How to make money blogging: A complete guide

Blogging isn’t just a way to share your ideas and connect with like-minded people; it can also become a reliable source of income. Many bloggers have turned their passion into a full-time career by using smart monetization strategies.

Here are the most common ways to make money from blogging:

1. Display ads on your blog
2. Start affiliate marketing
3. Write sponsored content
4. Sell products on your blog
5. Set up a membership program
6. Offer online services
7. Collaborate with other blogs
8. Partner with brands
9. Ask for donations and crowdfunding
10. Sell ad space directly

Let’s take a closer look at each of these options and see how you can make them work for your blog.

We assume that you already have a blog. But if you don’t, we recommend using Hostinger Website Builder to set up your own blog and then come back to this article.

1. Display ads on your blog

• Best for: Bloggers with consistent medium-to-large traffic

Display ads are one of the simplest ways to start earning money from your blog. If you’re generating traffic but aren’t ready to create your own products or services yet, ads provide a low-effort passive income stream.

With ad networks like Google AdSense, the setup is straightforward, and the ads are automatically targeted based on your readers’ interests. This method works best for blogs that already have a steady flow of visitors, as more traffic equals more impressions and clicks, which leads to more revenue.

Once you’ve placed ads on your blog, they work behind the scenes, letting you focus on content creation. You don’t need to worry about aspects like customer service, product development, or shipping logistics. Ads offer a hands-off way to monetize your existing audience.

How to start

• Sign up for an ad network like Google AdSense or Media.net.
• Choose high-visibility spots on your blog, like headers, sidebars, or sections within your content.
• Track ad performance using tools like Google Analytics to identify which placements work best.
• Experiment with different ad placements to maximize earnings while maintaining a good user experience.

2. Start affiliate marketing

• Best for: Bloggers who have niche audiences and want to earn passive income

Affiliate marketing is an excellent way to generate income by recommending products or services to your readers. By joining affiliate programs, you can earn an affiliate commission every time someone makes a purchase through your referral link. It’s a great way to monetize your blog without taking on the logistical challenges of selling physical products.

Blogging pairs well with affiliate marketing because it gives you a dedicated space to publish content, promote affiliate products, and build trust with your audience. This way, you’re not relying on third-party platforms you can’t fully control, making growth and reach more sustainable.

Hostinger makes creating an affiliate marketing website simple, even for beginners. Our AI Website Builder for WordPress designs your affiliate platform based on your prompt. Plenty of pre-built themes are also available for customization.

Once your site is ready, the Hostinger Affiliate Marketing Tools plugin lets you add Amazon or Mercado Libre products using customizable templates. The entire process requires zero coding.

How to start

• Join affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or niche-specific ones like Hostinger Affiliate Program.
• Add affiliate links to relevant content, such as product reviews, tutorials, or listicles.
• Track the performance of your affiliate links using tools like ThirstyAffiliates or Google Analytics.
• Regularly update posts with new or more relevant affiliate links to maximize earnings.

3. Write sponsored content

• Best for: Bloggers who have engaged audiences and want to collaborate with brands

Sponsored content is a way to earn money by partnering with brands to create posts that promote their products or services.

Brands often seek out bloggers with loyal, engaged readers because these audiences tend to trust the blogger’s recommendations. Sponsored content works well for bloggers who have built credibility and rapport with their readers, as authenticity plays a key part in this strategy.

Creating valuable content that aligns with your blog’s niche allows you to get paid while engaging your audience’s interests. It’s a win-win for everyone.

How to start

• Contact brands that fit your blog’s niche, or sign up for influencer marketing platforms like Aspire or Izea.
• Pitch content ideas that fit both the brand’s goals and your blog’s tone to ensure you sound authentic to your audience. 
• Clearly disclose that the content is sponsored to build trust and maintain transparency.
• Focus on maintaining the quality and authenticity of your blog while incorporating the brand naturally into the content.

4. Sell products on your blog

• Best for: Bloggers who have a defined niche and want to create their own products

Selling your own products is a powerful way to monetize your blog and directly connect with your audience.

Creating digital products (like eBooks, courses, and printables) or physical items (like handmade goods or merchandise) that align with your blog’s focus offers value to your readers.

Since you’re selling your own goods, you have complete control over your pricing, branding, and marketing. You also don’t have to rely on third-party advertisers or affiliate commissions, which translates to higher revenue potential.

In the end, you’ll strengthen your connection with your audience and position yourself as a trusted source of both content and solutions.

How to start

• Set up an online store using an ecommerce platform like Hostinger Website Builder.
• Create products that resonate with your audience’s needs, such as digital downloads, courses, or physical items.
• Promote your products through your blog posts, email newsletters, and social media channels.
• Offer limited-time promotions or discounts to encourage purchases and drive sales.

5. Set up a membership program

• Best for: Bloggers who have a loyal following and want to offer exclusive content

Setting up a membership program is an excellent way to generate recurring income by offering exclusive content or perks to paying members.

This works well if you have a dedicated audience that values your insights and is willing to pay for premium content, early access, or additional benefits. Membership programs create a sense of community and offer a more personalized experience to your most engaged readers.

The membership model helps you diversify your revenue streams by creating different subscription tiers that cater to various levels of commitment. It’s a great way to build deeper relationships with your audience while creating a stable income source.

How to start

• Create different membership tiers with exclusive benefits, such as early access to content, bonus materials, or members-only Q&A sessions.
• Market the membership program through your blog, email newsletter, and social media to encourage sign-ups.
• Regularly engage with your members by delivering consistent value and maintaining open communication to strengthen the community.

6. Offer online services

• Best for: Bloggers with specialized knowledge who want to turn their expertise into a business

Providing online services through your blog is a great way to monetize your expertise, whether it’s through coaching, consulting, or workshops.

If you have a specific skill or knowledge that your audience values, selling services lets you get up close and personal with your clients. This method is ideal for bloggers who want to build a personal brand and connect more personally with their audience.

Offering services lets you charge higher rates than most other passive income streams. It’s also excellent for building authority in your niche and strengthening your relationship with your audience.

How to start

• Clearly define the services you want to offer, such as coaching, consulting, or group workshops.
• Promote your services on a dedicated page of your blog, outlining the benefits and including testimonials or case studies.
• Add an ecommerce store to your website to enable appointment scheduling, and set up PayPal or Stripe to manage payments.
• Share success stories from clients to build credibility and encourage more sign-ups.

7. Collaborate with other blogs

• Best for: Bloggers looking to expand their audience and increase traffic

Collaborating with other bloggers is a fantastic way to grow your readership and income by tapping into a wider audience.

Whether it’s through guest posts, joint projects, or cross-promotion, working with fellow bloggers in your niche boosts your blog’s visibility and attracts new readers. This is ideal for those who want to expand their reach without spending money on ads or marketing, as it leverages other people’s audiences.

Collaboration helps you build relationships with influencers in your field, which leads to more opportunities like joint webinars, interviews, or co-authored content. Plus, it helps drive traffic to your blog, improving your credibility and influence in the blogging community.

How to start

• Identify bloggers in your niche whose audience aligns with yours and reach out to them for collaboration opportunities.
• Suggest ideas like guest posting, content swaps, or cross-promotion through social media or newsletters.
• Create high-quality content for any collaboration to ensure it resonates with both audiences.
• Track traffic and engagement to see how well each collaboration boosts your blog’s reach.

8. Partner with brands

• Best for: Bloggers with a strong personal brand who want to work with companies for product promotions

Partnering with brands lets you work directly with companies to promote their products or services through your blog.

This method is perfect if you’ve built a solid reputation in your niche. Brands often look for bloggers who can authentically promote their products to a loyal audience. Whether you focus on product reviews, giveaways, or brand collaborations, this approach lets you generate income while providing value to both the brand and your readers.

The key benefit is that partnerships often come with higher payouts than traditional ad networks or affiliate programs. They position you as an influencer in your field and strengthen your personal brand.

How to start

• Create a media kit that outlines your blog’s statistics, audience demographics, and any past collaborations.
• Reach out to brands that align with your blog’s content, offering ideas for product reviews, sponsored posts, or giveaways.
• Ensure that all brand collaborations feel authentic and fit naturally within your content to maintain trust with your readers.
• Clearly disclose partnerships to maintain transparency and build long-term trust with your audience.

9. Ask for donations and crowdfunding

• Best for: Bloggers who have a loyal, engaged audience eager to support their content

Asking for donations or using crowdfunding can generate income if your readers value your content and want to support your efforts.

This method works for bloggers who offer valuable, consistent content but may not want to monetize through ads or product sales. Platforms like Ko-fi or Buy Me a Coffee let readers support your work, helping you maintain and grow your blog while keeping it free from ads or heavy commercialization.

It’s also a great way to fund new projects or series, as readers can directly contribute to the content they want to see.

How to start

• Set up a profile on platforms like Buy Me a Coffee or Ko-fi to accept one-time donations or monthly contributions.
• Clearly explain why you’re asking for support and how the funds will help improve your blog or content.
• Promote your donation options on your blog, social media, and newsletters, making it easy for readers to contribute.
• Consider offering small perks, like exclusive content or shout-outs, as a way to say thank you to your donors.

10. Sell ad space directly

• Best for: Bloggers with high traffic and influence who want more control over their ad revenue

Selling ad space directly to brands or companies gives you more control over your blog’s monetization compared to using ad networks.

By cutting out the middleman, you can negotiate ad rates, choose which brands you work with, and tailor ad placements to your blog’s layout and audience. This method is ideal if your blog boasts significant traffic and influence, helping you set competitive pricing for premium ad space.

You can also earn more than with ad networks while maintaining complete control over which ads appear on your site. This ensures that ads remain relevant and engaging for your audience, resulting in a more cohesive blog experience.

How to start

• Create a media kit that includes your blog’s traffic stats, audience demographics, and available ad spaces.
• Set clear pricing for different ad placements based on their visibility and traffic potential.
• Reach out to potential advertisers, particularly brands relevant to your niche, and pitch your ads.
• Update your media kit and pricing regularly as your blog’s traffic and influence grow, adjusting rates to reflect increased value.

How to effectively earn money from blogging

Having multiple monetization methods means you’re not relying on just one. Combining strategies can boost your earnings and create more stable income streams.

For example, you can pair affiliate marketing with sponsored posts or sell your products while running a membership program. Diversifying your income makes your blog more resilient in the long run.

Regardless of the methods you choose, make sure they align with your blog’s niche and audience needs. Stay consistent with your brand, track your results, and be ready to adjust when you spot new opportunities. With smart choices and steady effort, you can turn your blog into a reliable source of income. You’ve got this.