Start A Blog
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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. 🙂
Hey Natasha, Whould you mind sharing with me which SEO you went with? I’m looking at those that have been suggested: YOAST, Bluehost, Siteground, etc. I love your blog and appreciate you going forward with starting one when you did!
Hi Lana, we use Yoast SEO.
Hi Natasha love all your recipes
Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me! I’m all smiles
Dear Natasha, firstly I admire and enjoy your blog so much, and I’m so excited to see the info that you have shared here about starting a blog. I’m considering starting one, but will share my own family recipes and wanted to also recommend other good recipes that I have tried. I noticed that you do this from time to time. I wanted to ask you about how to share other people’s recipes with proper protocol and legally. Is it O.K. to simply post a link to someone else’s blog and recommend a recipe? Do you need to ask permission first? Would appreciate any information you can share.
Hi Amy, that’s a great question. It is always best to collaborate and contract with the other party to make sure you are not committing any kind of copyright infringement. I hope that helps.
Hi Natasha, Thank you for this wonderful blog, I realized after reading your blog that My website still don’t have a blog post on it. I know your tips will really help me a lot and hopefully my business too.
Thank you for sharing that with us, Alex! I hope you find our suggestions helpful!
Thank you, Natasha for sharing your knowledge of starting a food blog! I’ve been thinking and wanting to do it, but never had the courage to do so. You inspire me! ~ May
Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m all smiles!
The best recipes ideas. thanks for sharing the best information.
You’re so welcome, James! I’m so happy you enjoyed our recipes!
Your site is very impressive, and you are such an inspiration to home chefs and new food bloggers like myself! Currently, Food blogger Pro is closed for enrollment. The site appears to limit their membership, yes? It’s been over a month now, and I am still unable to get through. Do you have other valuable resources you can recommend? Thank you so much!
Hi Linda, as far as getting started, that is the best resource I know of for step by step info on beginning a food blog. I’m not sure why they open enrollment in waves but be sure to get on their waiting list.
Also, you might look at the food blogger pro podcast which has good info but most of it is for established blogs and might not be relevant at the beginning stages.
Hi Natasha! Great website – very inspirational 🙂 Was the Cre8d affordable. I am just starting a website and definetely need help with designing everything in WordPress.
Hi Angela, compared to other designers, they are reasonable, but it is still definitely an investment. They do have a template they sell if you are not ready for complete site design. That is what we did initially when we were starting our blog.
Your blog is very critical I have ever seen. I’m benefited and I think others will also be benefited. thank’s for share.
I’m happy to hear that helped!
Thank You for sharing resources that have helped with your food blogging success. And kudos for your excellent SEO! It’s how I discovered your blog when searching for recipes, and led me now to exploring turning my baking passion into something more. Sending much love and grattitude.
My pleasure Mika, I’m so glad you found my page. Thanks for following and sharing your thoughtful, encouraging comments!
Hi Natasha, I ran across your blog few months back and I have not been able to thank you for a chicken marinade I got from your blog. I tried it and it was so good. I have been thinking about starting my own food blog and a little bit gardening added to it. Thank you for the info you have listed. I will be asking you tons of questions in the near future.
Hi There, I was reading your blog about your Maui vacations! We are in Maui now. Please be careful with the full snorkel masks as you stated that is what your husband uses. They are saying that there have been several drowning deaths in Maui linked to the full snorkel mask.if you goggle it you will find out more. Just wanted to make you aware I case you had not heard about it. Love all your recipes and your website. Keep up the great work!
Wow that is crazy! I had no idea those were under investigation. I removed the mention about those just in case. Yikes! thanks for the heads up! 🙂
Do you have receipes for diabetics?
Hi Yaffa, I do have plenty of them but there is no such category at this time. Our diet and all other categories can be found on our recipes index page (top menu bar).
You are great Natasha!
Thanks Grace! 🙂
Hi Natasha,
love your recipes and videos. Thanks for posting info on how to get started for bloggers. I was hoping you could help me with a couple questions I had regarding getting started with a blog. Should I trademark the name I plan to use before I start my blog? Do I have to start a corporation (register it as a business) before a website is started? Thanks-
Hi Kim, I trademarked after 7 years (I probably waited too long), but it is not something that is normally done right away. Also, we incorporated 2 years ago and before that we were an LLC for a year and then before that just a sole proprietorship which doesn’t need to be registered. Look up your state rules on registering your business name in your state.
HI Natasha, I have been following your blog for a while and find it inspirational. I caught a podcast where you talked about getting started. I’m working to get my food blog off the ground and found it very helpful. One question about what you said about ads on the website-it seems that your traffic has passed the pointy that you are using Mediavine. My question-what are some of the things you started with when you did not have much traffic?
Hi Dave, that question would require an essay. There is so much that goes into it! I would highly highly recommend checking out Pinchofyum.com and reading their revenue reports from the beginning when they first started them. There is so much useful information in them and it helped us out a ton.
Thanks for the shoutout in this super helpful post, Natasha!
~Jenny, Mediavine Marketing Associate
My pleasure Jenny!
I needed to make your wreath bread…. But i tried it out and it came out to hard…soft inside . And got even more rock hard the day after…. What did i do wrong …
Hi Francisco, I just spotted your comment on IG messenger. I rarely check that inbox which is why it’ is best to ask here. Were you using a convection bake setting? Make sure to use a conventional regular bake mode. It is normal for the crust to be crunch on the outside and crisp when you cut into it but not rock hard. It should still be chewable :).
Hi natasha, i just wanted to ask you a question on the vanilla cupcale recipe. I noticed i couldn’t ask you there so i hope you can answer me. I just wanted to know if the measurement on the flour is for sifted flour or non sifted?
Hi Maricela, it is non-sifted flour 🙂 I hope you love the cupcakes!
Thank you, Natasha! Your article was very useful for me! Two weeks ago I started my own food blog. 🙂
My pleasure Ivanna! I’m so glad to hear you’re enjoying my blog! Thanks for following!