How To Blog In Kenya And Make Money
In this article, you will learn how to blog in Kenya.
In fact, these are the same steps I used to get started 4 years ago when I started my first ever website.
See, there is a ton of information out there about blogging in Kenya. But what they fail to give you are the exact tips you can implement immediately and have a website in under a day.
That is why I decided to cover this topic extensively. Within this website, you will find insanely helpful guides on hosting and how to start a website.
What is blogging in Kenya?
Blogging is the act of posting articles and sharing ideas over the internet. Often, on a blog (website) where people can access it easily online.
The blog can be your own or someone else’s.
I bet you have heard a lot of people calling themselves ‘bloggers’ in Kenya. Well, by the definition of this term, anyone who shares their opinions online consistently, is a blogger.
Question is;
Can you be a blogger in Kenya even without a website?
The answer is yes. You can start blogging in Kenya even if you do not have a website.
How?
Well, there are blogging platforms like social media platforms, free publishing sites like Medium and LinkedIn Pulse. With these platforms, you can start blogging in Kenya without spending anything.
What do you need to start blogging in Kenya?
To start blogging in Kenya, here are some of the essential things you need;
Step 1: Blogging niche
Don’t be scared, a niche is a fancy word for ‘topic.’
Every blogger has a topic he or she talks about all the time.
For example;
The topic (niche) of TechAndButter.com is technology. This means that most of the articles you will find here are all under the technology industry.
Under such a niche, you won’t miss things like
- How-to guides
- Reviews (phones, laptops, and other electronics)
- Overall technology news.
Back to you.
If you want to learn how to blog in Kenya, you need to decide on a topic. What will you be writing about?
How to pick your blogging topic
To help you decide on the topic, consider the following tips.
- Your passions – what are you passionate about? Do you love politics? Then writing about politics. Love technology? Start sharing tech stuff.
- Experience and knowledge – what skills do you already possess? Perhaps you have training in certain fields, maybe psychology for example. You can start blogging about that.
- What are you interested in learning more about? For example, are you interested in freelancing in Kenya? You can start exploring that topic and share your experiences.
Follow these tips to help you pick a perfect blogging topic in Kenya.
So, you have a topic, what next?
Step 2: pick a blogging platforms in Kenya
This is where you will be sharing messages from your chosen topic.
The best blogging platforms in Kenya
Here are the best blogging platforms in Kenya. They offer great features and benefits to bloggers of all levels, as well as a wide range of options for monetizing your blog posts.
1). WordPress
The most popular blogging platform out there. It’s free and easy to use if you want something simple, but also offers paid services with even greater capabilities.
2). Blogger
A very popular blogger option that is user-friendly.
Comes with different tools such as analytics built into it.
This way, you can monitor how much traffic you’re getting from specific sites or keywords on Google searches which is an indicator of popularity (or lack thereof).
3). Blogspot
A blogging platform that is owned by Google so it has all the tools and features you would expect from them like search engine optimization (SEO).
You can choose between a basic blog or a premium package.
This includes extra features such as ad monetizing through AdSense and eCommerce through Shopping Express.
4). Weebly
This site lets people create beautiful websites in minutes without any technical knowledge necessary.
With over 15 million customers worldwide there are tons of different templates available to customize your site however you please.
The prices are very affordable, starting at $12 a month for their most basic package.
5). Tumblr
A blogging platform with over 200 million blogs created on it so far!
You start off by creating an account and then selecting from tons of different templates.
Then start customizing them to suit what kind of site you want.
The best part?
There are no ads because Tumblr was made as a place where people could create whatever they wanted without worrying about corporate sponsorships or advertisements getting in the way of creativity.
Types of blogging sites in Kenya
There are two main types of blogging sites: hosted and self-hosted blogs.
a). Hosted blog in Kenya
Hosted blogs are hosted on the cloud and are accessed with a browser like WordPress.com or Blogger.
All you have to do is sign up for an account then upload your content.
The downside of this option is that any changes made will be reflected across the platform.
Additionally, it can become difficult to maintain control over certain aspects such as design templates.
Another big disadvantage of using one of these platforms is that they don’t allow you access to data about who visits your site.
As such, analytics tools come in handy when trying to grow your audience.
b). Self-hosted blogs in Kenya
Self-hosted blogs are more expensive to maintain and set up.
But they do offer an incredible amount of functionality.
If you need a blog with eCommerce integration or social media features like Facebook commenting, then it is worth the investment in your business.
A self-hosted blogging site in Kenya can be set up for as little as $20 per year (about KES 2000).
This includes control over anything from design templates to hosting location and all the necessary plugins that will make your readers’ experience better.
There is no ongoing cost after buying your domain name and purchasing a plan with these services.
A self-hosted blog in Kenya requires you to be somewhat tech-savvy, but it offers a lot of flexibility.
But if your current hosting company has outages then the site will go down and this can affect your business as well.
How to pick the best blogging platform in Kenya
In the vast sea of options available for selecting our preferred website, allow me to lend a hand in streamlining your decision-making process based on your individual requirements and preferences.
Embark on your quest for the perfect blogging platform in Kenya with these invaluable pointers:
First and foremost, ensure that the chosen platform possesses an intuitive user interface that is not only easy to navigate but also exudes a pristine aesthetic appeal.
To maximize the potential of your blog, it is imperative to have access to an array of advanced features such as analytics, responsive design, mobile applications, and seamless integration with various social media platforms.
By doing so, you can effectively promote your engaging posts across multiple avenues.
If you find yourself at the nascent stage of your blogging journey, prioritize platforms that cater to beginners with a user-friendly interface.
However, don’t discount the importance of scalability and customization options, especially if you are an experienced blogger seeking to create a distinctive online presence through personalized header graphics or CSS code editing expertise.
Moreover, ascertain that the chosen platform aligns seamlessly with your specific device and is accessible across all gadgets through a dedicated application.
Furthermore, it is worth exploring any supplementary features that may pique your interest, such as eCommerce capabilities or video hosting services, as many of these platforms offer such value-added services.
Regardless of the blogging platform you ultimately decide upon, there are fundamental considerations that must not be overlooked:
- First, identify your target audience and tailor your platform selection to their preferences and expectations.
- Second, meticulously evaluate the type of content you intend to publish on the platform, ensuring that it aligns harmoniously with your chosen medium.
- Lastly, critically analyze whether a conventional blog will suffice for your aspirations or whether additional functionalities such as eCommerce integration, customer service portals, or seamless social media integration are necessary to achieve your desired objectives.
In the end, the responsibility of choosing the ideal blogging platform rests squarely on your shoulders, as you possess the intimate knowledge of your own requirements and aspirations.
Now, let us embark on a journey to explore the process of creating a self-hosted blog in Kenya.
Create a website
In order to establish a website or self-hosted blog in Kenya, there are several essential components to consider:
- Select a domain name: This is the unique name that will serve as the identity of your website. Choose a name that is memorable and relevant to your content.
- Choose hosting: Hosting refers to the service that stores your website files and makes them accessible to visitors. It’s crucial to select a reliable hosting provider that offers sufficient storage and bandwidth for your needs.
- Begin publishing articles and sharing them to expand your audience: Creating engaging and valuable content is key to attracting and retaining readers. Promote your articles through various channels to reach a wider audience and foster engagement.
As a blogger in Kenya, you may wonder why it is imperative to have your own website.
The truth is, platforms like Blogger.com, Facebook pages, Twitter handles, and Instagram accounts, as well as other hosted blogging sites in Kenya, are not owned by you but rather by the respective companies that operate them.
Allow me to elaborate.
Facebook, for instance, is owned by Mark Zuckerberg. It is he who determines the rules of engagement, and as a user, you must abide by them or risk being expelled from the platform.
Consider, for instance, their recent algorithm update that severely limited the reach of page posts.
If you have accumulated a respectable 1,000 likes on Facebook, how many of those fans do you actually reach when you publish anything?
I wager it’s less than 1%.
However, by having your own website, you become the master of your domain.
You set the rules, exert control over your content, and work towards attracting readers without the risk of someone else diminishing your reach. This autonomy is precisely why owning a website is indispensable for anyone interested in blogging.
By establishing your online presence through a personal website, you possess the authority to shape your blogging journey and safeguard your ability to connect with and retain your audience.
How to create a website fast in Kenya
I have already touched on things you need to create a website in Kenya.
- You need a domain name – this is the address people will type into their web browsers to access your site
- Pick hosting from the best web hosting companies in Kenya.
- Here is a guide on how to start a website in Kenya.
Step 3: Start writing
Topic? Check!
Platform? Check!
Now it is time to start producing articles. Here, you are sharing your opinions on the chosen topic.
For example;
If you picked entrepreneurship as your blogging niche, you may start sharing things like business ideas, how to start a business, how to grow a business, among other business topics.
The secret here is to only share high-quality content. Don’t care so much about the quantity. Make sure whatever you share offers value to the reader.
Here is something else;
Once you start sharing your topic, stick to it. Have a consistent posting schedule. This will keep your readers hooked and interested even more.
Step 4: build an audience
Without someone to consume what you are putting out there, you will fail fast.
In fact, this step should come right after step 1.
Why?
Because without an audience, you are useless as a blogger. You have no one interested in what you have to say.
As much as you are being advised to pick a topic you are passionate about, that’s not the whole thing.
You need to make sure that there are enough people interested in the topic.
So do this;
When going through blogging topic ideas, pick the ones proven to attract a lot of readerships. Here are some of them;
- Personal development and motivation
- Health and wellness (workout, losing weight, diet)
- Making money online
- Politics
- Fashion
There are others.
Step 5: monetizing your blog in Kenya
Can you make money as a blogger in Kenya?
Absolutely!
You can easily make money blogging in Kenya, and I will show you how, but first, there is something you need to know.
To make money as a blogger in Kenya, you need to have a good topic and an engaged audience.
What is a good topic?
Not all topics are the same. Some topics attract more money than others.
For example;
Fashion bloggers make more money than wellness blogs. This is because there is a high demand for fashion influencers and brands pay well to collaborate with them.
Even with a perfect niche, you won’t make much if you have a dormant audience.
You need to build a loyal following around your topic. You need an audience that engages (shares, comments, retweets, likes) your posts every time you post.
These two things; good niche + engaged audience = more money as a blog.
How to make money blogging in Kenya
Monetizing your blog in Kenya can be achieved through the promotion of other individuals’ products on your site.
To facilitate this, it is essential to establish an affiliate account beforehand, ensuring that you receive payment when visitors make purchases through your provided links.
Numerous affiliate networks are available for enrollment, but I highly recommend the Jumia KOL program.
This platform stands out due to its comprehensive range of features, including commission levels, payouts, and detailed reports. Additionally, it is free to join, making it an enticing option for aspiring bloggers seeking to generate income.
Before signing up, ensure you have at least one product or service in mind.
Conduct thorough research to identify popular consumer preferences, or refer to relevant resources such as this article, to guide your decision-making process.
Once your affiliate account is set up, commence by promoting the product that aligns most effectively with your blog’s niche or has the potential to yield substantial earnings.
However, exercise caution to avoid excessive spamming or heavy advertising, as these practices are likely to frustrate and alienate your audience.
Remember, bombarding readers with an abundance of affiliate links diminishes the likelihood of click-throughs.
The key to maximizing your blogging income in Kenya lies in diversification.
By expanding your promotional efforts to encompass a variety of products and services, you increase your revenue potential.
It is advisable to embark on this diversification journey as soon as you have established a reliable daily traffic flow to your blog, as this will serve as a valuable indicator of your audience reach.
Wrapping up blogging in Kenya
I don’t have to tell you how much top bloggers in Kenya earn (hundreds and even millions per month).
If you want to learn how to blog in Kenya, follow the steps laid out within this article.
PS.
If you skimmed to this end, here is what I talk about in this article; 2 secret sauce to making money instantly as a blogger in Kenya.
