How to Start a Blog in Kenya in 9 Simple Steps

Starting a blog in Kenya can be an exciting journey. You can share your ideas, build an audience, and even make money.

To start a blog in Kenya, you need a domain name, web hosting, and a content management system like WordPress.

Kenya has a growing online community. This makes it a great place to start a blog. You can write about local topics or reach a global audience.

Blogging in Kenya offers many opportunities. You can express yourself, connect with others, and maybe even turn it into a business.

Let’s look at how to get started in 9 simple steps.

Determining your blogging niche and domain name

Picking the right niche and domain name sets the foundation for your blog’s success in Kenya. These choices shape your content focus and online identity.

1) Selecting a blogging niche

A blogging niche is the main topic your blog covers. Popular niches in Kenya include:

• Personal finance
• Travel
• Fashion and lifestyle
• Parenting

To pick your blog niche, think about your passions and expertise. What topics do you love talking about? What skills can you share?

Consider the potential audience size. Is there enough interest in your chosen topic? Use social media to gauge interest. Try creating a Facebook group about your niche idea.

Look at existing blogs in your niche. Can you offer a unique perspective or better content?

2) Choosing and registering a domain name

Your domain name is your blog’s web address. It should relate to your niche and be easy to remember. Here are tips for picking a good domain:

• Keep it short and simple
• Use keywords related to your niche
• Avoid hyphens and numbers
• Pick a .com extension if possible

Once you’ve chosen a name, check if it’s available. Many web hosting companies offer domain name registration services.

Popular domain registrars in Kenya include:

• Host Pinnacle
• Namecheap
• Truehost

Register your domain quickly once you find an available name you like. Good domain names can get taken fast.

If the focus of your blog, then use a .co.ke or .ke domain extensions. Host Pinnacle makes it easy to register these extensions.

Choosing a blogging platform and web hosting

Picking the right blogging platform and web hosting is key for starting a blog in Kenya.

These choices affect your blog’s features, costs, and growth potential.

3) Comparing blogging platforms

WordPress is a top choice for bloggers in Kenya. It offers flexibility and many features.

Wix is good for beginners. It has easy-to-use design tools. But it may limit your blog’s growth.

Medium is free and focuses on writing. It has a built-in audience. The downside is less control over your content.

Blogger, owned by Google, is free and simple. It’s best for hobby bloggers who don’t need advanced features.

4) Selecting a hosting provider and plan

For self-hosted blogs, you need a hosting provider. Good hosts in Kenya include Hostpinnacle. You can also opt for global hosts such as Bluehost for better experience

Look for hosts with:

• Reliable uptime
• Fast loading speeds
• Good customer support
• Affordable pricing

Start with a basic shared hosting plan. You can upgrade as your blog grows.

Web hosting costs vary. Cheap plans start at about 300 KES per month. More advanced plans cost more but offer better performance.

Choose a host that lets you easily install WordPress. Many offer one-click WordPress setup.

Creating and customizing your blog

Setting up your blog involves installing a content management system, choosing a design, and planning your content.

These steps will help you create a professional-looking blog that’s ready for visitors.

5) Installing your chosen CMS

WordPress is a popular choice for bloggers in Kenya. To install WordPress:

1. Log into your hosting account’s control panel
2. Find the “WordPress” or “Website” section
3. Click “Install WordPress”
4. Follow the setup wizard to complete installation

The process takes about 5 minutes. Once done, you’ll have a basic WordPress site ready to customize.

Some hosts offer one-click WordPress installs, making the process even easier. Check if your host provides this option.

6) Customizing blog design with themes

WordPress Themes control how your blog looks. To choose a theme:

1. Log into your WordPress dashboard
2. Go to Appearance > Themes
3. Click “Add New” to browse free themes
4. Preview themes you like
5. Click “Install” then “Activate” on your chosen theme

Free themes work well for new blogs. As your blog grows, you may want to invest in a premium theme for more features and support.

You can also use a pagebuilder plugin to design various aspects of your website, including custom pages, single post templates, headers, etc.

Here are some great ones:

• Elementor
• Bricksy
• Oxygen Builder
• Pagelayer
• Visual Composer

Customize your theme’s colors, fonts, and layout in the WordPress Customizer. Small tweaks can make your blog unique.

7) Planning and publishing your content

Create a content plan to stay consistent:

• Choose 3-5 main topics to write about
• Make a list of post ideas for each topic
• Set a publishing schedule (e.g. 1 post per week)
• Use a content calendar to organize ideas

When writing posts:

• Use clear, simple language
• Include relevant images or videos
• Break text into short paragraphs
• Use headings and lists for easy scanning

Aim to publish high-quality content regularly. This helps build an audience and keeps readers coming back.

Growing and Monetizing Your Blog

Turning your blog into a money-making machine takes time and effort.

You’ll need to focus on attracting readers, keeping them engaged, and finding ways to earn from your content.

8) Implementing SEO strategies

SEO techniques are key to getting your blog noticed.

Start with keyword research to find terms people search for in your niche. Use these keywords in your post titles, headings, and throughout your content. You can use Keysearch or Ubersuggest for this

Make sure your blog loads fast and works well on mobile devices. Google cares about these factors when ranking sites.

Create high-quality, original content that answers readers’ questions. Longer, in-depth posts often rank better in search results.

Build links to your blog from other reputable sites. This shows search engines your content is valuable.

9) Building an email list and engaging readers

An email list lets you connect directly with your audience. Offer a free download or newsletter to entice people to sign up.

Tools:

• Zoho Campaigns
• Mailerlite
• Sendfox
• Mailchimp

Send regular emails with helpful tips, new blog posts, and exclusive content. This keeps readers coming back to your site.

Engage with your audience in the comments section of your blog. Ask questions at the end of posts to spark discussion.

Use social media to share your content and chat with followers. Each platform has its own style, so tailor your approach.

Earning Through Various Monetization Methods

Google AdSense is an easy way to start earning. It places ads on your blog and pays you when readers click.

Affiliate marketing involves promoting products and earning a commission on sales. Choose items that fit your niche and audience.

Sponsored content lets you partner with brands to create posts. Be sure to disclose these partnerships to your readers.

Sell your own digital products like ebooks, courses, or templates. These can be very profitable once you have a loyal following.

Consider offering services related to your blog topic. This could include consulting, coaching, or freelance work.