Want to start a food blog but don’t know where to start? I know how frustrating it can be to deal with technical stuff when you really just want to share that killer recipe. Whether you want to start a cooking blog, or you want to become a more successful food blogger, I hope these tips will ease your technical troubles.
Ready to start a beautiful food blog? You have two options:
- Hire a web designer to do it for you. Custom designs usually cost thousands of dollars, but they are certainly an option if you have the money to spend. Be sure to ask for references and wait times before you write a check.
- Do it yourself. I’ll explain how to build your own self-hosted WordPress website below. It will cost you as little as $2.95 per month in hosting, plus the cost of a theme (free to $130). I built this site myself using the tools provided below, so I know you can do it!
Start your own food blog: the basic steps
Here are the basic steps to set up a self-hosted WordPress food blog that is both beautiful and functional. Your blog will have your own domain name and your own distinct look, and it will be able to scale with you as your blog grows. When you’re starting a food blog, I recommend following these steps for a greater shot at success.
1) Name your blog and buy a matching domain name.
Domain names are short, memorable and typically end in .com (yourblogname.com).
Cost: free with Bluehost or around $15 per year elsewhere.
2) Find a reliable web host.
A web host stores your website and makes it accessible to the world wide web. In other words, your website “lives” on your web host’s servers.
Cost: $2.95 per month and up.
3) Install WordPress.
WordPress is top-of-the-line, industry standard blogging software.
Cost: free!
4) Install a WordPress theme.
Your WordPress theme will determine the look, feel and functionality of your website.
Cost: free to $130.
5) Set up Google tools.
Google offers invaluable tools and services like Google Analytics and Search Console.
Cost: free!
6) Install WordPress plugins.
WordPress plugins extend the functionality of WordPress in certain areas. For example, one of my recommended free WordPress plugins helps prevent spam comments.
Cost: free, mostly!
7) Start blogging!
Publish those recipes, stories and photos.
Cost: hard work!
Step 1: Name your blog and buy a matching domain name.
Coming up with a name for your new blog might be the hardest step. You can start brainstorming by coming up with a short mission statement or by listing words that describe your cooking style, your lifestyle, your background, etc. Throw in your name and/or your dog’s name. ;) Talk it out with friends. There are tons of great names out there that aren’t yet taken, I promise!
Characteristics of an ideal blog name
- Descriptive
- Memorable
- Short
- Easy to spell
Once you have some potential names in mind for your blog, you’ll need to check their availability. Since .com is the standard domain suffix, keep trying potential names until you find one that is available in .com. Don’t resort to hyphens or other punctuation marks to make it work (they’re too hard to remember).
You can buy your domain name from a number of providers, but it’s easiest to buy it through your web host. Hop over to Bluehost to enter your desired domain name. Hit “search” and it’ll tell you if your domain name is available. If so, snatch it up quick!
Once you have picked your perfect domain name, you can get it for free with your BlueHost hosting plan. You can also just buy the domain name and figure out the rest later (you can always transfer your domain name to another host if desired). Buy your domain name now, before someone else does!
Step 2: Find a reliable web host.
You’ll want to start with an affordable shared hosting plan that offers automatic WordPress installation. I know this hosting stuff sounds complicated, but pick one and power through! Your food blog awaits.
The best web host for new food blogs:
BlueHost: I recommend Bluehost for beginners and growing blogs because it’s affordable, reliable, easy to set up, fast, and offers 24/7 customer support. Bluehost’s “starter” plan is about as cheap as hosting gets. Click here to get started with BlueHost for as low as $2.95 per month and get a free domain name.
With Bluehost, like all the other inexpensive hosts, you’ll pay for your plan upfront. Don’t worry, though—if for some reason you aren’t happy with Bluehost, you can cancel within 30 days for a full refund. (Domain fee excluded, which you’d pay for elsewhere anyway.)
Good to know: Bluehost loves Cookie and Kate readers. Purchase your hosting through any of my links to Bluehost and you’ll get the best deal available. No promo code required.
Here’s how to get the most from your Bluehost plan:
First, choose your plan. I recommend the basic plan, which is the least expensive and offers everything you need to get started.
Then, choose your term. In order to get your free domain name for a year (a $15 savings) and a significant discount on your monthly rate, you’ll need to pay for at least one year of hosting upfront. Feel free to choose a longer term if you’re serious about blogging and want to save more money, but one year is a great start.
Lastly, choose your add-ons. The only add-on I would choose is “Domain Privacy Protection,” which will make sure your personal address and phone number are kept private. Otherwise, your personal information will be available to marketers and the general public. Please be safe!
Step 3: Install WordPress.
This part is so easy. If you purchased a Bluehost shared hosting plan as suggested, WordPress will be installed on your site automatically!
Once you’re logged into your WordPress site, go to Settings > Permalink Settings page and change your permalink structure to “Post name.” Hit save. Now it’s time to make your blog look pretty.
Step 4: Install a WordPress theme.
Now we’re getting to the fun part! Your WordPress theme will determine the look and feel of your site, so pick a good one.
What to look for in a WordPress theme
- Well designed: Your theme should suit your aesthetic and offer the features you want. The theme should also be coded by someone who knows what they’re doing.
- Responsive. Responsive designs are built to provide an optimal viewing experience for your visitors, whether they’re visiting from their computer, phone or tablet. That means your visitors won’t have to pinch and zoom to read your posts—your text will already be a legible size.
- Optimized for search results: This goes along with the last couple of points, because a well-designed site will naturally rank higher in search results than a site built on a theme that is full of errors. (Want to know if you potential theme has coding errors? Run its URL through the W3C’s markup validation service. You don’t have to understand what all the errors mean, but know that fewer errors are better than more errors.)
- User friendly: Find a theme that offers built-in design options so you don’t have to edit code to change basic stuff. These features will save you a ton of time. Your theme should make it easy for you to change your logo, color scheme, etc.
- Backed by great support: When you experience technical issues, a responsive support team and/or community forums are invaluable resources.
My bottom line: You can start with a free theme, but I recommend that you pony up some cash for a premium WordPress theme from a reputable provider. The time and headaches that you save down the road will make it money well spent.
Recommended premium WordPress themes
I originally built this blog on a basic, free WordPress theme and customized it myself. In February 2014, I launched a redesigned website that is responsive and my site has grown significantly since then.
My blog runs on the Genesis framework via Studiopress. I believe that Studiopress offers the most gorgeous, functional themes available. All of their themes are responsive, which is a necessity these days! Their community forums are helpful, too. Get Studiopress themes through Genesis Pro for a yearly fee, or get them for free with a WP Engine or Flywheel hosting plan (this website is hosted by Flywheel).
Foodie Pro Theme is a fantastic Studiopress theme designed specifically for food blogs. After seeing how nice my friend’s new blog looks right out of the box, I wish I’d gone with the Foodie theme. The built-in recipe page template is a huge plus. Check out Foodie Pro Theme.
How to install a WordPress theme
Another easy step! Look in the sidebar and hover over “appearance.” Click on the “themes” option. From here, you can either upload a theme or browse available free themes. Hover over any theme to find links to preview or install it. Click here for more in-depth instructions with visuals.
Tips for designing a user-friendly food blog
When you’re tweaking the settings on your WordPress theme, keep the following in mind.
- Clear navigation: Keep your blog design clean and uncluttered, so visitors can find what they’re looking for.
- Encourage following: Place prominent links to your RSS feed, email subscription option and social media on every page.
- Commenting: Don’t require CAPTCHAs or ask visitors to login first.
- Suggest sharing: Provide social media sharing buttons at the end of each post.
Step 5: Set up Google tools.
First, set up a new Google account and email (Gmail) address for your blog. It’s nice to keep your blog-related emails and accounts separate, and you will need a Google account to use the following tools. Create a new Gmail account here.
Once you have a Google account, log in and set up the following:
- Google Analytics: Helps you track blog traffic. (Note: install the tracking code in your Yoast SEO plugin settings.)
- Google Search Console: Makes sure your website is up and running. (Note: install the tracking code in your Yoast SEO plugin settings.)
Step 6: Install WordPress plugins.
Each of these plugins provide valuable features that might not automatically come with your theme.
Recommended WordPress plugins for food blogs:
- Akismet: Filters out spam comments without requiring CAPTCHA. Nobody likes CAPTCHAs.
- Tasty Recipes: Formats your recipes for search engine optimization (SEO), adds star ratings, creates print-friendly recipes, and more. This plugin will help your recipe’s photo show up in the search results, and we’re all more likely to click on those links, right? This is a paid plugin but I believe the functionality is absolutely worth the cost.
- Share Buttons of some sort: There are many social bookmarking plugins that will add a Facebook like button, Pin-It button, etc. to each post. Pick your favorite!
- Subscribe To Comments Reloaded: With this plugin, your commenters will receive your replies to their comments by email. This is a helpful feature for readers and improves engagement.
- Yoast SEO: SEO is a complicated beast and this plug-in will help you make sure you have covered your bases. You will need to take the time to go through all the steps and set it up properly, though. Be sure to use it to set up Google Analytics and Google Search Console. It will be worth the effort!
How to install a WordPress plugin
Easy! Go to your WordPress dashboard and look in the sidebar for “Plugins.” Hover over “Plugins” and click on the “Add New” option.
Then look for the “Search Plugins” field and search for one of the plugins by name. When you find it, click “Install Now.” Then, configure the plugin settings as directed.
Step 7: Start blogging.
Congratulations!!! Now you’re ready to start publishing posts on your new food blog.
I have a food blog! Now what?
Here are my Top 20 Tips for Food Blogging, and you’ll find more helpful links below.
How do I write great content?
- Ira Glass on Storytelling
- Blog Q&A: Should I launch with content?
- What Should Food Bloggers Write About?
- How to Write a Recipe
- The Kitchn’s Recipe Writing Tips
How do I take appetizing food photos and make videos?
Practice, practice and more practice!
How do I get traffic to my blog?
Search engine optimization (SEO): Following SEO best practices will help your posts rank well in search results.
- Google’s SEO Starter Guide
- WPBeginners’ Ultimate WordPress SEO Guide for Beginners
- Google’s Search Quality Rating Guidelines PDF (160 pages, yikes!)
More traffic-building resources:
- 10 Ways to Market Your New Blog by The Everygirl
- 33 Ways to Market Your Blog by Amy Andrews
- 21 Quick Actions You Can Do Today to Set Your Blog Up for Massive Success by Fizzle
- How to Develop a Social Media Strategy for Your Business
How do food bloggers make money?
Options include ad networks, affiliate links, sponsored posts, ebooks, etc.
- How to Make Money Blogging by Amy Andrews
- How to Monetize Your Food Blog (free ebook)
- How to Build a Blog Business Plan by Melyssa Griffin
- The Comparison Trap: How to Enjoy the Success of Others
- Disclosure Guidelines for Bloggers from the FTC
Questions? Please leave them in the comments section below and I’ll do my best to answer them.
Renee
Hi Kate,
I’m a huge foodie and after some people told me they loved seeing my mealprep stories on instagram I was considering starting a food blog/ meal prep blog.
Since the costs of blogging aren’t ridicolously high I’d love to buy a domain name. But do I need to set up a blog on wordpress first without the domain name or can I create it after. Is it recommended/ or is there any good reason to postphone buying a domain name?
Kate
I would secure a domain name as it can sometimes be harder than what you think. Also, you want to make sure you start off on the right foot with your brand!
Kelly
If I buy my domain name for $15 will I have any issues using it to set up bluhost later? How do I “use it” once I officially “own” it? Sorry, just starting out here. Thanks.
Ally Lavoie
I am loving your steps to becoming a food blogger. Unfortunately for me, dealing with domain names and host sites is like a foreign language to me. I love the foodie pro theme. Before I purchase it, I am curious to know how I get the theme to my bluehost site. Is it automatic or something I will have to transfer over?
Thank you so much for your time
Ally
Kate
I would ask your provider and go from there! That is what I always find the most helpful. Good luck!
Mamata Rames
Hi, I am starting a new food blog and I am absolutely new to this whole game of blogging.
Waned to thank you for this post. I read numerous posts online about domains, blogging, hosting etc but this is simply the best help I could get. Your article is precise, easy to comprehend and has a touch of genuineness which I love.
Great job!
Kate
You are welcome, Mamata! I’m glad it was helpful.
Kristina
I have my domains w godaddy as the registrar. Do you think bluehost is a better host than going directly to feast design and getting their web hosting package?
Anthony Osude
I look to cook and would love to share my ideas/culinary delights so a big thanks from me.
Kate
You’re welcome, Anthony!
Maggie
Hi Kate!
Thank you so much for this resource. I have a free blog but would really like to create a landing page so that people can download free resources. And I don’t think I can do that with the website I have now. Which brings me to a domain name. The one I currently have is “liveyourlifezestfully”.
What do you think? Do you like it? Hope you can take a look at my site and give me your thoughts.
Harry
I loved the recipe, it turned out delicious.
Kate
Hi Maggie, It all depends on your audience and content. You want to make sure it is easy for people to remember and navigate to. I wish you the best!
Shams Us Sakeeb
Thank you for the tutorial. This will help me a lot to create a food blog!
Kate
You’re welcome!
Kennie
This is so insightful! thank you
Kate
You’re welcome!
Amit Kumar Samal
All the think you have mentioned here will be helpful to me.I am planning to start a food blog, but I have some doubt can I use images from google or I have to take pics only by myself.
Kate
Great!
Jane Costagliola
Great post, thank you so much for sharing this information. I have been contemplating starting a food blog and this gives me the inspiration to do it.
Kate
You’re welcome, Jane!
ruthsanchez
I love that.
Kate
Thank you!
Trisha
Thank you for the information. I really want to start a food blog and didn’t have a clue.
Kate
You’re welcome!
Naman Modi
Great and informative article and it is very important and really worth it to me and I am going to implement this method on our Blog, you have explained it clearly. Thank You.
Kate
Great to hear!
Tech N9ne tour
I enjoy, result in I found just what I used to be having a look for.
You’ve ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day.
Bye
Kate
Thank you!
Jazmin
Hello Kate,
I enjoyed reading your blog. FYI, I was recently displaced from Hurricane Michael and temporarily unemployed while the recovery effort continues and business has a chance to get re-established.
As a potential source of additional income to hold me over, I am interested in starting my own food blog. I have traveled across the US and the world with my husband and sampled various cuisines. This is one of our favorite hobbies-we don’t have kids and have the option to travel at all times of the year to include during the school year. In addition, my biological family is Filipino and taught me to cook filipino food, as well as other types of cuisine.
Request any assistance or advice you can give me for starting my own food blog.
Thanks,
Jazmin Renner
Kate
Hi Jazmin, I’m sorry to hear of your current circumstances. I hope things are looking up soon. You sound more than qualified to start a food blog, but I really should stress that it takes a long time to earn a substantial income from a food blog. It took me four years to leave my job and blog full-time. Definitely, you could start one now as a pastime and have fun with it, but I honestly wouldn’t advise pouring valuable energy into a food blog if you are trying to make ends meet. That’s the best advice I can think of for now, but I hope this article of mine is helpful along your journey and I wish you all the best!
Amy
Hey Kate,
I am glad that I found your post. It’s much easier to understand than from the other bloggers. Yours is very easy to follow in order to do it by myself. I tried it and it worked pretty good.
Love
Amy
Kate
I’m happy it was helpful to you, Amy!
Naomi
thanks a lot CookieandKate, I cant describe how inspired I am about this post right now! You made it all Simple, One-box packaged, Fun. Am Sooo shoving any thought against my creating a Food blog. Thank You.
Kate
Wonderful, Naomi!
Neha
Great Article..
Thanks for sharing
Kate
You’re welcome, Neha!
Dream Market
Wow, wonderful weblog format! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The total look of your site is magnificent, let alone the content material!
Kate
Thank you! It’s been 8 years. Crazy it has gone by so fast and I’ve learned so much!
Letsdiskuss
Hey! This blog is really great, I’m looking forward to read more from you . It’s really amazing to know that somewhere people are creating such great content. I too write on a website named Letsdiskuss and you might be interested in write there too. Keep up the good work!
Kate
Thank you!
Vishvas
Thank You So Much cookieandkate for this food blog tip. Now a days lots of blogger but food blogger is very few.
Kate
You’re welcome!
Carl
This post is useful
Kate
Thank you!
Sitara Abraham
Hi Kate!
Question, I want to do a blog about cooking but also just lifestyle/mental health and a blog name to reflect that. Would be a copyright infringement if I put a pharma drug name in my title, with the trademark logo next to it? I won’t actually be talking about the drug, its purely just for the title. Have you heard of using products like that in blog titles?
Kate
Hi! Great question, and it really depends. I would typically stay away from anything that is copyrighted, or do your research to make sure there aren’t any red flags. You also want to think about your own brand relation and what people will find when they search for that name. If that makes sense?
Alisha Ross
I adore your blog!! My blog is only 8 months old so I’m definitely going to read through all of this tips – can’t wait to implement some of your advice!
I wanted to ask if you have attended any conferences with other bloggers and how important you think this is to grow your network. I am looking at the Alt Summit this June, the Food Blog Forum in Asheville in August, IFBC and the Big Potluck later this year. Any thoughts? Thanks so much,
Regards
Kate
Hi Alisha! Welcome to the blogging world. I’m glad this was helpful! I actually did go to some when I started and other conferences. It was helpful to start networking getting started and then started to connect with other bloggers. I think you look at the conferences with the content you feel most benefit your style and direction. I hope this helps!
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An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who was conducting
a little homework on this. And he actually ordered me breakfast due to the fact that
I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So allow me to reword
this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending some time to talk about this topic here on your web site.
Kate
Thank you for passing it along!
Anshul Bhatt
Hey Kate,
Stumbled across this post and found it very helpful.
I too have already started working on a baking blog of my own and wanted a small help .
Can you please tell that, when you first started your blog, did you post one recipe at a time and then included it under the recipe archives or you posted many recipes and then put them under the archives section ?
I hope, I make sense.
Cheers and thank you!!!
Kate
Hi Anshul, congrats on your new blog! I actually have automated recipe archives. They’re based on categories. So as long as I categorize my recipe, they automatically show up in the archives. Hope this provides some insight!
Bernice
Thank you Kate for the wonderful article! I have started a second cooking blog through WordPress.com (Cooking Plate). I am thinking about migrating to WordPress.org using Blue Host. Just wondering if you still use the “Reader” in WordPress to drive traffic to your website or if all of that is managed through Blue Host?
I love the “Reader” in WordPress and am wondering if we lose it?
Thanks again! Bernice
Lori Himmelsbach
Thanks for all the great information! I just registered my blog!!! You are an inspiration!
Kate
You’re welcome, Lori!
Junhee
I love to cook and I’ve just started my food blog.
Thank you for the tips :)
Kate
You’re welcome!
Amalie Macey
Thank you for the help!!!!
Kate
You’re welcome, Amalie!
Joan Dahlen
Hi Kate,
Your blog is such an inspiration and I am so grateful that you are willing to share so much blogging advice. I have a question about WP Gutenberg. I am starting a new blog that is different from my old blog that was my Family’s Italian recipes and my husband’s family southern recipes. Truth is I couldn’t eat any of it because of chronic IBS. (sob), so my new website is for IBS and low fodmap folk who need recipes that are safe for them and me to eat. My new blog is WP, but it is Gutenberg. I do have the option of going back to classic editor, but I feel if I do I will miss out on WP upgrades going forward. Did you switch to the new Gutenberg and what do you think about it? Thank you in advance for addressing this perplexing issue. Your friend, Joan Dahlen
Kate
Hi Joan! These are good questions. I haven’t switched to Gutenberg yet myself. :) I don’t think you need to worry too much about it for the time being. Maybe it will matter in a year. Anyway, I’d use whichever one you like better.
Dhara
Very nicely written – I loved it. Thank you
Kate
Thank you! I’m happy to hear that, Dhara.
Tyler and Zoe
Hi Kate,
Thanks so much for this article. It’s well put-together and comprehensive. We just started our blog, GradFood.com, and are still trying to tweak it to make it perfect. First, we were wondering if you have any specific comments/suggestions for our site. Second, do you have any good tips or resources for using Pinterest as a food blog? Thanks in advance!
Amy Wisdom
Great info! I started a blog about 3 weeks ago & I feel overwhelmed but your article gives me hope!!
Thanks so much
Amy Wisdom
Kate
I’m happy you find it helpful, Amy!
Holly
Any good websites/recommendations on where to design your logo?
Kate
Hi Holly! I actually designed my own. I would check with local design companies or freelancers. There is a lot of talent, if you don’t want to tackle it yourself!
joneson
Great post, thank you so much for sharing this information. I have been contemplating a food blog and this gives me the inspiration to do it. The total look of your site is magnificent, let alone the content material! Keep it up.
Kate
Thank you!
Katharina Kuehr
Hey Kate!
Thank you very much for this advice, I believe that it is very helpful! I followed your steps up to step 3 and now I am struggling with my theme. I really like the foodie pro one and I found it on the studio press website but I had a question regarding that. If I purchase that theme, will I be able to use and transfer it to my blue host page/ abo and use it! I am asking because I don’t completely understand this in your description and it would be really helpful for me if you can answer and help me with that!
Thank you very much in advance,
Katie
Prafful goel
Very informative blog. Thank you for sharing.
Kate
You’re welcome!
Kayla Shull
This is such a fantastic, detailed, and organized post!
Thank you so much for all of this information!
Kate
You’re welcome, Kayla!
Marie Muccio
Thank you so much for this article it has been so helpful
Kate
You’re welcome, Marie!
mac jim
Hey kate
I’m looking for an easier blog to understand quickly and I found you. Such a good writer you are! Now I’m looking forward to reading more blogs from you.
Take love
Mac
Alina
Hi Kate!
Your post encouraged me to setup my blue host account through the link provided above! I was in the process of setting up the plugins and my website crashed. I’m unable to launch word press ended up deleting my website which caused problems with blue host ( can’t get in)
Does the website crash frequently? I had spent 3+ hours today and feeling discouraged. Any tips on how to make things easy and avoid situation as such. I’m totally lost in terms of how many plugins I need… right now I can’t pay for premium themes so most likely will go for a free one. TIA!
bblfoods
BBL Foods is a Leader in supply of Biscuit Machines and snack line throughout India and worldwide based on our clients and partners requirements
Alyssa
Thank you for this post! I have been sort of thinking about starting a food blog for the past year or so, but you make it so easy to understand with specific steps to take that I think I am going to finally do it. Now, I just need to come up with a name that isn’t already taken.
Brian Nagele
This is a pretty great post. I’ve been thinking of starting a blog on this subject myself. Any tips or anything you would recommend that I to avoid?
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Deepika
This is a pretty great post. I’ve been thinking of starting a blog on this subject myself. Any tips or anything you would recommend that I to avoid?
https://deepikacookhouse.blogspot.com/
Whereismap.net
That looks delicious !!! A great dish for Valentine’s Day
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Totracking
Great tips! I bookmarked this page to come back to for reference. Thanks for an in-depth look at how to grow your blog traffic!
Emily Standley
Perfect tips on how to start a food blog. The key to any blog is driving traffic to it once it’s set up. Excellent points!
Sea
Hi Kate, You done a great post. Thank you so much. I looking forward to your next post about how to push blog to the top google
Bblfoods
BBL Foods, pioneer in supply of machinery for Layer Cake and Cookie Plants across India. Quality products and do Project Management consulting
MY22BMI
“Hey,
I read your blog. It is really helpful and easy to understand. I am sure it will help everyone. Thanks for sharing your Knowledge and experience with us.”
sara
Thanks for the help! Your blog helped me learn how to cook a bunch of stuff. Love it and keep it up!
Davin
Thank you so much for the help! Your blog more helpful. Love it and keep it up!
kathryn smithson
Hello,
I have been a fan of your site for some time!
I’m reaching out because my sister and I recently launched a T-Shirt site. Proceeds go to providing protective equipment, cure research and supporting small businesses. It is www.wheresmyroll.com
Our shirts go from small to 3XL and are tactfully humorous.
We would LOVE if you wrote a story about our site because it’s an important cause that’s close to our hearts.
Look forward to hearing back.
Cheers,
Maria and Kate
Kate
Hi Kathryn! Thank you for your note. Your shirts are so fun. I’m sorry, I don’t really stories about non food-related items, but I’m glad to know about it!
Malika
Thank you, very useful article.
kashish food
You done a great post. Thank you so much.
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Louise White
Hi Kate! I was hoping that your site would explain how to craft the recipe page. Such as, whether you simply input the recipe’s ingredients and the instructions in a plugin like WP Recipe Maker, how to include a blog-like blurb before the recipe itself, whether to create a template onto which to include the blurb and the recipe and any photos, how to display your collection of recipes, such as in a grid or a list.
Kate
Hi Louise! Those are big questions. :) I use WP Tasty for my recipe formatting, but I’ve also heard good things about WP Recipe Maker. Both of them provide a space for a small recipe description before you get into the ingredients and so on. How to display your recipe posts is up to you. Some WordPress themes offer built-in recipe archive pages, like Brunch Pro. Hope that helps!
Testing :)
basil
Rasmi
Wow this is a great blog for the beginner like me who wants to start the blog in the area of food. It helps me to find the best way to implement my idea in the blog.
Thank you for posting.
Keep posting.
Deepak kumar singh
Good recipe
Katie
Thanks for this great resource! One question – how do you decide which recipe content to put up for free and which recipe content to be paid content in the form of cookbooks and downloads? It seems like nobody would buy cookbooks full of recipes that are available for free on the blog, but high quality content on the blog creates good traffic. How do you decide which content to put where? Thanks!
Kate
Hi Katie! Great question. I think it really depends on your strategy. For me, I focus on specific content for the blog to provide my readers. When I developed my cookbook, those recipes were specifically designed for the cookbook and the theme of the cookbook. I hope that helps!
Brian Payne
Thank you for all the incredibly detailed and insightful content! Do you have any insights on monetizing a food blog? Or any thoughts on which market affiliate programs work best with food blogging?
Kate
Hey Brian! Check out the section of links titled “How do food bloggers make money?” for resources. For affiliate programs, Amazon is a great start, then there’s also Reward Style, and various programs available through CJ and Shareasale.com.
emma
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Isabelle
Hi Kate,
This is an awesome article. I wanted to thank you for all of your awesome insight. I started a blog a few months ago and it is not where I want it to be at all. I was planning on hiring a website developer but after reading your article I am going to give the set up process another shot. I am confident it will work out!!
Shruti
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John
Very Informative Thanks Buddy
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I’m huge fan of food & food blogging, your all food blogging steps are very helpful to all those interested to start food blogging thanks for sharing valuable words with us. keep posting such great post
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I want to start an online cooking tutorial blog. what types should I look into firstly?
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Nice Article
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Britney
If your planning to start a blog how do I create the privacy policy and terms? Do I create them on my own?
Kate
Hi! I would suggest legal advice to make sure everything is outlined as it should be.
Teresa Tillery
Do you think wix.com is a good way to start blogging . Really trying to get this started. Love love all the great information you provided.
Kate
Hi, I like the platform that I use, but if it has the features you are looking for then it is worth exploring. Cost and security are also factors you would want to consider.
Francie Breen
I’ve followed you for years now and finally decided to also follow my dreams and start my food blog (thanks to the help of your page!)
I read your privacy policy and it seems pretty straight to the point and easily understandable.
I also saw your comment to another person regarding their privacy policy and you suggesting them to seek legal advise. I’ve done some additional research on this, but in your opinion, is paying for legal advice for this required? Just don’t know if I am ready to invest in legal advise just yet since my blog isn’t even up and running.
I appreciate any advice you do have!
Thanks so much!
Kate
Hi Francine, That is what I have done and would do, but you need to use your best judgement to make sure you are protected and also know what can/can’t be done. I hope that helps!
Maddie K.
Hello Kate!
I have recently decided to start food blogging and found this blog very helpful in many ways! I was just wondering what you do to protect your page from any security problems. My site in currently deemed “Not Secure” and was wondering how you would recommend Securing it.
Thank you!
Kate
Hi! I work with a provider to help keep it secure and follow rules/guidelines to do so. Google has some helpful information.
Amy Holdaway
Hi Kate,
Thank you so much for sharing such valuable information! Very kind of you! A few questions: How often do you post/update your website? Did it become more frequent after you began? Did you have a lot of recipes stockpiled before you began? Or do you continuously come up with new? How about your photos-phone or special camera? Again, many thanks-
Amy
Kate
Hi Amy, all good questions. My site started as a creative outlet and evolved to a food blog with time. I publish posts to my blog between one to three times per week (my personal goal is always at least two posts per week, but sometimes that doesn’t happen). I don’t know that there’s a hard and fast rule there, but it’s good for a blog to look regularly updated, even if that’s once or twice a month. I did not have any content stockpiled before I began. I’m always trying to create new recipes, and occasionally revisit older recipes to update photos. I use a professional camera and you can learn more on my photo page. Hope that helps!
Hemp
I am so happy I found your blog and I absolutely love your information about how to start a food blog and the tips you have shared are awesome. I liked and it is wonderful to know about so many things that are useful for all of us! Thanks a lot for this amazing blog!!
goutom
Hi Amy, all good questions. My site started as a creative outlet and evolved to a food blog with time. I publish posts to my blog between one to three times per week (my personal goal is always at least two posts per week, but sometimes that doesn’t happen). I don’t know that there’s a hard and fast rule there, but it’s good for a blog to look regularly updated, even if that’s once or twice a month.
Crytonic
When i think of how boring and tasteless my previous efforts at French toast!! My family just ate up anyway, bless them though on reflection must have reminded them of cardboard – and now this fabulous recipe!! Thank you so much!!
Cindy Lepore Hart
Hi Kate,
This is such a great article. I teach high school cooking, in the Bay Area and plan to have the students create a blog page. Do you ever do guest appearances through Zoom? It would be great to have you share your experiences with my students. Thank you so much for your consideration.
Harshavardhan Manohar
Amazing blog, loved it.
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Thank you so much for the helpful tips.
PRINCE KATHPAL
Awesome
Connie
I bought a domain name through godaddy and they are saying that my website has to be built through them as well. I have a free 30 day trail but after that it’s fairly expensive. Can I do what you suggested up above and make a website with bluhost and connect it to my godaddy domain?
Maria
Kate,
Before you started your food blog website did you setup your LLC and dba first? I’d like to start a food blog as a hobby and maybe in the future, if it makes, I’d like to turn it to an actual business. My other question is, if I’m just starting out my food blog as a hobby with no affiliate marketing/sponsors, is it necessary to obtain business license to get a blog/website up in running under a name for example “Best Recipes Ever”.?
Kate
Hi Maria, I think it’s really dependent on the future you want for your blog. I would suggest doing your research and deciding what makes the most sense for you. If you want this to be more of a business or potential outlet like that, I would look at setting it up that way. Or you can just start a blog without that if you don’t intend to do that. I would suggest reaching out to an expert to know what would be the best decision for you. Good luck!
Anne
I was just going to ask the same question. Starting as a hobby and would like to see grow but I worry about registering as an LLC, dba or copyright a name and things like that.
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Nina
Hi Kate,
Thank you so much for sharing this blog, resources and your journey. It is so kind of you to share all of these amazing tips with those of us who might be interested in starting a food blog! Out of curiosity, did you fall into developing recipes on your own, or did you pursue any courses or education on recipe development before getting started?
Daminee Patil
Informative article to write food-related bog tips can be used to create any kind of blog. every step is explained very well.
thanks for sharing.
Saraswati college
exactly what it should be.Very good content for students, keep sharing and to know more click swiggy digital marketing strategy
First page
Thanks for your suggestion. I have submitted my blog to google. It has indexed and crawled most of the pages, but none of my pages is ranking on Google, still, I have the same keyword as my competitor have. Any suggestion?
Frisco Web Solutions
That’s really nice post. I appreciate your skills. Thanks for sharing.
Maddie
Thank you so much for the helpful tips! I am in the process of starting a food blog, and all of these tips were very helpful!!
Tarique
It’s a fantastic write-up, you have made the most difficult things easy, I would love to build my personal blog preferably on food. Thank you very much
Deepthi
Thank you for your post! I am amazed by how many people are interested in starting a food blog. It sounds like a lot of fun, but it also seems overwhelming. That’s why I think everyone will be so glad that you shared this information with us. You’ve helped them get started and feel more confident about the process ahead. Thank you so much!