Where to Buy a Domain Name for Your Blog (for Beginners)

Where to Buy a Domain Name for Your Blog (for Beginners)

You have a list of blog names ready, and now you want to know where to buy a domain name for your blog. This decision can be confusing because there are so many options. Don’t worry. I’ve got you covered!

Where to buy a domain name

In this post, I will go over what you should look for in a quality domain name registrar, and what to avoid. 

I have personally used Namecheap for all of my domain purchases, but that is certainly not your only option. There are several reputable domain registrars out there that I would feel comfortable using. 

But I am going to recommend that you try to stick with something mainstream (I will explain why later in this post). 

By the time you are done reading this post, you will have all the information you need to know which company you want to use for buying your domain name. And you will be ready to make that important purchase needed in order to start a blog

This post is all about where to buy a domain name for your blog. 

Let’s dive in!

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Domain Name Registrars

What is a Domain Name Registrar?

In order to have a blog, you have to purchase a domain name, and domain names are purchased from a domain name registrar. 

Without domain names, we would have to enter a string of numbers known as IP addresses, which would be difficult for us humans to remember. 

The domain name registrars don’t own the domains. They are owned by an organization in charge of managing all domains called the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or ICANN.

Companies are allowed to apply to sell and register domain names on behalf of others. These companies become domain registrars. 

Since they all pretty much do the same thing, we want to figure out what makes one domain name registrar better than another. 

What Makes a Good Domain Name Registrar?

There are some qualifications you will want to look for in a good domain registrar:

What Domain Extensions Does it Offer?

Not all domain registrars sell the same domain extensions. Domain extensions are those letters that come after the “dot.” And there are more now than ever: .com, .net, .info, .blog, .beer, etc. (Yes, “.beer” really is a domain extension.)

Some extensions are only for certain uses. For example, .gov is for a government agency, .edu is for an educational entity, and .org is for a non-profit organization. 

I recommend choosing a registrar that sells “.com” extensions as it is the most common and gives you the most flexibility in terms of the content.

That being said, if you want to know which domain extension is best for Search Engine Optimization, Google has made it very clear that: “Using a new domain ending won’t hurt your search presence or SEO.”

So if you really want to get creative with your domain name, don’t hold back. 

Affordable Prices

When you’re first getting started blogging, you want to keep your costs as low as possible. You will want to look at which domain registrars offer the best prices for the initial purchase and for renewal.

Pay close attention to this. In the course of my research, I noticed that some domain name registrars appear to offer amazing prices for the first year, but they make up for it in year two. 

Another thing I noticed is that sometimes what appears to be a super awesome introductory rate for the first year only applies if you purchase the domain for two years, which I don’t recommend when you’re first getting started. 

User-Friendly Interface

You will have to spend some time working in the user panel of the platform when you are setting up your blog or in other situations when you need to prove you own the domain. 

The good thing is that in 2022 most domain registrars seem to have this figured out. I didn’t find a single domain registrar that didn’t have an easy-to-use platform. 

FREE Domain Owner Privacy Options

One of the things you will want to look for is a domain registrar that will protect your personal information from the public at no additional cost. This is known as WHOIS privacy. 

Simply put: don’t use a domain registrar that doesn’t include this feature.  

But pay attention, because there are some domain registrars that include this in the cost of the domain and there are some that make you pay extra for this. 

There are enough domain registrars that offer this service for free, so I wouldn’t go with one that doesn’t. 

Additional Security

Because security is so important, you also want to make sure that your domain registrar has two-factor authentication (2FA).

You may have noticed more and more online retailers requiring you to enter a code that they send via text message or some other means such as an authenticator app in order to access your account.

This is additional security that makes it harder for would-be hackers to log into your account.

Do not use any domain name registrar that does not include this additional layer of security.

What to Avoid in a Domain Registrar?

Combining Domain Registration With Web Hosting Plans

Some domain registrars also give you the option of purchasing hosting services. I recommend that you avoid combining your domain registrar with your hosting company. 

While this may be tempting because it means fewer companies to keep track of, it can complicate things if you end up being unhappy with the quality of the hosting service or the domain service. 

Also, the hosting services offered by these domain registrars are not rated very well. For these reasons, I am only going to look at domain registrars that do not require you to also purchase hosting through them.  

Stick With Something Mainstream

Unless you are super techy, I highly recommend that you stick with a domain registrar that is more mainstream. 

Here’s why: throughout the course of your blogging business, you will have to go through the process of verifying your domain or integrating your domain with another platform. This will happen in the following circumstances: 

  • When you set up hosting services
  • When you purchase a professional branded email address
  • When you set up an email marketing platform
  • If you use a third-party landing page or funnel-building platform such as ClickFunnels or Leadpages
  • And Others

These platforms will typically provide step-by-step instructions about how to perform these necessary tasks, BUT they typically only include instructions for the most commonly used domain registrars. 

And if they don’t have tutorials for your domain registrar, it will be easy to find tutorials elsewhere on the internet.

Where to Buy a Domain Name For Your Blog?

Where to buy domain name for blog for beginners

Below I give you the details of five mainstream domain name registrars.

BUT after doing my research there are only two that I recommend using: Namecheap and Google Domains.

It came down to two factors: price and transparency. 

What I noticed is that some registrars will dangle what appears to be an amazing price in front of you, but when you get into the details, it’s not what it appears. 

1. Namecheap [TOP PICK]

Starting Price
Renewal Price
User-Friendly Interface
FREE Domain Privacy
2-Factor Authentication
Domain Extensions
Rating
Visit Website
$8.98 (for .com)
$13.98

YES
YES
.com, .net, .org, .dev, .app, .inc, . website, country codes (and more)
4.7/5 Stars on ShopperApproved.com

Why I like Namecheap:

  • Namecheap has been in business for 20 years and has a solid reputation. 
  • The prices are very reasonable for both the first year and renewal. 
  • Namecheap is very transparent about all the costs and services. 
  • Namecheap has several privacy options to protect your domain including FREE domain privacy and two-factor authentication. 
  • Namecheap is also very easy to use and has a great domain search tool.

2. Google Domains [TOP PICK]

Starting Price
Renewal Price
User-Friendly Interface
FREE Domain Privacy
2-Factor Authentication
Domain Extensions
Rating
Visit Website
$12.00 (for .com)
$12.00

YES
YES
.com, .net, .org, .online, .design, .blog, .health, .money (More than 300 domain extensions.)
8.6/10 Stars on TrustRadius

Why I like Google Domains:

  • Google has a  ton of domain extensions to choose from.
  • If you already have a Gmail account and you like the Google ecosystem, this might be the easiest to use as it connects with your existing Google account. (You will not need a separate login.)
  • You will be able to set up your professional email address through the same system. 
  • Even though Google doesn’t offer a discounted rate for the first year, I appreciate knowing that it will always be $12 per year. 
  • All of the information about its domains is very transparent, which I really appreciate. 

3. Ionos by 1&1

Starting Price
Renewal Price
User-Friendly Interface
FREE Domain Privacy
2-Factor Authentication
Domain Extensions
Rating
Visit Website
$1 (for .com) *This is an introductory rate for the first domain you purchase from them.
$15

YES
NO (This is an additional charge)
.com, .blog, .church, .cool, .design, .fitness, .fun (and many more)
4/5 Stars on Trustpilot

Additional Details About IONOS:

  • IONOS has a ton of domain extensions. This might be a good choice for you if you are looking for something unique. See a full list HERE.
  • IONOS comes with a free email branded email address. 
  • IONOS has managed domains for more than 30 years. It manages approximately 12 million domains.
  • If you need to start-up costs to be as low as possible, this might be a good choice. 
  • One downside is that they charge extra for two-factor authentication, which should be standard for any online business these days, in my opinion.

4. GoDaddy

Starting Price
Renewal Price
User-Friendly Interface
FREE Domain Privacy
2-Factor Authentication
Domain Extensions
Rating
Visit Website
$0.01 (for .com) for 2 year purchase / $11.99 (for .com) for 1 year purchase
$19.99

NO (Additional $9.99 per year)
YES
.shop, .net, .vip, .xyz, .com, .llc, .site, .me (and more)
4.6/5 Stars on Trustpilot

More Information About GoDaddy

  • GoDaddy is the largest domain registrar in the world. It manages more than 77 million domains. 
  • GoDaddy has great first-year prices. So if you’re trying to keep start-up costs as low as possible, this might be a good choice. 
  • GoDaddy also offers email services (at an additional cost).
  • The reason why GoDaddy isn't a Top Pick is because of the renewal prices. These might be some of the highest renewal prices on the market. 
  • I also think the $0.01 price is a bit deceiving because you only get that price if you pay for two years. 

5. Domain.com

Starting Price
Renewal Price
User-Friendly Interface
FREE Domain Privacy
2-Factor Authentication
Domain Extensions
Rating
Visit Website
$9.99(for .com)
$15.99

NO (Additional $8.99)
YES
.com, .art, .bike, .blog, .cheap, .cool, .gift, .kitchen (and others)
1.3/5 Stars on Trustpilot

Additional Information About Domain.com:

  • Domain.com gives the option of purchasing a Google Workspace account as an add-on. 
  • Domain.com displays the first year pricing front and center, but to find out the renewal rate, I had to go digging until I found it. I do not like when there is a lack of transparency like this. This type of information should be more prominently displayed. 
  • Domain has a very low rating on Trustpilot, which I see as a red-flag.
  • For the reasons stated above, Domain.com is not a Top Pick for me. 

Go Purchase that Domain!

Now that you know what to look for in a domain name registrar and how the top domain registrars compare to each other, it's time to go purchase that domain. 

Which domain registrar are you going to use? Is there another domain registrar you would like me to review?

Tell me in the comments below!

The Complete Guide to Blog Name Ideas (for Any Niche)

The Complete Guide to Blog Name Ideas (for Any Niche)

Looking for blog name ideas? One of the first decisions you have to make when starting a blog is what to name it. And before you try to go buy your domain name, you want to have several ideas ready in case your first choice is taken. That is why I decided to put together this guide.


After deciding on your blogging niche, the next step is deciding on your blog name.

Even if you know what you want to call your blog, you will want to have some backup names ready in case your domain name of choice isn't available.

When it comes to naming your blog, you want to feel good about your decision – that it reflects you and your niche just right.

After going through this guide, you will have several good choices that you can choose from.

This post is all about how to come up with blog name ideas that are right for you.

How to Come Up With Blog Name Ideas

When it comes to coming up with blog name ideas, there isn’t one right answer, but there are some pitfalls you are going to want to avoid.

In this guide, we will cover both.

I will also go over blog name ideas and examples, according to the most popular niches.

Let’s dive right in!

1. Use Your Full Name

At the end of the day, you are your brand, or you will become your brand the longer you blog. This is why one strategy for naming your blog is to use your first and last name.

Once your audience becomes familiar with your name, it will also make it easier for them to find you online whether they are looking for you on social media or for your blog.

If you want to find Rachel Pedersen online, go to RachelPedersen.com:

Rachel Pedersen

If you want to find Amy Porterfield online, just go to AmyPorterfield.com:

Amy Porterfield

You can see how using your first and last name across all platforms simplifies things for your fans when they want to find you.

The other advantage to using your name is that it gives you more flexibility if/or when you decide to change your niche or add topics to your blog.

For example, if your blog is called “AllAboutKnitting.com,” it’s going to seem a bit odd if you decide to start sharing your favorite recipes.

For this reason, using your name might be the safest way to go.

2. Use Part of Your Name or a Variation of Your Name

Not everyone is comfortable using their first and last name. This could be for privacy reasons or because you expect you might get married someday and your name will change.

Another option is to use part of your name or a variation of your name. Some people use their First Name and Middle Name.

For example, one blogger I follow named her blog BySophiaLee.com:

by sophia lee

Or you may use their First Name and a truncated version of their Last Name.

3. Combine Your Name With Your Niche

Another option is to find a way to combine your first name with your niche. Using your name is smart for branding reasons and for SEO reasons. This option When you have your niche in your domain name, it’s another way that Google knows what your blog is about.

For example, one of my favorite baking blogs is SallysBakingAddiction.com:

sally's baking addiction

Another example is the travel blog AshleyAbroad.com:

Ashley Abroad

4. Use Your Niche in Your Blog Name

As explained above, incorporating your niche into your blog name is very smart from an SEO perspective. This is one of the most effective ways for search engines and humans to know what your blog is about.

This method may also make it easy for your audience to remember your blog name.

One example is the personal finance blogger, TheBudgetMom.com:

budget mom personal finance blog

Another example is MillenialMoney.com:

Millenial Money personal finance blog

5. Use Something Unique That Makes Sense for Your Niche

Another option is to use something unique, but that is relevant to your niche. But it has to be something your audience will understand.

For example, one of my favorite book bloggers is ModernMrsDarcy.com. Anyone who reads literary fiction is going to know that this is a reference to the book Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen:

modern mrs darcy

Another example is the cooking blog, OnceUponaChef.com:

Once Upon a Chef

6. Use Something Unique That is Broad (Or Even Vague)

There are certain niches where you might want to choose a blog name that is broad. Let me explain. If you are starting a mom blog or a lifestyle blog, you aren’t going to want to pigeonhole yourself too much.

If you started a mom blog that was all about taking care of babies and you named it something like: AllAboutBabies.com — this may work while your kiddos are little and you are deep in the baby stage. But are you going to want to continue to write about newborns when your kids are teenagers?

(The exception would be if you are a nurse or a breastfeeding or sleep specialist, and this is the niche you plan to stick with for the long-term.)

If not, this is where you may want to opt for something that is unique and maybe even a little vague.

One example is ThePioneerWoman.com. Many of us associate The Pioneer Woman with great recipes. This is definitely one of the main topics on Ree Drumond’s blog, but she also includes topics such as beauty, home organization, and style:

The Pioneer Woman blog

Her blog name merely gives her audience an idea of the kind of life she lives. But because it’s not niche-specific, it gives her the ability to branch out a bit without it seeming too odd.

7. Use a Blog Name Generator

While I’m not sure this is the first thing I would do when trying to come up with a blog name, there are a ton of blog name generators that you can use if you are in a pickle.

These might be especially helpful if you head over to Namecheap (or whichever domain name registrar you decide to use), and your domain name of choice is already taken.

There are a lot of options. My favorites are: Namecheap, Namify, and Satori Web Academy

What to Avoid When Naming Your Blog

While there are a lot of options when it comes to naming your blog, there are also some pitfalls to avoid:

  • Avoid a blog name that is too long. The problem with a blog name that is too long is that it’s going to be difficult for your audience to remember.
  • Avoid misspelled words. You only have one chance to make a first impression, and a blog name that is misspelled will definitely be a turn-off for your audience.
  • Avoid hyphens, underscores, or any other weird characters. If your first choice is unavailable, you may be tempted to try for a hyphenated version. The problem is that when most people want to find your blog, they are unlikely to remember to use the hyphen.
  • Avoid top-level domain extensions that aren’t “.com.” Top-level what?? When buying a domain, you want to go with a “.com.” These extensions signify the purpose of the website. For example. “.org” is usually used for non-profit organizations, “.edu” for educational organizations, and “.gov” is for government entities.
  • The “.com” extension is acceptable for almost any purpose. It’s also the most common, so people are more likely to add it to the end of your blog name if they are trying to get to it directly.
  • That being said, it will not affect your SEO rankings if you choose a different top-level domain extension. Google says you will NOT be penalized for choosing one of the newer extensions such as .ninja, .beer, .info, .me, .beauty, and so on. Just make sure that it’s appropriate for your niche.
  • Avoid anything too cliche. Choosing a blog name that includes a cliche will sound unoriginal and inauthentic. It’s always better to be original as it will be more memorable.
  • Avoid anything too complex. Try to aim for keeping your blog name to no more than three words, if you can. Anything longer may be too difficult to remember.
  • Avoid a name that is too close to another brand or blog in your niche. Doing this can actually backfire, as it could lead to lawsuits from the brand. It will also affect your reputation among your audience. Now that you’ve figured out some names for your blog, it’s time to start your blog.

Blog Name Ideas (According to Niche)

Here are A LOT of blog name ideas broken down by niche. Some of these may not be available, which is where one of those blog name generators might come in handy. Or maybe you just need to tweak it by swapping out just one or two words.

Food Blog Name Ideas

Cooking With [First Name]Baking With [First Name]
Eat Italian With [First Name]Food Adventures With [First Name]
Food Adventures in [Location]Eat Japanese With [First Name]
[Last Name] Family FavoritesEat Greek With [First Name]
Vegan Adventures With [Name]Paleo Recipes by [First Name]
Eat Paleo With the [Family Name]Eat Keto With [First Name]
BBQ With [Name]Eat Everything With [Name]
Eat Korean With [Name][Name] the Home Cook
[Name] the Chef[Name] the Baker

Lifestyle Blog Name Ideas

lifestyle blog name ideas
[Name] Organized LifeBright Home Soft Comforts
Organize With [Name][Name] Home Essentials
[Family Name] Home Life[Unique Word] Home Essentials]
My Beautiful HomeClean With [Name]
Home is Where the [Unique Word] IsCleaning Tips by [Name]
Happy Home Happy [Unique Word]By [First Name/Middle Name]
Decorate with [Name]Live Life With [Family Name]
[Name] Favorite Things[Name] Organizing Tips

Mom Blog Name Ideas

mom blog
Living With the [Family Name]Growing With [Family Name]
Life Lessons With [Family Name]Growing Up [Family Name]
[Family Name] Home Life[Unique Word] Home Life
Raising the [Family Name]By [Family Name]
Live Life With [Family Name][Name] Parenting Tips
The [Family Name] HouseThe [Family Name] Tribe
[Name] Parenting LessonsEveryday Life with [Family Name]
Assembling Life With [Name][Name] Family Dreams
The [Family Name] ClanThe House of [Family Name]

Beauty and Style Blog Name Ideas

beauty blog
Everyday Artistry[Name] Unique Style
Elegant GraceThe [Name] Way
Authentic Glamor[Unique Word] Home Life
Authentic BeautyBeautiful Expression
Delicate CharmAuthentic Expression
Charm StyleChic Sophistication
Trend StyleAuthentic Elegance
Style After [Age]Beauty After [Age]
Fashion After [Age]Refining Elegance

Travel Blog Name Ideas

travel blog
Flying With [Name][Name] Wanderlust
Globetrotting With [Name]Cruising Wanderlust
[Name] GlobetrottingHiking Life
[Name] TreksCamping Life
[Name] TripsHiking Wanderlust
[Country Name] + [Name]Exploring With [Name]
State HoppingWanderlust Life
Country HoppingTravel After [Age]
Trekking With [Name]Trekking [Country]
Backpacking WanderingsWrite of Passage

Personal Finance Blog Name Ideas

money blog
Budget with [Name]Budgeting With [Name]
Counting the CostGet Out of Debt With [Name]
[Family Name] BudgetingYour Money Guide
Flexible Money MasteryYour Budget Guide
Delicate CharmMaster Your Money With [Name]
Seize Your BudgetMoney Boss
Money WinsMoney Teacher
Your Money GuruMoney Sage
Your Budgeting GuruBudget Tutor

Start Your Blog!

Now that you’ve figured out some names for your blog, it’s time to start your blog. 

Grab my FREE How to Start a Blog Checklist and Workbook. 

Then, head on over to Namecheap and purchase your domain. 

Remember, you want to have several names ready in case your first choice is already taken. 

Follow along with my free How to Start a Blog tutorial, where I walk you through how to purchase a domain name on Namecheap (with lots of screenshots). Namecheap is my favorite domain registrar. It has a solid reputation and, as the name implies, the domains tend to be significantly cheaper than its competitors like GoDaddy.

Once you’ve purchased your domain, you are ready to start your blog. Follow the instructions in the tutorial to get your blog set up. 

I hope this guide to choosing a domain name for your blog was exactly what you needed. I would love to hear which type of domain name you decided to go with. Did you use your name? Did you combine your niche with your name? Or did you go with something unique? Or are you still stuck?

Let me know in the comments below!

The Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Blogging Niche for You (6 Steps to Niche Clarity)

The Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Blogging Niche for You (6 Steps to Niche Clarity)

Choosing a blogging niche can easily become “Destination Procrastination” for so many people when they first start a blog, which is why I created this guide.

The first major decision you have to make after you’ve decided to start a blog is: What is it going to be about? 

This can be a tough question to answer because most of us are multifaceted. We aren’t just good at one thing or passionate about one thing. We typically have several directions we could go.  

After going through this six-step process for choosing a blogging niche you will not only know exactly what you want your blog to be about but you will also feel confident about your decision.

This post is all about how to choose the best blogging niche for you.

Let’s dive right in!

Blogging Niche Basics

What is a Blogging Niche?

how a niche is made

A blogging niche is a combination of what your blog is about and who it is for. 

For example, you may decide you want to start a blog about cooking. Cooking is a very broad topic, which means it’s going to be difficult for you to stand out.

So you would want to narrow it down by deciding who you are creating the blog for. 

For example, you may decide that you want to focus on recipes for those following a keto diet. 

Now, we are getting much closer to a niche. 

We have the what: Cooking blog.

We have the who: Those following a keto diet.

Why Should You Even Choose a Niche for Your Blog?

If you aren’t creating a blog with the goal of making money then choosing a niche doesn’t matter. 

But if you want to make money from your blog, then it does. 

Here are some reasons why: 

Google

It’s a fact of blogging that if you want to get people to your site then search engines like Google need to know what your site is about.

If one day you write about knitting and the next day you write about your trip to Spain and the next day you write about your favorite soup recipe, Google is NOT going to know what your blog is about. However, if you focus your blog on one thing, it will.

For example, if you have a blog about keto recipes, and you publish a series of posts about chicken keto recipes, then keto desserts, then keto breakfast ideas, Google will be able to pick up on this theme. And it will know what keywords to rank you for. Woo hoo!

Social Media

One of the ways to drive traffic to your blog is through social media. Social media platforms want to serve up content to their users that they think they will like.

If your niche is clear, it will make it a lot easier for them to know who your content is for. 

Audience

If you are constantly changing the topics you are posting about, your audience will be confused, and it will actually make it difficult to gain followers.

You want to become the “go-to person” for your topic, and if it’s constantly changing, that will make it difficult for your audience to know why they should follow you.

Do You Have to ‘Niche Down?’

I am not of the opinion that you have to ‘niche down’ forever, but this is a good strategy when you are first getting started. 

Going back to our keto cooking blog example… Once you’ve established yourself as the keto-recipe girl and your articles are starting to rank, then you can start adding in other topics. 

Start with topics that are relevant to your primary topic. For example, someone who is interested in keto might also be interested in supplements to support a keto diet or fitness tips.  

As your audience gets to know you more, they will start to be more interested in you as a person, which gives you an opportunity to branch out and start including content that is more personal. 

Case Study: How a Book Blogger Moved Beyond Books

modern mrs darcy

For example, one of my favorite book bloggers is Anne Bogel of ModernMrsDarcy.com. When she started the blog, it was all about books. 

As the blog grew in popularity, she started sharing posts about all kinds of things such as her favorite recipes, her favorite clothing items, Christmas gift ideas, and even just interesting reads from around the web. 

She could start branching out once her audience started to become more interested in her as a person. 

The 6 Step Process to Clarify Your Niche

Step 1: Brainstorm Session and Data Collection

brainstorm niche

List Your Skills

Get out a blank piece of paper and draw a line down the middle. (There's also an area on the how to start a blog checklist where you can do this, too.)

In the first column, make a list of the following:

  • Any skills you have
  • Anything you have extensive knowledge about
  • Any proficiencies you have
  • Anything others say you're really good at. (If you aren’t sure, reach out to your friends and coworkers and ask them.)

List Your Passions

Next, make a list of all of the things you are passionate about. These are those things you are excited about and give you energy when you talk about them or do them. 

They do not have to be things you are an expert about or have established skills or knowledge. 

For example, you might be passionate about keto, but you may not be a keto expert. 

BLOG NICHE BRAINSTORMING

Step 2: Process the Data

Process niche ideas

Look for Matches

Compare the two lists, and circle or highlight any matches you find.

In this step, you will start to see some clear niche options start to emerge.

But because we are always changing and growing, you may be looking for something different, which is why I don’t believe you should stop here. 

Look for Outliers

To do this, you are going to go back through your list of skills and passions. Put a star next to any passions or skills where you have developing skills or passions.

The purpose of this step is to find an outlier niche that you may not be considering because you don’t think you have enough expertise (even though you may have a passion for it). 

Or sometimes when we start to learn a new skill, we start to develop a passion the better we get at it. That’s actually how I developed a passion for SEO. I had to learn SEO for my day job, and the more I developed my SEO skills, my passion began to increase. 

process the data

Case Study: How Someone Who Was A Financial Hot-Mess Started a Blog on Personal Finance

budget mom personal finance blog

For example, one of my favorite personal finance bloggers is Kumiko Love from The Budget Mom. When she first started posting about personal finance, she was in the process of getting out of debt and getting her personal finances organized.

In other words, she had not achieved the thing she was posting about. But she used her platform to share with others her progress and document the methods she was using to keep herself organized and get out of debt. And now her blog is all about helping others do the same.

Another example might be someone who is trying to lose weight or a first-time mom who wants to share what she’s learning about taking care of a baby. 

Step 3: Apply the KonMari Method to Your List

apply the konmari method

I’m not sure the KonMari Method needs any explanation, but just in case, I will explain what it is. 

In 2014, Japanese organizational expert Marie Kondo published the book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. Kondo and her book became so popular that it resulted in a Netflix series. 

When decluttering, the way Kondo teaches her readers to decide whether they should keep something versus getting rid of it is to hold up each item and ask if it “sparks joy.”

 

 

That’s what you’re going to do with your list of niche options. Go through each one and ask yourself if it “sparks joy.” Or other ways to think about it are: 

  • Is it something you are really excited about? 
  • Does it give you energy when you think about it or do it?

This is an important step because whatever niche you choose, you will be writing hundreds of blog posts about, and you don’t want it to become something you are going to grow tired of talking about. 

Cross out any niches that don’t make the cut and put a star or heart next to the ones that pass the test. 

Step 4: Write a Blogging Niche Statement With This Formula (Three Options)

write a niche statement

For any niches that you have left, I want you to plug them into one of the following niche formulas.

  • (Passion + Skill) + Audience = Niche Statement
  • (Passion + Developing Skill) + Audience = Niche Statement
  • (Skill + Developing Passion) + Audience = Niche Statement

You’ve already done the work for what goes in the parentheses, but now we need to start thinking about your audience. (This is how you are going to narrow down the niche even more.)

Think of your audience as who your niche is going to serve. You will actually be more successful if you have a certain group of specific people your blog is for versus just writing it for everyone. 

If you aren’t sure who your audience is, sometimes it’s good to start with people who are going to be in a similar situation as yourself. 

To stick with our keto example, someone who wants to start a blog about keto recipes may have a niche formula that looks something like this:

niche statement example

Step 5: Test the Niche

test the blog niche

In this step, you want to find out two things: 

  1. Is there enough interest in the topic? (In other words, is there an audience for it?)
  2. Can you monetize it?

How to Test the Interest Level

Find out if the blog niche is profitable.

Look for Other Blogs in Your Niche

Do a Google search for the topic and see what blogs appear in the search results. Do they have a lot of content? Check the comments. Are people engaging with their content? 

Check their social media accounts to see what kind of following they have. 

Look at Pinterest Trends

Pinterest is a great platform to promote your blog, especially if your blog is for women. More than 76 percent of the audience on Pinterest is female. 

Go to Pinterest Trends and search your topic.

It’s okay if you see spikes of interest throughout that year, but you want to see if the topic has consistent traffic. 

When I search in “keto recipes,” you can see that there’s a spike in January (which makes sense, right?), but it has consistent traffic throughout the year. 

Check Google Trends

Since Google is the largest search engine, you definitely want to check to see what kind of interest it has on Google Trends. 

For keto recipes, like Pinterest, there’s a spike in January, but it has consistent interest throughout the year. 

Check Social Media Hashtags

Social Media platforms that use hashtags are Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. And they will typically give you the number of posts published with relevant hashtags. 

For example, when I put in “keto recipes”, you can see that there are plenty of posts about this topic and ways to niche down. 

Keyword Research

Another way to test the interest of the topic is to do some simple keyword research. 

Most Keyword Research tools will allow you to do a limited number of free searches. For example, Ubersuggest will allow three free searches per day. 

You can see from the search volume that this niche definitely has a ton of interest. 

That being said, do not think that you need this type of volume for the niche to be successful. I would aim for a minimum of 1000 searches per month for the overall topic. 

Ask Others 

It’s always helpful to get feedback from a real person. 

If you know others who you think would be in your audience, ask them for feedback. 

Can I Make Money From This Niche?

Look for Relevant Affiliate Programs

One of the primary ways that bloggers make money is through affiliate income. 

Check Amazon: One popular website that has a widely used affiliate program is Amazon. So I would do a search on Amazon and see if it sells books and products that are relevant to your niche.

Google: You can also Google search your niche with the term “affiliate programs” and see what comes up.

Check your favorite niche-related brands: Go to the websites of your favorite niche-related brands and look to see if they have an affiliate program listed. You will typically find affiliate programs listed at the bottom of the home page. 

Ad Revenue

The other primary way that bloggers make money is through ad revenue.

To see if you can make ad revenue from this niche, go to other blogs within the niche and see if they include ads. 

Also, the more traffic a blog receives the more ad revenue it will receive. When you tested the interest of the niche, and it had decent search volume, this is a good sign that you will receive enough traffic to make money from ad revenue.  

Other Monetization Options

Go to blogs within your niche and see if there are other ways they are making money.

Look for digital products they are selling, courses, and books. 

Step 6: Start Posting Content 

start posting content

You will really know if a niche is right for you when you start posting content about it.

This quote from Marie Forleo is really helpful here: “Clarity comes from engagement not thought.” 

Sometimes we think we want to do something, but once we actually start doing it, we realize we hate it or it will confirm that we made the right decision. 

Or you may discover you want to go in a slightly different direction. 

But the only way you will know for sure is if you start doing it. 

Write a couple of blog posts about the topic. Or if you are still stuck between a couple of niches, write blog posts about both topics and pay attention to which one you are most excited to write about. 

Conclusion

If you just went through this whole process, you should have a clear idea of your blogging niche. The next step is to come up with a blog name.

I want to hear from you!

Did this process help you narrow down your niche? Which step was the most helpful? Did you have an a-ha moment?

Tell me about it in the comments section below.