Blogging Basics: How to Start a Blog, Choose the Right Platform & Do SEO in 2025

So you’ve finally decided to start a blog? Welcome to the blogging universe—where ideas become income and passion meets the power of the internet. But wait, you might be thinking:
"Where do I start?" "Which platform is best?" "What is SEO and how do I do it?"

Relax. Grab a cup of chai or coffee. This guide will walk you through everything you need to start your blogging journey in 2025—from scratch!


🌱 Why Start a Blog in 2025?



Blogging is not dead, my friend. It’s evolving faster than ever!

  • You can build a personal brand.

  • Start earning online through ads, affiliate marketing, or sponsored content.

  • Share your knowledge and build a loyal audience.

  • Create a passive income stream while working from home.

The best part? You don’t need any coding knowledge to get started.


🚀 Step 1: Choose Your Blogging Niche



Before you jump into the tech stuff, pause and ask:

  • What topics do I enjoy discussing?

  • What do people search for online?

  • Can I create consistent content in this area?

Some profitable and evergreen niches are:

  • Make Money Online

  • Personal Finance

  • Fitness & Wellness

  • Food & Recipes

  • Tech & Gadgets

  • Travel

  • Parenting

  • Self-Improvement

👉 Pro Tip: Select a niche where your passion aligns with search demand.


🧱 Step 2: Pick the Right Blogging Platform

Now that your niche is set, it’s time to choose a platform to build your blog.

🔹 1. Blogger.com (Free & Simple)

  • Owned by Google

  • Free hosting & easy setup

  • Custom domain support (e.g., www.yoursite.com)

  • Good for beginners on a tight budget





🔹 2. WordPress.org (Self-Hosted, Professional)

  • Most popular platform worldwide

  • Full control and customization

  • Requires domain + hosting

  • Perfect for long-term serious bloggers

🔹 3. WordPress.com, Wix, Medium (Others)

  • Easy drag-and-drop options

  • Some limitations in the free versions

👉 Pro Suggestion:
If you're just starting, Blogger is great. If you're planning to invest and grow big, WordPress.org is future-proof.


🌐 Step 3: Buy a Domain Name (Optional but Recommended)



If you're using Blogger, you’ll start with a free domain like:
yourname.blogspot.com

But if you want to build a brand, get a custom domain like:
www.yourbrand.com

Where to buy domains:

Cost: ₹600 – ₹1000/year


🔧 Step 4: Set Up Your Blog

Once the platform and domain are ready:

  • Choose a clean and responsive theme/template

  • Add essential pages: Home, About, Contact, Privacy Policy.

  • Add a logo and blog title.e

  • Create categories based on your niche.

👉 Pro Tip: Keep it simple and mobile-friendly. Most of your traffic will come from phones.


✍️ Step 5: Start Writing Quality Blog Posts

This is where the magic happens.

How to write your first blog post:

  • Headline: Catchy & keyword-rich (e.g., “10 Best Budget Phones Under ₹10,000”)

  • Intro Paragraph: Hook the reader. Ask a question, state a fact, or tell a story.

  • Body Content: Use subheadings (H2/H3), bullet points, images

  • Conclusion: Wrap up with a takeaway or CTA (Call to Action)

👉 Pro Tip: Focus on solving problems. Be helpful, not just clever.


🧠 Step 6: Learn Basic SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

This is the secret sauce that gets your blog visible on Google.

On-Page SEO Tips:

  1. Keyword Research
    Use free tools like:

  2. Place Keywords Smartly

    • In Title

    • In URL

    • In the first 100 words

    • In subheadings and image ALT text

  3. Use Internal Linking

    • Link to your other blog posts

  4. Meta Title & Description

    • Use a tool like Yoast SEO (for WordPress)

    • Keep it under 60 characters for the title and 160 for the description.

  5. Use Images & Alt Text

    • Compress images (use TinyPNG)

    • Add descriptive ALT tags.

  6. Mobile-Friendly + Fast Loading

    • Use responsive templates

    • Use tools like PageSpeed Insights.


📢 Step 7: Promote Your Blog

"Build it and they will come" — Not true anymore. You have to promote like a boss.

Ways to promote:

  • Share posts on WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

  • Join niche-related forums and groups.

  • Use Pinterest for visual traffic.

  • Quora & Reddit: Answer questions and link back to your blog

  • Start building an email list.

👉 Pro Tip: Consistency is more powerful than perfection. Post weekly or bi-weekly.


💸 Step 8: Monetize Your Blog

Once your blog has some traffic and content, you can start earning.

Ways to earn:

  • Google AdSense (show ads on your blog)

  • Affiliate Marketing (promote products, earn commission)

  • Sponsored Posts (brands pay to write on your blog)

  • Sell your eBook/course.

  • Offer freelance services (writing, design, coaching)


📅 Bonus: Blogging Success Checklist

✅ Choose a niche
✅ Set up a platform
✅ Buy a domain (optional)
✅ Design your blog
✅ Write valuable content
✅ Learn basic SEO
✅ Promote regularly
✅ Start monetizing
✅ Be patient & consistent


🧘 Final Thoughts: Slow & Steady Wins the Blog Game

Blogging is a marathon, not a sprint. You won’t become a millionaire overnight, but if you stay consistent, learn SEO, and write from the heart, you will see results.

So take the first step. Start messy. Learn on the go. And remember:

“Don’t wait to be perfect. Just start. Your future blog audience is already searching for your content.”