Originally published in 2013 and substantially updated in September 2026. The 13 original comments remain below because many of the questions readers raised-especially about time, money and the amount of work involved-are still relevant.
There are plenty of good reasons to start a blog. There are also situations where a blog may be the wrong project, the wrong business model or simply the wrong project right now.
That is worth considering before you buy a domain, install a theme and create another obligation for yourself.
1. Someone Else Thinks You Should Have a Blog
A friend, employer, coach or fellow creator may insist you "need" a blog. They may even have good reasons.
But a useful blog requires somebody to decide what it is for, create or commission content, maintain the site and keep important information current. If nobody actually wants responsibility for that work, the site is likely to become another abandoned project.
If the real goal is simply to provide basic business information online, a small website or landing page may be enough. You do not automatically need an ongoing publishing operation.
2. You Think Blogging Is Easy Passive Income
A blog can eventually contain assets that produce traffic and revenue while you are doing something else. That is one of its strengths.
Getting there still requires work.
Useful content, search visibility, email growth, products, affiliate revenue and partnerships generally take time to develop. Websites also need maintenance, updates and business decisions.
If an advertisement promised that AI or a particular system can create hundreds of posts and generate effortless income while you do nothing, treat that promise with caution.
The goal can be leverage. "No work required" is a different claim.
3. You Mainly Want Free Products
Products provided by brands are compensation or materials for work-not magical free stuff.
A proper product review, sponsored project or UGC assignment may involve testing, photography, filming, scripting, editing, disclosure, communication, revisions and promotion. You also need to understand applicable tax and disclosure obligations.
If you would not want to create the content without the product pile, review blogging probably is not a sustainable reason to build a site.
If creating commercial content itself interests you, however, UGC may offer another route. You can build those skills without waiting for enormous pageviews.
4. You Only Want a Large Audience, Not a Specific Audience
"I want a million followers" does not tell you what to publish or whom you are helping.
A smaller group of people who genuinely need your information can be more valuable than a large, poorly matched audience. They are more likely to return, subscribe, recommend your work, buy an appropriate product or trust a relevant recommendation.
Before starting, be able to describe the people you hope to help and the kinds of problems or interests the site will address.
See How to Figure Out Who Your Ideal Blog Reader Is.
5. You Need Significant Income Immediately
Blogs can make money. Bloggers earn through advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsored work, UGC, subscriptions, services, books, digital products, physical products and many other combinations.
But if you need a dependable paycheck next week, starting a new blog is generally not the safest plan for producing it.
A newer blogger may be able to earn sooner through services, freelance work, UGC or direct client work while the website and audience grow. That is very different from assuming pageviews will immediately generate a full-time income.
The new Building Better Blogs monetization resources are intentionally exploring those earlier-income options instead of telling people to wait indefinitely for traffic.
When Starting a Blog Does Make Sense
A blog can be a powerful asset when you want to teach, document expertise, build searchable resources, support a business, develop an audience you can reach through email, create intellectual property or build multiple income streams around useful content.
You do not have to be obsessed with writing. You do need a reason strong enough to justify maintaining the asset.
Ask a Better Question
Instead of asking, "Should I start a blog?" ask:
What am I trying to build, and is a blog the best tool for helping me build it?
If the answer is yes, start simply and build deliberately. If the answer is no, that is useful information too.
A blog should support a purpose and a life-not exist because the internet told you everybody needs one.
Stacie says
Agree! So many people think its easy and the $$ just happens overnight. In reality it takes YEARS of consistency and hard work.
Kathleen Garber says
Absolutely, thanks for weighing in!
Margarita Ibbott says
That is so true... you nailed it. It does take a long time to be successful and you need to keep at it... no sitting on our laurels that's for sure.
Jenn says
I so agree! A blog is a passion not a passtmie
Amy says
Totally Agree!! I blog because I love it, and I love sharing what works and doesn't for me and my family!
Caleb says
I would recommend not starting off with a blog but instead learning how to drive targeted traffic to a squeeze page that has a good sales funnel working for you behind the scenes.
Kathleen Garber says
In the case of blogging to drive sales, yes that would be a better way to go.
Dani@lifeovereasy says
So true. Like most things, it looks much easier from the outside!
@LMC502 says
You should never do anything, really, just because someone is pressuring you. A blog is a LOT more work than most people realize, and if you're not truly "into" it, you'll start to dread it quickly.
Mindy Grant says
These are great! I get requests from friends and family members ALL THE TIME asking me to help them set up a blog. They always think it's so easy to do and that I can just quickly walk them through the process. They are amazed at the "free stuff" I'm able to get, and that's mostly what drives them to want to start a blog of their own. Little do they know how much work I have to put into it. It's not "free stuff". It's payment for my time and effort. I always point them in the direction of an online blogging course. They see how much work is really involved, an d then change their mind about it!
Maya Fitz says
YES! Agree 100 times over. Thanks for sharing. I would say that blogging is typically a passion. You either have it or you don't. You and others will know quickly whether or not you "have" it or don't.
Nicole says
Thanks for this article! I am going back and forth about starting a blog (on top of a full time job and a etsy business), and I'm planning to subscribe to more blogs INSTEAD of starting my own! I will comment and be involved, but I don't think I want to blog at this point. This is the first time I've even seen anyone else consider that blogging is not for everyone! I really appreciate it.
Kathleen Garber says
You're welcome! It's hard for me to think that everyone can't love and be addicted to blogging like me but it's the fact of the matter. If you were thinking of starting a blog to boost your business, consider a larger social media presence instead. Less time commitment.