Today, I want to share my experience of starting a WordPress blog and how it can help you earn additional income in this age of side hustles (N-job). Many people are curious about WordPress, but when they get started, it can feel overwhelming with all the terms like hosting, SEO, and AdSense. But don’t worry! I’m here to break it all down for you and show you how to start making money from a WordPress blog.
This post isn’t about how to install WordPress or use it in technical detail (there are plenty of tutorials online for that). Instead, I’ll talk about what you can do with WordPress, how to use it effectively, and give you practical tips for setting up your blog in a way that can help you earn extra income.
Why Choose WordPress?
You may already be familiar with platforms like Naver Blog or Tistory, so you might be wondering why you should choose WordPress. I like to think of WordPress as building your own space, just like owning a building. You’re not dependent on any platform, and you have full control over your blog. Plus, you can utilize powerful monetization tools like Google AdSense.
On the other hand, platforms like Naver or Tistory are more like rented spaces. They are subject to the platform’s policies, and you can’t fully control your monetization options. With WordPress, you own your content and can build it into an asset that you fully control—this is a significant advantage, especially if you want to grow and target global audiences for additional income.
The First Step in WordPress: Choosing the Right Hosting
When starting with WordPress, the first and most important step is choosing the right hosting. Hosting is like the foundation of a building—it affects your blog’s speed, stability, and SEO, which ultimately impacts your potential income. I learned this the hard way when I started with a cheap shared hosting and struggled with slow speeds and downtime as my traffic grew.
When choosing hosting, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a domestic or international provider. Personally, I recommend starting with Cafe24 for its affordability and ease of use for beginners. It’s a great way to get your feet wet with WordPress, and once you feel comfortable, you can easily transition to a more powerful server or overseas hosting provider.
Must-Have WordPress Plugins: Boost Productivity and Earnings
One of the biggest advantages of WordPress is the plugins that help extend its functionality. Using the right plugins can maximize your blog’s efficiency and help you earn more money. Here are my top 5 must-have plugins:
- Rank Math SEO: Essential for SEO optimization, helping you rank higher in search engines.
- Ad Inserter or Advanced Ads: Manage and insert Google AdSense ads on your blog to generate income.
- WP Table of Contents: Automatically generate a table of contents for long posts, improving readability and SEO.
- Akismet Anti-Spam: Protect your blog from spam comments and improve management.
- WP Super Cache or LiteSpeed Cache: Speed up your blog by using caching plugins for faster loading times.
Understanding SEO: How to Rank Higher on Google
If you want to monetize your WordPress blog, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is essential. SEO refers to all the activities you do to ensure that your blog appears at the top of Google search results. Here are some important SEO elements:
- Quality Content: The most important factor. Create helpful, interesting, and original content that adds value to your readers.
- Keyword Optimization: Incorporate relevant keywords naturally into your content, helping Google understand what your post is about.
- Site Speed: Fast loading times improve both user experience and SEO rankings. Use cache plugins to optimize speed.
- Mobile Optimization: Your blog must be mobile-friendly, especially since most users access sites via smartphones.
- HTTPS Security: Apply an SSL certificate to enhance security. Many hosting providers offer free SSL these days.
- Google Search Console: Register your blog on Google Search Console and submit a sitemap so Google can index your site.
The Key to Success: Consistency
Running a WordPress blog is a marathon, not a sprint. In the beginning, you might not see a lot of visitors, and your income may be low. But if you consistently create quality content and focus on SEO, over time you will start to see more traffic and revenue. Consistency is the key to success.
Final Thoughts: Start Now, Stay Consistent!
The most important thing when starting a WordPress blog is to just start. There will be challenges, but if you stay consistent, keep writing, and optimize your SEO, your blog will grow and eventually bring in more traffic and income.
WordPress is a powerful tool that can help you create an online asset, earn passive income, and even achieve the dream of becoming a digital nomad. Don’t hesitate—take the leap and start your WordPress blog today. Your success is in your hands!
By focusing on writing valuable content and keeping SEO principles in mind, you’ll be on your way to success. The journey might be long, but it’s definitely worth it! Happy blogging! 🌟