How to start a blog

Getting started with blogging can seem like a bit of a minefield, particularly if you don't have much tech knowledge.

You have two main options when it comes to actually setting up a blog – you can use a free blogging platform, or you can create your own website. We'll take you through both, and outline their pros and cons, so you can make the right decision for you and your blog.

1. Free blogging platforms

   
   

   Credit: Universal Pictures
   Best for: Casual bloggers and those not interested in making money from their blog.
   Pros: Super easy to set up and completely free.
   Cons: Limits on customisation and video/image uploads, you often can't place adverts or use affiliate links, you can't create a custom URL and the platform retains the right to delete your blog.

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   A lot of platforms will allow you to set up a blog for free, and they're super easy to use. If you're just wanting to blog casually at first, this could suit you well.
   But, free blogging platforms can be very limiting. You'll only be able to customise to a limited extent, and your blog will have a storage limit which could make it harder to upload large videos and images.
   Another drawback is that your blog URL will be something like 'www.yourblog.wordpress.com' with the platform branding.
   Most free blogging platforms also don't allow you to place banner adverts or affiliate links on your site, which are key revenue streams for most bloggers.
   However, if these things don't bother you, here's a quick rundown of the best free online blogging platforms.

   Best blogging sites

   •  WordPress.com – This is a free basic blog hosting service that's easy to use. You'll have to put up with WordPress ads and branding unless you pay a monthly fee, and you can't put ads on your site. There are also limited options for customisation and expansion
   •  Blogger – Google's free blog hosting service, Blogger, is really simple to use. But, the customisation and design options are very limited, and there aren't a lot of options if you want to add new features
   •  Medium – With Medium, the emphasis is on the writing rather than design, and it's used by lots of journalists, writers and experts. It's a great way to share your work with a particular community, but you can't run any ads and it's difficult to create your own personal branding.

2. Create your own website

   
   

   Credit: Kalamurzing - Shutterstock
   Best for: Dedicated bloggers and those looking to make money from their blog
   Pros: Complete control over design and customisation, your own custom URL and the ability to use adverts and affiliate links how you like
   Cons: You'll have to pay – firstly for your domain name (URL) and then for hosting, but we've got tips on keeping costs low.

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   If you're not particularly tech-savvy, the thought of creating your own website might seem quite scary – but it's actually pretty easy to do, and you can create one in just 20 minutes.
   Save the Student's founder, Owen, has written an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide to show you how to start a website.
   With your own website, you'll be able to create unique personal branding (with your own URL), and there's no risk of your blog being deleted by the platform – you'll own the site and be in complete control.
   WordPress has an insane amount of templates or 'themes' for you to choose from – take your time to decide on one which suits both your personality and the topic of your blog.
   Opt for something clear and simple, with space for large images and easy-to-read fonts (Comic Sans and Courier fonts are no-nos).