How to Create a Free Blog in Kenya and Monetize

Blogging in Kenya is on the rise, with a staggering growth rate of 60% in the past year alone. However, many aspiring bloggers find themselves deterred by the high costs associated with starting a blog. From domain registration to hosting fees, the expenses can quickly add up. 

But fear not! There’s a more accessible alternative: starting a free blog in Kenya. By leveraging various platforms, you can kick-start your online journey without breaking the bank. 

In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of opting for a free blog, highlighting the ease of setup, customization options, and potential for monetization. Discover how you can join the thriving blogosphere in Kenya without emptying your pockets.

Reasons to Start a Free Blog in Kenya

Starting a free blog in Kenya comes with several compelling reasons that make it an attractive option for aspiring bloggers:

• Cost-effective: With a free blog, you can bypass the expenses typically associated with starting a blog, such as domain registration and hosting fees. This makes it an ideal choice for those on a tight budget or looking to minimize financial commitments.
• Easy setup: Free blogging platforms offer user-friendly interfaces and intuitive setup processes. You don’t need to have advanced technical skills or coding knowledge to get started. Within minutes, you can have your blog up and running, ready to share your thoughts and ideas with the world.
• Customization options: Despite being free, blogging platforms often provide a range of templates and design options to personalize your blog’s appearance. You can choose from different themes, layouts, and colors to create a unique and visually appealing online presence.
• Community and support: Free blogging platforms usually have active communities and forums where bloggers can connect, share tips, and seek guidance. This built-in support network can be invaluable, especially for beginners who can benefit from the experience and advice of seasoned bloggers.
• Monetization potential: While free blogs may have certain limitations in terms of monetization, such as restrictions on ad placement, many platforms still offer opportunities to generate income through sponsored content, affiliate marketing, or selling digital products.
• Content-focused approach: By starting a free blog, you can focus primarily on producing quality content rather than worrying about the technical aspects. It allows you to concentrate on honing your writing skills and building an engaging audience without getting caught up in the intricacies of website management.
• Flexibility and experimentation: Free blogs provide a low-risk environment for testing different niches, writing styles, or topics of interest. You can experiment with various content formats and strategies to find your unique voice and niche, refining your approach as you go along.

Starting a free blog in Kenya can be a stepping stone towards establishing your online presence, connecting with a wider audience, and exploring the vast opportunities the blogosphere has to offer.

Differences Between A Free Blog and A Self-Hosted Blog

A free blog and a self-hosted blog are two distinct options with differing characteristics and considerations. Here’s a breakdown of their differences:

URL Structure

• Free Blog: When you create a free blog, your website’s URL often includes the name of the blogging platform as part of the address. For example, if your blog is hosted on WordPress.com, your URL might appear as “yourblogname.wordpress.com” or “yourblogname.blogspot.com.” This can make your blog’s URL longer and less professional-looking.
• Self-Hosted Blog: With a self-hosted blog, you have the flexibility to choose and register your own domain name. This means your blog’s URL can be clean, concise, and reflect your brand or blog name directly. For example, “yourblogname.com” or “yourblogname.co.ke.” Having a personalized domain name enhances your blog’s professionalism and memorability.

Ownership and Control

• Free Blog: When you create a free blog, you typically use a platform like WordPress.com, Blogger, or Tumblr. While you can customize your blog to some extent, the platform ultimately owns your content and has control over your blog’s features and functionalities.
• Self-Hosted Blog: With a self-hosted blog, you have complete ownership and control over your website. You purchase a domain name and hosting plan from a hosting provider (e.g., Bluehost, SiteGround), allowing you to install and customize a content management system (CMS) like WordPress.org. You have the freedom to modify your blog as you see fit.

Customization and Design:

• Free Blog: Free blogging platforms offer a limited selection of templates and design options. While you can personalize the appearance to some extent, your customization choices may be restricted, and your blog might resemble other blogs using the same platform.
• Self-Hosted Blog: With a self-hosted blog, you have access to thousands of themes and plugins. You can fully customize the design, layout, and functionality of your blog. This allows for a unique and tailored look that aligns with your brand or personal style.

Monetization Opportunities:

• Free Blog: Free blogging platforms usually have restrictions on monetization. For instance, they may display their own ads on your blog or limit your ability to place ads or use certain advertising networks. Monetization options may be more limited or require meeting specific criteria.
• Self-Hosted Blog: Self-hosted blogs offer greater flexibility for monetization. You have the freedom to choose various ad networks, display ads where you prefer, and explore diverse revenue streams such as sponsored content, affiliate marketing, selling products, or offering services.

Scalability and Growth:

• Free Blog: While free blogs are suitable for individuals or hobby bloggers, they may not provide sufficient scalability or growth potential for serious bloggers or businesses. Limited features, space, and customization options might hinder your ability to expand and adapt to evolving needs.
• Self-Hosted Blog: Self-hosted blogs offer scalability and room for growth. You can handle increased traffic, incorporate advanced features, and seamlessly integrate with third-party tools. This scalability allows you to transform your blog into a full-fledged website or even an e-commerce store.

In summary, a free blog offers a quick and accessible way to start blogging with minimal cost and technical knowledge. On the other hand, a self-hosted blog provides greater control, customization options, monetization opportunities, and scalability, making it a preferred choice for serious bloggers or businesses aiming for long-term growth and flexibility.

How to Start A Blog in Kenya With No Money

There are several ways to start a blog in Kenya for free.

The most common approach is to use a free blogging platform like WordPress.com or Blogger.com. These platforms are easy to use and you can get started right away.

However, there are some limitations to using a free platform. For example, you will not be able to use your own domain name (i.e. http://www.example.com) and you will have limited control over the design and functionality of your blog.

More on that later.

Let’s show you how to get your blog up and running without spending a penny.

Step 1: Pick a Niche

A niche is a topic that you will write about on your blog. It’s important to pick a niche that you are passionate about so that you can easily come up with content ideas and stay motivated.

If you’re not sure what to write about, here are some popular blog niches in Kenya:

• Politics
• Lifestyle
• Fashion
• Food
• Travel
• Technology
• Business
• Sports
• Entertainment

Not sure what to choose? Check our guide on the best blogging niches in Kenya.

Step 2: Choose a Blog Name

Your blog name should reflect your niche and be something that is easy to remember.

Here are some tips for choosing a great blog name:

• Keep it short and simple
• Avoid using numbers or hyphens
• Make sure it’s available as a .com domain
• Check if the social media handles are available

Step 3: Choose a Free Blogging Platform

Now that you’ve picked a niche, it’s time to choose a blogging platform. As I mentioned earlier, there are two ways to create a blog in Kenya for free.

You can either use a free blogging platform like WordPress.com or Blogger.com or you can use a self-hosted WordPress.org site.

For the purposes of this article, we will focus on using a free platform like WordPress.com or Blogger.com.

Here’s a quick overview of each platform:

WordPress.com

WordPress.com is a popular free blogging platform that is owned by the same company that owns WordPress.org (Automattic). It’s a great platform for beginners because it’s easy to use and you can get started right away.

A free WordPress blog will look something like http://www.yourblog.wordpress.com.

However, there are some limitations to using WordPress.com. For example, you will not be able to use your own domain name (i.e. http://www.example.com) and you will have limited control over the design and functionality of your blog.

WordPress.com also doesn’t allow you to run ads or sell affiliate products on your free blog.

How to Create a Free Blog on WordPress.com

• Go to WordPress.com
• Click on “Start your website”
• Enter your email address, username, and password, and then click ‘Create your account”
• Enter your preferred domain name on the next page. This is the URL of your free blog. For example, if you enter myblogname as the domain name, your URL will be myblogname.wordpress.com
• Select the free version from the dropdown of packages. That is the domain with the word “WordPress” in it. For example, myblogname.wordpress.com
• On the next page, choose the WordPress Free option by clicking on “Start with Free“
• On the next page, click on “Start Writing” then enter your blog name and tagline. The tagline is just like your motto
• Click on “Continue”

You are done! Your free WordPress blog is now ready.

You can either start writing right away or click on “Skip to dashboard” to check the back-end of your new blog.

Blogger.com

Blogger is a free blogging platform that is owned by Google. It’s a popular platform in Kenya because it’s easy to use and you can get started right away.

However, like WordPress.com, there are some limitations to using Blogger.com. For example, you will not be able to use your own domain name (i.e. http://www.example.com) and your blog will not look very professional.

Unlike, WordPress.com, Blogger.com allows you to run ads on your site even if you’re using the free version.

How to Create a Free Blog on Blogger.com

Your free blog is ready!

Other Free Blogging Platforms to Try

• Wix.com: Wix is a popular website builder that also has a free blogging platform. However, Wix is not as popular as WordPress.com or Blogger.com in Kenya.
• Weebly.com: Weebly is also great if you want to create a free blog
• Medium.com: This is a popular place to start a blog if you want to create a portfolio of your writing or air your opinions on various topics
• LinkedIn: You can also use the LinkedIn Publishing Platform to start a blog. This is a great option if you’re looking to build your personal brand.

Throwbacks of Creating a Free Blog in Kenya

While starting a free blog in Kenya offers several advantages, it’s important to be aware of its potential drawbacks:

• Limited customization: Free blogging platforms often provide a limited range of design options and customization features. You may have to choose from a selection of pre-designed templates, limiting your ability to create a truly unique and personalized blog. 
• Domain restrictions: With a free blog, your website’s URL includes the name of the blogging platform as part of the address. This can make your URL longer, less professional, and harder to remember. It may also create challenges if you decide to switch to a self-hosted blog in the future, as you will need to establish a new domain and redirect your audience.
• Branding limitations: Building a strong personal or business brand is crucial for bloggers, but free blogs may have restrictions on branding opportunities. Some platforms may display their own ads on your blog, potentially diluting your brand image or diverting your audience’s attention away from your content.
• Limited monetization options: Free blogging platforms often have restrictions on monetization methods. You may be limited in your ability to display ads or participate in certain advertising networks. This can hinder your potential to generate income from your blog compared to a self-hosted blog, where you have more flexibility in implementing diverse monetization strategies.
• Platform ownership and control: When you create a free blog, the platform typically owns your content and has control over your blog’s features and functionalities. This means they can enforce changes to their policies or even shut down their services, potentially impacting your blog’s accessibility and longevity.
• Limited support and resources: While free blogging platforms may offer basic support, the level of assistance and resources available may be limited compared to self-hosted blogs. Troubleshooting technical issues or implementing advanced features may be more challenging, as the platform’s support may prioritize premium customers.
• Limited scalability: Free blogs may have limitations on storage space, bandwidth, and overall scalability. As your blog grows and attracts more traffic, you may encounter restrictions on the number of media files you can upload or face performance issues due to limited resources provided by the platform.

Considering these throwbacks, it’s important to carefully evaluate your long-term goals and requirements. If you anticipate significant growth, increased customization, or monetization opportunities, transitioning to a self-hosted blog in the future might be a more suitable option. However, for beginners or those with budget constraints, starting with a free blog can still be a valuable stepping stone to establish your online presence and gain experience in the blogging world.

How To Make Money With A Free Blog in Kenya

Monetizing a free blog in Kenya requires creative strategies and leveraging various avenues to generate income. Here are several effective ways to monetize your free blog:

Affiliate Marketing:

Affiliate marketing involves promoting products or services on your blog and earning a commission for each sale or action generated through your affiliate links. Join affiliate programs related to your blog’s niche and incorporate affiliate links into your content. Write informative product reviews, create “best of” lists, or recommend relevant resources, ensuring your recommendations align with your audience’s interests.

Sponsored Content and Product Reviews:

Collaborate with brands or companies to create sponsored content or product reviews. As your blog gains traction, businesses may approach you or consider reaching out to them directly. Clearly disclose sponsored content to maintain transparency with your audience. Ensure that the sponsored content aligns with your blog’s niche and provides value to your readers.

Google AdSense and Display Advertising:

Sign up for Google AdSense to display targeted ads on your blog. AdSense automatically serves ads based on your content and audience, and you earn revenue when visitors click on the ads or view them. Additionally, consider other ad networks or display advertising platforms that offer competitive rates and customizable ad placements to maximize your earnings.

Warning! You might not be able to monetize most free blogs with Google Adsense, but others (Like those created on Blogger.com) might allow you to place ads. 

Digital Products:

Create and sell digital products such as e-books, online courses, templates, or exclusive content. Leverage your expertise and provide valuable resources that cater to your audience’s needs. Use platforms like Gumroad, SendOwl, or WooCommerce to sell and deliver digital products directly from your blog.

Consulting or Services:

Capitalize on your expertise and offer consulting services related to your blog’s niche. Provide one-on-one guidance, coaching, or personalized advice to clients who seek your expertise. Additionally, consider offering freelance services like writing, design, or marketing, leveraging your blog as a portfolio to showcase your skills.

Sponsored Events or Webinars:

As your blog gains influence, consider hosting sponsored events or webinars in collaboration with relevant brands or industry experts. Offer valuable insights, training, or workshops to your audience, while partnering with sponsors who benefit from exposure to your engaged community. Generate revenue through ticket sales, sponsorships, or exclusive access to premium content.

Remember, when monetizing your blog, strike a balance between providing value to your audience and maintaining authenticity. Focus on building trust and credibility, as this will strengthen your long-term monetization potential and cultivate a loyal readership in Kenya.

The Bottom Line

Don’t let a lack of money or experience stop you from starting your own blog. These days, it’s very easy and affordable to start a blog.

If you’re serious about blogging, then I would recommend using WordPress.org as it gives you more flexibility and control over your blog. However, if you’re just starting out or you’re not sure if blogging is for you, then using a free platform is a good idea.

Once you get more experience and you’re ready to start making money from your blog, there are a number of ways you can do that. For example, you can sell products, run ads, or do sponsored posts.

Do you have any questions about how to start a blog in Kenya for free? Let me know in the comments below!