How much does it cost to start a blog? (The Budget-Savvy Way)

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How much does it really cost to start a blog?

Think blogging is expensive? It doesn’t have to be.

Running a blog can feel a bit like running a business—you need to invest some money to see a return. But here’s the good news: blogging doesn’t need to break the bank, especially if you’re just starting out.

As someone who began blogging with zero experience and a tight budget, I have learned how to balance costs while growing my blog into something profitable. In this post, I will walk you through how much money it really costs to start a blog, share my own journey, and show you how to keep your expenses manageable.

Essential Costs: What Do You Need to Start a Blog?

If you are wondering, “What do I need to start a blog?” here are the non-negotiables:

1. Domain Name

Your domain name is your blog’s address on the internet (like www.example.com). I bought mine from Bluehost for SGD 37.18 in 2023. This is a yearly cost, so it is one of the cheaper ways to start a blog.

2. Hosting

Website hosting is what makes your blog visible online. Think of it as renting a space on the internet. I pay around SGD 20+ monthly for hosting with Bluehost. If you are serious about running a blog as a business or making money from it, you will want a reliable host.

3. Content Management System (CMS)

If you are asking, “How much does it cost to start a blog on WordPress?” you are on the right track. WordPress is free to use, but you will need hosting to run it. Most successful bloggers swear by WordPress because it is user-friendly and offers endless possibilities to customise your blog.

Resource for you: Step-by-Step Guide: How to Start a Blog for Beginners

Budget-Friendly Tools for Faster Growth

Now, if you want to grow your blog quickly without feeling overwhelmed, here are some tools I invested in:

1. Legal Templates

Peace of mind is priceless, especially when running a blog as a business. I bought legal templates from Amira for SGD 275.44 (one-time payment) to cover my blog with a privacy policy, terms and conditions, and a disclaimer. These templates save you time and protect your blog legally.

2. Website Themes

First impressions matter! To make my blog look professional and save time on design, I purchased a theme from 17th Avenue for SGD 80.83. The instructions were super easy to follow, and I am still in love with the look of my site.

3. Beginner’s Guide to Blogging

When I started, I grabbed a low-cost blogging guide for SGD 11.80. It gave me the basics, but if I am honest, I would skip this if I were to go back in time and go straight to a comprehensive course.

4. Blogging Course

Four months in, I realised my blog wasn’t growing as fast as I wanted. I invested in a blogging course by Sophia Lee for SGD 595.76. It taught me how to optimise my site, rank on Google, and drive traffic through Pinterest. Honestly, this was the best way to start a blog and make money.

If you are serious about blogging, invest in a course from the start. It will save you time and help you avoid costly mistakes.

How Much Does Blogging Cost?

Here’s a quick breakdown of costs based on your blogging goals:

Setup	Budget	Slow-Growth	Fast-Growth
Domain Name	SGD 37.18/year	SGD 37.18/year	SGD 37.18/year
Hosting	SGD 20+/month	SGD 20+/month	SGD 20+/month
Legal Templates	–	SGD 275.44 (one-time)	SGD 275.44 (one-time)
Website Theme	–	SGD 80.83 (one-time)	SGD 80.83 (one-time)
Beginner Guide	–	SGD 11.80 (one-time)	–
Blogging Course	–	–	SGD 595.76 (one-time)

Prices may vary slightly depending on when you are reading this, but these numbers should give you a good idea of how much it costs to start a blog website.

How to Monetise Your Blog and Cover the Costs

Blogging is a long game, but you can still set short-term goals to start earning early. Here’s how you can monetise your blog:

Start Collecting Email Addresses – Even if you are not ready for email marketing, begin collecting emails from day one. I use Kit because it is budget-friendly (you can start for free) and has all the features I need.
Affiliate Marketing – Affiliate marketing is low-risk and beginner-friendly. To make this work, focus on creating affiliate-driven content. Write blog posts featuring products you have tried or believe in and include affiliate links.
Selling Digital Products – Think eBooks, templates, or guides. An average conversion rate is around 2%. This means that with just 100 views, you should start seeing sales!
Ad Revenue – In the early stages of blogging, platforms like Google AdSense and Journey by Mediavine can help you earn ad revenue. As your traffic grows, aim to qualify for bigger ad networks like Mediavine or AdThrive with higher RPMs (revenue per thousand impressions).

Above all, focus on creating valuable content first. Monetisation comes naturally with growth.

Blogging can be as budget-friendly or as premium as you want it to be. Whether you’re going for a basic setup or investing in fast growth, the key is to start.

Remember, creating valuable content is your most important job. The rest will follow.

This post breakdowns how much does it cost to start a blog.

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The LILI Path

How much does it cost to start a blog? (The Budget-Savvy Way)