Is Starting a Blog a Good Side Hustle? Best Blogging Platforms to Get You Rolling

Thinking about starting a blog to earn some extra cash? You’re not alone—thousands have jumped on the blogging bandwagon with big hopes. But here’s the deal: it’s not a magic money machine. Success comes down to smart choices, consistent effort, and picking the right tools from day one.

Before you even choose your blogging platform, you need to ask yourself one thing: what do you want from your blog? Are you in it for a creative outlet or looking to build a serious side income stream? That one answer shapes everything—from your writing style to how you set up your site and where you spend your time.

This isn’t something you set up today and cash out tomorrow. It usually takes months before you see real returns—sometimes even longer if you just post whenever you feel like it. But, if you treat it like a small business, plan content people actually want, and choose a starter-friendly blogging platform, the doors really start to open.

• The Realities of Blogging for Income
• Must-Know Tips for New Bloggers
• Comparing the Best Blogging Platforms
• How to Make Your Side Blog Pay Off

The Realities of Blogging for Income

If you’re eyeing blogging as a side hustle, it’s good to know what you’re up against. Most new bloggers imagine steady paychecks rolling in from day one. Truth is, the money usually comes slower—and smaller—than you might hope.

Right now, in 2025, there are about 600 million blogs globally, but only a small percentage are making real money. According to a recent report from Blogger Success Tracker, just 10% of active blogs earn more than $1,000 per month. For the majority, early income usually ranges from a few dollars up to maybe $100 a month after several months of consistent effort. If you’re looking for instant results, it’s easy to get discouraged.

Most income from blogs comes from ads, affiliate links (where you earn a cut if someone buys through your link), sponsored posts, and selling your own products or services. You usually need significant traffic—think thousands of visitors a month—before ad money starts to mean much.

Here are some hard truths everyone should know about the blogging money game:

• You can start for cheap (some platforms under $100 a year), but you’ll probably need to spend a little on hosting and your domain.
• Getting traffic is the biggest hurdle. No visitors = no money, no matter how good your writing is.
• Consistency matters more than inspiration. People who post regularly (like 1-2 times a week) see better results.
• Most bloggers don’t get rich, but a select few do turn their side hustle into a main income stream, sometimes making six figures or more—but that’s after years of work.

Blogging as a side hustle is definitely possible, but don’t believe the hype that makes it sound hands-free or instant. It’s more like building a small business, where your results follow your effort, your strategy, and a bit of luck.

Must-Know Tips for New Bloggers

If you want your blog side hustle to actually work, you can't just wing it. Here are some practical tips every new blogger should consider right off the bat.

• Pick a Niche You’ll Stick With: Choose a topic you actually care about. You’ll be writing a lot, so it helps if you don’t get bored. Plus, blogs that focus on a clear niche (like DIY crafts or budgeting tips) tend to get more traction with Google—hello, SEO!
• Consistency Wins: Posting randomly won’t cut it. Top bloggers usually post at least once a week. The more regularly you post, the more chances your blog has to show up in search results.
• Understand Basic SEO: If you want readers (and income), you need to get cozy with search engine optimization. Use your main topic keyword in your post titles and headers. Tools like Yoast SEO or Rank Math (if you're on WordPress) simplify the process for beginners.
• Don’t Overthink Your Platform: Start simple. Platforms like WordPress.com, Wix, and Blogger are easy to use for beginners. Later, when you get more serious, you can shift to self-hosted options for more control.
• Invest Wisely (And Only If Needed): Don’t drop cash up front on fancy website designs. Instead, spend on things that actually matter for growth—maybe an SEO tool, or a course taught by someone who’s actually made money blogging.

Here’s a truth bomb from Ramsay Taplin, a respected blogging expert:

"Most successful blogs are the result of years of trial and error, learning, and consistency. Shortcuts rarely work."

One more thing—track your progress. Free tools like Google Analytics help you see which posts perform best and where your visitors come from. No guesswork, just clear numbers. That's how you keep your blogging side hustle pointed in the right direction.

Comparing the Best Blogging Platforms

Choosing the right place to start your blogging adventure can make or break your motivation. Each platform has its own vibe, features, and price tag. Here’s a breakdown that actually matters if you want a reliable side hustle and not just a personal diary.

WordPress.org is the king of flexibility. It’s open-source, which means you can do almost anything with your site. Full control over design, endless plugins, and it’s made for folks who plan to scale. But—you’ll need your own hosting, and there’s some learning to do if tech isn’t your thing. Most big-name blogs start here eventually, and as of 2025, about 43% of all websites worldwide run on WordPress.

Wix takes the hassle out. Drag-and-drop your way to a good-looking blog in minutes. No coding. Simple pricing, with a free plan that slaps a little branding on your pages, and paid plans starting around $16/month if you want to go ad-free and have more features. Not as customizable as WordPress, but great if you just want to get going and see if this side hustle suits you.

Squarespace is the trendiest for a reason—it looks slick straight out of the box. Beautiful templates, strong customer support, and zero maintenance headache. All-in-one: you don’t mess with hosting or updates. You pay for it, though—plans start at $23/month. Great for setting up fast and focusing on your writing or selling.

Blogger (from Google) is free and dead simple. It’s not flashy, but you can have your ideas out in the world fast. It’s really basic compared to the others—limited on design and add-ons, and less love from developers these days. But it’s a no-risk way to dip your toes into blogging before you commit real money or time.

Check out this quick comparison of top platforms in 2025:

One tip: If earning steady blog income is your goal, skip platforms that lock your content or limit monetization. Look for tools that help you with SEO and have solid support if something breaks—because when your blog makes money, downtime costs you.

How to Make Your Side Blog Pay Off

Getting your side blog to actually make money takes more than just posting twice a month and crossing your fingers. You need a plan—and a bit of patience. The main trick is treating your blogging hustle like a real business, not just a diary.

Here’s what really works:

• Pick a Niche: Don’t write about everything. Focus on one thing people actually search for, like easy meal preps, budget travel tips, or tech advice. The more focused your blog, the easier it is to build an audience.
• Post Consistently: One article every few months won’t get you noticed. Aim for at least one solid post each week. Google loves fresh content—and so do readers.
• Learn SEO Basics: You don’t need to be a guru, but understanding keywords is key. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to see what people are searching for, then answer those questions in your posts. Insert those blogging keywords naturally.
• Promote Everywhere: Don’t just hit publish and wait. Share your posts on Facebook, X (Twitter), Pinterest, LinkedIn—wherever your target crowd hangs out. Email newsletters—even small ones—keep people coming back.
• Monetize Smart: Ads (think Google AdSense), affiliate links (like Amazon Associates), sponsored posts, or selling your own products can turn eyeballs into cash. But don’t overdo the ads, or people will bail.

Here’s a quick look at how beginner blogs usually stack up for earnings (note: these are ballpark averages for new blogs):

Steady growth happens when you keep learning and adapting. Track what posts actually get traffic and clicks—Google Analytics is your friend. Ditch content that flops and double down on what works best. Also, interact with your readers through comments or email replies. Those personal touches can turn casual visitors into loyal fans—these are the folks most likely to support your side hustle.

Plenty of bloggers reach $500 a month in less than a year if they stick with it and really listen to their audience. The ones who quit? Most posted inconsistently or ignored the business side. Bottom line: treat your blogging side hustle seriously, and the results won’t disappoint you.