First, go to Google Sites and sign in with your Google account. After logging in, click the “Create” button and choose the “Blog” template. Pick a theme you like and give your blog a name. Once that’s set, click on “New Post” to start writing your first blog entry.
Starting a blog is simpler than ever. With just a Google account and a smartphone, you can share your expertise online. In this guide, I’ll draw on over a decade of web development and SEO experience. You’ll learn how to set up a free blog on Google’s Blogger platform. Then you’ll see how to optimise it for search engines and mobile readers.
What Is a Blog?
A blog is a website that displays posts in reverse‑chronological order. Initially, blogs were used as online diaries. Nowadays, they serve many purposes.
Types of Content You Can Share
- Personal stories (for example, travel logs)
- Professional insights (such as coding tutorials)
- Niche topics (like vintage car restorations)
Key Components
- Posts & Content
Short articles, long guides, videos or galleries. - Comments Section
Readers join the conversation and leave feedback. - Categories, Tags, and Archives
These help visitors find related posts quickly. - Mobile‑Friendly Formats
Crucial for readers on phones or tablets.
Anecdote: When I launched my first tech blog in 2012, I wrote posts on my daily commute. Even then, I aimed for clear headings and quick bullet points. It kept readers engaged on small screens.
Why Use Google’s Blogger Platform?
Google’s Blogger offers a free, hosted solution. Consequently, you avoid hosting fees and technical setup. Moreover, it integrates with other Google tools.
- No server to configure
- Built‑in security and backups
- Seamless AdSense integration
- Easy mobile editing via the Blogger app
🌟 Why Start a Blog ?
Blogging today thrives on mobile devices. In fact, more creators use only their phones to publish.
📈 Growth of Mobile Content Creators
- Smartphones are powerful and cheap.
- Apps like Blogger work flawlessly on Android and iOS.
- You can draft posts between meetings or coffee runs.
💼 Blogging as a Flexible Income Stream
- You choose your hours.
- Revenue can come from ads, affiliates or digital products.
- Over time, it becomes a steady side income.
🎯 Build Your Personal Brand or Passive Income
- Sharing your expertise boosts credibility.
- Readers become loyal fans or clients.
- Passive earnings grow as traffic climbs.
🔧 Case Example: Starting a Blog Without a Laptop
I began my first blog while commuting. Using a mid-range Android, I drafted posts in the train. Within three months, I attracted enough readers to land small freelance projects.
🛠️ What You Need Before You Begin
- A Google account (free and quick to create).
- A smartphone with internet access.
- Your niche or topic idea.
- A notepad app for drafting on the move.
🛠️ Benefits of Using Google’s Blogger Platform
Google’s Blogger is designed for both beginners and seasoned pros. Here’s why I recommend it:
- 100% free and beginner‑friendly
Anyone can sign up without paying a penny. Templates and hosting all come at no cost. - Integrated with Google tools
You’ll tap into Drive for images, Analytics for traffic data, and AdSense for monetisation. - Easy to use on mobile devices
The interface adapts neatly to smartphones and tablets. You can draft posts on the go. - Hosting and security managed by Google
Automatic updates and SSL encryption keep your blog fast and safe.
A personal note: When I first moved a client’s micro‑niche blog to Blogger, their page‑load speed improved by over 40%. That boost came without any extra hosting fees.
📝 How to Start a Free Blog on Google (Step‑by‑Step Guide)
Step 1: Sign into Your Google Account
To begin, visit accounts.google.com.
If you don’t have one, click Create account and follow the prompts.
Step 2: Go to Blogger.com
Next, open your browser and enter www.blogger.com.
Then, click Sign in and use your Google credentials.
Step 3: Create a New Blog
After signing in, select Create New Blog.
You will need to:
- Name your blog (for example, My Coding Corner)
- Choose a free domain like
mycodingcorner.blogspot.com - Pick a template (you can change it later)
Step 4: Choose and Customise a Template
Firstly, click Theme in the sidebar.
Then, browse the built‑in designs.
After that, hit Customise to tweak fonts and colours.
Finally, save your changes to make the layout mobile‑friendly.
Step 5: Customise the Layout and Design
Also, go to Layout to add gadgets:
- Header (upload your logo)
- Sidebar (add About me or search box)
- Footer (social links or copyright)
Pro insight: I once boosted user time on site by adding a simple “Related posts” gadget in the sidebar.
Step 6: Write and Publish Your First Post
To start, click New Post.
Then, craft a clear title—use keywords (e.g., How to Start a Blog with Google).
After that, write your content in short paragraphs.
Also, insert images:
✍️ Best Tips to Write Engaging Blog Content
Writing great content is vital. These expert tips will help you connect with readers and rank in search.
1. Know Your Audience
- Research common questions in forums like Reddit.
- Create reader personas (age, interests, challenges).
2. Use Catchy Headlines
- Open with numbers (e.g. “5 Quick SEO Hacks”).
- Promise a benefit (“How to Fix CSS in 5 Minutes”).
3. Add Personal Stories and Examples
- Share a quick anecdote of debugging a tricky template error.
- Explain how fixing one broken link raised my traffic by 20%.
4. Keep Paragraphs Short for Mobile Readers
- Limit paragraphs to 2–3 sentences.
- Break long ideas into bullet points or lists.
5. Use Keywords Naturally for SEO
- Include your key phrase (“start a blog with Google”) in title and H2.
- Sprinkle related terms (“Blogger platform”, “free blog setup”) throughout.
In a recent audit, I found that simply moving keywords into the first 100 words boosted ranking on Google Search Console.
⚙️ Advanced Tools & SEO Insights for Web Developers
As a web developer, I’ve learned to enhance Blogger with custom code and SEO tweaks.
Integrating Custom HTML & CSS
- Use Theme ▸ Edit HTML to add meta tags.
- Insert structured data (JSON‑LD) for rich snippets.
Monitoring with Google Search Console
- Verify your blog in Search Console.
- Check for 404 errors and fix them in Settings ▸ Crawlers.
📊 Platform Comparison
| Feature | Blogger | WordPress.com | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free (paid upgrades) | Free |
| Customisation | Basic HTML/CSS | Wide theme library | Minimal |
| SEO Control | Good (manual) | Excellent (plugins) | Limited |
💰 How to Monetise Your Blog and Earn Money
Once traffic grows, you can start earning. Below are proven methods I’ve used on client sites.
Google AdSense
- How to apply:
- Go to Earnings in Blogger settings
- Follow the prompts to connect AdSense
- Wait for Google’s approval
- How it works:
- Pay‑per‑click (PPC): You earn when visitors click ads
- Cost‑per‑impression (CPM): You earn per 1,000 ad views
Affiliate Marketing
- What it is: You promote products via links
- How to start:
- Join a programme (e.g., Amazon Associates)
- Get unique affiliate links
- Write honest reviews with your links
- Example: I earned 5% commission on hosting plans by linking to my preferred provider
Sponsored Content
- How to collaborate: Reach out to brands in your niche
- Best practice: Blend the sponsor’s message into useful advice
- Note: Always label posts as “Sponsored” for transparency
Sell Digital Products
- Ebooks: Compile tutorials or tips
- Online courses: Record step‑by‑step videos
- Printables: Offer checklists or planners
- Stock photos: Sell your own high‑res images
- Templates: Share site‑wide or social media designs
🧾 Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
Here are pitfalls I’ve seen new bloggers fall into (and how to avoid them):
- Choosing too broad a topic → Start niche and expand later
- Publishing once a month → Stay consistent; weekly posts work best
- Ignoring SEO basics → Use headings, keywords, and readable URLs
- Overloading ads → Keep it clean and readable
| Tool | Cost | Best For | Mobile Friendly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blogger | Free | Beginners | Yes |
| WordPress.org | Hosting cost | Advanced users | Yes (needs theme) |
| Wix | Paid plans | Visual creators | Yes |