How Much Does It Actually Cost to Start a Blog, Run Ads, and Build Side Income?

If you’re thinking about turning a passion into cash, the first question you’ll ask is probably “How much will this cost?” The answer isn’t a one‑size‑fits‑all number, but you can break it down into four main buckets: domain & hosting, tools & software, marketing & ads, and time‑to‑money trade‑offs. Knowing where your money goes helps you plan a realistic budget and keep surprises to a minimum.

Domain, Hosting, and Basic Setup

Getting online starts with a domain name and a hosting plan. A .com or .in domain usually runs $10‑$15 a year. Shared hosting for a beginners blog can be as low as $3‑$5 per month; you’ll find reliable options from providers like HostGator or SiteGround. If you expect fast growth, a managed WordPress host at $15‑$25 per month gives you better speed and security without extra plug‑ins. All together, the first year typically costs $50‑$100.

Tools, Content Creation, and Ongoing Expenses

Beyond the basics, you’ll need a few tools to keep your site looking good and ranking well. A premium theme or page builder can be a one‑time $30‑$70 charge, while SEO plugins (e.g., Yoast) often have free tiers that work fine for starters. If you write your own posts, the cost is mostly your time. Hiring freelancers for graphics or editing runs $5‑$20 per piece, depending on quality. Think of these expenses as investments—each piece of quality content can attract more readers and eventually more revenue.

When it comes to making money, the most common routes are affiliate links, sponsored posts, and ad networks. With 200 views per day, a modest blog can earn $50‑$200 a month from display ads, especially if you use a platform like Google AdSense. Adding a few affiliate products that match your niche can push that number higher, but only if the products are relevant and you disclose them properly.

Digital Advertising Costs

Running ads to grow your audience isn’t free. A small Facebook or Instagram campaign can start at $5‑$10 a day, which translates to $150‑$300 a month. Pay‑per‑click (PPC) on Google Ads often costs $0.50‑$2 per click for low‑competition keywords. If you’re promoting a digital product or an online course, calculate the cost per acquisition (CPA) and make sure your earnings per sale exceed that figure.

One mistake new bloggers make is blowing their budget on fancy ad creatives before they have any data. Start with simple, text‑based ads, test different audiences, and only scale up when you see a positive return on ad spend (ROAS).

Building Multiple Income Streams

Relying on a single source of income is risky. Think about adding side hustles like freelance writing, tutoring, or selling digital downloads. Each stream has its own cost structure. For example, a freelance writing gig may need a subscription to a job board ($20‑$30/month), while selling an e‑book only costs the design software you already own. The key is to keep the overhead low while the payoff grows over time.

In practice, many successful bloggers combine ad revenue, affiliate sales, and a small product line. The combined monthly income often covers the original blog expenses and leaves a profit after a few months of consistent effort.

Bottom line: start small, track every dollar, and reinvest profits into higher‑quality content or smarter ads. With a clear cost plan, you’ll avoid the common pitfall of overspending and stay focused on turning your bold attitude into a sustainable income.