Start A Blog
Click Here to see all of the tools and equipment we use.
Secrets Revealed: Are you interested in learning how to start a Food Blog? We started Natasha’s Kitchen in 2009 and I’m so glad we did! It has grown into a very fulfilling and seriously FUN full time career for my husband and I. We’ve gotten so much helpful advice from top food bloggers over the years and we are so happy to be able to do the same for you. We’ve found that the most successful people are also the most willing to help others. We created this page to share advice based on what we’ve done that worked and also mistakes we’ve made (and some were so time-consuming and stressful that we want to spare you the same troubles we had).
Your blog can be LIVE in less than 30 minutes; no technical skills required! Let’s dive right in to: How to Start a Food Blog 🙂
Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means we earn a commission if you purchase something after clicking the link. As always, we only recommend products and services that we trust.
How To Start a Food Blog:
First of all, I wanted to share a really great resource with you that I think would be super helpful for many of you.
If you have a blog or are considering one (even if it’s not a food blog), you need to look into Food Blogger Pro. It’s a membership website for food bloggers that shows you how to set up and grow your food blog step-by-step. It has 250+ video tutorials to teach you everything from:
- Starting a blog (step-by-step video instructions!)
- Building traffic and growing your blog
- Improving your food photography, and editing photos
- Social media setup and growth
- Utilizing all the “essential tools” for your blog (Google analytics, managing giveaways)
- How to generate an income through your blog
- Writing and creating an e-book
Food Blogger Pro is a membership-based website so you have the option of a monthly membership or yearly membership. It will take your blog to the next level and that’s why I’m so excited to share it with you!
(Step 1) Naming YOUR Blog
If you are serious about your blog, take some time to brainstorm a domain name. Pick something that is catchy, relevant and easy to remember. Run your ideas by your closest friends or fam and get feedback. I think my sister Alla gave me the idea for NatashasKitchen.com! Head on over to GoDaddy and plug in your ideas. This part is fun and you can stake your claim on your unique domain name asap!
Once you’ve purchased your name, also purchase domain privacy (so your home address isn’t floating on the internet) and also open accounts on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and anywhere else that you can secure your business name (i.e @natashaskitchen).
(Step 2): Webhost
1. The two biggest factors to consider when choosing a hosting company are reputation, customer service and performance. We recommend Rocket.net and signing up is easy, fast, and secure. Their hosting is delivered and optimized by Cloudflare Enterprise, making our website load quickly for all of our readers around the world. I am an affiliate with Rocket so let them know I sent you and you will get a 20% discount on your hosting plan.
(Step 3): Installing WordPress
After you’ve signed up with Rocket.net you will need to install WordPress (a blogging software). We have used WordPress from the birth of our blog and love it because of it’s simplicity; it’s very user-friendly and installation is a breeze. The team at Rocket.net can walk you through the process.
You’re there. You’re officially a blogger. Congrats!!
Choosing a Theme or Design for your Blog
Thesis Theme for WordPress
– We started out with Thesis and used it for about 2 years. Genesis is a very popular theme as well.
Free Themes for WordPress
– WordPress has tons of free themes available if you’re not ready to purchase a “premium” theme right. Please do some research and check the theme’s rating before downloading and install it onto your blog. Avoid themes with three stars or less.
If you’re serious about your blog and want it to the next level, invest in a custom web design. Cre8d redesigned our blog in 2015 and it was blog changing! We continue to work with them and I always recommend them; worth every penny. If you get a quote from them, let them know I sent you by using my referral code: NK.
Creating an Income With Your Blog
When you’re first starting out, if you decide to place ads on your site, they will help to cover costs. As your blog grows with time, dedication and hard work, it is possible to create a full time income from blogging. The primary ad network we work with is Adthrive.
Click Here for More: Blogging Resources
I hope you found this tutorial on how to start a food blog helpful and do let me know once you’ve published your first blog post. Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging. 🙂
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
Thank you Natasha for information and being so kind to me.
God bless you✿✿✿
You’re very welcome! I’m glad it was helpful.
I’m a big fan, love your cooking/ baking recipes there the best! Sending lots of love from Canada!
You’re so nice! Thank you, Naomi! I’m happy you’re enjoying my recipes!
Do you recommend Bluehost or big scoot? Also, did you try mediavine or do you know anyone who tried (who does not qualify for adthrive yet) or do you recommend any others?
Thank you!
Hi Lil, please see my host recommendation above. I have been with Mediavine in the past and they were great. They are one of the top few in the industry also
Hi Natasha. I wrote a comment asking where you get your nutrition chart from, but I don’t remember where I wrote it. Any tip would be appreciated as you don’t have anything about it on “start a blog”. I’m having a hard time finding any guidance. Thanks in advance!
Hello Nelson, I have used Caloriecount.com (their recipe analyzer is free).
Hi Natasha! Im a huge fan of your blog! and super inspired. Quick question: When you purchased your domain name with go daddy was it expensive? I picked a name and its almost a $1000.00 bucks, is that how much it normally cost? how much did you pay? and how do you know its a good purchase or not?
Thanks bunches in advance!!
Hi Julie, I think I paid $10 because it was not a valuable brand when I first started it. It will be expensive to buy a common name.
Hi! I have a blog already, aliohman.com, and it has some recipes on it. I wish I had seen this before I started it a year ago. 😉 I love your blog so so much!! I have used some of your recipes including the eclairs and chocolate molten lava cake. I love what you are doing, keep up the good work!
Thank you for your informative post about food blogging. I am a new blogger and am having difficulties finding the right SEO plugin. Is there a plugin you would recommend?
Hi Heather, I use the yoast pluggin for SEO
Hello!
Very helpfull sites for all foodie beginner. I’m gald for the first time i write a comments for any food blogger.
Natasha Your recipes is outstanding. My whole family like Your cooking
I have also cooking channal but is just starting. Kindly watch my cooking channal & subscribe it.
I hope you like it. Thanks a lot
I’m so glad you’re enjoying our recipes! Thank you for sharing that with us!
Thanks for the info Natasha. We’re also looking to start a food blog. So much info feels overwhelming though. Did you pay someone to do all this work for you? I’m afraid I may mess up in the process if I do it myself. Thanks
Hi Nelson, it definitely can be a full time job. We started on our own and later hired a web designer when the size of our site warranted it. There is so much to learn in blogging for sure. I hope the resources above help.
yes they do help. my wife and I use you as reference on how to do many things. (we’re not stocking you, I promise) but it goes like “what did Natasha do to solve it?” we have come to trust what you do and feel identified with you through our faith as well. we’ll definitely meet you one day!
Hi! What program do you use more food labels?
Hi Monte, we use wp recipe maker and it is part of that pluggin.
I do not know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading your article. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
So lovely to hear that, Steve. Thanks for checking out my website and recipes!
HI NATASHA IAM CLARIS DISHES AND LIFE STYLE
Hi Natasha
would you have any tips or ideas for new bloggers. I’m thinking of starting a Christian blog but I don’t really know how to start
Hi Tiffany, I highly recommend going through the resources I mentioned above. There are so many great ones out there. Food blogger pro is a perfect place to start.