In this post we are going to go over Semrush vs Keysearch and which of these Keyword Research tools is worth it for bloggers in 2027.

Choosing an SEO tool for your blog can get confusing really quickly.

There are loads of options, they all seem to give you slightly different information and half the time you start out looking for somewhere to research keywords and end up comparing features you didn’t even know existed an hour ago lol.

Two names you’ll have probably come across already are Semrush and Keysearch.

Both of these tools can both help you find keywords, see what people are actually searching for and get a better idea of which topics could be worth creating content around.

But keyword research is only a part of what you can use them for as there’s plenty more you can look into with both of them.

You can see what other sites in your niche are ranking for, find more keyword and content ideas, keep an eye on your own rankings and get a much better look at what’s going on with your blog’s SEO etc etc.

There ARE some pretty big differences between Semrush and Keysearch though. Especially once you start looking at the amount of data available and just how much you can actually do with each one!

Keysearch gives you a good selection of the SEO tools bloggers are likely to need and use regularly, while Semrush has a much bigger range of tools that gives you even more ways to dig into your SEO, research your competitors and see what’s actually happening with your blog in search.

Which one makes the most sense for you really depends on what you actually want/need to be able to do.

It could be that you mainly just want help finding good keywords, checking the competition and planning your blog content. Or maybe you want to go much deeper into your SEO, research what’s working for other sites in your niche, find gaps you could be missing and have a LOT more data to work with.

So let’s look at Semrush vs Keysearch for bloggers, what you can actually use each one for, where the main differences are and what you get with each, so you can work out which one has the tools that make the most sense for YOUR blog.

Please note: Prices, plans and any features mentioned in this post are correct at the time of writing (October 2026) but can change, so always check the latest details before signing up.

Semrush vs Keysearch: What’s the Difference?

Both Keysearch and Semrush can help with some of the most important parts of blog SEO.

You can use both for things like keyword research, competitor research and tracking rankings, and both give you more information to work with when you’re planning and improving blog content.

The biggest difference is how far you want to take that research.

If you need any more info on what Keyword Research is and why it’s so important, you can check out this post here.

Keysearch is a more basic/straightforward SEO tool with a big focus on keyword research. You can use it to find keywords, check search volume and competition, look through related searches, analyze the current search results and research competing websites.

Semrush also has a huge amount you can do with keyword research, but that’s only one part of what the platform gives you.

You can get a MUCH bigger picture of what’s happening in your niche, from seeing which keywords and pages are bringing your competitors traffic to finding gaps where they’re ranking and you aren’t. You can uncover new content opportunities, compare multiple competitors, research backlinks and see exactly where your own rankings are moving.

There are also tools to help you plan and optimize your content, find technical SEO problems across your site and start looking at how AI search could affect your visibility too.

Of course what tools you get will be dependant on which plan you choose.

Basically, it gives you a LOT of information you can actually use to work out what’s already working, what you could be missing and where your next opportunities could be.

So when you’re comparing Semrush and Keysearch for yourself, it really comes down to what you want to be able to do with your SEO tool and how much information you actually want it to give you.

What Is Keysearch and Is It Good for Bloggers?

For a bit of a deeper dive… 

Keysearch is an SEO and keyword research tool that can be REALLY useful when you’re planning your blog content.

If you have an idea for a post, you can put the topic idea into Keysearch and start looking at all the searches people are actually making around that term.

Instead of guessing which exact phrase would make the best keyword, you can look at things like search volume, keyword difficulty, related keywords and the pages already appearing in Google.

And having all of that information BEFORE you start writing can make such a huge difference.

There is no point in writing a post if no one is ever going to find it lol.

The keyword you originally had in mind might not actually be the best option.

This will happen more than you think initially lol. 

You could find a similar phrase that fits your post even better, discover related searches you hadn’t ever thought of, or even come away with ideas for completely different posts while you’re researching the first one.

That’s one of the things I really like about Keysearch. That plus how simple and straightforward it is to use.

You can go in looking for a keyword for one blog post and end up with a whole collection of other keywords and content ideas you can use later too. Win win!

And it isn’t purely just a keyword research tool.

Keysearch also gives you tools for competitor research, rank tracking, backlinks and site auditing, so there’s plenty more you can do with it alongside planning your blog content.

So if you’re looking for a straightforward way to research keywords, find new content ideas and make more informed decisions about what you’re going to write but in a more simplistic/straightforward way, that’s where I think Keysearch comes into its own for bloggers.

What Is Semrush and What Can Bloggers Use It For?

Now for Semrush…

Semrush is an insanely helpful tool if you need the features it can provide.

It gives you a HUGE amount of information you can use to research and improve your blog’s SEO.

You can use Semrush to research keywords, see what people are searching for and find new content ideas, but you can also go way further than that.

It lets you research other websites in your niche and see which keywords they’re ranking for, which pages are bringing them the most search traffic and where there might be opportunities they’re taking advantage of that you’ve completely missed.

You can compare your blog with competing sites to find keyword and content gaps, find new topics you could be writing about and get a much clearer picture of what’s already working in your niche which can make such a difference when creating content for your blog.

You can also use Semrush to keep an eye on your rankings, look into backlinks and check your site for any SEO problems that could be getting in the way too. There are also tools to help with planning and improving the content you already have.

And Semrush is starting to bring AI search into its SEO tools too, with features including Google AI Overview tracking and AI-related checks within Site Audit.

So there’s a LOT you can do with Semrush beyond finding keywords for your next blog post. It gives you a much bigger picture of your SEO, your competitors and the opportunities you could be missing.

If you want to see more of what you can actually do with it, I’ve gone into Semrush in much more detail in What Semrush Is and How Bloggers Use It for Keyword Research.

Semrush vs Keysearch for Keyword Research

If keyword research is the main thing you want an SEO tool for, this is obviously going to be a BIG part of choosing between Semrush and Keysearch.

Both can help you take a general idea for a blog post and turn it into something much more specific based on what people are actually searching for.

So instead of starting with:

“I want to write a post about affiliate marketing.”

You can start looking at the different search terms/keywords around that topic, how many people are actually searching for them, how competitive they are and which one actually makes the most sense for the post you want to write.

That gives you a much clearer idea of what you actually want your post to target specifically, before you spend hours writing the thing lol.

Keyword Research With Keysearch

One of the things I really like about Keysearch is how straightforward it is to use for normal blog keyword research.

You can search for a keyword and see the monthly search volume, how difficult it could be to rank for, other related keywords and what’s currently appearing in Google.

I particularly like looking through the related keywords because the phrase you originally had in mind isn’t always the best one to target. Often it’s not and you end up choosing something similar but different enough.

If you think you have thought of all keyword options for a content idea… I can assure you you haven’t lol.

You might find a similar keyword with a better combination of search volume and competition, discover another way people are searching for the same topic or find a related search that would work perfectly for a completely different post.

And that’s where Keysearch can be REALLY useful when you’re planning content. You can start off researching one blog post and end up with a better keyword for that post, plus a whole load of other ideas you can add to your content list for later.

Keyword Research With Semrush

Semrush gives you a LOT more information to work with when you’re researching keywords.

You can start with a topic or keyword and find related searches, different variations and questions people are asking, then filter through them to find the ones that make the most sense for the content you’re planning.

You can also look at the search intent behind different keywords, which can be REALLY useful when you’re deciding what kind of post to create.

For example, someone searching:

“what is email marketing”

is looking for something very different from someone searching:

“best email marketing software for bloggers.”

The first person is looking to learn more about email marketing, while the second is much more likely to be comparing their options and potentially looking for something to buy and use.

Semrush can help you see those differences while you’re doing the keyword research, rather than having to work it all out once you’ve already started writing lol.

You can then take that research much further by looking at the keywords other websites in your niche are ranking for, comparing them with your own and finding gaps where they’re getting search traffic from topics you haven’t covered yet.

So while Keysearch gives you a really useful way to research keywords and plan your blog content, Semrush gives you much more data to work with and more ways to turn that keyword research into ideas and opportunities across your whole site.

It’s all about what you want to be able to see/do and what you need for your own blog/business.

Semrush vs Keysearch for Competitor Research

Both Keysearch and Semrush also let you research other websites in your niche and see what’s working for them in Google.

Maybe there’s a blog you seem to come across ALL the time when you’re researching topics in your niche. Instead of just wondering how they manage to show up everywhere, you can actually look at the keywords they’re ranking for and which of their pages are bringing in search traffic.

And that can be really useful for spotting things you’ve missed on your own blog!

You might find topics you haven’t written about yet, find keywords you hadn’t thought to research or find whole areas of a subject that are bringing other sites traffic and could give you ideas for your own content.

Obviously, that doesn’t mean finding their best-performing posts and making your own versions of every one lol.

It’s about seeing what people are actually searching for in your niche and finding opportunities you might never have come across through your own keyword research.

Getting ideas is as important as getting stats and numbers.

Keysearch gives you tools to look into competing websites alongside its keyword research and other SEO features.

Semrush takes this quite a bit further. You can get a much more detailed look at competing sites, including the keywords and pages bringing them traffic, how their rankings are changing, where their backlinks are coming from and where there are gaps between what they’re ranking for and what you currently have on your own site.

So if competitor research is something you want to use as a bigger part of planning and growing your blog, there’s a LOT more information you can get into with Semrush.

Finding Keyword and Content Gaps

This is also where being able to see more of what other sites are ranking for can be REALLY useful.

When your blog is new, you’ll probably have more post ideas than you know what to do with lol. But once you’ve been blogging for a few years and already have a lot of content, coming up with new ideas isn’t always quite so easy.

You’re also not going to remember every keyword you’ve ever targeted or instantly know where there are gaps in the content you already have.

Semrush can compare your site with other websites in your niche and show you keywords they’re ranking for that you aren’t.

Obviously, not every keyword it finds is going to be useful. Some won’t fit your blog at all and others might be topics you simply don’t want to write about.

But you can also find those “HOW have I never written about that?” topics that fit your existing content perfectly and have somehow been missed.

(As an example my blog was started all around BLOGGING and I didn’t even have a solid “How To Start a Blog” post for months?! – It’s easier for things to slip through the net than you realise lol but that is why a good tool is so important.)

It gives you another way to find genuinely useful blog post ideas based on what people are already searching for, rather than sitting there trying to think of your 900th idea from absolutely nowhere or just from Google lol.

Rank Tracking, Site Audits and Backlinks

Keyword and competitor research will probably be two of the biggest reasons most bloggers would look at tools like Keysearch and Semrush, but there are plenty of other SEO tools included with both.

For example, you can track specific keywords and keep an eye on where your blog is ranking for them over time.

That can be really useful if you’ve published a new post and want to see whether it starts moving up through the search results, or if you want to keep an eye on older posts and spot when something starts gaining or losing search positions.

I’d still use Google Search Console alongside either of them because it’s free and gives you loads of useful information directly from Google, but rank tracking gives you another way to keep an eye on the specific keywords and posts you care about!

You can also use both Keysearch and Semrush to check your site for SEO issues and research backlinks.

Whether you’re looking at links pointing to your own blog or seeing where other websites in your niche are getting theirs from.

The main difference (again) is how far you want to go with all of that.

Keysearch gives you a useful selection of these extra SEO tools alongside the keyword research, so you can do a lot more than simply search for keywords.

Semrush gives you way more data and a bigger collection of tools to work with if you want to go further into your rankings, backlinks, competitors and the technical side of your SEO.

So it really comes down to how much you want to be able to do with your SEO tool and how much detail you actually want to get into for your blog. Both give you plenty to work with at a base level, but there’s a big difference in how far you can take that research depending on which one you choose.

Semrush Pricing vs Keysearch Pricing

When it comes to pricing, there’s a pretty big difference between the price of Semrush and Keysearch, but you’re also getting two very different levels of SEO tool so it completely depends on what you want and need.

These are the current prices for Keysearch plans as of October 2026.

They also have a 7 day free trial to get started.

These are the current prices for the first two Semrush plans as of October 2026.

Semrush currently has an SEO plan starting at £113 per month, or £95.07 per month when billed annually.

That includes tools for keyword and competitor research, Position Tracking and Site Audit, with up to 5 websites to monitor and 500 keywords to track daily.

There are also higher-priced Semrush plans available if you need more features and want to add things like more advanced SEO tools and AI search visibility, so it’s worth checking the current plans to see which one actually gives you what you need.

You can get started for free on Semrush too.

I’d always check the latest prices and exactly what’s included with each plan before signing up, as these can obviously change over time but these are the current prices at the time of writing this post.

But when you’re comparing the two, I’d look at what you actually want to be able to DO with the tool as well as the monthly cost. 

It comes down to value as much as cost itself.

If you mainly want to research keywords, find new content ideas and get the SEO information you’re most likely to use when planning blog posts, Keysearch gives you a lot to work with.

Semrush gives you a much bigger range of data and tools, so you can take things much further with competitor research, keyword and content gaps, backlinks, rankings and technical SEO alongside the keyword research. There are also additional Semrush tools available if you want to go further into areas like AI search visibility.

So although there’s a big difference in price, there’s also a big difference in what you’re getting. It really comes down to which of those tools and features are going to be useful enough for YOUR blog to make the most sense for what you’re paying.

Which SEO Tool Is Better for Beginner Bloggers?

If you’re new to blogging and SEO and mainly want something to help you find better keywords for your posts, Keysearch is definitely worth considering as your SEO tool.

You can start with a general idea for a blog post, see what people are actually searching for and use that information to work out which keyword makes the most sense to target before you start writing.

And if I was starting a blog again, keyword research is something I’d start doing MUCH earlier rather than publishing loads of content first and only thinking properly about SEO afterwards lol.

Semrush can obviously help you do all of that too, but you also have a much bigger collection of SEO tools available when you want to go further.

When first starting out is it worth looking into all Semrush can offer?

Of course you can, but it’s not going to be the right choice for most new bloggers, unless you are sure you need that many features from the get go.

For a newer blogger, with Keysearch you could be researching keywords for your first posts while also looking at what’s working for other sites in your niche, finding content gaps, researching backlinks and starting to collect more information about your own site as it grows but without getting overwhelmed with too many tools and capabilities.

This doesn’t automatically make one tool a better choice than the other. It depends much more on what you want to be able to do with your SEO from the beginning and how much information you want to have available as your blog grows.

You can always change/upgrade tools later. 

However, if you want to learn and stick with just ONE tool that will grow with you and give you everything you need (and more), Semrush would absolutely be the way to go.

Which SEO Tool Is Better for an Established Blog?

If you’ve already got an established blog and want to take your SEO much further, this is where I think Semrush can REALLY start to make sense for you.

Because at this point, you’re not starting from zero.

You are past the point of needing a more simplified tool and so using the one that gives you a lot more capabilities and insight makes a lot more sense.

You’ve already spent months (or years) creating content, building up your rankings, attracting backlinks and getting pages into Google. Some of those pages could already be bringing you traffic and making you money, while others could be much closer to doing that than you realise and just need a bit of a push.

And Semrush gives you a way to dig into ALL of it.

You can find pages that are already ranking well but have the potential to move higher, discover keywords you’re close to reaching the top results for on Google and spot older posts that have started losing visibility.

You can also find keywords your posts are already ranking for that you never intentionally targeted lol.

If one of your articles is sitting at position 11 for a valuable keyword you didn’t even know about, suddenly you’ve got something much more useful to work with than another random idea for a new post. Then you can edit that post and hopefully get it up into the single digit positions!

You can then do the same kind of research across other sites in your niche.

You can see which pages are bringing your competitors the most search traffic, which keywords they’re getting that traffic from, where their backlinks are coming from and where there are gaps between their rankings and yours.

And THAT can give you a completely different view of where your next opportunities are.

Instead of simply knowing that another blog seems to be doing well, you can start seeing why. You can find topics they’re getting traffic from that you’ve missed, keywords where you could potentially compete with them and areas where you already have relevant content but could be doing much more with it.

For an established blog, that kind of information can be incredibly valuable because you’ve already got something to build on and work from.

You’re not paying for a tool just to give you another list of keywords lol.

You’re getting a much deeper look at your existing search visibility, your content, your competitors and the opportunities available across your niche, with rank tracking, backlink research, technical SEO and content research available alongside it.

That means Semrush can help you make much more informed decisions about where your time is actually worth spending, and where it’s not!

A few questions to ask first…

Do you need another new post?

Is there an existing post sitting within reach of significantly more traffic?

Have you started losing rankings somewhere you need to look into?

Is a competitor site getting traffic from an entire topic you’ve forgotten/overlooked?

Are there backlink opportunities you’ve never found?

Are AI search features starting to change how people are finding content in your niche?

When you’ve already put a HUGE amount of work into building your blog, having that level of information available can help you find opportunities within what you already have as well as deciding where you want to grow next.

So if you’ve reached the point where you want to stop looking at SEO one keyword or one blog post at a time and start looking at the bigger picture of how your entire site is performing and where its best opportunities are, that’s where Semrush can be so insanely valuable for an established blog.

Is Keysearch Worth It for Bloggers in 2027?

Yes.

Keysearch is a really good option for bloggers who want to do proper keyword research without turning it into a massive job every time they sit down to write a post.

You can quickly find keywords that are worth targeting, see what’s already ranking in Google and usually come away with plenty of extra content ideas too, making it MUCH easier to plan your posts around what people are actually searching for.

Is Semrush Worth It for Bloggers in 2027?

Yes.

Semrush is absolutely worth it if you want to get much more serious about your SEO and have a LOT more information available to help you work out where your best opportunities for growth are.

You can see what’s working across your own site, find things you could be missing, dig into what your competitors are doing and get a much clearer idea of where your time could actually make the biggest difference.

And with everything from keyword and competitor research to backlinks, site audits, rank tracking and content gaps all in one place, there are SO many different ways you can use Semrush to help you make better decisions and get more from the blog you’re already building.

Semrush vs Keysearch: Which SEO Tool Should You Choose?

So after all of that explaining, which one should you actually choose?

Ultimately it will come down to your needs, your wants and your budget.

If you mainly want a straightforward way to research keywords, plan your blog content and have some additional SEO tools there when you need them, Keysearch could give you everything you’re looking for.

If you want to go much deeper into your SEO and have a LOT more data available to help you grow your blog, Semrush is the one I’d look at.

Especially if you want to do more with competitor research, find opportunities across the content you already have, uncover gaps you might otherwise miss and get a much bigger picture of what’s happening with your site and across your niche.

So I wouldn’t choose between them based purely on which one has the longest list of features lol.

I’d choose based on how much you actually want your SEO tool to help you do.

If your main focus is researching keywords and planning content, take a look at Keysearch.

If you want a much more powerful SEO platform that you can use to research, analyse and find opportunities across your whole blog, your competitors and the wider search landscape, take a look at Semrush.

Speak soon!

Katherine

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In this post we are going to go over how many blog posts do you need to actually make affiliate sales? 

If you’ve started adding affiliate links to your blog, you’ve probably wondered at some point how long it’s actually going to take before one of those links turns into a sale.

Do you need 10 blog posts? 50? 100?

Is there some magical number where your blog finally has “enough” content and affiliate marketing suddenly starts working? The answer…. no.

Thankfully, it doesn’t really work like that!

You could make an affiliate sale from a genuinely useful blog post if it reaches the right person at the right time.

There’s really no minimum amount of content your blog needs before affiliate links can start turning into sales.

Of course it makes sense that having more useful content does help. Every new post gives someone another way to find your blog and gives you another opportunity to naturally recommend products, tools or services that could genuinely help them.

With affiliate marketing you are connecting readers to products that they may potentially buy. The more “offers” you have across information people are actually looking for, the more likely you will get sales.

So rather than worrying about reaching a certain number of posts first, focus on creating useful and really helpful content that attracts the right readers and gives your affiliate links a natural reason to be there in the first place.

The good thing is, you don’t have to wait until you’ve published a certain number of blog posts before your affiliate marketing has a chance to work for you.

Having more useful content gives people more ways to find your blog and gives you more opportunities to include your relevant affiliate recommendations along the way.

But there’s a lot more to making affiliate sales than simply how many posts you’ve published lol.

So let’s look at what can actually help turn your affiliate links into sales.

How Many Blog Posts Do You Actually Need for Affiliate Sales?

I know this is the answer you are here for, and I am here to tell you that there truly is no magic number. However, there are things that can significantly help initially.

If someone finds one of your posts while they’re looking for information on something or a solution, they then like the sound/look of the product you’ve recommended and they then decide to buy it, that sale can happen whether you have 10 posts on your blog or 200 posts. That is the beauty of affiliate marketing.

Of course, publishing more useful content can absolutely help.

Every new post you write and publish gives you another chance to show up in Google, get found through Pinterest, Social Media or any other channel. 

The number of posts you have is only one part of it. The type of content you’re publishing can make a big difference too.

Tutorials, product reviews, comparisons and posts where someone is actively looking for a solution or researching a specific product/service can all create really natural opportunities for you to add affiliate marketing to your content.

And the more useful content you build around the topics your audience is genuinely already interested in, the more opportunities you’re creating for people to find your blog, discover your recommendations and click through to the products you’re talking about and referencing.

So there’s honestly no need to wait until you reach 50 or even 100 posts before you start thinking seriously about affiliate marketing. You can start creating content with affiliate sales in mind from the beginning and keep building on those opportunities as your blog grows.

The Type of Blog Posts You Publish Matters More

When you’re trying to make money with affiliate marketing, the type of blog posts you’re publishing can make a HUGE difference.

Not every person who lands on your blog is going to be looking for exactly the same information or recommendations.

As an example, someone searching for:

“What is email marketing?”

is probably right at the beginning of their email marketing journey, and looking for initial information.

Where as if someone is searching for:

“Is MailerLite good for bloggers?”

They then already know what MailerLite is (to at least some degree), and there’s a much higher chance that they’re trying to work out whether it’s the right email marketing platform for them.

Both searches from people could bring useful traffic to your blog so don’t discount either, but as you can see, the second one naturally gives you a much better opportunity to make an affiliate recommendation if it’s a product you love and someone is looking into it anyway.

You definitely don’t need to turn your entire blog into one giant collection of affiliate posts lol. But if making money from affiliate marketing is one of your main goals, it makes sense to create at least some slightly more specific content where the products you want to recommend naturally fit in.

This is where the people looking for and then finding those posts are actually going to be interested in them.

This means you’re also not trying to squeeze affiliate links into every post you write. You’re just creating useful content that gives you a genuine reason to recommend something that could help the person reading it. It’s the perfect win-win.

And there are a few types of affiliate blog posts that are particularly good for this:

Product Reviews

Product reviews are a REALLY good fit for affiliate marketing because by the time someone searches for one, they’re most likely already interested in the product.

They’re not randomly browsing and discovering it for the first time if they are at the stage to be looking up reviews for it. They’ve probably either seen it somewhere, heard about it, had it recommended to them personally or already started thinking about buying it. Now they’re just doing that (sensible) final bit of research to work out whether it’s right for them and if it’s actually worth their money.

And this is where a useful review can do a lot of the work for you!

Instead of just listing every feature you can find on the sales page (not a good plan), think about what you’d want to know if you were considering buying it yourself.

Try and answer as many questions as you can that someone may have. What’s actually good about it? Is it easy to use? Who would get the most out of it? Is there anything you wish you’d known beforehand? How much is it? And ultimately, is it something you would or have spent your own money on?

Those are the sorts of helpful things that can actually help someone make a decision and work out if something is right for them and their needs or budget.

Comparison Posts

Comparison posts are another really useful type of affiliate marketing content because the person searching may already have narrowed their choice down to a couple of options and is just looking to make that final decision.

Someone (for example) searching for the differences between Semrush vs Keysearch probably doesn’t need convincing that they want an SEO or keyword research tool as they already know that. They are there to work out which one is best for them.

A good comparison post can help do exactly that for people by explaining the differences between the products. Things like what each one offers, who they might suit, pricing differences and anything else somebody would want to know before choosing between them.

You can then include your relevant affiliate links to the products you’re recommending specifically, so the reader can go and have a closer look for themselves when they are ready.

Recommendation and “Best” Posts

You don’t need to concentrate on one particular product either.

Recommendation posts can be really useful when somebody knows what they need, but hasn’t decided which product they want yet or what suits their needs best.

That could be:

• Best blogging tools for beginners
• Best email marketing platforms for bloggers
• Best affiliate programs for beginners
• Best keyword research tools for bloggers
• Best tools for creating digital products

These sorts of posts work really well because you can give people a few different options rather than trying to find one product that’s going to suit absolutely everyone (an impossible task anyway lol).

The important part is not only to be honest but to give them a reason to care about each one. Try to cover things like: why have you included it in this list? What makes it different from the others? Or who would you recommend it to?

If someone has landed on your post because they’re trying to choose between several tools or products or are looking for a comparison between different ones, helping them work out which one actually suits what they specifically need is going to be far more useful and effective than throwing a huge list of options at them with next to no info and hoping they click on one lol.

Tutorials and Problem-Solving Posts

Some of your best opportunities to use your affiliate links might not actually look like traditional “affiliate posts” at all.

Things such as tutorials or problem-solving content can be a really natural way to recommend a product because your reader has arrived already looking for help with something specific.

As an example, if you’re showing somebody how to start an email list, you’re going to need to talk about email marketing software at some point lol.

If you have a platform you use or recommend, you can explain why it works for you or why it works for what you’re showing them in the post, and you can then include your affiliate link for anyone who wants to try that specific tool.

Another example would be a post about how to make money with Shopify. If someone is searching for that specifically, there’s a good chance they’re already interested in Shopify and potentially looking at signing up.

Throughout the post, you could explain how to set up a store, different things they could sell, useful Shopify features or even walk them through one of the ideas step-by-step if you have experience setting up your own store.

Because Shopify is already a big part of what you’re talking about, your affiliate link can naturally be included wherever it’s actually useful to the reader. It could be when you first mention setting up a store, when you’re talking about a specific feature or anywhere else that someone might genuinely want to click through and take a closer look at Shopify.

This is one of the reasons you don’t need every post on your blog to be an obvious product review or “best” list to make affiliate sales.

The best affiliate content often starts with what the reader needs help with and then introduces a relevant product as part of the answer.

So when you’re planning blog posts for affiliate marketing, don’t just think about how many posts you can publish. 

Quality over quantity!

Think about what somebody will be looking for when they find each one. Think about how close they might be to choosing a product and whether there’s a genuinely useful affiliate recommendation you can make while helping them. That is where the most conversions can happen.

How Much Blog Traffic Do You Need Before Making Affiliate Sales?

Just like there isn’t a set number of blog posts you need, there isn’t a magic traffic number you have to reach before you can start making affiliate sales either.

You don’t need to wait until you’re getting a huge amount of visitors every month before somebody can find one of your posts, click on one of your affiliate links and buy something you’ve recommended.

It matters what kind of traffic you’re getting, not just how much. 

Think about someone who searches for a review of a specific product. It’s most likely because they’re already considering buying it. If 100 people find your review through that search, they’re coming to the post already interested in the exact product you’re recommending.

More blog traffic obviously gives you more people who COULD click your affiliate links, but it doesn’t mean you need to reach a certain number before sales can start happening.

This is why I’d look at more than just your overall monthly traffic. Have a look at which posts are actually bringing people in, what they were searching for when they found them and whether they’re clicking the affiliate links once they get there.

Looking at that will give you a much better idea of what’s actually happening than only looking at your total monthly traffic. 

Why You Might Have Plenty of Blog Posts But Still No Affiliate Sales

If you’ve already built up a decent amount of content but the affiliate sales still aren’t coming through, I wouldn’t just add loads more posts as the first thing to concentrate on.

It would be easy at this point to assume you just need MORE content. First though, have a look at what’s already happening with the posts you have. There could be a much easier opportunity sitting there already that just needs a little more attention!

Your Affiliate Posts Aren’t Getting Traffic

You could have an amazing review post or recommendation post that would genuinely help someone choose what to buy, but it needs people actually finding it first before you can make those sales.

Have a look at which posts are currently bringing traffic to your blog. Check whether the posts that contain your main affiliate links are actually getting much of that traffic.

If they aren’t, that gives you something much more useful to work on than simply adding another load of posts. (New posts are always important but just not necessarily the first thing to focus on at this point.)

You might need to improve the SEO on certain posts, create more Pinterest pins for them, add some internal links from posts that ARE getting traffic or find other ways to get more eyes on that specific selection of content.

The Posts Getting Traffic Aren’t Your Affiliate Posts

You can also have your blog traffic growing really well while most of those visitors are landing on posts that aren’t particularly connected to the affiliate products you promote.

As an example if your blog is all about Good Sleep, your main affiliate products could literally be beds and mattresses and have reviews and comparison posts on your blog. But if the main posts getting the most traffic are your more informational style talking about good sleep hygiene etc then you can have good traffic but not many eyes on your links.

You might have one informational post bringing in thousands of visitors while the review you’d LOVE people to find is sitting there getting 20.

That doesn’t make the traffic to your other posts any less useful. Those people can still read more of your content, click through to a different post via an internal link, join your email list, or can come back later.

But it does explain why seeing your overall traffic go up doesn’t always mean your affiliate sales will immediately (or automatically) go up with it.

It’s not just how much traffic your blog is getting. WHERE that traffic is actually going makes a huge difference too.

The Product Doesn’t Really Fit the Post

The products you recommend need to make sense with what someone is already reading about lol. It sounds like common sense but can be worth double checking.

If they’re reading a post on how to start an email list, recommending MailerLite fits perfectly as an example. They need an email marketing platform to actually DO what you’re showing them, so there’s a genuine reason for you to mention it. Especially if you already use it too.

However if you put that same MailerLite link into a post that has nothing to do with email marketing and there’s far less reason for anyone reading it to be interested lol.

This is why relevant affiliate links can be so much more useful than simply trying to get more links onto your blog. Think about what the person reading that particular post might actually need or be interested in next.

I know this is common sense but I just wanted to mention it just in case.

You’re Adding Affiliate Links Without Really Recommending Anything

Just adding an affiliate link to the name of a product and carrying on with the post doesn’t give someone much reason to click on it.

If anyone is interested in the product already and wants a direct link then it can work, but for most people, not so much.

If you’re recommending something, actually tell them why lol.

Maybe it’s something you use yourself and love. Or maybe there’s a particular feature that makes something SO much easier and you want to share with people as it’s made a big difference to you. Or it could be that it’s simply a really good fit for what you’re helping them with in that particular post. Could be a few reasons!

You don’t need to write a mini 500 word product review every time you add an affiliate link either lol. Sometimes a couple of sentences explaining why you’re recommending it is all you need.

You want it to be clear and obvious but not pushy. If you have a review or comparison post about that particular product, linking to that as well/instead is also a good idea.

It gives the reader a reason to actually care about the product rather than just seeing another link in the middle of a paragraph with no extra context as to what the link even is.

People Are Clicking Your Affiliate Links But Not Buying

If people ARE clicking your affiliate links, that’s actually really useful information and means you’re already doing well!

Something you’ve said has made them interested enough to leave your blog and go and look at the product. This then means you can start looking at what’s happening between that click and the sale as to what could be then putting people off.

(The amount of people clicking a link and actually buying a product is always a low percentage anyway – even for the best affiliate marketers. So we aren’t talking if only 1 out of 100 buys something… this is for if NO ONE does.)

It could be the product itself, the price, what they see when they land on the sales page or simply that they were interested enough to look but weren’t quite ready to buy yet. All are completely real and valid reasons.

There are quite a few reasons this can happen, so I’ve gone through them properly in Why Your Affiliate Links Get Clicks But No Sales (And How To Fix It), including what you can look at on your own blog to help turn more of those clicks into actual affiliate sales.

Should You Publish More Posts or Improve the Ones You Already Have?

Sometimes you actually do need more new, fresh content.

If your blog only has five posts, publishing more useful content gives you more keywords to target, more opportunities to get traffic and more ways for people to find you.

But if you already have a decent amount of content, have a look at what you’ve already got before deciding you need to publish loads more. 

Could you:

• Update posts that are already getting traffic?
• Improve posts that are starting to appear in Google?
• Add useful affiliate recommendations to relevant older content?
• Add better internal links to your reviews and comparison posts?
• Improve the explanation around affiliate links that already get clicks?
• Create more content around products or topics that are already showing some interest?

You might already have posts with plenty of potential that simply need a bit more attention.

Google Search Console, Google Analytics and your affiliate dashboards can all help you work out where that potential is.

How I’d Approach Affiliate Marketing on a Brand-New Blog

If affiliate marketing was going to be one of the main ways I planned to make money from a new blog, I wouldn’t wait until I had 50 or 100 posts before thinking about including it in my content.

I’d start by finding affiliate products that actually made sense for the topics I was planning to write about and then add them as I went.

Then as I planned my content I’d make sure I had a mixture of useful informational posts alongside things like tutorials, reviews, comparisons and recommendation posts.

That doesn’t mean forcing an affiliate link into every post!

Some posts simply won’t need one. While others could (really naturally) include several.

That way you’re giving yourself opportunities to make affiliate sales from the beginning, rather than publishing for a year and only THEN looking at everything you’ve created and wondering how any of it is supposed to make money. Or having to go back and add in more text/info/pics/links into all of your older content.

This may happen with some, but it would save you missing out on potential sales before you get the chance to go back and edit all your old posts.

If you’re wondering exactly where to start with affiliate marketing, you can have a look at my Best Affiliate Programs for Beginners (That Actually Convert!) post for some ideas.

And if you’re completely new to making money this way, you can also start with my Affiliate Marketing for Beginners: First £1,000 post.

You Don’t Need 100 Blog Posts to Make Your First Affiliate Sale

There honestly isn’t a particular number of blog posts that suddenly means you will start making affiliate income.

More useful content gives your blog more opportunities to be found, which is important, but what you publish matters just as much as how much you publish.

Do Keyword Research and think about what people are searching for, include products where they genuinely make sense and create some content for readers who are already researching the things you are recommending.

Then you can keep an eye on which of your posts get traffic, which links get clicked and what starts showing signs of working for you.

Your blog doesn’t need to reach a certain size or a certain number of posts before it can start making money from affiliate sales.

Give it opportunities to make them from the beginning and build from there.

Speak soon!

Katherine

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In this post I’m going to go over exactly how I’d start a blog from scratch in 2026 (knowing what I know now).

Starting a blog is one of those things that feels SO much easier once you’ve already done it.

When you first start blogging you spend so much time trying to work out what you’re supposed to be doing… Things like which tools are needed, what you should be focusing on first and whether you are somehow missing something everyone else already knows lol.

We are all the same at the start.

Fast forward a few years and there are definitely things I’d approach completely differently if I had to go back and start again this year.

I know which things I’d set up straight away, what I’d start working on much earlier and which things really didn’t deserve anywhere near the amount of time or attention I gave them.

And I definitely wouldn’t try to do everything at once.

There is SO much blogging advice out there and a neverending number of tools, plugins, courses and strategies you can try that it’s ridiculously easy to make the whole thing much more complicated than it really needs to be.

If I was starting a blog from scratch in 2026, I’d go right back to basics, get the important things in place early on and spend my time on the things I now know can actually help a blog grow and make money.

So, knowing everything I know now, this is exactly how I’d start blogging from scratch in 2026.

1. I’d Start With WordPress and Proper Hosting

Before worrying about Pinterest, email lists, affiliate marketing or any of the other things that come a bit later, you obviously need an actual blog to work with.

If I was starting again, I’d still choose self-hosted WordPress. EVERY TIME.

There are very few benefits to a free blog aside from it being free. If you want to make money from your blog, self hosted is the way to go.

It gives you so much more control over your site and (more importantly) you’re not going to outgrow it six months down the line when you suddenly want to add something you hadn’t even thought about when you first started.

Also – these go hand-in-hand – I’d also pay for proper hosting from day one.

You definitely don’t need to pick the most expensive hosting package available when your blog is brand new. But hosting is one of the things I wouldn’t try to avoid paying for just to save a little bit of money at the beginning lol. It’s what your entire website runs on…. It’s important lol.

If I was starting again, HostGator is still the hosting I’d use. I started on it and wouldn’t change it. It gives you everything you need to get a self-hosted WordPress blog up and running, without having to spend a fortune when you’re only just getting started. 

If you want to have a proper look before signing up, I’ve also written a full HostGator review where you can see what you actually get and whether it’s right for you and your blog.

Once the Technical Side Was Sorted, I’d Keep Everything Else Pretty Simple

Choose a theme you like [I currently use AshePro as of writing this in Sept 2026), set up your main pages (including the legal pages I’ll explain below) and then get on with actually creating content.

This take is a little controversial…. You will read everywhere things like “Don’t spend three weeks changing fonts, rearranging the homepage and trying to get every tiny detail looking perfect before anybody was even visiting”. I have probably said this myself! But honestly, your blog is new, you will have spent time setting it up and choosing a theme etc so enjoy it! Change all the settings and details you like. Have fun with it! Yes you will keep modifying and editing and changing things but that’s going to happen anyway lol.

(Just don’t install 300 plugins as they will slow your brand new site down too much.)

The more you get into blogging, the more you’ll discover things you want to add, remove or completely redo. So there’s no need to have the finished version figured out on day one, but that doesn’t mean you have to rush the set up process – unless you want to! 

After it’s set up, the important thing is then getting your first posts published as that then gives you something to start building on.

And if you’re right at the beginning and need help with the setup itself, my How To Start a Blog in 2026 post takes you through the whole process.

2. I’d Follow One Proper Blogging Plan Instead of Trying to Learn Everything at Once

There is SO much free information about blogging online, which sounds brilliant when you’re first getting started. And for BEFORE you start, it actually is.

Whatever you’re trying to figure out, there’s most likely a blog post, YouTube video or tutorial somewhere that can help you with how to do it.

The problem is that you can very quickly end up jumping between ten (or 60) different people who all have completely different ideas about what you should be doing first.

One person tells you to concentrate on SEO, somebody else says Pinterest should be your priority and before you know it, you’ve got 26 tabs open and absolutely no idea what you were originally trying to do.

Again – we have all been there lol.

If I was starting again, I’d still use free information whenever I needed help with something specific, but I’d choose ONE main plan to follow so I knew what to work on and in what order.

Choose A Decent Course From the Start

That’s why I’d still use and choose this exact blogging course. Instead of trying to piece everything together yourself from completely different sources, you get to have all the main parts of starting and growing a SUCCESSFUL blog laid out for you in one place. No faff, just a LOT of amazing info and tips.

This way you can learn how to set up your blog, create your blog content, work on SEO, start using affiliate marketing and everything else – all in one place, and without randomly discovering six months later that there was something important you completely missed.

I can’t recommend it enough but if you want to see exactly what you get before deciding whether it’s right for you, I’ve written a full review of the blogging course I recommend where I go through what’s included and why I recommend it – and to who.

3. I’d Get the Legal Side Sorted Early

Legal pages are probably not going to be the part of starting a blog that you’re most excited to get stuck into lol.

You may not even realise what they are or if you need them.

(Spoiler alert, you do.)

They are very important and they are something worth sorting out early. Especially if the plan is to eventually make money from your blog.

Even a brand-new blog can start collecting information from visitors through things like cookies, analytics, contact forms and email sign-ups. And if you’re using affiliate links, your readers need to know that you could earn a commission if they buy something you recommend.

You need to declare the use of affiliate links in each post – above any affiliate links.

But There Are a Few Legal Pages You’ll Need to Have on Your Blog

This includes things like a privacy policy, cookie policy, terms and conditions and affiliate disclosure.

Basically, these tell people what information your blog collects and what happens to it, set out the terms for using your site and make it clear when you could make money from a link or recommendation.

The problem is, sitting down and trying to work out what on earth you’re supposed to put in all of those pages isn’t exactly simple. You can of course pay a Lawyer to draft these up for you but that option is a lot more time consuming and a lot more expensive.

That’s why I’d use this exact Legal Pages Bundle. It gives you the legal templates you need so you’re not trying to write everything yourself or wondering whether you’ve forgotten something important.

The entire set of pages was written by a Lawyer, FOR blogs.

The templates are mostly all written for you, you just edit in or out the bits relevant to you and you can have them all live in less than 30 mins.

Get them set up early, add your edited/personalised ones to your blog and that’s one of the less exciting jobs ticked off already! This then leaves you free to get back to writing blog content.

For more information on the legal bundle and why it’s so important, I have a full post here you can go through.

4. I’d Do Keyword Research Before I Started Writing Loads of Posts

This is one of the things I’d start doing MUCH earlier.

When you first start blogging, it’s really easy to think of something you want to write about and then spend hours creating the post and then move straight onto the next idea without ever checking whether people are actually searching for it.

You don’t need to let keyword research completely dictate what you write obviously but it makes sense to do a little research before spending half a day creating a post that noone then ever finds.

Have a look at things like:

• What people are actually searching for
• Whether there are more specific versions of your topic
• What questions people are asking
• How competitive the keywords are
• Whether there are related keywords you could include

For a brand-new blogger, Keysearch is a great place to start. It’s so much more affordable than some of the bigger SEO tools and gives you the main keyword research features you actually need without feeling like you’ve suddenly acquired another full-time job just trying to understand the dashboard lol.

If you want something more advanced, Semrush gives you a LOT more to work with, including much more detailed keyword and competitor research.

I’ve also got a full post explaining what Semrush is and how bloggers can use it for keyword research if you want to see what you can actually do with it before deciding whether you need something that powerful as not everyone will.

5. I’d Start Building My Email List MUCH Earlier

If there’s one other thing I definitely wouldn’t wait around to start this time, it’s an email list.

It’s really easy to think you need to be getting loads of traffic first because what’s the point in having an email list when hardly anyone is visiting your blog yet?

You would honestly be surprised!

Those first visitors are EXACTLY why you want to start one early.

If someone finds one of your posts and enjoys it, having an email list gives them an easy way to stick around and hear from you again.

You have a direct way to share information/new content and they don’t have to remember your blog’s name to find it again so it’s a win from both sides.

And one of the easiest ways to encourage people to sign up is by creating a freebie that fits in nicely with what they came to your blog for in the first place.

It could be a (niche specific):

• Checklist
• Printable
• Short ebook
• Template
• Workbook
• Resource list

You Don’t Need to Spend Weeks Creating Something Huge Either

A smaller freebie that’s genuinely useful can be more than enough to get started. Even just a page.

As an example, if you write about budgeting, you could create a savings tracker. Or if you write about meal planning, you could put together a simple weekly meal planner etc.

The idea is just to give your readers something useful to take away with them while also giving them the option to hear from you again.

I use MailerLite for my own email list and it’s what I’d choose again. You can start off on whichever plan suits you best (there is a totally free plan) and then upgrade as you go which is exactly what I did.

You can create your sign-up forms, landing pages and automated emails all in one place (different plans have different features), which makes getting everything set up much easier when you’re new to email marketing.

I’d Also Set Up a Simple Welcome Sequence From the Beginning

That way, when somebody joins your email list, they can automatically receive their freebie followed by a few emails introducing them to you and some of the other useful content on your blog or whichever other helpful info you have included.

Even if you’re only getting a few new subscribers at first, they all add up over time. Starting early means your email list can grow alongside your blog rather than reaching the point where you’re finally getting regular traffic and wishing you’d given all those earlier visitors a way to subscribe too.

It also helps get your own confidence up in sending emails when you have a small list initially and you can of course ask for feedback too.

And if you’ve never set up an email list before, my Email Marketing for Beginners post takes you through how to get started and what you can actually send once people begin subscribing.

6. I’d Start Using Pinterest From the Beginning

I wouldn’t rely completely on Google to start sending traffic to a brand-new blog.

Google can obviously be an amazing source of traffic, but Pinterest gives you another way to start getting your posts in front of people fairly instantly. And you can do this – for free – while you’re working on growing your Google/search traffic too.

Getting good traffic can take a lot longer for a few reasons, but especially for a brand new website you will get stuck in Google’s Sandbox for a period of time initially! (Nothing scary, but explains why there can be a delay before getting an audience from Google itself.)

Set up a Pinterest business account, link it to your website, create boards around the main topics you’re going to write about (you can modify and add more later so don’t overthink this bit) and then you start creating pins for your blog posts as you publish them.

You’ve already spent hours researching and writing the post, so you might as well give people more than one way to actually find it!

I’d Also Recommend to Use an Online Tool to Create All of Your Pinterest Pins

Canva makes it really easy to create different designs/templates for the same post without having to start completely from scratch every time.

And you’ll probably find yourself using Canva for plenty of other things on your blog too lol. Including things like:

• Blog graphics
• Email freebies
• Ebooks
• Checklists
• Workbooks
• Digital products

The free version is honestly more than enough to get started with as well. Some people never need to upgrade from the free plan either. So this is another one where you don’t need to immediately add a new monthly expense which is always a win.

And if you’re completely new to Pinterest or want some more in-depth info, my Pinterest Marketing for Beginners in 2026 post goes through how to get started and how you can use it to bring more traffic to your blog.

7. I’d Set Up My Free Analytics Tools and Let Them Collect Data

Google Search Console and Google Analytics are two things I’d get connected to a new blog pretty much straight away.

They sound scary but are really simple to set up and are SO important to be able to see real time analytics.

They’re both completely free and as your blog starts getting traffic, they can give you SO much useful information about what’s actually happening with it.

Google Search Console can show you which searches your posts are appearing for in Google, how many impressions, their positions and clicks they’re getting and which pages Google has indexed etc.

Google Analytics lets you see more about the traffic actually coming to your blog, including where your visitors are coming from, which pages they’re looking at and how people are finding you.

The only thing I wouldn’t do is set them up and then spend the next three weeks checking them every five minutes. (Again, we have all been there lol, especially with the realtime tracker for people who have been on your site in the last 5/30 mins lol.) 

But to be real, there probably isn’t going to be anything particularly exciting happening in Google Analytics on Day 4 of a brand-new blog, and that’s completely normal!

Get everything connected, check that it’s working properly and then leave it collecting data in the background while you get on with creating more content for your shiny new blog.

Once your blog starts getting more traffic, you’ll then have access to all of that information, sitting there ready to have a look into and you can start using it to see what’s working, which posts are getting found and where your traffic is actually coming from.

What I Wouldn’t Do If I Started Blogging Again

As well as all the things I’d start earlier, there are definitely a few things I’d spend a LOT less time worrying about if I was starting again too.

I wouldn’t wait until the blog looked perfect before publishing anything. No one will see your initial posts anyway unless you share them to specific people so it’s a good way to practice.

I wouldn’t sign up for every tool I saw another blogger recommending or pay for three different things that basically did the same job. 

Do your research, read up on what will work for YOU and go for that.

I know I mentioned this earlier but I would NOT install loads of random plugins. Just the essential ones as you will grow your plugin library as you go. And on that note, please do not ever hit “update all” for your plugin updates. You don’t want to know how badly it can crash your whole website (talking from experience) lol.

I also wouldn’t write post after post without doing any keyword research first, and I definitely wouldn’t wait until I was getting loads of traffic before starting an email list.

But probably the biggest one would be trying to do absolutely everything at the same time.

There Is ALWAYS Something Else You Could Be Working on With a Blog

SEO, Pinterest, email marketing, affiliate marketing, digital products, social media, updating old posts, writing new ones… the list never really ends lol.

And if you try to work on all of them at once, it’s surprisingly easy to spend an entire day being really busy while somehow getting absolutely nothing finished that will actually help your blog to grow.

You don’t need to have every part of blogging figured out from the beginning. A lot of things will come up as you go and you can adjust as that happens.

Initially, concentrate on what makes the most sense for your blog right now, get that working and then add more as you go.

And when you’re ready to start making money from the content you’re creating, my Affiliate Marketing for Beginners: First £1,000 post will take you through how to get started with affiliate marketing and work towards those first commissions.

The Blogging Tools I’d Actually Use

So although there are hundreds of blogging tools available, my actual setup would still be pretty small.

I’d use:

• WordPress to build the blog
• HostGator for hosting
• Blogging course to give me a simple but highly effective step by step roadmap
• AshePro Theme to make your blog look professional from the start 
• Legal Pages Bundle to get the legal side sorted
• Semrush for keyword research and SEO
• MailerLite for my email list
• Canva for graphics, pins and freebies
• Pinterest for another source of traffic
• Google Search Console and Google Analytics for data
• Plugins – But research exactly which ones YOU need

(If anyone has questions on which plugins I use, feel free to reach out or leave a comment and I can go into my list in more detail.)

Some of the things on the do cost some money (such as Hosting) which is to be expected with any business. But some have free options and some are completely free.

If I Really Had to Start From Zero Tomorrow…

If I had to wipe everything clean and start a brand-new blog tomorrow, the biggest thing I’d do differently wouldn’t actually be choosing different blogging tools (aside from the Blogging Course which I would get asap to save SO much time).

It would be how I spent my time.

I’d get the blog live without spending weeks trying to make every tiny detail perfect. You can still spend the time changing all the little details, but if you do it AFTER the blog is live, it gives Google a headstart in knowing that there’s a new website it should be aware of! Google can’t find a website if it’s not live lol.

I’d have one main plan to follow, do keyword research before spending hours writing posts and start my email list MUCH earlier.

I’d also use Pinterest from the beginning so Google wasn’t the only way I woul be relying on people to find my content.

And when it came to blogging tools, I’d only add something when I actually had a reason to need/use it. There’s not much point having 15 different tools (yes this includes those plugins lol) sitting there if half of them are solving problems you don’t even have yet.

If I was starting a blog from scratch in 2026, I’d keep things as simple as possible, concentrate on creating useful content and give myself more time to actually work on growing the blog and enjoy the process.

Everything else can be added as you need it.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or reach out!

Speak soon!

Katherine

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In this post we are going to go over Pinterest Marketing for Beginners in 2026.

Pinterest is an absolute powerhouse when it comes to driving free traffic to your site, but only if you use it properly.

If you’ve ever tried using Pinterest for traffic and felt like absolutely nothing is happening… you’re definitely not the only one.

A lot of people start posting pins (sometimes even really consistently), and then get so confused when the clicks just don’t come.

It’s not because Pinterest doesn’t work. 

It’s usually because it’s being used like social media, when it’s actually a search engine.

This means it works differently and looks for different content, to show to a different audience to social media platforms.

People go on there looking for ideas, inspo and answers.

This means that if your pins/content are set up properly from the start, it can keep bringing in traffic long after you’ve posted it as people can still search for those things years down the line

And that’s what makes it so powerful!

In this post I’m going to walk you through Pinterest marketing for beginners in 2026, step-by-step, in a way that actually helps you start getting traffic, instead of just posting and hoping something eventually sticks.

WHAT PINTEREST MARKETING ACTUALLY IS

Pinterest marketing is basically just using Pinterest to get your content in front of people who are already searching for it. 

A lot of people still think Pinterest is another social media, but at its core it’s actually a search engine. People usually go onto Pinterest looking for ideas, answers, inspiration, and solutions. This could be recipes, outfits, home decor, blogging tips, side hustle ideas, or ways to make money online.

Instead of relying on followers or posting content into a feed that can get buried over time, Pinterest mainly works through keywords and what people are searching for.

So if your content matches what someone is searching for, your pin has the chance to show up in search results and keep getting discovered over time. Even if it’s years later!

And honestly? That’s one of the best things about Pinterest and why it’s such an amazing tool for content creators.

Unlike platforms where your content disappears after a day, Pinterest pins can keep bringing traffic months or even years later. Unlike platforms where posts vanish from people’s feeds after a few hours, Pinterest content has a much longer lifespan.

That’s a huge part of why so many bloggers and online business owners use Pinterest to grow their traffic over time. 

This is a huge part of why Pinterest appeals to so many bloggers and beginners.

Instead of feeling pressured to constantly post social media content, stay online all day, or keep up with fast-moving social trends, you can focus on creating helpful content that has the potential to keep working for you over time. Literally the whole point of creating the helpful content in the first place.

That’s one of the biggest differences with Pinterest. Your content doesn’t just disappear after a few hours. It goes onto the platform and is then there forever. This then means the work you put in now can continue bringing traffic to your blog, website, or products long after you’ve published it.

WHY PINTEREST STILL WORKS IN 2026

Every year people start asking whether Pinterest is “dead” or if it still works for traffic, and honestly, people were asking the same thing years ago too lol. 

But the truth is, Pinterest absolutely can still work in 2026… if you understand how the platform actually works.

Of course over time things have changed but a quick Google can tell you as of 2026 Pinterest has an average of 631 million monthly active users.

Six hundred and thirty one million. A month.

Pinterest is not dead.

People (a lot of people) are still using Pinterest every single day to search for ideas, answers, products, and inspiration. No matter what they are searching for, Pinterest is still being used as a search engine by millions of people. 

That’s why keywords, helpful content, and fresh pins still matter so much.

You can get the right content in front of the right audience for free.

Pinterest wants to show users content that’s relevant, useful, and up to date. So when you combine strong keywords with aesthetic, bold pins and valuable content, your posts have the chance to keep showing up in search results over a long time.

And honestly, that’s what makes Pinterest so powerful.

It’s not just about getting clicks right now. It’s about creating content that can continue bringing in traffic long into the future. That’s especially valuable for bloggers, affiliate marketers, digital products, and anyone building an online business of any sort.

Then once that traffic starts coming in, the next step is learning how to turn those visitors into income.

The Best Affiliate Programs for Beginners

STEP-BY-STEP PINTEREST STRATEGY

STEP 1: SET UP YOUR ACCOUNT PROPERLY

The first step is making sure your account is set up in a way that Pinterest understands what your content is about.

It needs to know what your account is about, to know who to show the content to.

Switch to a business account if you haven’t already, as this gives you access to analytics and more features which are super helpful.

Make sure your profile includes keywords related to your niche. Doing this means that Pinterest can start categorising your content correctly.

You’ll also want to claim your website so your pins are linked back to your content properly.

If you don’t already have a website to send traffic to, this is the easiest way to get started:

Start your Shopify store here

STEP 2: CREATE KEYWORD-RICH BOARDS

When you’re creating your Pinterest boards, try to think about what people would actually type into the search bar.

A lot of people make the mistake of using overly vague, random, or purely aesthetic board names, but clearer keyword-focused titles tend to work much better for Pinterest SEO.

For example, board names like:

Make Money Online Tips
Pinterest Marketing for Bloggers
Affiliate Marketing for Beginners

give Pinterest much more information about what kind of content belongs on that board.

Calling a board “Money Tips” sounds good, but is too vague and could mean so many things so Pinterest won’t know who to show your content to.

Doing this makes it easier for Pinterest to understand your content and helps connect your pins with people who are already searching for those topics.

STEP 3: CREATE PINTEREST-OPTIMISED CONTENT

Pinterest works best when your pins lead to content that people genuinely want to read, explore, or learn more about.

They need a good reason to click through the pin and leave Pinterest.

When someone clicks on a pin, they’re expecting to land on something connected to what caught their attention in the first place. That could be a helpful blog post, a product recommendation, a freebie, an affiliate page, or even a shop page for a specific product.

The important thing is making sure the content feels relevant and/or useful once they get there.

For example, if your pin is talking about blogging tips or ways to make money online, the page/post they end up on from that pin should continue providing information on that topic instead of sending them somewhere completely different as they will then be confused and not trust your pins in the future.

The better the connection between your pin and your content, the easier it is to build trust with readers and keep people engaging with your content over time.

STEP 4: CREATE CLICKABLE PINS

Your pin design (what they look like) is what helps stop people from scrolling and encourages them to actually click through to your content.

Bold pins in bright colours and clear, readable text often perform the best. This is especially true if they have relevant, clear photos added too.

The good news is that your pins don’t need to be overly complicated or professionally designed to work well. In most cases, simple and clear performs much better than cluttered or confusing.

You can design your own, get templates or do a mixture.

Etsy is a good place for Pinterest Pin Templates.

The main thing is making sure people can instantly understand what the pin is about and why they should care. Them liking the design is a bonus.

Titles like:

How to Start a Blog in 2026
How to Make Money with Pinterest
Side Hustle Ideas That Actually Work

work well because they’re direct, specific, and focused on something people are actively searching for.

If someone saw a pin titled “How to start a blog in 2026” there would be NO doubt in their mind what that pin was leading to, and that’s the important part.

This is exactly the same no matter the niche.

When someone is scrolling through Pinterest, you only have a few seconds to grab their attention.

The clearer your pin text is and the easier it is to understand the value of the content, the more likely people are to click through and read more/follow to the next page/step.

STEP 5: HELP PINTEREST UNDERSTAND YOUR CONTENT

Pinterest doesn’t automatically know what your pins are about just from the image alone. This is why the wording you use across your account matters so much.

The titles, descriptions, board names, and alt text attached to your pins all help to give Pinterest extra context about your content and who it should be shown to.

For example, if you regularly use phrases related to blogging, affiliate marketing, Pinterest tips, or making money online, Pinterest starts building a clearer understanding of the type of content you create and the audience you’re trying to reach.

This is why descriptive wording is so important on Pinterest.

Again, this is the same whether your niche is nail inspo, recipes, fashion, money or pets etc!

Instead of using vague titles or random board names, try to be as clear as possible about what your content is actually about. The easier it is for Pinterest to understand your content, the easier it becomes for the platform to show your pins to people searching for those topics and the more eyes on your pins, the more traffic you can get!

You also don’t need to force keywords into every sentence or make your descriptions sound robotic lol. A good rule is to simply write the way a real person would search.

Think about the words or phrases someone might type into Pinterest if they were looking for your content, then naturally work those into your titles, descriptions, board names, and alt text where they make sense.

Different people will search the same thing in different ways so covering as many of those options as you can will help broaden your reach.

For example you may be talking about “Spring Nail Inspo” and one may search exactly that, whereas someone else could search “Pastel Nail Design” or “Cute Floral Nails”. All could bring up nail content, but by only focusing on “spring nail inspo” you may find that the other people searching the other terms never see your pins.

STEP 6: STAY CONSISTENT WITH PINNING

If there’s one thing that matters on Pinterest, it’s consistency.

A lot of people assume they need to pin dozens of times a day to see results, but that’s not necessarily the case. What matters most is creating a schedule you can stick to long-term.

Or at the least, one you can stick to for now, which you can grow/expand on later.

For some people that might be 1 pin a day. For others it might be 4 or 5.

Pinterest prefers fresh pins. This means it prefers if EVERY pin published is a brand new pin image. It can be a variation of others, but not exactly the same.

You can pin a mix of new and existing content, this includes products, web pages, blog posts etc. This gives you a lot to work with.

Don’t post the same URL too close together to avoid getting caught in the spam filter. Aim for at least a few days between the same URL going out, even to different boards.

You can create multiple pin designs linking to the same blog post or page, again just remember to space them out.

As mentioned in step 5, it can take some time for Pinterest to understand what your content is about, who it’s relevant to, and where it should appear.

That’s why consistency is so important.

Every new pin you publish gives Pinterest another opportunity to test your content. At the same time, your older pins can continue circulating and bringing in traffic months or even years after they’ve been published that first time.

The goal isn’t to pin as much as possible. It’s to just keep creating fresh content and pins and then publishing them consistently, giving your pins the best chance of getting seen and in turn getting you traffic.

HOW TO BUILD PINTEREST TRAFFIC FASTER

While Pinterest isn’t an overnight traffic source, there are a few things that can help you see clicks and traffic a bit faster.

One of the biggest is creating content around topics people are already searching for.

Think about the questions your audience is typing into Pinterest and create content that answers those questions clearly.

This often includes things like:

• beginner tutorials
• step-by-step guides
• money-making ideas
• blogging tips
• content creation advice
• solutions to common problems

This would also work well with seasonal content such as crafts, recipes and nail designs.

It’s also always worth creating multiple pins for the same piece of content.

Different headlines, colours, layouts, and images can attract different audiences, so don’t be afraid to test new designs and see what resonates.

Sometimes the less “aesthetic” the pin design and colours, the more they stand out and the better they perform overall for you.

Over time, you’ll start noticing patterns in the topics and pin styles that perform best, giving you a much clearer idea of what your audience wants to see. Then you can use that info to create more pins of that style and for that content.

COMMON PINTEREST MISTAKES TO AVOID

If Pinterest feels harder than it should, there’s a good chance one of these common mistakes is holding you back.

Many beginners treat Pinterest like a social media platform when it’s actually much closer to a search engine. Instead of focusing on followers and likes, focus on creating helpful content around topics people are actively searching for.

Other common mistakes include:

• using vague titles instead of keywords
• pinning inconsistently
• creating only one pin per piece of content
• sending people to pages that don’t match the pin
• ignoring Pinterest SEO

Avoiding these mistakes won’t guarantee overnight results, but it can make a huge difference to how quickly Pinterest understands and distributes your content.

HOW TO MAKE MONEY FROM PINTEREST

Pinterest isn’t really a money-making platform on its own.

It’s better to think of it as a traffic platform due to the fact it’s a search engine.

The goal is to use Pinterest to get people to click through your pins to your blog, shop, products, or offers.

Then from there you can make money through things like:

• affiliate marketing
• digital products
• ad revenue
• services
• online shops

That’s why so many bloggers and online business owners focus a lot of their marketing efforts on Pinterest.

A single pin can continue sending visitors to your content long after it’s been published!

If you’re planning to use Pinterest as part of your income strategy (highly recommended), I’d also recommend building an email list from the start.

That way when someone discovers you through Pinterest, you have a way to stay in touch with them and bring them back to your content again and again.

I personally use MailerLite for my email marketing, and it’s one of the first tools I’d recommend for beginners as their free plan is great until you feel you need to upgrade.

Get started for free with MailerLite here

IS PINTEREST MARKETING WORTH IT?

For many bloggers, creators, and online business owners, the answer is yes.

Pinterest gives you the chance to get your content in front of people who are actively searching for it. And unlike many other platforms, your content doesn’t disappear after a day or two.

Instead, it can continue showing up in search results and bringing people back to your website/content over a much longer time.

That’s what makes Pinterest so valuable and so worth it.

Every pin you create is another chance to be discovered by your target audience. 

The key is to focus on creating eye-catching pins, using relevant keywords, and staying consistent with it all.

You don’t need a huge audience, and you don’t need to spend hours on Pinterest every day. You can batch make pins and then pre-schedule them up to a month in advance to cut the time down significantly. What matters most is giving Pinterest quality content to work with and allowing enough time for your pins to gain traction and get traffic.

If you’re serious about growing your traffic, getting your content in front of more people and building an online business, Pinterest can be one of the best tools to use as part of your marketing/promotion strategy.

Then, once that traffic starts rolling in, it’s all about learning how to turn those clicks into income.

Affiliate Marketing for Beginners: How to Make Your First $1,000

Between Pinterest, blogging, and affiliate marketing, you don’t need to master everything overnight. Just focus on taking the next step and building momentum from there.

Speak soon

Katherine

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The post Pinterest Marketing for Beginners in 2026: What You Need to Know appeared first on Katherine McLee.

In this post we are going to go into what Semrush is and how bloggers use it for keyword research.

If you’ve spent any time looking into blogging or SEO/keyword research, you will have no doubt come across Semrush at some point.

It’s one of those tools that gets mentioned everywhere. In blog posts, YouTube videos, and by the people who seem to know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to growing traffic lol.

But if you’ve never used it yourself, it can feel a bit confusing like any new tool. As in, what does it actually do? And more importantly, how are bloggers actually using it when it comes to keyword research?

In this post, I’m going to break it down in a really simple way even if you’re a beginner, so you can understand what Semrush is, what it’s used for, and how it fits into blogging… without all the technical jargon.

What Is Semrush?

Semrush is a well-known and trusted SEO and keyword research tool that shows you what people are actually searching for on Google. This includes metrics such as how popular those searches are, and how competitive they are to rank for.

But, more importantly, it’s the difference between creating content that might work… and content that actually has a chance to get seen.

Before using a tool like this, it’s very easy to just write whatever feels like a good idea and hope people find it. Sometimes that works… most of the time though, it doesn’t.

Semrush changes that.

Instead of guessing, you can literally see exactly what people are searching for. This includes how many people are searching for that term, and how difficult it would be for your content to rank. So you’re not just putting content out and hoping for the best, you’re putting out content by making decisions based on what’s already working.

I’ve got a full post on keyword research if you want to understand that side of things properly first. You can read that here.

The reason for needing Semrush at its core, is really simple:

It helps you stop guessing and start creating content that actually gets seen.

If you want to see how this works in real time, you can try Semrush here:

Semrush

What Does Semrush Actually Do?

Semrush has a lot of features, but for blogging and keyword research, you don’t need to overcomplicate it. Most bloggers are using it for a few key things.

First, it helps you find keywords; the actual phrases people type into Google. This could be anything from “how to start a blog” to “best email marketing tools for beginners”.

It also shows you how many people are searching for that keyword and how competitive it is, which helps you decide whether it’s worth targeting or not.

Another big feature is competitor insights. You can see what other blogs are ranking for, which can give you ideas for your own content or highlight opportunities you might not have thought of.

And finally, it can help with content ideas in general. Instead of staring at a blank page wondering what to write next, you can use it to find topics people are already interested in.

Why Do Bloggers Use Semrush?

One of the biggest challenges with blogging is knowing what to write about.

It’s very easy to come up with ideas that sound good, but if no one is actually searching for them, they’re unlikely to bring in traffic.

The same can be said if people are searching for your chosen search terms, but there are so many others writing the same sort of thing that ranking becomes really difficult.

This is where tools like Semrush come in.

It’s literally what it was designed to solve.

Instead of guessing, you can base your content around real search data. That means you’re creating posts that people are already looking for, which gives your content a much better chance of being found.

It can also help you avoid overly competitive topics and focus on keywords that are more realistic to rank for, especially when your blog is still growing.

For bloggers, it takes away a lot of the guesswork and makes their content planning feel much more intentional and pointful.

How Bloggers Use Semrush for Keyword Research

Most bloggers don’t use Semrush in a complicated way. They use it to take an idea and turn it into something people are actually searching for.

Usually it starts with a broad topic idea that then gets narrowed down.

You might know you want to write about a topic such as Pinterest, affiliate marketing, or starting a blog, but you’re not sure what angle to actually take, or what people are actually typing into Google.

Instead of guessing, Semrush shows you real search data (all the bits you need to know before creating the content).

You can find related keywords on whichever topic you choose.

You can then see exactly how people are searching for that topic. This is the biggest thing that will change if/how your content gets found. You can also find more specific phrases that are often easier to rank for. This could be things that you may never have even thought of.

What this then means is that you can stick to the topic you want to write about, just in a way that people are actually searching for and are therefore a lot more likely to find. 

Once you have done that you can then also look at key metrics for those terms. This is things like search volume (how many people are searching for that term) and keyword difficulty (how competitive it is) to decide whether it’s worth focusing on and writing content for.

Once you’ve chosen a keyword, you then build your content/post around it and naturally include related terms throughout your content.

It’s not about making things overly complicated or getting everything perfect. It’s about replacing your own guesswork with a solid/reliable direction, so you can create content people are already looking for. The whole point is for your content to get found afterall!

What This Might Look Like in Practice

Let’s say (as an example) that you want to write a post about making money online.

Without keyword research, you might just go with a broad title like “how to make money online”.

In theory this sounds good but ideally it could be better (from a searchable point of view).

With a tool like Semrush, you will find more specific searches. Things like:

• “how to make money online for beginners”
  
• “ways to make money online from home”
  
• “how to make money online with no experience”
  

While they feel and seem very similar, these are the types of phrases people are actually typing into Google. This in turn then makes them much more useful for building your content around.

People will only find the content they are actively searching for.

Semrush vs Simpler Keyword Tools

There are a lot of keyword research tools out there, and some of the simpler ones can be a good starting point if you’re just getting used to SEO.

Tools like Keysearch are often seen as more beginner-friendly and more affordable, but they also tend to offer more limited data.

It really is one of those things that you get what you pay for, so it depends how far into your blogging journey you are as to which tool is best for you.

Semrush, on the other hand, gives you a much (much) deeper level of insight. You’re not just seeing basic keyword ideas etc, you’re getting really detailed data that helps you make more informed decisions about what to write, what to prioritise, and where your best opportunities are.

That’s why many bloggers either move to Semrush as they grow, or choose to start with it from the beginning so they have access to everything in one place.

Who Is Semrush Best For?

Semrush is ideal for bloggers who want to grow their traffic faster and stop guessing what to post next. 

It’s not really aimed at brand new bloggers so if you are really new into your blogging journey you can absolutely go for a more basic keyword research tool such as KeySearch. 

If you’re past the stage of being a new blogger and you are already posting consistently and want to start seeing real results from your blog, this is where a tool like Semrush can make a huge difference for you.

While you can blog without it, using Semrush gives you a clear advantage. It helps you to make smarter content decisions, save time, and build traffic much more efficiently as your blog grows.

We all know the phrase “Work smarter not harder” and this is basically what Semrush helps with.

Is Semrush Worth It for Bloggers?

Honestly? Yes. 

That is if you’re at the point where you want to grow your blog properly and not just guess your way through it.

Like any tool, it’s most useful when you’re actively creating content and applying what you learn from it to enhance and refine that content.

Semrush is one of those tools that’s recommended everywhere for a reason.

It gives you real insight into what people are searching for, what’s already working, and where your content actually has a chance to rank and be seen/found.

If you’re actually serious about increasing your traffic, finding better keywords, and creating content that performs, it can make a huge difference.

That said, whether it feels “worth it” for you will come down to how you use it. It’s the kind of tool that pays off when you’re actively creating content and actually applying what you’re learning, not just letting it sit there unused of course.

If you’re ready to take your keyword research a bit more seriously, this is where you can try Semrush:

Click here to try Semrush

How It Fits Into Your Overall Blogging Strategy

Keyword research is just one part of blogging, but it’s one of the things that makes everything else so much easier and more worthwhile.

As I mentioned earlier in this post, the way it usually works is pretty simple. You start with what people are already searching for, create content around that, and over time that content brings in traffic. Then that traffic can turn into email signups, affiliate clicks, and then in turn, income.

Without that step, you’re basically just guessing and hoping your posts get found. Some might, others won’t. And writing content that never gets seen is not how we go about running a successful blog.

That’s where Semrush comes in. It doesn’t change what you’re doing, it just makes the whole process a lot clearer for you from the get go. You can actually see what people are searching for, what’s worth focusing on, and where your content has a real chance of ranking, which makes it so much easier to create posts that actually get found.

FAQs About Semrush for Bloggers

What is Semrush used for in blogging?

Semrush is mainly used for SEO and keyword research. It helps bloggers find what people are searching for, understand competition, and plan content that has a better chance of getting traffic.

Is Semrush beginner-friendly?

Semrush can feel a bit overwhelming at first because it has a lot of features. However, many bloggers start by using just the keyword research tools, which are fairly straightforward once you get used to them.

Do you need Semrush to start a blog?

No, you don’t need Semrush to start a blog. Many bloggers begin without it and add tools later. It’s simply something that can help guide your content strategy as your blog grows.

Is Semrush worth it for bloggers?

Semrush is worth it for bloggers who want more insight into keywords, competition, and content opportunities. It can help you make more informed decisions and grow your traffic faster.

What’s the difference between Semrush and other tools?

Semrush generally offers more in-depth data and features compared to many other tools. Some alternatives may be simpler or cheaper, but Semrush is designed for more detailed research and long-term growth.

Final Thoughts on What Semrush Is and How Bloggers Use It for Keyword Research

Semrush is one of those tools that can look and feel a little overwhelming at first, but when you break it down, it’s really just there to show you what people are actually searching for and how to create content around that in a way that gives you the best chance of being found which is the key to a successful blog.

The difference with Semrush is, it does that in a much more detailed and strategic way than more basic tools. This is where it really starts to make a difference to your blogging game and is where bloggers really uplevel their strategy.

For most bloggers, it’s not about using every single feature that Semrush has to offer, or worrying about getting everything perfect. It’s about using it as a guideline to make smarter decisions such as choosing better keywords, spotting opportunities, and creating content that’s far more likely to bring in traffic to their blog.

And honestly, that’s where the real value is. Instead of guessing what might work, you’re working with actual data, which makes the whole process feel a lot more intentional, and usually a lot more effective too.

Speak soon,

Katherine

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This post is all about answering the question; Is HostGator Good for Blogging? A Beginner-Friendly Hosting Review.

Starting a blog is exciting… but also a little overwhelming when you realise how many decisions you need to make before you even publish your first post lol.

There are the options of both a hosted (free) and self hosted (paid) blog. Self hosted is the one you need if you are serious about your blog or want to really ever make money from it.

Assuming then that you have chosen a self hosted blog, one of the very first decisions you will need to make is who to go with to host your blog.

Finding a hosting provider is easy, finding a good one that suits your needs is trickier. 

Spending some time to do some research to find one that suits your needs is so important, as it really can make the biggest difference to your website. 

I saw a lot of names being promoted, but when I dove deeper I found they never were quite what I was looking for.

In the end, I chose HostGator, and it’s the hosting I still use for all my blogs today.

In this post, I’ll explain exactly why I chose HostGator, what you will like about it, and why it’s a great option if you’re starting a blog for the first time.

Quick Answer: Is HostGator Good for Blogging?

Yes. Especially for beginners who want an easy, affordable way to start a blog without technical overwhelm.

What Is Web Hosting (and Why You Need It)

Quickly before getting into why I chose HostGator specifically for my blog (and why I recommend it to all new bloggers), it helps to understand what hosting actually is and why it’s needed.

When you have a blog or website, all of the files that make up that site need somewhere to live online for people to be able to get to it and see it. That’s where your web hosting comes in.

Your hosting provider stores your website files online and makes them accessible so people can visit your site at any time!

Without hosting, your blog simply wouldn’t exist online.

Well the website would exist, but no one would be able to see it lol.

This is why choosing a decent and reliable hosting provider is one of the first and most important steps when starting your own blog.

Why I Chose HostGator for My Blog

I knew from the very start (over a decade ago now lol) that I didn’t want any of my blogs to be hosted (so a free blog). I knew I wanted them to be self-hosted as it meant that I owned my website which is so important. It also made it look more professional, gave more earning options (a lot more, you can read about the reasons why someone may want a free blog, here), and just overall meant I knew I was taking it seriously, for very little cost.

When you are first researching hosting companies for your blog, there are so many options available and it is so easy to feel overwhelmed. Some are super cheap, some costt a huge amount more, some have more options and features, some include domain names etc etc. 

For more information on domain names, hosting and the differences, you can find that post here!

I decided (and what I would recommend anyone reading this to do) to make a list of what I knew I wanted/needed, and find one that fit the bill.

This included things like price, how simple it was to use, having full 24/7 chat support, the speed and capabilities for my site(s), how easy it was to upgrade when needed (spoiler alert, this was super simple lol), and how well reviewed/trusted the company and brand was as a whole.

HostGator stood out because it ticked every box I needed, especially as a beginner.

This included how beginner-friendly it seemed compared to some of the other options.

Is it THE cheapest on the market? Nope.

Is it still super affordable while not losing anything by going for a more “budget” plan? Absolutely.

I didn’t want something overly technical or complicated to set up. Fun fact, I still wouldn’t now! I wanted something that would allow me to get my blog online really fast, without needing a lot of technical knowledge or learning too much jargon to get up and live.

HostGator offered exactly what I needed, so I went with them and haven’t looked back!

The setup process was really straightforward too. WordPress installation was really simple, and it felt like a good balance between affordability and reliability for someone just starting out. It worked out well!

Let’s break down some of the points just mentioned…

1. It’s Very Beginner Friendly

One of the biggest reasons I chose HostGator was how easy it is to get started as a beginner.

I wanted it to be clean and simple. I did not want to faff about feeling overwhelmed and then giving up as a result, lol.

When you’re new to blogging, the technical side can feel really intimidating.

With HostGator, the whole process of setting up your hosting and installing WordPress is designed to be simple. That’s why it’s so perfect for anyone new to hosting their own blog/website.

You don’t need to understand coding or complicated server settings. You can of course learn this as you go to help with little tips and tricks, but it’s not necessary. Nearly all of the setup can be done with just a few clicks. This makes it much less stressful when you’re starting your first blog and worrying about getting set up with hosting.

2. Affordable for New Bloggers

Another big factor for me was cost. As I’m sure it is for you!

I knew I wanted decent, fast, reliable hosting, but I didn’t want to pay a lot for it. Especially in the beginning when I was getting used to having even one blog.

When you’re starting a blog, you don’t necessarily want to spend a lot of money upfront while you’re still figuring everything out. A beginner plan to give you everything you need/want is all you need initially.

HostGator offers a range of plans to suit your needs and what you want for your website. They offer advanced/multi plans but also offer plans that are very affordable for beginners.

If you’re just starting out, this makes it one of the easiest ways to launch a blog without overcomplicating things.

You can get started for less than $5/month, which makes it one of the lowest-risk ways to start a blog.

3. Reliable Hosting

Your hosting provider plays a huge role in how reliable and stable your website is on the internet. They are basically what keeps you live and available for people to read.

Ideally you want a host that keeps your website online and running smoothly for as much time as possible. At all times. This means your readers should be able to access your content whenever they choose to visit, no matter what time of day or night. This is especially important across different time zones as your readers willl most likely be from all around the world and could be trying to get onto your site at completely different times of day.

One of the huge reasons I’ve stayed with HostGator is that I’ve found them really reliable. Of course issues happen from time to time, but on the whole my blogs just work lol. This means I’m not sitting there worrying about whether the site is going to be down or glitching every time I load it up, or worse, whether it’s behaving/loading when someone else tries to read my content.

As you can imagine, a working blog is a big deal when you’re blogging lol. You want to be able to spend your time creating new content, not trying to figure out why your website suddenly isn’t loading or behaving properly.

4. Easy WordPress Integration

A lot of bloggers (I’d say the majority) use WordPress (wordpress.org not the free version wordpress.com as that goes back to hosted rather than the self hosted we are talking about), it’s important to choose a hosting provider that works well with it.

One thing I love about HostGator that I mentioned earlier is how simple it is to install WordPress. It takes just a few clicks, which is why it’s always a simple recommendation for bloggers. Especially anyone who doesn’t like a technical or complicated set up like me lol.

You can get everything set up really quickly and then jump straight into the fun parts like designing your blog, writing your first posts, and actually building your site and making it look exactly the way you have envisioned it, instead of getting completely stuck in an overly complicated setup.

5. 24/7 Live Chat Support

If you are a new blogger, or even just less confident in the world of self hosted websites, having 24/7 live chat support is hugely important.

We have all had issues where the site has crashed, only getting blank scenes, site is failing to load etc. Being able to contact your hosting company at any time of day, for them to be friendly, helpful, and get you back up and running really quickly is not to be taken for granted. 

Having used HostGator for multiple sites for over 10 years, I can confirm their live support is not something I would want to be without, even now lol.

How to Get Started with HostGator

.If you want a beginner-friendly way to start your blog, HostGator is one of the easiest options to get set up with.

To start with, you just need to choose your hosting plan from their options available. These do change at times but there are always multiple options available so you can choose the ones that fit your needs the best. You can then register your chosen domain name, and install WordPress.

They do offer domains too if you wanted to keep it all together, and there may well be an offer on to get a bundle with your domain name and hosting for a bundle price!

Once that’s all done, you can log into your own WordPress dashboard and start building your site! Then the fun can begin lol.

From there, it’s just a case of designing your blog, creating your first posts, and gradually turning it into the website you want it to be.

You can check out HostGator and see their current plans here.

FAQs About HostGator Hosting

Is HostGator good for beginner bloggers?

It is. And that’s actually one of the main reasons so many new bloggers start with it. HostGator is designed to be really beginner-friendly. This means the whole setup process is nice and simple. WordPress can be installed really quickly, and you don’t need any tech experience to get your new blog online.

When you’re starting a blog – especially for the first time – the last thing you want is complicated hosting or confusing dashboards lol. HostGator keeps it all straightforward so you can focus on building your blog and creating content instead of trying to figure out any technical settings.

Also remember that any issues you do have, they have their 24/7 live chat support to help.

Do you need technical knowledge to use HostGator?

As mentioned and for similar reasons above, the answer is no, not at all. You don’t need coding skills, any web development experience, or anything like that to get started. Of course you will see things you don’t understand, but the process is designed so that you can click what you need as those bits are all clearly marked. You don’t have to understand all the technical bits, unless you want to learn about them down the line.

Most of the setup is all step-by-step, and things like installing WordPress only takes a few clicks. 

For beginners (or anyone who doesn’t want hassle), that simplicity makes a huge difference.

What happens if your blog grows later? Can you upgrade?

Yep! And this is something a lot of beginners worry about but there’s no need.

If (and when) your blog starts really growing and you need more resources, you can upgrade your hosting plan. It means you’re not locked into one option forever. You can start with a beginner-friendly budget plan and move to a bigger plan later when your site gets more traffic or you want to run multiple websites. There’s different options depending on your needs.

I can confirm from upgrading plans myself a while back that it’s as simple as choosing your new plan and clicking to upgrade lol.

It’s one of the reasons many bloggers feel comfortable starting with HostGator. You can start with the plan that you need initially, and then once your blog grows, you can then upgrade to a more advanced plan. This saves you having to guess how big of a plan you will need from the get go. It also saves paying for a bigger plan when you are first starting out.

Can you have more than one website on HostGator?

Yes you can but it depends on the plan you choose for your blog. Some plans do allow you to host multiple websites under the same account. This can be really useful if you ever decide to start a second blog or launch another website later on but most people start with just one website and focus on building that first before branching out. But the option is there for if you ever wanted it.

Not all plans allow this, but as mentioned earlier, you can easily upgrade to a multi-site plan if and when you need this. No point in paying for a multi-site plan initially with only one site. Start at the level you need and then you can always upgrade.

Is hosting expensive when starting a blog?

While there is of course a cost to having a plan to host your blog, it’s really not expensive at all.

Prices do vary depending on what you need and how many sites you are wanting hosted etc. But HostGator are one of the most affordable I found that had all the bits I needed and wanted.

Currently their plans start at less than $5 a month for the most basic hosting to give an idea of just how affordable I mean lol.

You will need to factor in a domain name as that will of course need to be purchased, but it’s always worth checking if HostGator have any current offers to get your chosen domain name for a reduced price with one of their hosting plans.

For another place to get domain names, you can also look at GoDaddy.

It’s one of those costs that if you are a blogger, you need to pay for. But it’s also what allows your blog to exist on the internet in the first place lol.

Final Thoughts on Is HostGator Good for Blogging?

The short answer is yes, especially if you’re just getting started.

Choosing a hosting provider is one of the first (and most important) steps when starting a blog, and it can feel like a big decision.

From my own experience, HostGator has been a reliable, beginner-friendly option that offers a great balance of ease, affordability, and performance. It’s also grown with me as my blogs have grown, without any issues or complicated upgrades.

If you’re ready to start your blog, HostGator is one of the simplest ways to get set up quickly.

You can check out their plans here → HostGator Plans.

Speak soon!

Katherine

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Photo via Adobe Stock

Most readers don’t experience a blog the way its author does. They don’t land on the homepage, browse categories, or admire the archive. They encounter a post through a social feed, a shared link, or a preview image paired with a sentence or two of context.

That moment — not the blog itself — is where first impressions form. For bloggers, social media isn’t a side channel. It’s the primary way readers encounter, interpret, and remember your work.

The Short Version

For bloggers, a unified brand voice and visual identity on social media determine whether posts feel recognizable or forgettable. When social previews, captions, and visuals align with the tone of the writing itself, readers are more likely to click, return, and trust the work behind the link.

Why Social Media Shapes How Blogs Are Perceived

When a blog post is shared on social media, it’s compressed. A long argument becomes a headline. A nuanced idea becomes a caption. The design of a full page becomes a single image or frame. That compression is unavoidable, but how it’s handled makes a difference.

If social posts feel disconnected from the blog’s tone or visual style, readers experience friction. If they feel like a natural extension of the writing, recognition builds. Over time, readers don’t just remember individual posts — they recognize the blog behind them.

The Hidden Cost of Inconsistent Sharing

Many bloggers write with clarity and intention, then promote content quickly and inconsistently. One post gets a thoughtful caption, another gets a rushed summary. One graphic matches the blog’s tone, another feels generic.

None of this breaks anything immediately. But over time, it weakens association. Readers may enjoy individual posts without ever forming a clear sense of the blog as a whole.

Tools Bloggers Use to Stay Consistent on Social

Consistency on social media isn’t about posting more. It’s about posting coherently. These tools help bloggers manage distribution and promotion without fragmenting their voice or visual identity.

• Hootsuite – Helps plan and space social shares so promotion feels intentional rather than sporadic.
• Mailchimp – Supports cross-promotion between newsletters and social posts, reinforcing the same voice in both places.
• Instagram – Acts as a primary discovery and relationship channel where consistent visuals and captions reinforce a blog’s identity over time.
• Bitly – Keeps shared links clean and trackable without cluttering captions or breaking visual flow.

These tools don’t define tone or style, but they reduce the friction that often leads to inconsistent sharing.

How Bloggers Turn Posts Into Social Media Touchpoints

For bloggers, social media isn’t about creating new ideas. It’s about reshaping existing ones so they travel well. Adobe Express supports that process by helping bloggers translate long-form writing into recognizable social moments.

In this workflow, social media doesn’t compete with blogging. It reinforces it.

A Simple Pre-Share Checklist for Bloggers

Before sharing a post anywhere, ask:

1. Would this caption sound natural if it appeared inside the blog post?
2. Do the visuals feel like they belong to the same world as the writing?
3. Would a returning reader recognize this as “ours” without seeing the name?

If the answer is yes, the post is doing branding work — not just promotion.

FAQ: Bloggers and Social Media Branding

Do bloggers really need to think about branding on social media?
Yes, because social media is often the first version of your blog that someone encounters. Readers form expectations about your writing based on how it’s presented and described in feeds, long before they ever scroll through the full article.

What if my writing style is informal or personal?
That can absolutely be part of your brand. Consistency doesn’t mean sounding polished; it means sounding like yourself in a recognizable way across posts, captions, and visuals.

How do bloggers stay consistent without posting constantly?
Consistency comes from tone and presentation, not frequency. A blogger who posts thoughtfully and repeats the same voice and visual cues will feel more cohesive than one who posts daily with no throughline.

Is it okay to reuse the same visuals or messaging when resharing posts?
Yes, and it’s often helpful. Reuse reinforces recognition, especially for readers who may not have seen the original post the first time.

For bloggers, social media isn’t an accessory. It’s the surface layer of the brand. When voice and visuals stay aligned from post to preview, readers form recognition naturally. That recognition is what turns scattered clicks into a lasting audience.

Guest post written and provided by Archer Ferrara on behalf of Adobe.

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In this post we are going to go over the top 5 tools you need as a new blogger!

Why the Right Tools Matter in 2025

As with starting any new business/side hustle, getting it properly set up from the start can make a world of a difference! 

It’s always easier after the fact to know what you should have done. But I’m hoping I can save you from that extra level of trial and error, by sharing the top must-have tools for growing your blog in 2025, and beyond!

As with any side hustle/business, the right tools are what help you grow, save you time, and help you make money.

I wasted SO much time in the beginning trying to do everything manually or using the wrong tools lol. Once I found the ones that actually worked, everything started clicking into place.

These are tools I love/use to this day and are the I wish I had from the beginning as they would have helped so much.

A lot of these are super low cost or have free options to be able to have a go first and you can then upgrade if/when you feel ready to!

If you’re serious about growing your blog (not just writing for fun/as a hobby, but you are actually building something profitable), then having the right tools in your kit is honestly non-negotiable.

I know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel when you’re just starting out. Or even if you’ve been at it a while but feel stuck as that happens to more people than you realise – we have honestly all been there!

There are SO many options out there, and it’s hard to know what’s worth investing your time, money, and energy into. That’s exactly why I’ve put together this post for you. These are my favourite, can’t-blog-without-them tools that have made blogging SO much easier, more enjoyable, and more profitable.

Whether you’re trying to grow your audience, increase your income, or just enjoy the behind-the-scenes side of bloggging more, these tools are my top recommendations for 2025 and beyond. 

Let’s get into these must-have blogging tools, because when you’re using the right tools, everything gets sooo much easier!

1. HostGator: Reliable & Affordable Hosting

If you’re just getting started with your blog, the first thing you need is a domain name and hosting!  HostGator is what I personally use and recommend. I’ve used it across multiple blogs for years and I still love it!

It’s affordable, super reliable, and beginner-friendly which is exactly what you need when you are setting everything up.

It has 24/7 live chat which is a life saver when you accidentally crash your blog and are presented with an error screen at 1am lol – we have all been there! 

They get you back up and running so fast no matter what timezone you are in. Highly, highly recommended.

They nearly always have offers on for cheap domains or super low cost hosting etc so worth checking out. I’ve been with them for years from the very start of my blogging journey and have no plans to change any time soon!

Get Hosting with HostGator Here 

Quick note before you carry on! I have a free download for you! Grab these FREE content prompts and get a peek behind the scenes of my blogging system!

2. MailerLite: My Preferred Email Marketing Platform

If I could go back to day one, I would immediately sign up with MailerLite. 

They have a completely free plan you can use until you outgrow it so no extra start up costs which we love!

Email marketing is one of the most powerful things you can do in your blogging business. And MailerLite makes it so simple!

Even if you’ve never written a newsletter in your life!

Having your own email list is so valuable. I think most bloggers (myself included) put off starting one though at the beginning as we think we don’t need one, we think it’s complicated or will cost a lot. Nope, nope and nope!

Your email list is your direct contact for people who have shown they are interested in your content/what you are offering. This is such a powerful marketing tool!

If you don’t want to create a freebie to offer people in exchange for their email initially, you can put on a little form or pop up that lets people just sign up to your newsletter and then you can email them tips and tricks, offers or even ask questions. 

Don’t be worrying that people won’t sign up, you will be surprised!

Another good reason to sign up early is that you can get used to sending emails (or even just creating pop ups, forms and emails) even before you get an audience. That way it’s not overwhelmingly new when you do grow (and you will), and you can happily send those newsletters!

Why I love Mailerlite specifically (and why it’s a great choice for everyone):

• Their free plan is amazing. I used their free plan for a good while before upgrading! You can have up to 1,000 subscribers on the free plan, and you still get access to automations. (Automations being when a sequence of emails goes out after someone meets a certain criteria).

• You can set up pop-ups, landing pages, welcome automations, and product funnels without needing a tech degree. Quick and simple to customize!

• It’s clean and really easy to use. It has drag-and-drop editors, email flows, forms etc. You do get more with a paid plan, but once you get used to the free plan, it doesn’t take long to set those things up and get them how you like them!
  
• You can easily build funnels for freebies, tripwires, and digital products. There’s so much you can do, even on the free plan. This makes it ideal for anyone wanting to get into email marketing.
  
• I’ve used it for both regular newsletters, for automated sequences, pop ups, landing pages, embedded forms etc etc and love it! You will notice any email you get from me says “Mailerlite” at the bottom of it!
  

It’s one of the platforms I’ve stuck with long-term. I’ve stuck with it because MailerLite does exactly what I need it to, without overwhelming me with complexity or too many options/features which is not my idea of fun lol.

Start With MailerLite Free and start building your list the right way.

3. Keysearch: Keyword Research Made Simple

Keywords are so so important. In my early days of blogging I didn’t take much notice of them in all honesty. I thought I could get things ranking without them (?!). It didn’t take me long to realise that you REALLY do need to focus on keywords and keyword research but the amazing news is that it is a lot simpler than it sounds, makes a huge difference to your posts and tools like KeySearch make it SO easy.

SEO really doesn’t have to be scary. Keysearch is one of the easiest tools to use that I’ve found, especially as a beginner. They have a free plan where you get 5 free searches a day and this will give you a really good idea of how to use it, and just how helpful it is.

Then if you upgrade to their paid plan like I did, it’s super affordable and gives you so many searches, not just for keywords but also for search terms, inspiration, competition levels, search and how hard it is to rank!

If you want to grow your blog traffic without relying entirely on Pinterest or social media (which is never a good idea as social media especially can be so temperamental lol), this is a must have..

I’ve tried a few keyword tools over my time blogging, but Keysearch stands out for beginners and for anyone wanting to grow their blog. It’s incredibly easy to understand and use (same cannot be said for all lol) but is still powerful enough to show you traffic-driving keywords that you otherwise may never have thought of.

Here’s what I love about KeySearch:

• You can find low-competition keywords which are perfect for new blogs
  
• It gives you a full breakdown of keyword difficulty, volume, and competitor analysis – even colour coded to make it easier
  
• The Content Assistant helps you write posts with the right SEO terms built-in
  
• It’s SO affordable even once upgraded from the free plan
  

Without it, I wasted hours writing posts that never ranked lol. But the IDEAS it gave as much as the keywords/difficulty itself was absolutely worth it and made blogging and content creation SO much easier.

Try Keysearch Here for Free!

BONUS: If you’re really serious about making money with your blog and feel you need even more features, I would recommend SEMrush! SEMrush is one of the ultimate platforms when it comes to SEO and Keywords. It’s used by pros all across the world and comes with a free trial so you can test it before committing which is amazing.

It does quite a lot more than KeySearch so you only need this if you are already good with keyword research and want to take your blog to the next level. It’s pricier, but definitely worth it if you’re ready to take your blog to serious heights!

Try SEMrush here!

4. Legal Pages Bundle: Blog Legally from Day One

Legal pages. Ahhh legal pages. 

These are one of the aspects of having a blog that most people (in the early days) think they don’t need, or think they can use a free template and that will suffice…

Literally, we all did lol.

But here’s the truth… legal pages are not something you can skip over or half-ass. 

You really must protect your blog and yourself on a legal level. This is especially important if you are/want to be an affiliate for companies or run ads etc!

I bought This Legal Bundle early on (as soon as I realised that free legal pages don’t do/cover anything) and have zero regrets. 

One off purchase. A lot cheaper in a bundle. Live in 15 mins. Ideal!

The Starter Bundle includes all the pages you need; a privacy policy, terms and conditions page and disclaimer page. All tailored specifically to your country/self/blog, and all created by a real lawyer.

You buy the bundle of templates, edit the parts/remove the parts that you don’t need, and can get them live in around 15 mins. Super easy. Super quick and fully covered.

It’s really easy to do too. you get step-by-step instructions, fill-in-the spaces/edit the clearly marked sections, and make them live. 

It’s one of the best investments you can make for your peace of mind (and your blog’s future). 

You will also find that when looking to become an affiliate for certain companies/brands, they will ask/want to see your legal pages to make sure you’re legit.

If you want to protect yourself and your blog, have peace of mind and look professional to brands and companies, a Lawyer-written legal pages bundle is a non-negotiable.

Get The Legal Bundle Here! Protect your blog in half an hour or less!

5. A High-Quality Blogging Course

Finding a blogging course that ACTUALLY teaches you how to grow a blog and make money blogging is harder than it sounds.

Having taken a few in the early stages of blogging, I found that as much as some were okay, a lot were full of fluff or not overly actionable.

And it can cost a lot to take multiple courses that don’t offer much real life value back.

There is one that I recommend though, as it is no-fluff, easy to follow, SO MUCH INFORMATION (in the best way), easy to digest and implement, and really notice a true difference with… and it’s Perfecting Blogging.

I have a full review/breakdown of the course right here in my full course review!

Anyone who has been around for any length of time knows how much I love this course lol. It’s one of the only courses I recommend as I find a lot of courses really hard to follow, too simple, or not engaging enough. 

Perfecting Blogging is the opposite. It’s amazing, especially for newer bloggers or anyone wanting a boost/to change up their strategies a bit.

Updates for the course are free too. This means you can get new/updated modules for life with no extra cost.

(Can you see why I love it yet lol.)

Grab Perfecting Blogging Here

And here’s the really exciting part! The course creator Sophia (who earns 7+ figures from blogging AND products) is now adding free bonus modules on how to grow a physical product business. All in the same course!

She’s going deep into how she turned her planner business into a multi-million dollar part of her brand. And if you already own the course? You get the updates for free.

Check Out the Blogging Course Here

Those are my top 5 must-have tools for growing your blog in 2025 (and beyond), but I wanted to add in two other tools I use daily. You can use these two completely for free, but they can make SUCH a difference and make your blogging liffe so much easier.

Bonus Tools: The 2 Free Tools Every Blogger Should Be Using!

While the five tools above are my absolute go-tos for blogging, I couldn’t stop there without sharing two completely free tools that have helped me grow and saved so much time overall!

6. Pinterest – For Free Blog Traffic From Day 1

I started using Pinterest after the hype I heard about it for marketing your blog/blog posts in Perfecting Blogging. Once you get the hang of it (and accept their temperamental algorithm changes), it’s an amazing way to get free traffic to your website or blog.

Pinterest was always known as a place for recipes, crafts and wedding dress inspo. And while it’s still incredible for exactly that, it really is so much more. 

The beauty of Pinterest is that it’s a visual seach engine – not a social media.   

And on top of that, it’s one of the most powerful search engines out there for bloggers!

That means the content you pin today can keep bringing in traffic for months or even years from now.

The other good thing with Pinterest is that you can get clicks through to your website instantly! As soon as you upload a pin, it goes into the Pinterest engine and can be seen/saved/clicked through there and then.

Just a quick note; as with everything, it does take time for Pinterest to understand what your account is about. It uses your pins, titles, descriptions, boards, profile etc to work out what your content is about and who to show it to. Because of this, it does take a few months of consistent pinning of fresh pins for Pinterest to really start pushing out your pins. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that people CAN see and click through your pins as soon as they go up.

For a lot more in depth information on Pinterest pins, fresh pins, strategies, etc so you can ride the Pinterest wave instead of spending years of trial and error, you can get this Pinterest Course here!

I’ve had posts go from zero to literally hundreds of visits thanks to ONE pin doing well!

If you’re a blogger or content creator and you’re not using Pinterest yet, take this as your sign to start. 

7. Canva – The Best (and Easiest) Image Creation Tool

Canva (even the free plan) is the best way to create images for your blog, header images, logos, pins for Pinterest and so much more.

It’s really easy to use, has so many templates, photos, backgrounds, videos and elements you can use.

Canva makes it really easy to create social media images as much as custom blog photos and elements! 

If you find you want some more freedom in terms of the elements you have access to you can upgrade to the Pro plan, but there’s really no need at all until you want to!

Canva is one of those tools I honestly didn’t know I needed until I got it lol.

When you start to grow your Email List you can also use their eBook and other templates to use as email freebies. Not only that but you can use it to create product mock-ups for Etsy or any other products you may want to show!

You don’t need to be experienced in graphic design to use it either! Everything is drag and drop and super simple to get the hang of with a little practice!

It’s perfect for bloggers (or anyone) who wants their content to look polished without spending hours in Photoshop.

Conclusion

Honestly, you don’t need a huge amount of tools to make a success of your blog. Don’t buy into the hype that you need to spend thousands to make money blogging!

A few good ones (like the ones I mentioned above) will make all the difference on their own!

I think like so many new bloggers, when I first started blogging I was completely overloaded with information as to what tools to get/use. I ended up using/trying/buying SO many (not a good strategy lol) but these are the few that ACTUALLY work and are genuinely helpful. 

Blogging (for an income) is a long game, so having the tools to help ease up, quicken up and streamline that process is truly the most valuable thing.

You don’t need all of the above at once either! 

Sign up to the ones you need initially (such as Hostgator, Legal Pages and the Blogging Course) and add in Mailerlite and Keysearch/SemRush down the line!

Got questions? Drop me a comment or come and find me on Pinterest!

Speak soon!

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In this post we are going to go over if you can make money online but without any investment.

If you’re wondering whether it’s even possible to make money online without spending a penny upfront, then You’re definitely not alone. The answer is – quite simply – yes!

Of course there are many ways that require a bit of investment upfront, but if you have 0 budget, there are still options for you.

You can absolutely start earning online without any upfront investment or costs at all. There are free platforms, free tools, free resources and strategies out there that let you grow your income from nothing. And in this post, I’m going to walk you through exactly how it’s possible and ways to start.

The beauty of making money online is that there are SO many options and ways you can go about it.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or just want to try out a side hustle/idea before committing to anything long-term, you’ll see that low-budget/no-budget ways to make money are totally doable! 

For a full list of ways you can make $100 in a day, have a look at this post here!

So if you’ve ever been thinking, “Do I really have to invest money to start making money?” – This post is for you!

Making Money Online for Free

To answer the main question,: yes, you can absolutely make money online without investing any money upfront! You just need to go about it slightly differently! Instead of spending money, you’ll be focused on just trading your time, and putting in effort. Of course you would need to invest time and effort if you were putting money in too, but maybe in differing amounts.

One thing to be aware of is that free methods can often take longer to gain traction. They are however a perfect option if you’re just starting out, testing the waters in a particular area, or have little to no budget.

A couple of things to remember:

• You’ll most likely start small before you build up to your bigger months. This is also true if you were investing money!
  
• You will of course (as with anything) need to be consistent. Consistency and growth is key!
  
• You’ll grow faster if you treat it like a business. This includes right from the start, even when it’s not making too much income yet.
  

Success might not come overnight (it rarely does, despite what you see online lol), but it absolutely can (and will) come with consistency. Especially when you stay focused, keep learning and pivot as and when required.

Best Ways to Make Money Online Without Investment

The amazing thing about making money online  is that there are honestly SO many ways you can go about it. Whatever your skills are (either the ones you already have or want to learn), you can find an income idea that suits you. 

Here are some ideas of ways you can make money for free online:

Start a Blog on a Free Platform

Platforms like WordPress.com or Blogger let you have a blog for free. You won’t have full control (like you would with a self-hosted blog such as one on wordpress.org), but it’s a really good way to practice content creation (to see if you like it lol), grow an audience, and even add your own affiliate links. Just double check the rules of whichever platform you choose.

If you need more information on setting up a free blog, I have a full breakdown here!

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is one of the best free income methods you can get. You can start with platforms such as Amazon Associates, or marketplaces such as Impact or ShareASale. Some you will need to apply for, and some have minimum requirements to meet but you can choose the brands/programs that suit you and your chosen products the best. You can then promote links through Pinterest, YouTube, or your free blog! 

I have a full guide to starting and building up your income with affiliate marketing here!

Sell Digital Products

Digital products can be an amazing way to make money online. There may be a teeny investment with this one but I will explain that in a second!

With selling digital products, you can sell ebooks, templates, courses, content or printables. 

The fastest way to sell digital products is to buy products with PLR/MRR where you buy products, rebrand them to your liking and then sell them on for 100% profit. 

I’ve recently started adding printable bundles to my Etsy shop (listed below). These are perfect if you’re just getting started and want something ready-made to sell or use!

Bundles such as this one give you a huge amount of ebooks, images and reels to edit/rebrand and sell as you please.

You can also get super affordable single products such as this planner which again is completely free to edit and sell as your own.

These sorts of products give you ready-made products, they just do require that little investment initially. Once purchased once you can re-sell as many times as you like though!

You can 100% create your own products for free with a free Canva account though if that’s not in your budget! It will take more effort and take longer but is 100% free to do.

You can then sell via your blog, gumroad, Etsy, or Shopify. 

If you’re really serious about it and want to use Shopify but can’t make your budget stretch, if you use THIS LINK HERE it will give you a free trial AND 3 months at just £1/$1 each!).

Freelance Your Skills

If you already have skills in areas such as writing, graphic design, social media management, or data entry, you’re in the amazing position in that you can start earning online right away!

No matter if you can write, edit, design, or manage tasks, there’s a market for you! Sites like Fiverr or Upwork are completely free to join and allow you to earn an income through skills you already have, no upfront investment needed at all.

This means you can create a free profile and then offer your services in whichever area your skills are in.

If you can offer services people need at a competitive price, build up your reviews and credibility, then there’s a lot of money to be made!

Start a YouTube Channel

When it comes to making money on YouTube, long-form content wins hands down over short-form content. YouTube itself is an amazing way to grow your audience and you can then monetize through ads, affiliate links, or sponsorships as your channel grows.

You can use your current phone or camera and use a free editing software to start off creating videos.

You can start off with videos that need less editing such as tutorials, product reviews or lifestyle vlogs. If you want to get into a niche topic, try and keep your videos around this so that you’re attracting the right audience from the start.

YouTube itself will (in 99% of cases), take a good amount of time to grow and get monetized with. BUT, the sooner you start, the sooner you can hit the criteria required and get yourself/your channel monetized!

Online Surveys

Online surveys is probably the “simplest” way to make money online for free but it can take a long time to get any reward back. Websites like Swagbucks (for everyone) or OnePoll (if you’re in the UK) pay you for taking short surveys.

It’s a great way to make money if you’re happy to keep checking back and doing surveys when they pop up, to get your account up to the payment threshold the quickest.

While online surveys are not a long-term income model, they are a free way to get started and build up some cash on the side – completely for free!

Want 50 ready-to-use content prompts to help you grow online faster?
Grab your FREE copy of 50 Content Power Prompts here, and get the option of a bonus toolkit for just £11 (60% off RRP)!

Skills That Can Help You Succeed (For Free!)

Let me first say, especially for things such as online surveys, you can get started without any skills or experience! 

For some of the other options you can either use or learn skills that will help. 

You certainly don’t need a degree or expensive software in the beginning (or ever if that’s what works for you)!

What you do need is to learn just a few key skills to help yourself get started.  

You can learn all of these basics for free through blogs, YouTube, and your own experience/practice.

Here’s a quick list of skills you can use/learn to get started:

• Writing & Communication: Helps you with blogging, freelancing, and social content.
  
• Basic SEO Knowledge: Not as scary as it sounds! SEO helps you get found on search engines like Google, YouTube, Etsy and Pinterest.
  
• Design Skills: Use can use completely free tools such as Canva to create graphics, pins, or even products and their covers if the PLR products aren’t for you.
  
• Social Media Strategy: Understanding how platforms work means better content and more clicks. Being a user is a good step, but understanding marketing and the algorithms makes a huge difference.
  
• Time Management: This is especially important when you’re building something from scratch around your day job or other responsibilities. Don’t panic if you have time blindness (hello lol), as you can have short bursts of focused time, use timers and fit in tasks where you can.
  

Of course if you do have a little budget and/or little to no time, the quickest way (by far) to learn the sorts of online skills that will actually make you money is a reputable and decent online course such as these ones by Sophia Lee!

Don’t worry about mastering everything at once! Actually don’t worry about mastering any at all just now lol. Just choose one or two areas to get stronger in and build from there. Start with the ones you either are best at initially, or the ones you want to learn/that fit your chosen business options the best.

Common Mistakes to Avoid 

When trying to make money online without spending money, there are a few common traps people fall into. They are all completely natural but also totally avoidable! Here are some of the most common ones: 

• Expecting instant results: Chances are, you won’t become rich overnight. Could happen! Not likely lol. Slow, steady growth is powerful and is where it’s at.
  
• Spreading yourself too thin: Focus on 1–2 strategies and go all in on those. It can be SO tempting to try 10 things all at once (we have all been there lol) but focusing on one or two things will get you a lot further, a lot faster.
  
• Not treating it like a business: Consistency, well thought out systems, and showing up for yourself and as your business are the key ways to turn your ideas from a hobby into your side income.
  
• Giving up too soon: This is the biggest one. Most people quit right before things start to take off so never see success. You will see success if you refuse to quit.
  

How to Scale Your Earnings Over Time

Starting to make money online for free doesn’t mean you have to stay small forever. You can absolutely grow your income with time (and down the line, money). Here’s a few examples how you can grow your business:

• Reinvest your earnings: Once you are making money, uou can then use some of that money you have made to upgrade your tools (a personalised domain, hosting, or e-commerce platform for full control, for example).
  
• Create systems: Batch-create content, reuse what works, and build habits that make content creation easier! This is the biggest game changer that lets you run things automatically and free up time to then work and grow other aspects of your business.
  
• Build an email list: Building an email list is so important and is something anyone with any sort of online presence (big or small) should have. You can use free tools like MailerLite (which has a fabulous free plan) to start getting subscribers and promoting your content/products through emails! You can try Mailerlite here!
  
• Double down on what’s working: If you’re seeing sales or traffic from a certain platform, do more of that! If a style of pin is working, do more of those. If an editing style is working, do more of that! You get the idea lol. Your analytics and stats will tell you what’s working, and what to focus more on.
  

Conclusion

So the question was, can you make money online without any investment?

Absolutely!

If you are aiming for a big income you can absolutely get there. The monetary investment can come when you have the income coming in from those free channels.

If you’re willing to trade (some of) your time, learn as you go, pivot when needed and stay consistent when others give up… you’re already ahead of most people. You don’t need to spend a single penny to get started! To start you just need to choose a method, commit to learning skills, putting in the time, showing up when needed, and take that first step.

Success starts small… but it grows!

If you found this helpful, feel free to leave a comment with your thoughts below!

P.S. Need more beginner-friendly tools to start making money online?
Check out my full Tools & Resources page for my favourite platforms, bundles, and other resources that helped me grow my blog – all in one place!

For information on making money with Pinterest without a blog, have a look at this info here!

Speak soon!

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The post Can You Make Money Online Without Any Investment? appeared first on Katherine McLee.

In this post, we’re diving into 47 fun, easy, and realistic ways to make $100 a day online or offline. No matter whether you’re looking for quick cash, long-term income, or a creative side hustle you’ll actually enjoy!

Making extra money isn’t always instant, but it’s 100% possible if you stick with it!

The trick is finding side hustles or money-making ideas that you actually enjoy and want to keep doing.

When you focus on the ideas/methods that interest you, you’ll find that the journey becomes way more fun and rewarding!

With the tips I’m about to share with you below, you could start making extra cash fast – even $100 or more, in a single day!

If something doesn’t work out, don’t worry or panic – it’s normal! It just means that specific option maybe wasn’t the right fit for you. Go through the other options and move on to the next idea that sparks your interest.

Stay consistent, keep experimenting, and you’ll eventually find the perfect side hustle to hit your $100-a-day (or more) goal.

Let’s get into the top ways to make some extra money!

Quick Navigation

This post is packed with ideas, and not every method will be the right fit for everyone.

To make things easier to navigate, you can use the sections below to jump straight to the ideas that suit your situation, skills, or goals best.

→ Fastest Ways to Make Money
→ Sell What You Already Have
→ Easy Side Hustles
→ Passive Income
→ Online Businesses
→ High-Income Skills
→ Specialised Services
→ Creative Income

Fastest Ways to Make Money

1. Earn Money by Taking Surveys

Taking surveys online is one of the easiest ways to earn extra cash from your laptop or phone.

Many brands and companies are keen to gather consumer feedback to improve their products and services Sometimes it’s literally just for general information from the public. This means they are often willing to pay for your opinions.

Platforms such as Swagbucks, SurveyJunkie, and OnePoll (UK) offer paid surveys, ranging from quick polls to longer, more in-depth questionnaires. Each survey will offer a different monetary amount and will all add up the payout threshold.

This allows you to earn money or rewards like gift cards, completely at your own pace.

While the pay amount for each survey might not look like much, consistently completing surveys can add up over time. It’s an easy way to make some money while killing some time!

This makes it a great option for anyone looking to supplement their income in their spare time. 

Plus, there’s no specialized skill or qualifications required – just your honest input!

You can of course join multiple survey sites to maximize your earnings with this side hustle.

2. Secret/Mystery Shopper

Becoming a secret shopper, or mystery shopper, is a great way to earn some extra cash.

You basically get to shop, dine out, or try services as an anonymous customer. Then you get paid to share your honest feedback regarding your experience or any specific things you’ve been asked to check out.

It’s like being on a secret mission to evaluate businesses and help them improve.

If you enjoy shopping and have a good eye for detail, this could be the perfect side hustle for you.

Where you can do this will vary from country to country so check out local mystery shopping platforms near you if this option interests you!

3. Review Websites and Apps

If you are open minded and you enjoy trying out new websites and apps, you can literally get paid to share your feedback! 

Platforms such as UserTesting and PlaytestCloud pay users to test websites and apps and provide honest opinions on how usable and functional they are!

Usually these tests take around 10-20 minutes and can pay anywhere from $5 to $60, depending on complexity and requirements.

This side hustle is perfect for anyone already enjoying games/websites and apps, requires no special skills, and can be done from home in your spare time.

Plus, if you’re consistent, you can earn a decent stream of extra income just by sharing your thoughts on apps, games and websites!

Want 50 ready-to-use content prompts to help you grow online faster?
Grab your FREE copy of 50 Content Power Prompts here!

4. Make Money Doing Short Tasks / Micro Jobs

If you want a super quick way to earn money online, micro jobs are a great option!

Platforms like Amazon Mechanical Turk, Clickworker, and even Fiverr’s “quick gigs” section pay users for small, simple tasks! These are things such as data entry, AI training, transcription, surveys, website testing, and loads more.

Many of these tasks take just a few minutes to complete and don’t require special skills which is amazing as it makes them accessible to almost anyone!

While each task might only pay you a small amount, they can add up quickly! This is especially true if you dedicate time to completing multiple tasks daily. Some platforms also offer higher-paying jobs as you gain experience, allowing you to boost your earnings over time. Which is another win-win!

5. Participate in Research Studies

Participating in research studies can be a simple way to make some extra cash while helping scientific studies and brands enhance their knowledge. 

Many universities, medical institutions, brands and market research companies pay individuals to take part in studies. These can range from medical trials to focus groups or surveys. 

The amount you get paid will vary based on the type of study and the time commitment involved. Some will pay their participants as much as $50 to $200 per session. 

You can find opportunities by checking local university websites, clinical research facilities, brand websites or online platforms that offer the studies near you.

Companies are constantly seeking participants for focus groups for fresh insights and information. You usually don’t need any special qualifications to get involved as they are looking for a range of participants.

Always make sure it’s through a reputable source and always read the study requirements carefully and ensure it’s something you’re comfortable with before committing!

6. Become a Virtual Friend in Your Free Time

This is one for anyone who is more of a “people” person.

If you enjoy chatting with new people and offering some companionship or friendship, becoming a virtual friend can be a fun and fulfilling way to make money.

Websites suuch as RentAFriend, Papa, and Fiverr allow you to connect with people who are looking for someone to talk to, play games with, or even offer advice. Some even look for a friend to accompany them to events etc!

There’s no romantic aspect – just friendly conversations and support. You set your own hours and rates, making it a flexible side hustle that fits into your free time and your schedule.

Some virtual friends make hundreds of dollars a month simply by being a kind and engaging presence for others online!

7. Data Entry Jobs

Data entry jobs are a simple way to earn $100 in a day.

It’s perfect for beginners as you only need basic computer skills!

The tasks often involve typing and organizing data, making it accessible for anyone who wants to do it. While the hourly pay isn’t as high as some other options, it’s flexible and can be done remotely on your own schedule which is a huge bonus.

You can improve your chances of making an income with data entry by learning through  online tutorials and courses. To find work in this area you can look for opportunities on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, or research companies looking for this work directly.

8. Transcribe Audio Recordings

If you’re a fast (and accurate) typist with really good listening skills, audio transcription could be an excellent way for you to generate some additional income.

(This one isn’t great for anyone like me who is fast, but not always accurate lol).

This side hustle involves listening to audio recordings and converting them into written documents. This makes it a valuable service across many industries, such as legal, medical, and general business.

The beauty of audio transcription work is that it’s really flexible which allows you to choose your own hours and work from virtually anywhere!

With consistent practice and good attention to detail, you can refine your skills and turn this opportunity into a reliable income stream where you can work up to make that $100 in a day!

Sell What You Already Have

9. Sell/Return Unused Items from Your Home

I think we are all guilty of buying things we really didn’t need or thought we wanted but never ended up using/wearing. I know I am!

Instead of letting those purchases sit gathering dust, (if they are recent purchases) you can return them to the store for a refund!

This is a really quick and easy way to get some money back.

Make sure to always keep your receipts and return items within the store’s return policy period if they don’t fit/aren’t useful or aren’t what you wanted or expected. 

If returns are not an option due to closed return windows ect, consider selling the items online or through consignment shops if you have any local to you.

Does this sound like something you are interested in? If so, start by decluttering and getting rid of anything you haven’t used in the past year. If it isn’t used/useful or doesn’t bring you joy – you can sell it!

You of course may not get the full retail price, but it’s a good way to recoup some of your money rather than it sitting in your home costing you 100% of the money spent!

10. Sell Your Used Books

Selling used books is a fantastic option if you’ve got old books lying about and are looking to make that $100 in a day!

You can use platforms like eBay, Amazon, and Facebook Marketplace, and it’s then easy to connect with buyers who are looking to buy good-quality, second-hand books at a good price.

If you don’t have many used books at home, you can find cheap books from garage sales or thrift stores! If you focus on popular genres such as textbooks, rare editions, or trending novels, you can really increase your profit margins as people are always looking for good deals on those sorts of books.

This option is effective for both decluttering and making money online.

11. Sell Unused Gift Cards

Selling unused gift cards is an easy (and quick) way to declutter your home and make some quick cash!

Every single year, millions of dollars in gift cards go unused! Which is a scary statistic!

Different countries/areas have different companies that will buy gift cards back or offer other credits, so look for a credible one in your area!

Cards from popular retailers like Amazon or Walmart are in high demand and often fetch great rates!

Of course you may not get the full value of the card back, but it’s still better than the entire card being wasted!

12. Flipping Items

If you love finding a good deal, flipping items could be the perfect side hustle for you.

The trick here is to find and buy items at bargain prices that you can resell for a profit.

You can find items at flea markets, garage sales, boot sales, thrift shops, or even online marketplaces such as eBay! 

With some creativity and a little know-how, this can turn into a lucrative side hustle option.

The key here is to do a bit of research and focus on items that people are actively looking for. This could be vintage decor, niche pieces, or unique collectibles for some examples.

Easy Side Hustles

13. Deliver Food

Delivering food can be an incredibly easy and flexible way to make extra cash. 

Especially if you’re looking for a side hustle that fits around your schedule.

Whether you’re delivering pizzas, burgers or groceries, platforms such as Uber Eats, Just Eat, DoorDash or Deliveroo make it super simple to get started. You can work as much or as little as you like, depending on your monetary/work wants and your availability.

The best part for this income option is that you can sometimes earn tips on top of your delivery fee, boosting your income even more!

With this type of work you don’t need any special qualifications – just a reliable vehicle, a phone, and a willingness to work.

Some people even opt to deliver without a car. They may opt for riding a motorbike, push bike, or walking.

It’s an easy way to turn your free time into cash while helping others get what they need!

14. Become a Pet Sitter

Pet sitting is an ideal side hustle for animal lovers because it allows you to spend quality time with animals, all while earning money.

Whether you’re walking dogs, feeding cats, or providing companionship to pets while their owners are away, it can be a fulfilling experience for anyone who loves animals!

The beauty of pet sitting is that you can choose the hours that fit your schedule. This could be shorter, one off jobs, to regular recurring jobs.

Platforms such as Rover make it easy to connect with pet owners in need of trustworthy care for their precious pets.

This side hustle option often pays well, with pet sitters often earning $20-$40 per visit depending on the services and care required. 

For animal lovers, it’s a win-win: doing what you love while making extra income!

15. Start a Pressure-Washing Business

If you prefer a more hands-on and outdoorsy side hustle, starting a pressure-washing business is a fairly low-cost, high-profit way to make money!

You will always find people who need driveways, sidewalks, decks, and buildings cleaned. This makes demand steady year-round!

With just a pressure washer and basic supplies, you can start small and scale up as you like. Plus jobs can pay $100+ per hour when you get good at it. This means you can quickly earn a good income, without needing too many jobs booked in. Perfect for those who want flexibility, independence, and great earning potential!

Of course just remember to get insurance!

Passive Income

16. Cashback Apps

Cashback apps make it really easy to earn rewards or money back on your everyday purchases!

By using apps like Rakuten or Upside, you can receive a percentage of what you spend as cash or redeemable points.

It’s as simple as shopping through the app’s platform or uploading receipts from your regular purchases to the app.

You still shop at your standard places, you just go to the website via the app or upload the receipts!

The more you use these apps and take advantage of special offers, the faster your savings can add up.

Regular users/shoppers often reach $100 within a few months, making cashback apps a hassle-free way to stretch your spending and earn a little extra on the side.

While you may not make $100 in a day, over time you can be rewarded with fairly regular cashback payments or gift cards.

17. Earn Money from Cash Back Offers

If you love shopping, why not get paid for it? Cashback platforms like Rakuten make it really easy to earn money on purchases you’re already making.

The process is really simple too! You create an account for free, shop at your normal/favorite places but via their site, and you then earn a percentage back in cash or as rewards!

Rakuten often has special promotions and bonuses, meaning you can speed up your earnings too. It’s an amazing way to make an income without any extra effort! 

While you may not make $100 a day, using platforms such as Rakuten can certainly add up over time, for little to no extra effort.

18. Rent Out Your Stuff

A simple way to make some money is to rent out things you aren’t using that other people are looking to rent.

If you own a parking space but don’t have a car, consider renting it out to those who would happily pay to use it.

This can be really profitable in busy inner city/urban areas where parking is not only expensive, but hard to come by!  It won’t take long to find someone who’s willing to pay for the spot! 

You could also consider renting out garage space, large tools/machinery or other items that people may be looking for but aren’t wanting to buy.. 

You can advertise in online adverts or in neighborhood groups online.

19. Rent Out Your Car

Have you got an extra car that’s not getting much use? 

This could be a second vehicle or your main vehicle that you aren’t using currently.

Instead of letting it sit unused, consider renting it out through platforms such as HyreCar. These platforms make it easy to legally rent out your vehicle, whether you’re away or just don’t use it daily.

To start, check if your car meets the service’s requirements and you need to ensure your insurance covers car rentals.

Renting out your car through the right channels is an excellent way to turn an unused asset into steady, passive income!

20. Rent Out an Extra Room on Airbnb

If you have a spare room in your home, renting it out could be a fantastic way to bring in extra income. 

This could be a room, an attic conversion or a renovated basement/living space!

Platforms like Airbnb make it simple to advertise and list your space, whether it’s just for weekends, holidays, or for full-time.

Hosting not only lets you earn money but also gives you the chance to meet people from all over the world.

You’ll have full control over your availability, pricing, and house rules. This allows you to tailor the experience to fit your lifestyle.

It’s a flexible and rewarding side hustle for anyone with a little extra space!

Always make sure you use reputable platforms!

Loving these ideas? Get this FREE 50 Power Prompts for Content Creation eBookto keep your momentum going – plus get an exclusive bonus toolkit for just £11!

21. Buy and Sell Domains

Buying and selling domains (also known as domain flipping) is an excellent side hustle because it offers high-profit potential with minimal upfront investment.

You can purchase domain names for as little as $10–$50 and resell them for significantly higher prices. Sometimes in the thousands!

It’s flexible, allowing you to work from anywhere which is ideal for those looking to fit their income in around their daily schedule.

High-value domains, especially those with a .com extension, tend to attract the highest offers. 

This isn’t a hard and fast rule, but it does seem to go that way. 

Platforms such as GoDaddy Auctions and Flippa make it super easy to buy and sell domains.

With patience and a bit of strategy mixed with market insight, domain flipping can generate fairly substantial returns, making it both a profitable and engaging side hustle!

With the right effort, a successful domain flipping business has the potential to generate six-figure incomes annually.

22. Invest in The Stock Market

Investing can be a great way to make money if you are happy to be in it for the long game. It offers incredible potential for long-term growth if you stick with it.

Platforms such as Trading 212 (if you’re in the UK) are perfect for beginners because they are user-friendly, reliable, and provide a range of tools to help you get started. 

Trading 212 is a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) so is a great one to start with and if you want some free shares to get started, click this link here.

With features like commission-free trading and helpful , beginner friendly resources, you can start building up your portfolio with minimal upfront costs.

Just remember that investing is a long-term game. While you can see daily profits if markets perform well, the real power of investing lies in compounding over months and even years.

Trading 212 and similar platforms make it easy to diversify your investments, whether you’re interested in stocks, ETFs, or fractional shares. 

The beauty of Trading 212 itself is that they offer a virtual account to practice without any risk!

If you are located outside of the UK you will need to find a platform where you are. Make sure they are highly reviewed and regulated by a Financial Body just as Trading 212 is!

Online Businesses

23. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is when you earn a commission by promoting other companies’ products. 

The commission you receive will vary from brand to brand but there is a lot of money to be made!

For me, I focus on partnering with brands I trust—companies whose products I use and love. It’s so much easier (and way more fun) to share things you know your audience will genuinely find valuable.

The best part? Affiliate marketing has massive potential.

Many successful bloggers use it as a key income stream, with some earning six figures or more just by funding a way that works for them.

It’s all about being authentic and strategic!

If you want a step-by-step breakdown, start with my post: Affiliate Marketing for Beginners. It shows you exactly how to make your first $1,000 even if you’re starting from 0.

24. Start Your Own Blog

Here’s one that’s close to home for me!

If you’re looking for a creative and long-term way to make money, starting a blog is a brilliant option!

Blogs can generate income through ads, affiliate marketing, sponsored content, digital products, and more. The best part? You can build a blog around any topic you’re passionate about. No matter whether it’s travel, fitness, parenting, or even niche hobbies.

While blogging takes time to gain traction, once your content is out there it can work for you 24/7. This then can bring in passive income over time. 

And trust me, those little wins – like your first affiliate sale, makes all the effort so worth it!

For answers to the most commonly asked blogging-related questions, have a look at this post here!

If Pinterest feels easier than setting up a full blog, this post shows you how to earn by using pinterest with no need for your own blog if you would prefer that route.

25. Start a YouTube Channel

Starting a YouTube channel is an amazing way to earn income while sharing your passions with an audience from all over the world!

Whether you’re into tutorials, reviews, or lifestyle content, YouTube offers limitless creative freedom and several ways to monetize your channel and your brand.

Once you hit 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours, you can join the YouTube Partner Program to earn ad revenue from your videos. Beyond ads, there are many other income opportunities through sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and selling your own products or services.

One of the best aspects of YouTube is its potential for passive income. A single video can continue to generate views – and money – for years to come. 

Building a successful channel requires dedication and consistency, but it’s highly flexible – you set your own schedule and style!

Many creators now earn full-time incomes, with some making six or even seven figures annually. YouTube isn’t just a side hustle. It’s an amazing platform for personal expression, financial growth, and creating a lasting impact on your own channel on the internet.

26. Start a Podcast

Starting a podcast is a great side hustle because it offers you a creative outlet alongwith the opportunity to build a personal brand.

You only need minimal equipment to start. This includes things like a microphone and editing software. With these you can start producing episodes on topics you’re passionate about right away! Whether it’s storytelling, education, or niche interests, you will find an audience who enjoys listening to you.

Podcasts generate income through sponsorships, affiliate marketing, merchandise, and listener donations, making them a versatile way to earn.

While you can’t expect to make money instantly, sticking with it and being consistent is the best way to grow your brand and your audience, which in turn will grow your income! 

Platforms such as Spotify or Apple Podcasts make it easy to distribute your content and grow yourself an audience. While it will take time to gain traction, consistent, high-quality content can lead to long-term passive income and even open doors to other opportunities!

It’s a flexible, scalable side hustle option that fits well around daily life.

27. Create an Online Course

This is a fun one for anyone who has knowledge to share!

If you’re an expert in something, no matter whether it’s blogging, cooking, productivity hacks, or even niche hobbies – you can turn that knowledge into an online course!

(I am using the term “expert” but truly all you need is lesser-known information on your chosen topic!)

Platforms such as Teachable and Thinkific make it super easy to create and sell courses to people from all over the world.

Online courses are becoiming more and more popular as people are realising that investing a little money to save a lot of time is SO worth it!

I rave about this Blogging Course for exactly that reason. The amount of time this information provided me – all in one place – makes it such a good investment.

One of the best parts of this income option is that once your course is live, it becomes a source of passive income.

Of course it takes time upfront to script, plan and record, but after that, you can earn money over and over. 

The only things to really focus on then are any updates that may need adding, and marketing your course to those who would be looking to obtain the information you are sharing!

28. Publish a Book or eBook

Publishing your own book or eBook (especially via platforms like Amazon KDP) can be a great way to earn money!

As with any business model, it requires a thoughtful strategy, planning, writing, and marketing.

You can use tools to help you create planners, notebooks or colouring books, then have them published via Amazon KDP!

Once your eBook is live, it can generate passive revenue with minimal additional effort! This is down to the fact that you create them once, but can sell multiple times over as Amazon does the publishing/printing and shipping for you!

You can also sell digital downloads of the books on platforms such as Shopify or Etsy! This can include books you have written yourself, or books you have bought with PLR which are done-for-you books that you can sell as your own!

Another option worth looking at is selling digital products, and I’ve got a full list of digital products you can sell for passive income if you want some ideas for what you could actually create and sell.

29. Sell PLR Done-for-you Products

Selling PLR (Private Label Rights) done-for-you products (just as the picture above) is a fantastic way to make money. This is because it’s a low-effort, high-reward business model/way to create an income!

You buy ready-made content such as courses, eBooks, downloads, templates, or graphics, and you then rebrand them and sell them as your own.

Here’s an example of done-for-you products you can re-brand and re-sell as your own!

There’s no need to spend hours creating products from scratch!

It’s perfect for anyone who wants to offer digital products without the worry or hassle of making them.

You can then sell them on platforms such as Etsy and Shopify!

If you need more info on Shopify or their free trial, check that out here!

Plus, digital products have no inventory or shipping costs. This means your profit margins are huge. The only cost needed is the one you paid for the item initially. Once set up, it’s a passive income stream that keeps bringing in sales even while you sleep! 

30. Sell Items on Etsy

No matter if you love making handmade crafts, designing printables, or selling PLR/done-for-you products, selling on Etsy is a great way to make money!

Etsy is an online market place which means it already has its own customer base. 

Whether you sell jewelry, home decor, digital downloads, or custom gifts, you can start as small as you like and can grow your shop over time.

Plus, with Etsy handling all purchases and payments, plus giving you built-in exposure to a ready-made audience, it’s easier than ever to reach customers worldwide!

Another popular option when it comes to selling items on Etsy is to use a platform such as Printify and you can sell Print-On-Demand products. This could be mugs, t-shirts, stickers, or anything else that appeals to you!

With Print-On-Demand you design your items in Printify, connect it to your Etsy store, and then whhen people order, the order goes directly through Printify so you don’t have to hold any stock/inventory and no worry about having to ship items out yourself!

Using Printify lets you design items you like, it lets the customer buy whichever variation you have advised is available, and you don’t have to do anything else other than collect the profit!

Definitely a good option!

31. Sell Items on Amazon

Do you have stuff lying around the house? Or maybe you’ve got an eye for finding bargains? Selling items on Amazon can be a fast and profitable way to make extra cash.

Whether it’s books, gadgets, or other products, Amazon makes it easy to list and sell to millions of potential buyers. You don’t need a full-blown business to start – just some products and a bit of time to get your listings set up.

Plus, with Amazon handling the tricky, fiddly stuff like shipping through FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon), you can just focus on finding great items to sell!

Some sellers have made hundreds in their first month, so if you’ve got an eye for products, this could be a great side hustle for you!

High-Income Skills

32. Freelancing Your Skill Set

Freelance work is another fantastic way to earn extra money.

If you have specific skills, freelancing from home can be a great way to earn extra money.

You can easily sign up to websites such as Fiverr and Upwork. These platforms connect freelancers with clients who need specific skills such as proofreading, web design, writing, photography or social media management.

After setting up your profile and services, you can start taking on freelance jobs that fit into your schedule. 

Most often anyone can sign up to offer freelance platforms like the ones mentioned above.

However, be aware that some platforms may have application processes or require you to prove your skills before accepting you in. Once you’re approved, you can then start offering your services and set your own rates!

33. Sell Services on Fiverr

If you have an online service to offer, you can do so on Fiverr!

Fiverr is one of the easiest ways to start making yourself money online by offering your skills as paid services.

No matter whether your skill is in writing content or emails, graphic design, video editing, voiceovers, or social media management (just as a few examples – the list is endless), you will find that someone will be looking for those specific services.

People often start by creating simple, quick jobs at an appealing low price to attract your first few customers and then as your completed jobs, experience and positive reviews go up, you can then increase your rates and complexity of jobs!

Fiverr handles all of the marketing and brings clients to you through keywords, so you don’t have to spend time searching for work. Of course you can promote your services if you’d like though!

34. Become a Virtual Assistant

If you’re organized and good at multitasking, becoming a virtual assistant (VA) is a fantastic way to make money online!

Business owners, bloggers, influencers and entrepreneurs are always looking for help with the daily tasks that take time away from them creating content/products! These tasks could be things like email management, social media scheduling, data entry, help with Pinterest and customer support.

You can sign up and start on websites like Fiverr or Upwork, and you set your own rates based on your experience!

As for how much you can make, many new VAs earn between $15-$50 per hour, and as you gain clients and experience, it can turn into a full-time income. Plus, you get the freedom to work from anywhere!

35. Email Marketing Manager

Email marketing is one of the most powerful ways businesses connect with their audience. A lot will say that their email list is one of the most important and valuable things that they have! Because of this, they are willing to pay for experts who can help write and schedule engaging emails that drive sales or clicks!

As an Email Marketing Manager, you’ll create newsletters, automated sequences, and promotional campaigns to help brands connect more with their audience, and help drive clicks and sales back to whatever their business needs.

If you are looking to grow your email list or need ideas how to grow someone elses – grab this free cheatsheet on Lead Magnets for email growth!

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Many businesses (especially e-commerce stores and bloggers) need this service, and you can charge per project or on a retainer basis – making this a great way to build a steady income online that suits you as well as the blogger/brand!

If you’re looking for an easy-to-use, totally beginner friendly and affordable email marketing platform, MailerLite is a really good choice! It’s the platform I use and I can highly recommend it!

It’s beginner-friendly (super easy to work with and use), it’s got loads of automation features, and offers a free plan without any upfront or ongoing costs.

No matter whether you’re running your own campaigns for yourself, wanting to practice with email software or using it for clients, MailerLite is a really great tool to help maximize results while keeping things streamlined and simple!

36. SEO Specialist

This is a bit of a niche option to make $100 in a day, but if you’re good with keywords and analytics, offering SEO services is a great way to generate an income.

Businesses and bloggers need help ranking higher on Google as their whole business relies on having an audience, and many will pay well for services like keyword research and site optimization.

You can start with free online courses, and even beginners can charge $50 to $100 per project. With SEO in high demand, this side hustle has serious growth potential!

If you’re familiar with how Google works and love looking into keywords and the back-end analytics, becoming an SEO specialist is a fantastic way to make some money.

You don’t need a fancy degree or qualification to get started. There are plenty of free and paid resources/courses online to help you build your SEO skills.

As an SEO specialist, you could offer services such as keyword research, on-page optimization, and backlink building.

Rates will vary depending on your own experience and skill set, but even beginners can charge $50 to $100 per project.

The good thing about skills like this is that once you’ve got a few success stories behind you, your earning potential can skyrocket.

SEO is an always-in-demand skill that businesses and brands are constantly looking for, making it a great side hustle that can turn into a full career if you choose!

37. Social Media Manager

With the rise of influencers and online brands, many need help staying active on social media so they can focus on content! That’s where a Social Media Manager comes in!

Whether it’s help in creating engaging posts, scheduling content, responding to comments or other tasks to help grow their audience/followers, this role is perfect if you love spending time online and know how to keep an audience engaged and growing!

Depending on your skills/experience and the brands and content crerators you choose to work with, you’ll find people willing to pay hundreds or even thousands per month! 

It can be a lot of work but super enjoyable if you’re on social media anyway!

38. Facebook Ads Manager

Becoming a Facebook Ads Manager can be a really good way to make $100 in a day because brands and businesses are always looking for skilled people to help them get more leads and in turn, more sales!

With millions of people and businesses relying on Facebook ads, there’s always a huge demand for ad managers who can create, optimize, and scale campaigns for those businesses.

Plus, you don’t need a degree or any specific qualifications to get started. All you need is the right training/skills and some experience.

Once you really master it, you can charge hundreds or even thousands per month per client, making it a super effective and flexible side hustle or even full-time business!

39. Offer Video Editing Services

Video editing services can be an amazing way to make $100 in a day.

The popularity of platforms like YouTube and TikTok has heightened the demand for talented video editors, making it one of the best opportunities out there.

Every vlog, cinematic montage, or viral short video starts as raw video footage. It’s the editor who transforms it into something captivating and impactful!

And here’s the best part: you don’t need years of experience to get started!

You can pick up video editing skills in just 3 to 6 months with free or affordable online resources. YouTube tutorials are a great place to begin.

Once you’ve honed your craft, the earning potential is amazing.

Rates can vary depending on the type of videos you work on, but with dedication this could turn into a lucrative and creative career or side hustle.

40. Become a Content Re-purposer

If someone is creating content, chances are they are looking for ways to get more eyes on their work without constantly creating new content from scratch! That’s where content re-purposers come in.

Here are a couple of examples of the jobs you may get as as a content re-purposer: you might turn blog posts into social media graphics, you might change podcasts into blog posts, or break down/edit long form YouTube videos into short-form videos for platforms such as TikTok or Instagram!

It’s a high-demand skill that saves creators SO much time while also helping them grow their audience across multiple platforms.

If you enjoy organizing and editing content in streamlined, engaging ways, this could be the ideal side hustle for you!

41. Graphic Designer

If you’ve got a good eye, are creative, if you love designing logos, social media graphics, or website images, becoming a freelance graphic designer is a fantastic way to make extra money!

There are always people needing graphics and images created! With platforms like Canva, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop, you can create unique logos, banners and visuals – without the need for a big budget. 

Whether you sell custom designs, take on specific custom client projects, or even offer templates on Etsy or Shopify, designing graphics for brands and content creators can be a really fun way to earn if you’re good at it!

Specialised Services

42. Bookkeeping

If numbers, organization and attention to detail are your thing, bookkeeping could be the perfect way for you to earn some extra cash.

With businesses of all sizes needing help managing their finances, bookkeepers are always in demand.

You don’t need a formal accounting degree to get started either. There are plenty of online courses to teach you the basics!

Once you know how to track expenses, balance accounts, and generate financial reports, you can then offer your services to small business owners, freelancers, and even entrepreneurs. 

It’s a really flexible job you can do remotely and part-time, making it ideal for fitting around your daily life and other commitments. Experienced bookkeepers can earn $25 to $50 per hour, making it a profitable and reliable side hustle.

Plus as a bonus, it’s a skill that you can keep improving on, and that only gets more valuable with time!

43. Become a Translator

If you’re fluent in more than one language, you can absolutely put your skills to good use and try out becoming a translator!

It’s such a rewarding job where you get to help people communicate across different languages. You could be translating anything from important documents and audio recordings to books or creative writing!

If you have the skills, translating is an amazing way to use your talent while earning money.

Plus, you can often do this work from the comfort of your home or on a flexible schedule, making it a fantastic option if you’re looking for freedom in your career!

44. Teaching English Online

Teaching English as a second language online is a helpful and growing side hustle opportunity. It’s especially perfect for those looking for flexibility and more meaningful work!

Whether you choose to teach online or in person, this income option is incredibly versatile and flexible, making it again perfect for anyone wanting their income to fit seamlessly around family commitments and/or other responsibilities.

While you don’t necessarily need a degree, having a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification is essential to be accepted for most positions and in turn maximize your earning potential.

Platforms like VIPKID, Qkids, and Cambly connect you with learners worldwide and offer decent pay, often up to $22 per hour or more depending on your experience and which platform you choose.

If you enjoy helping others and want to work from anywhere, this could be the perfect income stream for you!

45. Start a Consulting Business

This is a side hustle/business idea for those who have a more specialised skill set!

If you have expertise in a particular field you could start your own consulting business. No matter whether your skills and expertise are in marketing, business strategies, or even personal development, you can use your knowledge and make it into a profitable business!

People (including brands and companies) are always looking for expert guidance to help them solve and overcome problems and achieve their goals.

You can start off small by offering one-on-one coaching or consulting calls so you get comfortable and in the swing of things. After that you can then scale up by offering services such as group sessions, digital courses, or even mentorship programs.

You of course set your own rates, choose clients to work with that you enjoy, and build a business that fits into your current daily lifestyle.

A consulting business is an amazing way to make $100 in a day, and in time you can easily scale it up to a full time income stream!

Creative Income

46. Photography

Photography can be an amazing way to make money! Whether your niche is portraits, product photography, or even selling stock images online, there are loads of opportunities to turn your photo skills into an income.

You can start small with just a camera or even a smartphone, build a portfolio, and grow your client base over time.

You can take courses and become more qualified as you become more experienced too. This in turn will reflect in the prices you then charge.

Plus, with social media and the internet in general, marketing your work has never been easier. You can sell stock images to stock image websites, or sell prints via Etsy or Shopify!

If you have a good eye for detail and are creative, photography can be a super flexible, and profitable side hustle to start. 

With time and effort it won’t be long before you’re up to making $100 in a day!

47. Personal Stylist

Becoming a personal stylist is a fantastic way to make money while helping people look and feel their best!

Whether you’re styling people for their everyday style, special events, or even professional photoshoots, there’s always a demand for expert fashion advice.

The beauty of this venture is that you can work in-person, online, or a mix of the two! You can offer virtual styling sessions, wardrobe ideas, or even personal shopping services if you prefer to see things in person.

Due to the internet and specifically Social Media, building a personal brand and attracting clients is easier  than ever!

If you love fashion and have an amazing eye for style, this could be the fun, flexible, and rewarding side hustle for you!

You made it to the end! That deserves congrats in itself! That also already tells me you’re serious about changing your life. These 47 ideas aren’t just “quick cash hacks”… they can be real stepping stones to something so much bigger.

Whether your first $100 comes in tomorrow or in two weeks, it’s coming – if you stick with it. The key? Start. Start today. Take messy action. And keep showing up for the life you know you’re meant to have.

If you want to see the exact toools that help me grow my blog, income, and online presence every single day…
Check out my full blogging + money-making tools – it’s everything I love and actually use or recommend for anyone just starting out!

Quick FAQ Section For Further Info

Q: What is the fastest way to make $100 a day?

A: It truly depends on your skills and what you enjoy doing really. Having said that, some of the fastest methods include freelance work, selling digital products, affiliate marketing, or offering services through platforms like Fiverr. These can be the quickest in terms of cash in your pocket or comission in your account. Some people even make $100+ a day flipping items or through print-on-demand if that’s what takes your fancy!

Q: Can you really make $100 a day online?

A: Absolutely! So many people do it daily! It takes effort, learning, and testing different ideas of course, but with consistency, making $100 a day (or more!) from home is totally achievable. A lot of the methods I talk about in this post are beginner-friendly and scalable over time. Some may take more learning but then you will have a solid skill set behind you too!

Q: How do I start a side hustle with no money?
A: You don’t need to invest upfront to start earning. I have a full post breakdown on why you DON’T need to invest money to make money online – check that out here! Options like affiliate marketing, offering digital services, starting a blog, or using platforms like Pinterest or TikTok can be started with little to no cost. They just require your time, effort, and creativity!

Q: What about taxes?

A: I’m not an expert so you will need to do your own research for this one. This will vary depending on what country you are in. If you’re in the UK for example, when you start making money it’s worth reading the official HMRC guidance on becoming a sole trader so you understand how taxes work and avoid surprises later lol. For US readers, the IRS has a clear Gig Economy Tax Center that explains what counts as taxable income and what doesn’t.

As you can see from all the options above, there are so many ways that you can make $100 in a day! Some will take more time than others but with time, determination and learning skills where needed, you can see how easily it can be done!

Which of these options to make $100 in a day appeals to you the most?

Do you already do any of the options I listed here?

Let me know in the comments!

Speak soon!

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The post How To Make $100 In a Day: 47 Fun and Practical Ideas appeared first on Katherine McLee.