How to Start a Blog (That Looks Beautiful and Makes Money!) -

Starting a blog is one of the best ways to share your creativity, connect with others, and build a flexible income from home. Blogs are not dead in 2025. Anytime you google something it will bring you to someones blog. Whether you want to post decorating ideas, motherhood tips, or simple seasonal content—you can absolutely turn your passions into profit.

I started Mulberry Hill Home as a creative outlet and today, it’s a growing business that supports my family and gives me the freedom to work around our busy life. If you’re ready to do the same, this beginner-friendly guide will walk you through the exact steps to get started!

Step 1: Choose Your Niche

Your niche is what your blog will focus on. The more specific you are, the easier it is to grow and attract the right audience.

Here are a few great niches for women and moms:

Home decor + DIY
Clean + non-toxic living
Motherhood + routines
Seasonal styling
Lifestyle + faith
Digital marketing for moms

💡 Tip: What are you always researching, pinning, or talking to your friends about? Start there.

Step 2: Pick a Blog Name + Get a Domain

Choose a blog name that’s:

Easy to remember
Related to your niche
Available as a .com

Once you have a name, you’ll register it through your hosting provider (we’ll get to that next!). I kept my name personal and timeless—Mulberry Hill Home felt like a place readers could come back to again and again.

Step 3: Set Up Hosting with Bluehost

To build a professional blog, you need a self-hosted WordPress site—and Bluehost makes it incredibly beginner-friendly.

Here’s how to get started:

Go to Bluehost
Choose the Basic plan (perfect for new bloggers!)
Register your domain for free
Use their 1-click WordPress install

💻 Bluehost is affordable, easy to use, and gives you full control over your website. It’s what I recommend to all new bloggers.

Step 4: Choose a Blog Theme (This One is My Favorite!)

Once WordPress is installed, it’s time to make your site beautiful—and that starts with choosing a theme.

I use the Vivienne theme from 17th Avenue Designs and absolutely love it. It’s clean, feminine, and perfectly suited for lifestyle bloggers. You can easily customize colors, fonts, and layout without needing any tech skills.

💗 Why I recommend it:

Beautiful design right out of the box
Easy to use and super flexible
Amazing support and tutorials
Mobile-optimized and SEO-friendly

👉 Browse all the 17th Avenue Designs themes here and pick one that fits your brand. (The Vivienne theme is what you’re seeing right now on my blog!)

Step 5: Install Essential Plugins

Plugins add functionality to your site without needing to code. Here are a few I always recommend:

Rank Math SEO – for optimizing blog posts
Site Kit by Google – connects Google Analytics + Search Console
WPForms – for contact forms and email sign-ups
Pretty Links – for tracking and organizing affiliate links
WP Rocket – for site speed optimization

Step 6: Create Your Core Pages

Before launching, create these key pages:

About Me – Share your story and what readers can expect
Contact – So people (or brands!) can reach you
Blog – Where your posts will live
Privacy Policy + Disclaimers – Important for legal protection

Want a quick and easy way to get a privacy policy? I can help you write one that’s compliant and beginner-friendly.

Step 7: Write & Publish Your First Blog Posts

Focus on content that solves problems or inspires your ideal reader. It doesn’t need to be perfect—just helpful and real.

Post ideas to start with:

“How to Create a Cozy Fall Porch”
“My Favorite Amazon Home Finds”
“5 Decluttering Tips for Busy Moms”
“How I Started a Blog with Zero Experience”

💡 Pro Tip: Aim to publish 3–5 posts before you promote your site so visitors have something to explore.

Step 8: Promote Your Blog (Without Getting Overwhelmed)

Once your blog is live, share it! My #1 source of traffic is Pinterest—and it’s perfect for visual content like decorating, DIY, and lifestyle tips.

Other great platforms:

Instagram – Share Reels, Stories, and behind-the-scenes
Threads – Post quick tips or thoughts related to your niche
Facebook – Start a page or join niche groups
Email – Build a simple list to stay in touch with readers

📌 Want to grow your traffic fast? My Pinterest Profit Blueprint™ course is made for beginner bloggers and busy moms!

Step 9: Monetize Your Blog

Once you’ve got traffic and content, you can start earning! Here’s how:

Affiliate marketing – Recommend products you already love (like I do with 17th Avenue and Amazon!)
Ad revenue – Join Mediavine once you hit 50K sessions/month
Digital products – Sell printables, courses, or guides
Sponsored posts – Work with brands that align with your audience
Email marketing – Sell directly through your email list

Final Thoughts

Starting a blog is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. It’s allowed me to be creative, make an income from home, and connect with amazing women around the world.

You don’t need to have everything figured out—you just need to start.

✨ Want a beautiful blog like mine? You can get the same theme I use right here. It makes all the difference.

And if you’re ready to turn your blog into a business, check out my Pinterest Profit Blueprint™ to start growing traffic from day one.