How to start a blog

Do you have a website? Blogs are one of the most popular kinds of websites. A blog can be part of a website, or your whole website.

You can use a blog however you want. You can post as often or as little as you want. You can write whatever you want. You can write journal entries, book reviews, or lists of things. It can be whatever length you want. You can link to it. It doesn't need to have ads or sponsors. It doesn't have to be themed, but it can be. Maybe you don't think anyone will read it, but that's ok. Write it for yourself.

What makes a blog different from social media? You can post many of the same things on a blog as you would on social media, so what's the difference? Why isn't Instagram considered a blogging platform?

A blog is a type of website. You should be able to visit your blog from any web browser with a reasonable url. You shouldn't have to open an app other than a web browser to view your blog. Visitors should not have to log into a platform to view your blog, unless you decide to set up your website to require logging in. While the ease of migrating between blogging software varies, you should be able to import posts to your blog, and export your posts for backup or importing somewhere new.

Where to Start a Blog

These are all hosted blogging platforms that have at least a reasonable level of free tier. Some are completely free. Others have paid tiers that get you more features.

Big Name Blogging Platforms

There's a good chance already know about these, but maybe they're new to you. Maybe you remember them from years ago and aren't sure if they're still an option.

Blogger - Yes, Blogger still exists! It is easy to use and has custom domain support included for free. Blogger is owned by Google.
Tumblr - Tumblr has lots of social features, but you can customize your blog, import and export your posts, and even get a custom domain name. That makes it a blogging option.
WordPress.com - Hosted WordPress blogs with free and paid plans available. Custom domain support and other features start at $4/mo. WordPress is also open source software that can be hosted on another server.
Vivaldi.net - Vivaldi is a browser company, but they also offer free hosted WordPress-powered blogs and a Mastodon instance when you sign up for a free Vivaldi account. (Vivaldi is more of a medium platform than a big name, but I included it in this list because their blog offering runs WordPress software).

Small to Medium Blogging Platforms

I haven't tried all of these, but I'm hoping to test more of them in the future. Most of these smaller platforms have active communities.

Bear Blog - A small blog host. Bear Blog provides free minimalist blogs, but inserting media is a pro feature. (Here's my review of Bear Blog).
Mataroa - Get your own simple blog in 1 minute.
Pagecord - Your own words, written your own way, on your own corner of the web.
Smol.pub - A tiny blogging service.
Pika - "Pika is a pretty good blogging and newsletter platform, by the people at Good Enough. It’s pretty and easy and pretty easy."
Leaflet.pub - Delightful publishing to connect with your community, whether you're writing a blog, newsletter, or secret third thing. Powered by AtProto, so you can log in with a Bluesky account. Free custom domain support(if you already have a domain name).
pckt - "A blog in your pocket." This is another AtProto blogging platform, so you can log in with a Bluesky account.

You can try all of these options out for free. If you like them, consider paying or donating if you are able. Paid support has a bigger impact on small services.

More Blog Reviews, Comparisons, and Lists

Where's Your Website? - How to have a proper small web website within minutes; free, lightweight, easy. Compares Mataroa, Pagecord, and BearBlog
List of Blog Platforms by Manu - A comparison chart with many blogging platforms
Free Blogging Platforms, Engines & Static-Site Generators - resource list at 32-bit Cafe

Why?

You can post photos and words on social media, but you have no control over it. Your account could suddenly be cancelled and all of your content would be gone. Why not have a copy on your website? Most Instagram posts could easily be blog posts.

The internet is filling up with artificially generated slop, and newspapers are publishing reading lists filled with made-up books. One way to combat this is to write your own human-made words. Blogs are a fairly easy way to share your words on the internet.

Start a Blog