How to Start Blogging in India: A to Z Guide

Blogging has been prevalent for the past three decades, and its popularity has steadily increased. Did you know that 77% of internet users read blogs? With the increase in digitalisation and growing online presence, blogging presents an opportunity to generate an income stream. Blogging is a great way to share your expertise and opinions on topics you are interested in and earn an income through it. Blogging is increasing in popularity with bloggers capitalising on various niches such as technology, tourism, fashion, and lifestyle.

Moreover, Gen Zers are moving towards a flexible working style. The hustle culture and the gig economy are also catching up faster. These trends have contributed to an increase in blogging in India lately. 

Read further about how to start blogging, the resources you require, and how to monetise your blog to start earning.

4 Simple Steps to Set up Your Blog 

Once you have decided upon the perfect platform, the next big step is to set up your blog. 

To successfully set up your blog, start by pinpointing your niche. The next steps involve deciding on a blogging platform, creating content that is SEO optimised and monetising it. Each of these steps have been described in detail in the following sections to provide a comprehensive answer to the question ‘how to start blogging in India’. 

Step 1: Find a Suitable Blog Niche 

The first step you need to know about how to start blogging for free and make money in India is choosing your niche. This is the topic that you are interested in sharing with the audience. It could be an online journal, an informational blog, or promotional content. A blog is a bridge connecting brands or individuals to their target audience. 

 You should be an expert in your niche. It could be anything that adds value to the readers. Here are some questions you need to answer to find your niche. 

• What are you good at? 
• For what do people come to you for help? 
• Are you an expert at it? 
• Can you consistently keep creating content around the niche? 
• Will it add value to the reader? 
• Is it aligned with today’s trends?

Step 2: Choose a Blogging Platform 

Now that you have chosen your niche, the next significant question is how to start a blog in India for free. Many free blogging platforms in India allow users to register and sign up. 

 Here is a list of the top 10 blogging platforms in India. 

• Blogger 
• WordPress 
• Weebly 
• Tumblr 
• Squarespace
• Livejournal 
• Wix 
• Medium 
• OLITT 

Features to Look for in a Blogging Platform 

Due https://medium.com/to the large number of blogging platforms, it is difficult to choose the right one for you.  Here are some important factors to consider while choosing a blogging platform.  

• Website loading speed 
• Features in the Content Editor 
• Platform Privacy and Security 
• Design templates 
• Ease of use 

Cost Comparison 

All the above-mentioned blogging platforms have a free plan. Users can create and manage their blogs for free with limited storage and features. However, depending on the features, they also have a range of paid plans. 

For example, WordPress offers features like free themes, unlimited posts and pages, newsletters and RSS, etc., for free. It also offers additional features like e-mail support, live chat, etc. These features come at a monthly subscription price from INR 160 to INR 1,152. 

Wix offers free and paid versions from INR 399 to INR 799 monthly. It depends on the features you choose. 

Step 3: Creating Relevant Content 

Content is an important aspect that draws audiences to your blog. You can write articles on specific topics relating to your niche. The article should be in such a way that you address the target audience and engage with them. 

Here are some basic steps to creating engaging content. 

• Decide the blog topic 
• Create an outline for the blog 
• Write an engaging content 
• Craft an irresistible heading 
• Add the required Call-to-Action 
• Optimise the content for SEO 
• Edit and Publish the post 

Optimising the blog post for SEO is an important step in creating content for the internet. Make it search-engine friendly by listing it on the top of the Search Engine Result Page (SERP). Make the blog post readable by using simple language and a clear layout. 

Also read: Become a Freelance Content Writer

Step 4: Building an Audience 

Promoting your content is as important as the content itself and an important step towards the answer to the question of how to start blogging in India. Promote them on social media and via e-mail to reach your target audience. E-mail is the oldest and still a fool-proof method to promote your content. You can customise your communication to make it relatable and engaging.

 You can also use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, etc to promote your content. On these pages, you are already interacting with people interested in you. This is one of the best places to reach your content to your target audience.

 Guest posting on other websites is also another approach to promoting your blog. You gain credibility and increase your visibility by doing so. Also, it is a great opportunity to network with other bloggers and build a community. 

How to Earn a Six-figure Income from Your Blog 

Blogging is a highly profitable career option for people who crave flexibility. Here are some ways to monetise your blog and earn a six-figure income. 

• Affiliate marketing 
• Advertising 
• Sponsored content 
• Freelance blogging 
• Sell digital products 
• Online consulting and mentoring

How to Increase the Earning Potential of Your Blog? 

First, you’ll have to build an audience that values your content. You must improve traffic, engagement, and visibility and build trust among your audience. Only then it will be fruitful to monetise your content.

• Create engaging content that offers some form of value to the reader.
• Optimise your content for SEO by improving readability and keyword optimisation.
• Incorporate mobile-friendly designs.
• Optimise your images by incorporating keywords in the file name and alt text. 
• Use inbound and outbound links. 
• Have a clear call-to-action (e.g.: Purchase, subscribe, comment, like, share, etc.)

Diversifying Income Streams 

Blogging is a versatile career option or side hustle that can be used to create diverse income streams. However, to earn a six-figure income from blogging, you need to diversify your income stream. It improves the value of your blog and makes it an asset. 

By doing so, you are increasing your revenue and generating a source of passive income. You are creating a safety net in case one product or business fails. Here are some of the strategies to diversify your income streams. 

• Leverage your online community to improve your physical sales 
• Sell your expertise (Ex: e-books, online courses, webinars, etc.) 
• Become a consultant 
• Become a brand partner through affiliate marketing, Ads, sponsored content, etc. 

Managing Finances for Bloggers

Like in any other business, bloggers must keep track of their finances. You need to track your income and expenses to make tax prep easier. You must track income from all your streams, like affiliate marketing, ads, sponsored content, brand collaborations, etc. 

In India, income from blogging is classified under Income from Business/Profession. Bloggers need to pay taxes on their net income. To calculate your net income, you need to record income and expenses. 

Some of the expenses are: 

• Domain hosting 
• Rent and utility expenses 
• Payments and salaries 
• Other expenses incurred for earning 

You can use the traditional spreadsheet to maintain your finances or use accounting software. Quickbooks and Freshbooks are examples of such audit tools available in the market. Bloggers must file their income tax returns and pay the balance amount or claim a refund. 

A Quick Recap

This is how you can start blogging and earn money online. You can also look at other ways to earn money with part-time online jobs. Following the steps outlined in this guide and considering the various aspects, such as choosing a domain name, selecting hosting options, and designing your blog, you can set a strong foundation for your blogging journey.

Below is a quick summary of how to start blogging in India as a beginner-

• Find your niche. This is the topic that you are passionate about and have some expertise in. It could be anything from fashion to food to travel to technology.
• Choose a blogging platform. There are many different blogging platforms available, such as WordPress, Blogger, and Tumblr. Choose one that is easy to use and has the features that you need.
• Buy a domain name and web hosting. Your domain name is your blog’s address on the internet. Web hosting is the service that stores your blog’s files and makes them accessible to visitors.
• Start writing blog posts. The key to a successful blog is to consistently publish high-quality content. Write about topics that you are interested in and that will be of interest to your target audience.
• Promote your blog. Once you have published a few blog posts, you need to start promoting your blog so that people can find it. You can do this through social media, email marketing, and guest blogging.

Find more ways to earn money online from home.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Related Reads:

• Top 10 Bloggers in India & their Incomes
• How to Make Money Blogging: Free Guide for 2024
• Create Your Personal Blog in 5 Simple Steps (No coding needed)
• What is the Difference Between Blog and Vlog: Which is Better?