How to Start a Blog in 2025 and Make Your First $100 — Without Being an Expert

When I started blogging, I was overwhelmed, underqualified, and honestly a little terrified. I didn’t know what SEO stood for, had no clue how to pick a niche, and thought my writing was barely passable. But here’s the truth: none of that stopped me from making my first $100 online within a few months. If I can do it, so can you. This is the exact step-by-step process I followed to start a blog in 2025, get it off the ground, and monetize it without being an expert. Let’s dive in.

💭 Why I Started Blogging (Even Though I Wasn't "Qualified")

Two years ago, I was stuck in a job I didn’t love, daydreaming about financial freedom. I’d read stories of bloggers earning thousands a month, and while it sounded amazing, it also felt out of reach. I wasn’t a writer, a tech genius, or a marketing expert. I was just someone who wanted to share ideas and make a little extra money on the side.

What pushed me to start was desperation for a new income stream. I didn’t have a grand plan or a polished skill set—just a desire to try. I started Tool2Rich.com to document my journey into personal finance and side hustles, things I was learning as I went. My first posts were messy, but they were honest. That’s what mattered.

If you’re feeling unqualified, let me reassure you: you don’t need to be an expert to start a blog. You just need to be willing to learn and share what you know. Blogging can be your ticket to extra income or even a full-time career, and the barriers to entry are lower than ever in 2025.

Want to explore other ways to build income? Check out my post on Start Building Wealth With $100 in 2025.

🧠 Choosing the Right Niche (Without Overthinking It)

Picking a niche was the first hurdle I faced. I thought I needed to find the perfect topic—something trendy, profitable, and unique. But that mindset paralyzed me for weeks. Here’s what I learned: you don’t need to overthink your niche. Start with what you already know a little about or are curious to learn.

For me, personal finance and side hustles were natural choices. I was already budgeting to pay off debt and experimenting with side gigs like freelancing and selling digital products. I didn’t know everything, but I knew enough to write helpful posts for beginners like me. My niche wasn’t “personal finance” broadly—it was “personal finance for people who feel broke and overwhelmed.” That specificity helped me connect with readers.

If you’re stuck, ask yourself:

• What do I enjoy talking about?
• What problems have I solved (even small ones)?
• What am I curious to research?

For example, if you love using AI tools to save time, you could blog about productivity hacks for freelancers. If you’re a parent, you could share budget-friendly family activities. The key is to write for a specific audience and solve their problems.

Not sure where to start? My post on Best AI Tools for Freelancers might spark some niche ideas.

🌐 Picking a Platform (And Why I Chose WordPress)

Choosing a blogging platform felt like a big decision, and I spent hours researching options like WordPress, Ghost, Blogger, and even static site generators like Next.js. Each had pros and cons, but I settled on WordPress.org for three reasons: control, SEO, and monetization potential.

• Control: With WordPress.org, I owned my site and could customize it however I wanted. Unlike platforms like Wix or Substack, I wasn’t locked into someone else’s ecosystem.
• SEO: WordPress has plugins like Yoast SEO that make optimizing for Google a breeze, even for beginners.
• Monetization: Whether I wanted to use AdSense, affiliate links, or sell digital products, WordPress supported it all.

That said, WordPress.org has a learning curve. If you’re intimidated by tech, platforms like WordPress.com or Ghost are more beginner-friendly but still offer monetization options. I chose WordPress.org because I wanted to invest in a platform that could grow with me.

My advice? Pick a platform that feels manageable but won’t limit you in a year. If you’re not tech-savvy, start with WordPress.com or Substack and upgrade later.

🛠️ Setting Up My Blog: Domain, Hosting, and Theme

Setting up my blog was both exciting and nerve-wracking. Here’s how I did it, step by step:

1. Domain: I bought my domain (Tool2Rich.com) through Namecheap for about $10/year. I chose a name that was short, memorable, and reflected my focus on wealth-building tools. Pro tip: avoid hyphens or numbers—they can look spammy.
2. Hosting: I went with SiteGround for hosting because of its beginner-friendly interface and fast load times (crucial for SEO). It cost me about $6/month for the first year. Bluehost and Hostinger are also solid options.
3. Theme: I installed a free, lightweight theme called Astra. It’s clean, fast, and SEO-friendly. I avoided heavy themes with tons of bells and whistles—they slow down your site and hurt rankings.
4. Analytics: I set up Google Analytics and Google Search Console right away to track traffic and see how Google indexed my site. Both are free and easy to install with plugins like Site Kit.

The whole setup took me a weekend, and I spent less than $100 upfront. If you’re on a tight budget, you can start with a cheaper host like Hostinger ($2–3/month) and a free theme.

Curious about my setup process? Read more in How I Built Tool2Rich.

✍️ Writing My First 5 Blog Posts (And Why They Sucked But Still Worked)

Writing my first blog posts was terrifying. I was convinced no one would read them, and my inner critic kept saying, “Who are you to write about this?” But I pushed through, and here’s what I learned: your first posts don’t need to be perfect—they just need to be helpful.

My first five posts were:

1. A guide to budgeting on a low income
2. A review of an AI budgeting tool I tried
3. Tips for starting a side hustle with no money
4. A roundup of free personal finance apps
5. My honest thoughts on investing with just $50

They weren’t literary masterpieces. My headlines were clunky, my images were basic, and I overused exclamation points. But they solved real problems for my readers, and that’s what mattered. For example, my post on budgeting got traction because it was practical and relatable, even if the writing wasn’t polished.

To overcome perfectionism, I followed a simple process:

• Outline first: I jotted down 3–5 key points I wanted to cover.
• Write fast: I gave myself 2 hours to draft without editing.
• Edit later: I polished the post the next day, focusing on clarity and adding headings.
• Publish: I hit “publish” even when I wasn’t 100% happy.

Those early posts started getting traffic within weeks, mostly from Pinterest and Google. Imperfect content that helps people beats unpublished “perfect” content every time.

Want to see some of my early posts? Check out How I Let AI Manage My Budget for 30 Days or Start Home Business With No Money.

💸 Monetizing Without Traffic — How I Made My First $100

I didn’t wait for thousands of visitors to start monetizing. Here’s how I made my first $100 in about three months:

1. Google AdSense: I applied for AdSense after publishing 10 posts. It took a week to get approved, and I added ads to my sidebar and within posts. AdSense doesn’t pay much with low traffic (I earned $20 in my first month), but it’s passive income.
2. Affiliate Links: I joined Amazon Associates and ShareASale to promote products I already used, like budgeting apps and finance books. My post on free finance apps included affiliate links, earning me $50 in commissions when readers signed up for premium versions.
3. Email Capture: I used MailerLite (free for up to 1,000 subscribers) to start an email list. I offered a simple PDF checklist, “5 Steps to Start a Side Hustle,” as a lead magnet. This didn’t directly make money, but it built trust with readers, leading to affiliate sales later.

My first $100 came from a mix of $20 AdSense, $50 Amazon commissions, and $30 from a budgeting app affiliate. It wasn’t life-changing, but it proved my blog could make money.

Want more monetization ideas? Read Earn Money With AI Tools in 2025.

📈 The Importance of SEO — And the Simple Tips That Helped

SEO felt like a mystery when I started, but it’s not as complicated as it seems. Here’s what worked for me as a beginner:

• Long-Tail Keywords: I used Google’s autocomplete feature (type your topic and see what suggestions pop up) to find phrases like “start a blog 2025” or “make money blogging for beginners.” Tools like Ubersuggest (free version) also helped.
• Headings: I broke posts into clear sections with H2 and H3 tags, making it easy for Google and readers to scan.
• Natural Writing: I wrote like I was talking to a friend, avoiding keyword stuffing. Google rewards helpful, readable content.
• Interlinking: I linked to my older posts to keep readers on my site longer. For example, my budgeting post linked to my side hustle guide.
• Image Alt Text: I added descriptive alt text to images (e.g., “budgeting app screenshot”) for accessibility and SEO.
• Site Speed: I used a fast theme (Astra) and a plugin like WP Rocket to optimize load times.

These simple tweaks helped my posts rank on page 2 of Google within a month. Over time, some hit page 1, driving steady traffic.

Want to automate some of your SEO? See my post on Automate Blog Content With AI (But Humanized).

💌 Getting My First 100 Readers (And Why That Was Everything)

Seeing my first 100 readers was a thrill. Most came from Pinterest, where I shared infographics summarizing my posts (created for free on Canva). I also answered questions on Quora and Reddit, linking back to my blog when relevant. For example, I commented on a Reddit thread about budgeting apps and linked to my review post, driving 20 visits in a day.

Social media helped too. I posted snippets of my content on X, using hashtags like #BloggingTips and #PersonalFinance. These small efforts snowballed, and within two months, I was getting 100–200 monthly visitors.

I remember obsessively checking Google Analytics and cheering when I hit 100 unique visitors. It wasn’t viral fame, but it showed me my blog was reaching real people. That motivated me to keep going.

📣 What I'd Do Differently If I Started Blogging Again

Looking back, I made plenty of mistakes. Here’s what I’d do differently:

• Start an Email List Sooner: I waited six months to build my list, missing out on early subscribers.
• Focus on One Traffic Channel: I spread myself thin across Pinterest, X, and Reddit. I’d pick one (probably Pinterest) and master it first.
• Publish Consistently: I posted sporadically at first. Now, I aim for 3 posts per week to keep Google happy and build momentum.
• Prioritize Cornerstone Content: I wish I’d created in-depth guides (like this post) earlier to establish authority.

Want to avoid my mistakes? Check out Start Investing With Just $50 in 2025 for more beginner tips.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I really start a blog with zero tech experience?

Yes. Platforms like WordPress.com, Ghost, or Substack are beginner-friendly and require no coding. You can upgrade to more advanced setups later.

Do I need to pay for hosting and a domain name?

It’s highly recommended if you want to look professional and monetize. A domain ($10/year) and hosting ($3–6/month) are small investments with big returns.

How long does it take to earn your first $100?

With consistency, you could hit $100 in 2–3 months. Affiliate links and Pinterest traffic can speed things up.

What should I write about?

Write about what you know, what you’re learning, or what you enjoy researching. Focus on helping a specific audience, like students, freelancers, or parents.

Is blogging still profitable in 2025?

Yes. Blogs remain top performers on Google and are highly monetizable through SEO, affiliates, and digital products.

If I could go back in time, I wouldn’t wait so long to start my blog. It wasn’t perfect. But it worked. Your blog can be your ticket to extra income, creative freedom, and even full-time income—and you don’t need to be an expert to begin. Just start today.

Ready to take the leap? Learn more in Start Earning Money From Home in 2025.