Blogging Expenses: What You Pay and How to Save

Starting a blog feels exciting, but the costs can surprise you. Before you launch, know the main expenses so you don’t run out of cash mid‑way. This guide breaks down every line item and gives you cheap‑or‑free tricks to keep the budget tight.

Typical Costs You’ll Face

Domain name – A good domain usually costs $10‑$15 per year. Some registrars offer discounts for the first year, but expect the renewal price to be higher.

Web hosting – Shared hosting starts at $3‑$8 per month. If you go for a managed WordPress host, prices jump to $10‑$30. Free hosting options exist (GitHub Pages, Netlify), but they come with limits on storage and custom domains.

Theme or design – Free themes work fine for beginners, yet premium themes can cost $30‑$70 once. Custom design work from a freelancer can easily reach $200‑$500.

Content creation – Writing your own posts saves money, but hiring writers or buying stock images adds $5‑$50 per article. Tools like Canva or Unsplash offer free visuals, reducing that spend.

Plugins and tools – Essential plugins for SEO, backups, or security often have free tiers. Premium versions might cost $5‑$30 per month each.

Marketing – Email newsletter services start free and then charge $10‑$25 per month for larger lists. Paid ads on Google or Facebook can start at $50 a month if you’re testing.

How to Keep Your Blog Budget Low

Pick a free or cheap domain extension like .info or .xyz for the first year, then switch to a .com when you earn enough.

Use static site generators (e.g., Hugo, Jekyll) and host on GitHub Pages. You get a fast site with zero hosting fees.

Start with a free theme and only upgrade when you need extra features or support. Many premium themes have a 30‑day money‑back guarantee, so you can test before committing.

Create your own graphics with free tools. Canva’s free plan gives you thousands of templates, and Unsplash provides high‑quality photos without royalties.

Take advantage of free SEO plugins like Yoast SEO’s basic version or Rank Math. They cover most on‑page needs without a subscription.

When you need email marketing, start with the free tier of MailerLite or Mailchimp. Upgrade only after your subscriber base grows.

Track every expense in a simple spreadsheet. List the cost, frequency (one‑time or monthly), and a note on how essential it is. This visibility helps you cut the non‑essential items fast.

Consider barter or guest posts for backlinks instead of buying links. You get SEO value and build relationships at no cost.

Finally, set a realistic monthly budget and stick to it. If you hit the limit, pause any paid ads for a week and focus on organic growth.

Blogging doesn’t have to drain your wallet. By knowing the typical costs and applying these cheap‑or‑free tactics, you can launch a solid blog without breaking the bank. Keep an eye on your spending, adjust as you grow, and watch your blog flourish on a budget you control.