How to Start a Food Blog: Your Comprehensive Guide to Culinary Blogging Success

If you’re dreaming of launching your very own food blog, especially one dedicated to sharing delicious recipes, my immediate advice is simple: just start! Dive in without hesitation. It’s much like embarking on a fitness journey or a weight loss plan – you can spend endless amounts of time contemplating, dipping your toe in the water, but the real progress begins when you jump in. I understand it can feel daunting, and yes, the path to becoming a successful food blogger will inevitably be challenging and at times, messy. However, every moment spent waiting on the sidelines is precious time lost during which you could have been building your culinary platform. The truth is, you have nothing to lose and a world of culinary creativity to gain.

For those of you asking, “how exactly do I start a food blog?”, I’m here to offer a wealth of practical advice. More specifically, I’ll be sharing 10 crucial insights I wish I had known before I embarked on my own food blogging adventure. My hope is that these lessons learned will help you navigate the initial stages with greater confidence and avoid some of the common pitfalls I encountered along the way.

If you possess a genuine passion for cooking, developing innovative recipes, writing engaging content, capturing stunning food photography, and even delving into some of the more technical aspects (which can surprisingly be quite enjoyable), then you’re likely to find immense satisfaction in this endeavor. Even if your blog never evolves beyond a beloved hobby, it’s perfectly acceptable to invest a little money into it. Consider other popular hobbies like golf, skiing, or scuba diving – they all require significant financial outlay. However, if your long-term vision includes monetizing your food blog and generating income, then be prepared to dedicate substantial time and unwavering hard work.

Essential First Steps Before Launching Your Food Blog

Before you officially hit “publish,” commit yourself to a period of intense learning. The journey to becoming a food blogger involves a steep but incredibly rewarding learning curve. Fortunately, there’s an abundance of resources available, many of which are free (just like the valuable advice you’re reading right now!).

Here’s a structured approach to get you started on the right foot:

1. Choose Your Blog Name & Domain: Dedicate serious thought to your blog’s name. It should be memorable, reflect your niche, and ideally be available as a domain name. Research thoroughly to ensure no one else is using it. Once decided, purchase the domain name immediately. Remember, rebranding later can be a complex and time-consuming process.
2. Select Reliable Web Hosting: A robust web host is the foundation of your blog. Do your research to find a provider known for speed, reliability, and excellent customer service. (More on this in point #6).
3. Set Up Your Site on WordPress: WordPress.org (the self-hosted version) is widely regarded as the industry standard and ideal platform for professional blogging. If the technical setup feels intimidating, many hosting providers or specialized services can assist you.
4. Secure IT Support: Unless you have a strong technical background, having readily available IT support is crucial. Some quality web hosts offer this as part of their package (again, see point #6).
5. Invest in a Premium Theme: While free themes exist, a premium theme offers superior design, functionality, and crucial SEO optimization. Research themes that are specifically designed for food blogs, considering their aesthetics, customization options, and speed.
6. Choose a Dedicated Recipe Plugin: For a food blog, a high-quality recipe plugin is non-negotiable. It helps structure your recipes, makes them searchable, and improves user experience. Research popular, SEO-friendly options. (Further details in point #6).
7. Install Essential WordPress Plugins: Beyond your recipe plugin, critical plugins include Akismet for anti-spam, Yoast SEO for on-page optimization, Wordfence for security, an email provider like Convertkit or Mailchimp for list building, WP Rocket for performance, and Google Analytics for tracking site performance.
8. Start Creating Content: Don’t wait for perfection. Begin writing your recipes, taking photos, and publish your very first post. Overcome that initial nervousness and put your culinary creations out there!
9. Master SEO Fundamentals: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is paramount for discoverability. Invest time in learning SEO through courses (like those offered by #hashtagJeff) or communities (such as Food Blogger Pro).
10. Set Up Google Search Console & Analytics: These free tools from Google are indispensable. Search Console helps you monitor your site’s presence in Google Search results, while Analytics provides deep insights into your audience and content performance.

My Journey: What It Truly Means to Become a Food Blogger

In the nearly five years since I first ventured into food blogging, my journey has been filled with memorable, often hilarious, and occasionally challenging moments. I’ve experienced my cat attempting to “sample” a dish moments before its photoshoot, and my family inadvertently devouring food meticulously prepared for an upcoming post. There were tears shed over pie crusts that refused to cooperate for the camera and exhilarating celebrations when Foodgawker finally accepted my very first photo. I’ve agonized over recipe choices, felt immense gratitude for the solitary visitor on days when traffic was non-existent, and endured the monumental stress of migrating my entire website (a process I’d equate to moving an entire house!). The question of “niching down” has crossed my mind countless times, and I’ve risen at 4:00 AM on far too many mornings to count, all to squeeze blogging into an already packed schedule.

Blogging, undoubtedly, is hard work. While it remains a source of immense enjoyment for me, it demands significantly more time and effort than I ever initially anticipated. So, if you’re contemplating how to become a food blogger, you’re likely wondering what to truly expect. Allow me to share the 10 most impactful lessons I wish I had absorbed before I embarked on this incredibly rewarding path.

10 Crucial Things I Wish I Knew BEFORE Starting My Food Blog

1. If You Build It, They Won’t Necessarily Come

This classic line from the movie “Field of Dreams” (circa ’89) perfectly encapsulates a naive expectation I held when starting. Simply launching a food blog, even one featuring award-winning recipes, doesn’t automatically guarantee a rush of visitors. I now realize how idealistic my initial hopes were for instant popularity or at least a steady stream of traffic. The internet operates by its own mysterious rules, and visibility is earned, not given.

In fact, there were days when no one visited my site!

This can be incredibly disheartening. You pour your heart into creating and publishing posts, only for them to seemingly vanish into the digital ether. It’s in these moments that perseverance and community support (which we’ll discuss in point #8) become absolutely vital. Overnight successes in blogging are exceedingly rare; you’ll hear about them occasionally, but they are outliers. Blogging is a slow, steady climb, a continuous process of building and refining over time. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

If you’re juggling a day job, family responsibilities, or other commitments, your progress will likely be even slower. Understanding this from the outset is crucial to managing expectations and avoiding disappointment. You also need to build a substantial library of recipes to give people compelling reasons to return to your site. Unless you can post daily (which is a monumental task), accumulating content takes time. This is precisely where SEO (Search Engine Optimization) becomes indispensable (more on this in point #3). If search engines like Google can’t effectively find your content, it’s highly unlikely that potential readers will either. Had I fully grasped the importance of SEO from day one, my journey to reaching 25,000 monthly pageviews (which took 3.5 years of hard work) and eventually 90,000 monthly pageviews (nearly 5 years in) would have been smoother. I strongly advocate for extensive keyword research before you even decide on a recipe name or publish a post. If your budget allows, tools like Keysearch or Keywords Everywhere, along with specialized courses like “Cooking with Keywords,” are invaluable investments.

Take-aways:

• Prioritize SEO and conduct thorough keyword research from the very beginning.
• Cultivate patience and don’t expect immediate, viral results; blogging is a long-term game.

2. Photos Matter BIG TIME for Food Blogs

People truly eat with their eyes first, making high-quality food photography an absolutely critical component of a successful food blog. My biggest regret is not realizing the paramount importance of improving my photography skills from day one. You might have the most delicious, innovative recipe in the world, but if the accompanying photos aren’t appetizing, potential readers are unlikely to click on it, let alone read and try your recipe. Furthermore, compelling visuals are essential for getting your recipes featured in coveted recipe roundups, which are fantastic for generating exposure and driving traffic to your blog. I’ve spent almost as much time painstakingly reshooting old, unattractive photos as I have creating entirely new content, and I can unequivocally say it has been worth every moment.

You also don’t need to spend a fortune on photography props. Many of my favorite props come from discount stores, clearance aisles, and thrift shops. I keep these treasures separate from everyday dishes to ensure they remain in pristine condition. Early in my journey, I also invested in a few photography backgrounds from Ink and Elm, which proved to be a smart decision due to their quality and reasonable price.

My lighting setup is also relatively inexpensive, primarily relying on natural light with some supplemental fill. While I plan to eventually invest in more advanced supplemental lighting and photography equipment, it hasn’t been a top financial priority. The transformation in my photography over time is a testament to consistent effort.

The image below represents the very first photo I ever posted. Looking back, it’s almost mortifying to share.

A year or two later, I reshot the same recipe, and the improvement was dramatic. My photography skills continue to evolve and refine with each passing year, highlighting the importance of continuous learning.

Much of my significant improvement in food photography can be attributed to Nagi of @RecipeTinEats’ excellent e-book, “The Food Photography Book.” I highly recommend this resource; it was genuinely transformative for my visuals and worth every penny. (affiliate link)

While you certainly can capture photos with your iPhone, and a DSLR camera isn’t strictly mandatory to start, be aware that you will face significant limitations, and a DSLR truly provides an undeniable advantage. I was fortunate enough to win one in a contest, but you don’t need to break the bank to acquire a good quality camera. Beyond your blog, you’ll also want to submit your best photos to food sharing sites like Foodgawker and Foodyub for additional exposure and traffic. “The Ultimate Guide to Food Sharing Sites,” written by fellow food bloggers, is another highly recommended resource: The Ultimate Guide to Food Sharing Sites. Additionally, sharing your posts within relevant Facebook recipe groups – which you can easily find by searching and requesting to join – can be an effective strategy.

Take-aways:

• Dedicatedly focus on continuously improving your food photography skills.
• Actively share your food photos on specialized food sharing sites and across various social media platforms.

Effective Strategies for Blogging About Food

While food photography has unique requirements, blogging about food, in terms of SEO, shares many similarities with blogging about any other subject.

3. SEO Matters Just as Much as Your Photos

Another profound realization I wish I had had at the very beginning of my food blogging journey was the immense importance of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). If your website isn’t properly optimized for search engines, platforms like Google will struggle to discover your content, meaning potential readers won’t find you either. SEO is the mechanism through which individuals searching for recipes online actually locate and arrive at your blog. If you don’t utilize the correct keywords, ensure your site is properly mapped, and implement an SEO-optimized recipe plugin (I personally use the WP Recipe Maker Plugin), your incredible recipes will remain largely undiscovered! To truly master SEO, I highly recommend signing up for Food Bloggers Pro (a resource I wish I had found in my first year) and investing in #hastagJeff’s SEO courses and community.

Take-aways:

• Ensure your site is technically mapped for search engines.
• Commit to learning everything you can about SEO through free resources, online groups, and specialized paid courses.

4. You Will Dedicate Far More Time to Your Blog Than You Anticipate

Given the significant time investment required, it is imperative that you genuinely LOVE the process of food blogging! If the passion isn’t there, you’ll quickly lose the motivation needed to put in the consistent effort. In the early days, my husband playfully warned me about my food blog becoming “our third child.” I laughed it off then, but now I deeply understand his sentiment. Building and maintaining a food blog, especially if you aim to produce high-quality content and stunning photos, is incredibly time-consuming. Be prepared for this reality, as something else in your life will likely need to shift or take a backseat. If there’s one overarching lesson I’ve gleaned from my relatively short time blogging, it’s this: everything will take longer than you think!

Since the inception of Food Meanderings nearly five years ago, I’ve poured in countless hours. Achieving a healthy work-life balance is arguably the biggest challenge for most bloggers, a sentiment I frequently hear echoed within the community. Because there is always something more you could be working on – new recipes, photo edits, SEO tweaks, social media updates – it’s easy for your blog to become all-consuming if you permit it. I often have to make a conscious effort to shut down my computer and step away, although I’m not always successful. It’s wise to establish clear boundaries and limits on your blogging time right from the beginning.

Take-aways:

• Understand the considerable time commitment involved before you start.
• Schedule regular breaks and consciously step away from your blog to maintain balance.

5. There’s Techie Stuff You Simply Can’t Avoid

Before blogging, I relied heavily on my teenagers for any technical troubleshooting. However, running your own blog changes that dynamic entirely. You might initially believe you can circumvent the technical learning curve by having an “IT friend.” I’m here to tell you that, unfortunately, isn’t the case. You will still need to learn and comprehend the fundamental inner workings of your website. While IT support can be incredibly helpful, you’ll inevitably encounter situations requiring you to troubleshoot (and there will be many!), understand how to perform basic fixes, and even install and configure your own plugins. Embrace the process; playing around with these aspects can actually be quite enjoyable!

You don’t need to transform into a full-fledged IT professional, but it is nearly impossible to successfully run a blog without a foundational understanding of its back-end and various technical components. Your helpful friend won’t always be available, and you’ll need the autonomy to install widgets and plugins, rearrange elements, and resolve common problems (and you will encounter many). Before I started, I hadn’t even heard of terms like “widget” or “plugin,” but thankfully, a plethora of online tutorials exists. Initially, I hesitated to opt for a self-hosted site due to concerns about IT support. Had I known that quality hosting services (see point #6, where you truly get what you pay for) also offer robust technical assistance, my apprehension would have been significantly reduced. Nonetheless, you still need to grasp the basics to effectively manage your blog. So, dive in, experiment, and enjoy the learning process!

And the learning truly never ceases. It extends beyond just your blog to encompass social media platforms, with their constantly evolving rules and algorithms. Staying abreast of these changes and adapting swiftly is crucial for continued relevance and success.

Take-aways:

• Consider hiring IT support (often available through your web host or specialized services) if you’re not technically inclined.
• Commit to learning the fundamental technical aspects of your blog’s back-end; embrace the exploration and enjoy the learning process.

6. You Get What You Pay For When Starting a Food Blog

I initially made the mistake of trying to start my blog for free. While WordPress.com offers instructions on creating a free website, and it seemed easy at the time, it’s not a path I would recommend now with the knowledge I’ve gained. My rationale then was that I wasn’t sure if I would even enjoy blogging, so paying for a website felt like an unnecessary expense.

Recommendation: If you are going to invest the significant effort into starting a food blog, I strongly recommend going self-hosted from day one and securing reliable IT support. It is an investment that absolutely pays off!

WPopt Hosting is an outstanding service that came highly recommended by numerous other food bloggers. They offer customized services with various IT support options tailored to your needs. You can find more information here: WPopt Hosting.

Equally important is thoroughly researching the theme and platform you intend to use. While free themes are available, they typically lack the functionality, design flexibility, and crucial SEO optimization necessary for long-term success. I currently use the Foodie Pro theme on the Genesis framework. Themes are another area where the adage “you get what you pay for” holds true. This premium theme and platform are inherently SEO-optimized, which makes a colossal difference in search engine visibility. I dedicated considerable time to researching and choosing it. (*Keep in mind that if you intend to monetize your food blog and earn income, you can save your receipts and claim these expenses as business deductions.) However, if your blog is purely a hobby with no monetization goals, your considerations will naturally differ.

Regardless of your monetization plans, I would unequivocally recommend buying your domain name. It’s a relatively inexpensive annual expense (around $35), and it ensures that once you’ve chosen a blog name you love, no one else can claim it. Just be aware that operating within the confines of a free blogging platform comes with severe limitations. You won’t be able to install essential SEO-optimized recipe plugins, your theme or platform won’t be inherently SEO-optimized, advertising opportunities will be non-existent, and your ability to customize your site’s appearance will be severely restricted. Should you decide to pursue these avenues in the future, migrating your site to a self-hosted platform is an enormous hassle. Take it from me – relocating my blog was nearly as stressful as moving into a new house.

Take-aways:

• Opt for a self-hosted WordPress site from the very beginning; migrating later is incredibly stressful, and free platforms are severely limited (you cannot even add most WordPress plugins).
• Invest wisely in key components like a premium theme, a reputable web host, and a high-quality recipe plugin.
• Always buy your domain name to secure your brand identity.

7. A Significant Portion of Your Time and Energy Should Be Directed Towards Pinterest

When I first ventured into food blogging, I simply changed my Pinterest account name to “Food Meanderings,” created a few boards, and optimistically waited for a surge of followers. That, of course, did not happen. It was only after dedicating time to researching Pinterest strategies and receiving valuable advice from a seasoned blogging friend that my presence slowly began to improve. Even then, it wasn’t an overnight phenomenon; it took me a full year of consistent effort and hard work to reach 650 followers!

In the competitive world of food blogging, while all social media platforms are important, Pinterest reigns supreme as KING. There’s a considerable amount to learn about effective Pinterest usage, including optimal posting times, specific photo size and pin requirements, and proper pinning etiquette. Much of this knowledge I acquired through the invaluable food blogging community (as highlighted in point #8). Pinterest represents an excellent long-term investment for food bloggers because, unlike fleeting Facebook posts, tweets, or Instagram stories, a Pinterest pin boasts an extended lifespan, often lasting approximately 18 months.

Beyond creating a professional business account (I highly recommend establishing consistently branded boards to strengthen your identity – you can examine my Pinterest boards for an example), it’s crucial to pin regularly. Pinterest favors active pinners and rewards them by prominently featuring their content in user feeds. Manually managing this regular pinning schedule without resorting to spamming everyone’s feed is both challenging and incredibly time-consuming. Tailwind, a dedicated pin scheduling program, proved to be a game-changer for me; it’s now an indispensable tool. I honestly wonder how I managed without it initially. Tailwind is a scheduling solution that PINS FOR YOU at intelligently spaced intervals, preventing batch pinning and ensuring a more natural, non-spammy presence. This program is another investment that is truly worth every penny. Tailwind also provides valuable analytics, tracking the popularity of your individual pins and boards. If you enjoy listening to podcasts, I highly recommend the Simple Pin Media podcasts for in-depth Pinterest strategies.

Additionally, I suggest installing The Milotree pop-up on your website. For only $9.00 a month, it’s an incredibly effective way to encourage readers to follow you on Pinterest and other social media platforms. Since integrating it, I’ve observed a noticeable and consistent growth in my Pinterest following!

Take-aways:

• Invest significant time and effort into Pinterest, as your content enjoys a much longer shelf life there.
• Continuously learn and adapt your strategies for maximizing Pinterest’s potential.

8. Community Support is Absolutely Critical for Food Bloggers

If I had truly understood this from the outset, I would have actively sought out every food blogging community and Facebook group available. The knowledge and support gained from these groups are truly invaluable. Organizations like Food Bloggers of Canada, Food Bloggers Central, and various Pinterest strategy groups on Facebook are excellent places to begin. While keeping up with the discussions can require time, the investment is well worth it. Not only do you connect with fellow bloggers who share similar experiences and challenges, but you also gain access to a wealth of information, resources, and often, genuine friendships. The food blogging community, in my experience, is exceptionally supportive.

I was particularly fortunate to have a close blogger friend who had already been in the industry for several years. She generously shared her extensive knowledge, and I honestly don’t know how I would have navigated the complexities of starting a brand new blog without her help. I was utterly clueless about the fundamentals of blogging and would have been even more lost than I already was without her mentorship and unwavering support! Although our blogs focus on different niches (hers is travel), there were still many specific food blogging nuances I had to learn independently. Most importantly, she is the one person who truly “gets it” when it comes to sharing the unique frustrations and celebrating the victories inherent in blogging. Unless you’re a blogger yourself, it’s incredibly difficult for others to relate to these experiences. I sincerely wish every aspiring blogger a supportive friend like her. I encourage you to explore my friend Sue’s incredible travel blog at Travel Tales of Life!

Take-aways:

• Actively join food blogger Facebook network groups and other online communities.
• Make an effort to connect with other food bloggers and build a supportive professional network.

9. Engaging Writing Truly Matters for Your Food Blog

You might initially assume that your readers are solely interested in your recipe card and nothing else, but this isn’t necessarily true. While the recipe plugin I use (WP Recipe Maker) on my food blog does incorporate a convenient “jump to recipe” function for those who prefer to bypass the introductory text, I prioritize providing a positive user experience. It can be frustrating for readers to be forced to scroll endlessly when they simply want the recipe. I know I personally get annoyed by that. Sometimes I enjoy reading the full post, and other times I don’t, but the key is having the choice!

However, your dedicated core readers are often seeking more than just a recipe. You can visit countless food blogs and find recipes that are very similar to yours. Therefore, you need to cultivate a unique voice and personality that makes people want to return to your specific blog. Be authentic; be yourself. Share anecdotes, tips, or personal connections to the dish that resonate with your audience.

Crucially, remember that while you need to consider search engines (Google) in your writing, your primary audience should always be your human readers. You can strategically incorporate keywords, but avoid “keyword stuffing” – a practice that Google’s sophisticated algorithms now easily penalize. The era where simply repeating keywords worked is long gone. Strive to be genuinely helpful, anticipate and answer questions your reader might have, and write in a natural, conversational, and engaging style. I would also recommend taking writing courses or workshops to further hone your craft.

Take-aways:

• Prioritize writing engaging content for your human readers first, then optimize for Google.
• Install a ‘jump to recipe’ button to enhance user experience and provide readers with choice.

10. The Recipes You Least Expect to Be Popular Will Often Be Your Most Successful

If I had truly known this from the beginning, I wouldn’t have agonized so much over posting simple recipes that I mistakenly assumed “everyone already knew.” In fact, I very nearly didn’t publish one of my most consistently popular recipes – my 4-ingredient whipped shortbread – because I felt a sense of embarrassment. It was a recipe that had been printed on the back of a cornstarch box for years, and I assumed everyone must already be familiar with it. What I wish I had understood then is, ‘it doesn’t matter!’ Post what you genuinely want to, what you enjoy making, what fits seasonally, or simply whatever inspires you. Don’t worry if you think countless other blogs already feature a similar recipe. It truly doesn’t matter. Some of my popular recipes are my own creations, while others are adaptations. Just post whatever you feel compelled to share on your food blog. BUT, if you adapt a recipe from another source, it is absolutely essential to ALWAYS credit the original source and link back to the site where you found that recipe.

My 4-Ingredient Whipped Shortbread remains one of my most popular recipes to this day, particularly on Pinterest during the holiday season. There’s no precise scientific formula for predicting which recipes will become popular. While a degree of luck and good timing is certainly involved, a significant part of it comes from gradually understanding what resonates with your unique audience. Even then, audience preferences aren’t always a guarantee; I’m frequently surprised by the positive feedback I receive on recipes I initially thought wouldn’t garner much interest.

Take-aways:

• Feel empowered to post any recipes you desire. However, if you adapt a recipe that isn’t entirely your own, always ensure you give proper credit and link back to the original source.
• Accept that predicting recipe popularity involves some educated guessing, an element of luck, and good timing, rather than a precise science.

So, whether your motivation to start a food blog is purely for personal enjoyment, driven by the desire for profit, or simply stems from the hope that your passion project might one day become a profitable venture (which is entirely possible, as it happened to me!), my strongest piece of advice remains: just START. And more importantly, Start NOW.

Good luck on your culinary blogging adventure, and most importantly, HAVE FUN!

You can follow my blogging journey and connect with me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook!