How To Start A Blog Without A Website

In this post, we’ve covered

What it means to start a blog without a website
Free blogging platforms vs. standard Self-hosted blogs [Pros & Cons]
How to start a blog without a website on 8 platforms

What does it mean to start a blog without a website?

Starting a blog without a website typically means using a third-party platform that hosts your content, rather than building and maintaining your own site.

Imagine it as writing blog posts on LinkedIn, Medium.com, etc instead of a self-hosted standard blog.

Free blogging platforms vs. standard Self-hosted blogs [Pros & Cons]

Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of free blogging platforms and self-hosted blogs to help you decide which option is best for you.

Free Blogging Platforms
Self-Hosted Blogs

Free Blogging Platforms

A free blogging platform is an online service that allows users to create and publish blog content without requiring payment for hosting or setup. These platforms provide all the basic tools you need to start blogging, such as templates, content editors, and hosting, but often come with limitations in terms of customization, control, and monetization.

Pros:

Easy to Set Up: Free blogging platforms are incredibly easy to use. Signing up typically involves a few clicks, and no technical knowledge is required.
Free to Use: As the name suggests, these platforms are free to use. You won’t have to pay for hosting or domain names.
User-Friendly Interface: Free platforms often have user-friendly interfaces that make it easy to create and publish blog posts, even for beginners.
Built-in Analytics: Many free platforms offer basic analytics tools to track your blog traffic and understand your audience.

Cons:

Limited Customization: Free platforms offer limited control over the design and functionality of your blog. You might be restricted to pre-designed templates and themes.
Monetization Restrictions: Many free platforms don’t allow you to display advertisements or sell products on your blog, making it difficult to monetize your content.
Branding Limitations: Your blog will likely have the branding of the free platform embedded in the domain name (e.g., [invalid URL removed]) and potentially throughout the site.
Less Control Over Content: Free platforms have the right to remove your content if it violates their terms of service. There’s also a chance they could shut down your blog entirely.

Self-Hosted Blogs

A self-hosted blog refers to a blog that you are paying for its hosting and domain which gives you full control over your content, design, and functionality.

This type of blogging setup typically requires you to purchase a domain name and a hosting plan, allowing you to install a Content Management System (CMS) like WordPress.org. Web hosting services like Hostgator will offer you a free domain of your choice as a new user using our promo link.

Pros:

Full Control and Customization: With a self-hosted blog, you have complete control over the design, functionality, and content of your blog. You can customize it to perfectly match your brand and vision.
Monetization Options: Self-hosted blogs allow you to display ads, sell products, or offer paid subscriptions, giving you multiple ways to monetize your content.
Professional Branding: You can choose a custom domain name (e.g., yourblog.com) for a more professional look and improved brand recognition.
Ownership and Security: You own the content and data on your self-hosted blog. You have more control over security and backups compared to free platforms.

Cons:

Technical Knowledge Required: Setting up and managing a self-hosted blog requires some technical knowledge. You’ll need to choose a hosting provider, install software, and potentially manage security updates.
Costs Involved: Self-hosted blogs require investment. You’ll need to pay for hosting fees and potentially a custom domain name.
Steeper Learning Curve: There’s a learning curve involved in managing a self-hosted blog. You’ll need to learn about website maintenance, security, and backups.

Who They Are Best For:

Free blogging platforms are a good option for beginners who are just starting out or who don’t plan to monetize their blogs. They are easy to use and free but offer limited control and customization.
Self-hosted blogs are ideal for serious bloggers who want full control over their blogs, plan to monetize their content, and value a professional brand image. They offer greater flexibility and long-term benefits.

How To Start A Blog Without A Website On Third-party Websites

Starting a blog without a website typically means using a third-party platform that hosts your content for you, rather than building and maintaining your own site.

Here are three ways you can start a blog without having to create your own blog or site:

[1]. Use Free Hosting Blogging Platforms

You can use platforms like Medium, Substack, or WordPress.com to start your blog. These platforms manage the hosting and design, so you don’t need a separate website. You simply create an account, and you can start publishing content right away.

Pros:

No need for technical setup or maintenance.
Free or low-cost options are available.
Easier for beginners.

Cons:

Limited control over customization, design, and branding.
You don’t fully own your platform or content.
Monetization options may be more restricted compared to self-hosted blogs.

[2]. Use Social Media Blogging Platforms

Some bloggers choose to write long-form content on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn, treating these posts like mini-blogs. This is another form of blogging without needing a dedicated website.

Pros:

Built-in audience and easy sharing features.
No setup is required.

Cons:

Lack of search engine visibility (SEO) for posts.
Limited formatting and content options.

[3]. Use YouTube or Vloging Channels

If you focus on video content, you could create a blog-like experience on platforms like YouTube or Vimeo.

This shifts from text-based to video-based blogging (vlogging).

Pros: Visual and interactive content attracts a different audience.
Cons: Requires more effort in terms of production.

Simplified Summary

Starting a blog without a website means leveraging a pre-existing platform where you publish content without worrying about hosting, design, or backend technicalities.

However, it also means sacrificing ownership, flexibility, and potential monetization options in the long run.

The Fastest Way to Start Making $10,000/month as a New Blogger

1. Get Started with HostGator – Your Blog’s Best Friend

The first step to making money blogging is having a solid foundation. HostGator offers affordable, reliable hosting, a free domain, and easy access to WordPress — the best platform for new bloggers. Sign up today and get your blog online in minutes.

👉 Get Started with HostGator Now!

2. Choose a Profitable Niche

Pick a profitable niche you’re interested in and ready to dive into. Focus on one niche, and be prepared to create content that solves your audience’s problems. You can still choose your niche after your blog is live online.

3. Create High-Impact Content

Start by making lists of your niche “money posts” [Posts good for affiliates or with high traffic volume suitable for ads]. These “money posts” are your primary focus. Then, also create supporting posts to build traffic and rank better in Google. The more content you create, the faster you’ll grow your audience.

4. Success Rules to Follow:

Focus on Your Niche: Stick to one niche and become an expert in it.
Quality Content Only: Focus on delivering value with every post.
Have a Plan: Set clear goals for content creation and promotion [Like how many posts you intend to create and your plan on promoting them to help you grow your initial traffic].

HostGator has everything you need to get started quickly, with a platform that grows as you do. Ready to start making money with your blog?

👉 Launch Your Blog with HostGator Today

Doing these things will increase your chances of making more than $10,000/month consistently after 6 months to one year.