How much does it cost to start a blog in 2025
Starting your own blog can be an awesome way to share what you love, grow a personal brand, or even earn a little (or a lot) of money on the side. But before you dive into it, you're probably wondering: "How much does it actually cost to start a blog?"
Good question, because while some tools are free, others can add up fast. So let’s walk through everything you need to know, from free blogging options to premium tools that can take your blog to the next level.
Can you start a blog for free?
Absolutely, and that’s how many people begin. Platforms like Wix, WordPress, and Blogger offer free plans so you can test the waters.
But just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
Here’s why :
Limited features: Free plans usually come with basic tools and fewer customization options.
Less control: You don’t own the site, the platform can change policies or shut it down.
Ads everywhere: Free blogs often show ads you can’t remove, which can be distracting.
Harder to grow: Advanced features (like SEO tools or email marketing) are usually behind a paywall.
Lower security: Free platforms may not have top-tier protection against hacks or data loss.
So while it’s great to start free, a small investment can give you a lot more control, branding, and peace of mind.
What are the main blog costs?
Here's a breakdown of what you might pay, depending on how simple or advanced you want to go:
1. Domain name (your website’s address)
What is a domain name?
A domain name is your website’s address on the internet, the URL people type into their browser to visit your site. It’s essentially your online identity.
How much does it cost?
Usually, a domain costs between $10 and $20 per year. Prices can go up for rare, premium, or highly brandable names. Some website builders like Wix or Squarespace offer a free domain for the first year if you buy a paid plan.
Why does it matter?
Credibility & trust: A clean, easy-to-remember domain looks professional and makes visitors more likely to trust your site.
SEO benefits: Owning your own domain helps your site rank better in search engines compared to using a free subdomain.
Brand identity: Your domain is a key part of your brand, it makes your site easier to find and remember.
Tips for choosing a good domain name:
Keep it short and simple.
Avoid numbers and hyphens because they confuse people when sharing your domain out loud.
Include a keyword related to your blog or business if possible.
Stick to popular extensions like .com, or use country-specific ones like .us, .co.uk, or niche ones like .blog.
Check if your domain name is available on social media to keep your branding consistent.
Wondering about the best posting schedule? If you want to dive deeper, read how many blog posts per week.
2. Web hosting (where your blog lives online)
What is web hosting?
Web hosting is the service that stores all your website’s files, images, and data on a server, making your blog accessible to visitors online. Without hosting, your website wouldn’t be available on the internet.
💡 Think of hosting like renting space on the internet.
How much does it cost?
Hosting prices vary widely depending on the service quality and features you choose. Costs can range from free (with limited features) to $250 per month or more for premium plans with advanced performance and support.
Many website builders like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress.com include free hosting as part of their paid plans, which makes it easy to get started without managing hosting separately.
Why does web hosting matter?
Speed: Good hosting providers ensure your site loads quickly, which improves user experience and SEO.
Uptime: Reliable hosts keep your site online and accessible almost 100% of the time, downtime means lost visitors.
Support: Quality hosting services offer helpful customer support when technical issues arise.
If you want to dive deeper, read Subdomain vs Subdirectory : Which one is better for SEO
What to look for in a web host:
Fast servers and CDN (Content Delivery Network) to deliver content quickly worldwide.
Strong security features to protect your site from hacks.
Scalability: Hosting that can grow with your blog’s traffic.
Backup and restore options to safeguard your content.
Good customer support available 24/7.
If you want something that just works out of the box and is optimized for search engines, Inblog is a great example, it bundles fast hosting, security, and a built-in SEO engine tailored for content-driven sites.
3. Website security (so you don’t get hacked)
What is website security?
Website security involves protecting your blog from hackers, malware, and other cyber threats. This includes things like SSL certificates (which encrypt data), firewalls (which block malicious traffic), and malware scanning (which detects harmful software).
How much does it cost?
Security costs can range from free (basic SSL certificates are often free) up to $200 or more per year for advanced protection and monitoring services.
Some platforms such as Wix or Inblog include essential security features built-in, so you don’t need to pay extra or manage it yourself.
Why is website security important?
Protect your data and your visitors: Security helps keep sensitive information safe, like personal data and passwords.
Maintain your site’s reputation: A hacked or compromised site can scare away visitors and damage your credibility.
Improve SEO: Google favors secure websites (HTTPS), which helps your site rank higher in search results.
Avoid downtime: Malware or attacks can cause your site to go offline, hurting traffic and revenue.
Key security features to consider:
SSL Certificate: Encrypts the connection between your site and visitors. Usually indicated by a padlock in the browser.
Firewall: Blocks malicious attacks before they reach your site.
Malware scanning and removal: Detects and cleans any harmful software.
Regular backups: So you can quickly restore your site if anything goes wrong.
Two-factor authentication (2FA): Adds an extra layer of login security.
4. Business email address
What is a business email address?
A business email address uses your own domain name instead of a generic provider like Gmail or Yahoo. For example, instead of myblog@gmail.com, you’d have hello@myblog.com. This makes your communication look more professional and branded.
How much does it cost?
Typically, a business email costs between $5 and $15 per month, depending on the provider and features included (like storage space, security, and collaboration tools).
Why does it matter?
Professionalism: It shows visitors and customers you’re serious and trustworthy.
Trust & deliverability: Emails sent from your own domain are less likely to be marked as spam, ensuring your messages actually reach inboxes.
Brand consistency: Keeps your branding cohesive across your website and email communications.
Better organization: Business email services often include useful tools like calendars, contacts, and file sharing.
Popular providers to consider:
Google Workspace (Gmail for business)
Microsoft 365 (Outlook)
Zoho Mail
ProtonMail (for privacy-focused users)
5. Templates and design
What are templates?
Templates are pre-built website designs that give your blog a polished, professional look without needing to write any code. You simply pick a design that fits your style and customize it with your content, colors, font and images.
How much does it cost?
Templates can range from free to $70 or more, depending on the platform and complexity. Most website builders like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress offer a mix of free and premium templates to suit different needs.
Why templates and design matter?
Professional appearance: A clean, attractive design helps keep visitors engaged and coming back.
Save time and effort: Instead of building a site from scratch, templates let you launch faster.
Customization: You can tweak layouts, colors, and fonts to match your brand and personality.
Mobile-friendly: Most modern templates are responsive, meaning they look great on phones, tablets, and desktops.
Tips for choosing a good template:
Pick a design that fits your blog’s style and content type.
Make sure it’s mobile responsive for the best user experience.
Look for templates with good loading speeds to keep visitors happy.
Check if the template supports the features you need, like blogs, galleries, or e-commerce.
6. Logo and branding
💡 Your visual identity, colors, fonts, logo, and style.
What is logo and branding?
Logo and branding refer to the overall look and feel of your blog, this includes your logo, color palette, fonts, and the style you use across your site and social media. It’s how people recognize and remember you.
How much does it cost?
Costs can vary widely, from free if you create your own logo with online tools, up to $10,000 or more if you hire a professional designer or branding agency for a full custom identity.
Why does branding matter?
Builds trust: A consistent and professional look makes your blog feel credible.
Makes you memorable: Strong branding helps people recognize your blog instantly.
Supports your message: Colors and fonts can convey your blog’s mood and personality.
Creates cohesion: Consistent visuals across your website, social media, and marketing materials build a unified experience.
How to get started:
Use free or low-cost logo makers like Canva, Looka, or Hatchful.
Pick a color scheme and fonts that reflect your style and audience.
Keep your design simple and versatile so it works well everywhere.
If your budget allows, consider hiring a graphic designer for a unique, polished look.
7. Email marketing tools
What are email marketing tools?
Email marketing tools help you create, send, and manage newsletters, promotional emails, or updates to your blog subscribers. They make it easy to build and engage a loyal audience by delivering content directly to their inboxes.
How much does it cost?
Costs vary depending on the number of subscribers and features you need. Many tools offer free plans with basic features and limited contacts. Paid plans can range from $10 to $100+ per month as your list grows or you need advanced automation and analytics.
Why use email marketing tools?
Build a loyal audience: Stay connected with readers by sending regular updates.
Drive traffic: Promote new blog posts, products, or events directly.
Automation: Schedule emails and create sequences that nurture your subscribers over time.
Analytics: Track open rates, clicks, and engagement to improve your campaigns.
Popular platforms to consider:
Mailchimp: Beginner-friendly with free plans and easy drag-and-drop design.
ConvertKit: Great for bloggers and creators focused on automation and growth.
Wix Email Marketing: Integrated with Wix sites for seamless use.
MailerLite, ActiveCampaign: Other powerful options depending on your needs.
To amplify your blog's reach, explore content distribution strategies.
8. SEO Tools (Search Engine Optimization)
💡 SEO = making your blog show up on Google.
What are SEO tools?
SEO tools help you improve your blog’s visibility on search engines like Google. They assist in finding the right keywords, analyzing your competitors, tracking your rankings, and optimizing your content to attract organic (non-paid) traffic.
How much does it cost?
SEO tools range from free (with limited features) to $1,000+ per month for advanced suites with comprehensive data and analytics. Many bloggers start with free or affordable options and scale up as their site grows.
Why use SEO tools?
Find valuable keywords: Discover what your audience is searching for.
Track performance: See how your blog ranks over time and identify opportunities.
Optimize content: Get suggestions to improve your posts for better search visibility.
Analyze competitors: Understand what’s working for others in your niche.
Popular SEO tools:
Ahrefs: Powerful keyword research and backlink analysis.
Semrush: All-in-one SEO and marketing platform.
Google Search Console: Free tool by Google for monitoring your site’s search performance.
Wix SEO : Built-in SEO tools for Wix users, easy to use for beginners.
Moz, Ubersuggest: Other popular SEO tools for different needs and budgets.
Inblog :blogging-focused CMS with many SEO features like meta tag editing, sitemap generation, and Google Search Console integration, are already built-in, so you won’t need extra plugins to handle the basics.
Inblog Homepage
Extra costs to consider
As your blog grows, you might face some additional (optional) expenses to help you work more efficiently and improve your site.
Hardware
You’ll need reliable equipment like a good laptop, smartphone, and fast Wi-Fi connection to create content, manage your site, and communicate. Expect to spend anywhere from $600 to $2,000 or more depending on your needs and preferences.
Online courses
To improve your skills in writing, marketing, SEO, or design, you might invest in online courses. Many quality courses are free or cost under $100, but more advanced programs can be pricier.
Freelance help
Hiring freelancers can save you time and raise your blog’s quality. You might pay for:
Writers to help create content
Designers for logos, templates, or graphics
Virtual assistants (VAs) to handle admin tasks.
Rates vary widely depending on experience and workload.
Premium apps & plugins
As you add more features to your blog, like backups, eCommerce tools, image galleries, or advanced SEO, you may need paid apps or plugins. These typically cost between $5 and $50 per month.
Planning for these extra costs ensures your blog can grow smoothly and professionally over time.
Using a website builder vs hiring a web designer
Website builders
Website builders are easy-to-use platforms that let you create your blog or website without any coding skills. They usually come with drag-and-drop editors, templates, and built-in features.
Pros:
Faster to launch your site
More affordable, often with monthly subscription plans
Ideal for beginners or those who want to DIY
Includes hosting, security, and support bundled together
Cons:
Limited customization compared to fully custom sites
Might not scale well for very complex or unique needs
Hiring a web designer
A web designer is a professional who builds a custom website tailored exactly to your brand and goals. They can create unique designs, custom features, and a fully branded experience.
Pros:
Completely unique, professional look
Custom functionality and integrations
Can create a scalable site that grows with your business
Cons:
More expensive upfront and possibly ongoing maintenance costs
Longer timeline to launch
You may need to manage hosting and security separately
How to Choose?
Consider your budget: Builders cost less; designers cost more.
Think about your timeline: Builders are faster to get live.
Evaluate how hands-on you want to be: Builders require DIY; designers handle the technical side.
Assess your needs: For simple blogs or side projects, builders are perfect; for full branding and unique functionality, a designer is better.
If SEO is part of your long-term plan, look for platforms that support clean markup, fast loading, and schema by default. Inblog, for instance, was built to make SEO effortless for writers and marketers, no plugins or external tools required.
Blog costs by type of blogger
Here’s how blog costs can vary depending on your goals:
Blogger type | Estimated cost | Goal |
|---|---|---|
Hobby blogger | $0 – $50/month | Just for fun or creativity |
Side hustle blogger | $50 – $200/month | Earn some income alongside a job |
Full-time blogger | $200+/month | Treat it like a real online business |
Final thoughts:
Starting a blog doesn’t have to cost a fortune, but understanding the potential expenses upfront helps you make smart decisions. Whether you’re blogging for fun, growing a personal brand, or aiming to build a business, there’s a setup that fits your goals and budget.
You can start completely free, or choose to invest in tools that offer more control, professionalism, and growth potential. From domains and hosting to branding and marketing, every element plays a role in building a blog that not only looks great but performs well too.
The key is to start where you are, scale as you grow, and invest wisely in the tools that truly move your blog forward.
Not sure which blogging platform suits you best? Discover the top 15 blogging platforms to find the perfect fit for your blog’s success !
