how you can monetize your amateur blog in more depth in a while, but for now, know that even amateur blogs can make more money than 9-to-5 jobs.

Startup guide to amateur blogging

There are various types of amateur bloggers, from hobbyists to niche enthusiasts and everything in between.

Whatever your style, creating a blog gives you the freedom to experiment and grow your voice in a space that’s entirely your own.

So let’s see how to start a blog for beginners the right way.

1 Choose a profitable niche

Without a doubt, this is the most important task you need to accomplish, as it will determine the success of your entire blogging journey.

When choosing a blogging niche, you need to consider how many people are searching for that topic, the level of competition, and its potential profitability.

Moreover, you should choose a topic in which you have some experience or passion.

For example, a niche like Food and Recipes has tremendous competition, with millions of food blogs out there.

The same goes for niches like Travel, Personal Finance, Fashion, and Beauty. You get the idea. It will be really hard for amateur blogs to rank high in search results, if not impossible.

Of course, there will always be new or uncovered keywords to target even in highly competitive niches, but it will still be quite challenging.

As an amateur blogger, it’s important to avoid broad niches and focus on narrowing down to more specific subtopics with lower competition but still high search volume.

Those more specific sub-niches are often called micro-niches. Choosing a niche like this can make it easier to stand out and attract readers.

Many bloggers seek out these types of niches to start profitable blogs, and if done right, it can be a great way to generate passive income online.

Start with a broad niche you’re passionate about, and then begin niching down until you find a specific topic with lower competition.

For example, let’s say you’re passionate about fitness. That’s a broad niche with tons of competition. To find a low-competition subtopic within fitness, you can niche down like this:

1. Broad Niche: Fitness
2. Narrower Subtopic: Home workouts
3. More Specific Subtopic: Home workouts for busy parents
4. Even More Specific: 15-minute home workouts for new moms
5. Low-Competition Topic: Postpartum fitness routines for new moms with only 15 minutes to spare

I may have niched down quite a bit here, but you get the idea.

The reality is that there are thousands of uncovered micro-niches like that, and with the right research, you can find the perfect micro-niche to start a profitable blog.

TIP: This process can be done more effectively if you use keyword research tools like KeySearch.

2 Buy a domain name

Once you have chosen your blogging niche, it’s time for the fun part. The glorious moment of selecting a domain name for your blog.

It sounds exciting, but it can also be nerve-racking, not gonna lie. It took me a whole week to decide on my own domain name. (Being a bit of a perfectionist didn’t help much😅).

Here are the most important things to keep in mind when choosing a domain name:

• Keep it short and simple
• Make it easy to spell and pronounce
• Ensure it’s relevant to your niche
• Avoid numbers and hyphens
• Use relevant keywords if possible (helps with SEO)
• Make it memorable
• Choose the right domain extension (.com is preferable)
• Ensure social media availability
• Think long-term to future-proof your name

Did I stress you out? I hope not. It can seem intimidating to find a name that is both appealing and available.

No worries, though. You can use this tool to brainstorm domain name ideas and check their availability at the same time.

TIP: Don’t waste too much time on this process. A domain name is not THAT important for your success, so don’t waste more than a week choosing one.

3 Buy WordPress hosting

It’s time to choose the hosting platform for your blog. Think of it as the online home where your blog will exist.

When it comes to new bloggers, I always recommend BlueHost WordPress Hosting.

BlueHost is super affordable and offers a range of quality features that make it easy to set up and grow a profitable blog.

They are super affordable, and there’s really no need to pay for expensive hosting when starting out as an amateur blogger.

If you click my link, you can grab an amazing discount and start your journey for just $1.99 per month (normally $7.99).

Plus, their one-click WordPress installation means you can hit the ground running without any technical headaches.

What I love about BlueHost is their 24/7 customer support. If you ever run into a question or issue, their team is ready to help.

They also offer a free domain name for the first year, which is a fantastic bonus when launching your blog.

Click the button below to grab this offer and kickstart your blogging journey for just $1.99 per month. This is an incredible chance to get quality hosting at an unbeatable price.

4 Choose a theme

Choosing a theme isn’t just about appearance. Your theme serves as the foundation of your blog.

If you choose a poorly optimized theme, it will have an impact on your blog’s growth. On the other hand, selecting a high-quality theme can help your blog flourish and enchance itss capabilities.

One of the best themes I recommend to my readers is GeneratePress. It has everything you will ever need without the bloat of other popular themes.

Its creator, Tom Usborne, created GeneratePress to solve a big problem. Most WordPress themes were either too slow or too complicated.

As a developer, he wanted a lightweight, fast, and flexible theme that anyone could customize without hassle.

So, he built GeneratePress with clean code and a focus on speed, giving users total control without sacrificing performance.

Today, it’s one of the go-to themes for bloggers and businesses who want a reliable, easy-to-use foundation for their websites.

Some of the best features of GeneratePress are:

• Speed and Performance (lightweight code and minimal bloat)
• Seo Friendly (schema markup and responsive design)
• Customizability (no coding required and add-ons for extra feautures)
• Solid Security and regular Updates
• Community and Support (the best of the best, literally)

GeneratePress offers both annual and lifetime licenses that cover every need, and that’s what I like about it.

I don’t really like paying for subscriptions and that the lifetime lisence it’s like the best thing ever for me.

This blog uses GeneratePress from day one and I couldn’t be happier with it.

5 Create a content creation plan

Blogging needs one thing. Consistency. And that’s where a content creation plan comes into place.

You’ll need to create a content plan that suits your lifestyle. The more the plan suits you, the more productive you will be.

There are no fixed plans to follow. Your content plan should align with your own schedule so you can be more productive and flexible.

For example, if you have a full-time job and limited hours to dedicate to your blog, your content creation plan might include setting aside specific evenings or weekends for writing and scheduling posts in advance.

On the other hand, if you have more free time, you might plan to publish more frequently, such as two or three times a week.

Your content plan could also include time for brainstorming, researching, writing, editing, and promoting your articles on social media and to your email list.

By creating a plan that matches your lifestyle, you’re setting yourself up for consistent content production without feeling overwhelmed.

Remember that the key is to stay realistic and flexible so you can maintain consistency in the long run.

Start slow and increase your workload as you become more comfortable with blogging.

Don’t overwork yourself, and don’t get discouraged if things aren’t going your way in the beginning.

6 Do proper keyword research

The most important task you need to do correctly is keyword research. If you get this wrong, all your hard work could go down the drain.

Don’t waste your time and energy guessing what people are searching for, like I and many other bloggers did.

Do yourself a favor and start with a good, affordable keyword research tool like KeySearch.

Trust me, I’ve tested numerous tools, and right now, I believe KeySearch offers the best value for the price.

With KeySearch, you can quickly discover high-traffic, low-competition keywords to help you rank higher in search engines and attract more visitors to your site.

After finding keywords with potential, you can create a list and save them there. This way, you’ll know exactly where to look when it’s time to write your next article.

KeySearch is packed with features like keyword difficulty scoring, competitor analysis, backlink checking, content assistant, rank tracker, and even YouTube-specific research to help you reach your audience wherever they are.

Plus, it’s super easy to use, making SEO accessible for beginners and advanced users alike.

For anyone looking to boost their site’s visibility without a steep learning curve or high monthly costs, KeySearch is the perfect pick.

7 Start writing articles

Everything is up and running, but your blog looks kind of empty, right? It’s about time you start writing content.

I know it might seem intimidating, but it all comes down to organization. To write blog articles effectively and quickly, you need a solid strategy and a bit of practice.

Start with a clear structure: define your topic and goals, and do some basic research before you begin writing.

Create a rough outline with headings and main points to give your article direction. Then, write your first paragraph without worrying about perfection.

This will help you get into the flow.

Work through your article in sections and don’t worry about everything at once. That will only make things more chaotic.

When I write my articles, I write them in pieces, as you should. I first create the headings for the whole article and then start writing each part.

This makes things so much easier and stress-free.

8 Monetize your blog

Many bloggers think that monetizing a blog happens only after you have aqquired huge amounts of traffic but that’s not true at all.

It can somehow apply for ads, but you can definitely start monetizing your blog with affiliate marketing, and even sell your own digital products from day one.

In fact there are many amateur blogs that earn a good amount of money every month even with 10k pageviews or less.

It’s all about choosing monetization methods that don’t rely solely on high traffic numbers.

Here are some effective ways for beginner bloggers to monetize, even when starting with a smaller audience:

• Affiliate Marketing: Success in affiliate marketing isn’t just about having lots of visitors. it’s about reaching the right audience. If you promote products that match your content, your readers are more likely to make a purchase, even with lower traffic.
  
  Find affiliate programs that fit your blog’s topic. Platforms like ShareASale, Impact, and Amazon Associates have plenty of products that can work for almost any type of blog.
  
• Sponsored Content: Many brands look to work with micro-influencers or smaller blogs because they tend to have a loyal, highly engaged audience. Even with lower page views, you can offer value by targeting a specific audience.
  
  Reach out to small/local brands, or sign up on platforms like IZEA, Fohr, or Activate by Impact, which connect bloggers with brands looking for collaborations.
  
• Sell Digital Products: Digital products like e-books, printables, or templates are great one-time efforts that can generate passive income. Plus, they don’t require high traffic. Just a handful of interested buyers can make a difference.
  
  Use platforms like Gumroad or Etsy to sell these items, and promote them on your blog and social media channels. You can also implement shopping cart platforms in your blog to sell your products directly.
  
• Offer Freelance Services: Many readers may need personalized help, advice, or services in your niche. Offering consulting, writing, design, or social media management can bring in revenue directly from your blog.
  
  Dedicate a page on your blog to your services, outlining what you offer and including a way for visitors to contact you.
  
• Display Ads: Ad networks like Google AdSense and Ezoic don’t have strict traffic requirements, allowing even new bloggers to join. However, with low traffic as a new blogger, your earnings from ads will be minimal.
  
  It’s generally recommended to wait until your blog reaches around 10,000 page views per month before implementing ads. But it’s your choice.
  
• Sell a Paid Subscription or Membership: If your readers find your content valuable, some may be willing to pay a monthly fee for premium content. You don’t need a massive readership, you just need a loyal audience.
  
  Platforms like Patreon or Ko-fi allow you to offer exclusive content in exchange for monthly support.
  
• Host Webinars or Workshops: If you have expertise, you can charge for live sessions on topics relevant to your readers. This way, you monetize your knowledge, and it doesn’t require a large crowd to be profitable.
  
  Announce your upcoming sessions on social media or your blog, and use Zoom or YouTube for hosting.
  
• Sponsored Social Media Posts: Newer bloggers often forget the power of social media. Brands will pay for sponsored posts on platforms like Instagram or TikTok, especially if you have a specific niche.
  
  Build your presence on social media by consistently posting quality content. As you grow, reach out to small brands in your niche or sign up with influencer networks.

The most common amateur blogging mistakes

When you are a new blogger, there’s a lot to learn, and it’s easy to make mistakes that can slow down your progress significantly.

The good news? You’re not alone, and these bumps along the way can be avoided.

So, before you start blogging, let’s go over some of the most common blogging mistakes that many beginners (and even experienced bloggers) make.

Being aware of these mistakes early on will help you stay one step ahead of the competition and keep your blog on a steady path to growth.

1 Not niching down/ Choosing a niche that’s too small

Selecting a niche is one of the most critical decisions when starting a blog.

While it’s vital to choose a niche that excites you, it’s equally important to ensure there’s enough interest and search volume to attract an audience, without facing overly high competition.

Choosing a super broad niche will make it difficult for you to rank because of the high competition.

On the other hand, choosing a niche that is too narrow may limit your potential readers and make it difficult to generate consistent traffic.

Striking a balance is key. Make sure to use keyword research tools like KeySearch to discover a niche that meets those criteria, and that will ensure a profitable blogging business.

2 Setting the wrong permalink structure

Choosing the right permalink structure is crucial for SEO and user experience. A good permalink should be simple, clean, and descriptive, helping both search engines and visitors understand the page content.

Avoid lengthy URLs filled with random numbers or excessive parameters, as these can confuse users and hurt your site’s ranking.

Additionally, it’s important to choose a consistent structure from the beginning. If you change your permalinks later, it can lead to broken links and a loss of traffic.

Aim for a format that includes relevant keywords and is easy to read, like “yourblog.com/category/post-name.” This helps improve search visibility and encourages more clicks from your audience.

To do so, go to your wordpress dashboard and then go to Settings –> Permalinks, and choose the POST NAME option.

3 Not self-hosting your blog

Opting for a free blogging platform might seem appealing, but not self-hosting can seriously damage your blog’s potential.

Free platforms often have limited customization, functionality, and control over your content.

They can impose ads, restrict monetization options, and even take down blogs without warning, leaving you with minimal stability.

Self-hosting gives you the freedom to fully customize your site, improve your SEO, and create a unique brand.

By investing in hosting, you’re also investing in your blogging future, allowing you to scale your blog over time without the limitations imposed by free platforms.

So if you want to start a blog and make it a profitable business, a self-hosted blog is the only way forward.

4 Not doing proper keyword research

Keyword research is fundamental for driving organic traffic to your blog.

Without it, you might create content that doesn’t align with what your potential readers are actually searching for and thus generate zero traffic.

Effective keyword research reveals low competition keywords with good traffic and helps you adjust your content to attract more visitors, making you rank higher in search results.

So, taking the time to analyze keywords can really help you uncover content gaps within your niche.

This strategic approach can significantly enhance your blog’s reach and success.

The keyword research tool I use most is KeySearch. It helps me find high-volume, low-competition keywords that can boost my rankings in search engines and drive high-quality, targeted traffic.

I find this tool to be the best value for your buck because it’s easy to use and provides accurate keyword difficulty scores, ensuring you choose the best keywords for your blog.

5 Giving up too soon

Blogging requires patience and perseverance. Many new bloggers expect immediate results, but building a successful and profitable blog takes time.

It’s common to encounter challenges and slow growth in the early stages. However, giving up too soon can prevent you from reaping the rewards of your hard work, as growth often comes after initial struggles.

I cant tell you how many times I considered giving up on my own journey. I am so glad that I didn’t though.

Motivation is another challenge when deciding to start a blog. There will be days when you just can’t find any motivation, and even simple tasks will feel overwhelming.

I promise, though, that it gets easier with time. Eventually, it will become a routine, and you won’t struggle nearly as much as you did when you first started.

To stay motivated, set realistic goals and celebrate small milestones along the way. Joining blogging communities can also provide support and encouragement.

Focus on continuous improvement and learning, and remember that persistence is a vital component of achieving long-term success in blogging.

6 Copying other people’s work

It goes without saying but, if you want to start a blog just to copy other people’s work you might as well not start at all.

Copying content can severely damage your blog’s reputation and credibility.

Plagiarizing disrespects the original creator’s work and weakens your own unique voice and perspective.

Search engines aim to deliver original content, so duplicating others’ work can lead to penalties and reduced visibility.

Instead, focus on creating original, high-quality content that reflects your ideas and insights. Taking inspiration from others is fine, but strive to add your unique twist or perspective.

This approach not only builds trust with your audience but also helps establish your blog as an authority in your niche.

7 Not growing an email list from the start 

Many bloggers don’t realize how important it is to start building an email list from day one, so they often skip it altogether.

But the truth is that building an email list is essential for your blog’s success and profitability. Without a solid email list, you’re missing out on a direct connection with your audience.

Email marketing allows you to communicate in a targeted way, which can significantly boost engagement and consistently drive traffic back to your blog.

Start by setting up forms and email templates, then create a newsletter to keep your readers updated whenever you publish a new article.

You can also offer freebies to your subscribers, such as exclusive content, eBooks, or other resources. Freebies are one of the best ways to grow your email list, so don’t overlook them!

You can also promote affiliate products and make even more affiliate sales that way. Without an email list, you’re literally leaving money on the table.

The best email marketing tool to use (and my personal choice as well) is Kit.

Kit’s free plan was upgraded and you can now manage a list of 10,000 subscribers instead of the previous 1,000 subscriber limit. It’s truly incredible!

In fact, it’s the only marketing tool that lets you build and send unlimited emails to a list of up to 10,000 subscribers. So, what are you waiting for?

8 Not using social media to grow traffic

Social media platforms can be potent tools for promoting your blog and expanding your reach.

Google organic traffic is really important but neglecting to establish a presence on social media limits your potential audience and user engagement.

By sharing your content on platforms like Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, you can attract new readers and grow your traffic so much faster.

Pinterest alone is a goldmine for bloggers when it comes to driving traffic. With its search engine-like setup, pins can keep bringing in visitors long after they’re posted, making it perfect for sustained blog growth.

TIP: If you want to learn how to use Pinterest to grow your blog check this article.

9 Not optimizing your content for Google traffic

Don’t ignore Google Traffic. As hard as it may seem to rank in search results, it’s worth more than you can imagine to optimize your content for it.

Ignoring SEO practices means missing out on significant traffic opportunities and thus less money will be made.

Your blog’s structure, keyword optimization, and quality content all play a role in how well your site ranks in search results.

Make sure to invest time in learning basic SEO principles, such as optimizing titles, meta descriptions, and headers.

Also make sure to use the RankMath SEO plugin. In my opinion the best SEO plugin there is, with lots of options in its free plan.

In summary, building a solid SEO foundation from the start is one of the most crucial steps and by doing so you can dramatically improve your blog’s monthly traffic.

10 Not using a paid theme

While free themes can be tempting, they often come with limitations in functionality, customization, and design.

A paid theme typically offers more professional aesthetics, better support, and enhanced features.

This can significantly improve the user experience, which is essential for retaining visitors.

By investing in a quality theme, you not only create a polished look for your blog but also gain a better SEO foundation and a faster site.

A well-designed blog builds trust and encourages visitors to explore more of your content, positively impacting your blog’s overall success.

11 Ignoring your blog’s security and backups

Security is a critical aspect that many bloggers overlook.

Ignoring security measures can expose your blog to threats like hacking, data loss, or malware attacks.

It’s essential to implement security plugins and practices to protect your content and user information. Wordfence Security plugin is one of the best plugins to use for that task.

Regular backups are equally important. Ensuring that your content is safe and easily recoverable in case of technical issues or cyber threats. The UpdraftPlus plugin is there for that.

Investing in security and backup measures helps safeguard your blog’s longevity. Super important if you make a living from it. Don’t you think?

12 Not having legal pages

As a blogger, it’s important to make sure your website is legally protected.

When I first started, I didn’t realize the importance of having the right legal pages, but these are essential for protecting yourself from lawsuits and building trust with your readers.

That’s where Amira’s Legal Bundle came in handy for me.

Her bundle provides all the legal documents you need. Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions, and Disclaimer, created by a lawyer specifically for bloggers and online business owners.

It’s been such a relief to have these professional documents ready to go, saving me time and giving me peace of mind. You also get lifetime updates for the legal pages when laws change.

If you’re just starting out or even if you’ve been blogging for a while, Amira’s Legal Bundle is a worthwhile investment to ensure you’re covered and can focus on growing your blog.

13 Not investing in your blog’s growth

Successful blogging often requires some financial investment, like paying for hosting, premium themes, plugins, marketing tools, or courses.

Skipping these investments can limit your blog’s growth and make it harder to make money from it.

If you have the budget, consider putting money into essential tools or courses that can make blogging easier and improve the quality of your content.

While these costs add up initially, they can pay off over time by improving the user experience and boosting traffic.

Investing wisely based on your blog’s needs can play a big role in your success.

Best WordPress plugins to install as an amateur blogger

When starting a new blog, the right plugins can make a world of difference in enhancing your site’s functionality, performance, and overall user experience.

The problem most new bloggers have is that with thousands of options available, it can be overwhelming to know which ones to choose.

However, there are some tried-and-tested plugins that have stood the test of time and will help you simplify your work and boost your productivity.

• RankMath (Best SEO Plugin)
• ShortPixel (Best Image Optimization Plugin)
• Wordfence Security (Best Security Plugin)
• WP Rocket (Best Caching Plugin)
• FileBird Pro (Best Media Organization Plugin)
• Thirsty Affiliates (Best Affiliate Link Cloaking Plugin)
• UpdraftPlus (Best Backup & Restore Plugin)
• Enable Media Replace (Best Image Replace Plugin)
• Novashare (Best Social Sharing Plugin)
• Code Snippets (Best Code Snippet Plugin)

These starting tools for amateur bloggers will not only save you time and money but also help build a strong foundation for your blog, allowing your business to grow faster and generate more income.