How to Start a Gaming Blog

A gaming blog is a website that typically publishes video game guides, news, and reviews.

If you’re looking to make a gaming blog, you don’t have to code.

Instead, you can use a CMS (content management system) like WordPress (.org).

WordPress is used by over 40% of all websites on the internet, and it’s the gold standard for website creation.

This quick and easy guide teaches you how to start a gaming blog (video game) in a few hours of work and with minimal expenses.

Just so that you know you’re in good hands—I’m the founder of this website (that’s also built on WordPress).

I have multiple years of experience in SEO, blogging (writing video game guides), and website creation.

Here is how to start a gaming blog in 7 easy steps:

1. Get web hosting
2. Choose a domain name for your gaming blog
3. Install WordPress
4. Choose a theme
5. Install plugins
6. Start posting video game content
7. Monetize your gaming blog

1. Get web hosting

1. To get your gaming blog up and running, you need to get web hosting.
2. SiteGround hosting is highly recommended because it’s fast, secure, and reliable.
3. Click here to save up to 80% on SiteGround hosting.
4. Choose between 3 plans—StartUp, GrowBig (recommended), or GoGeek.

2. Choose a domain name for your gaming blog

1. Try choosing a domain name that’s branded, broad, and ends with .com.
2. Other extensions like .org, .net, or .io, are fine too, but they are not the most common.
3. For example, if you’re creating a gaming blog, you can name it “gamingparadise.com”.
4. Review the order and pay using a debit/credit card.

3. Install WordPress

1. Select “Set Up Website” to start the installation process.
2. Select “Start New Website” and select “WordPress”.
3. Choose if you want to add extra services.
4. Select “Finish” and wait for WordPress to install.

Tip: If you need help with the installation process, you can contact SiteGround’s 24/7 support for help.

4. Choose a theme

1. Once WordPress is finished installing, you need to choose a theme (the design of your blog).
2. For a Gaming blog, I recommend buying a premium theme like GeneratePress, Divi, or Astra.
3. Click here to get GeneratePress (one of the fastest themes) for the best price.
4. After you’ve bought a theme, install it, and navigate to your WordPress dashboard > Appearance > Themes > Upload Theme.
5. To customize your theme, go to your WordPress dashboard > Appearance > Customize.

Tip #1: You can find great WordPress themes on EnvatoMarket.

Tip #2: If you need help with customizing your theme, you can contact your theme’s support.

Tip #3: You can create a gaming logo for free using Namecheap’s logo maker (it’s the best logo maker that I’ve used).

5. Install plugins

Recommended plugins to install:

• Google Site Kit – Easily connect your site to Google Analytics to see real-time visitors and stats.
• Yoast SEO – An all-in-one SEO plugin for WordPress that you can use to add an XML sitemap (a site directory).
• Jetpack – A security, speed, and stats plugin.

Tip: To install plugins, go to your WordPress dashboard > Plugins > Add new.

6. Start posting video game content

1. Since you’re starting a gaming blog, you need to research PC, PS4/PS5, and Xbox games to write about.
2. You can write about gaming guides (e.g. how to craft a diamond pickaxe in Minecraft), reviews, news, and more.
3. To find content ideas, you can use the Google Keyword Planner or browse similar blogs (e.g. IGN, GamesRadar, PCGamer).
4. When writing your post, make sure to include headers, spacing, lists, and media to engage your readers.
5. You can also add categories and tags to your post on the right sidebar.
6. Click on the “Publish” button after you’re done writing the post.

Tip #1: If your blog is new, your posts will start ranking on Google after 3 to 6 months (if they are of quality).

Tip #2: Try targeting low-competition keywords like “How to start a video game cafe” instead of “How to start a business”.

7. Monetize your gaming blog

1. Once your gaming blog gains some traffic, you can start monetizing it.
2. The easiest way to monetize your blog is to serve ads on it (you can earn $5 to $20 per 1,000 visitors).
3. I recommend applying for Google AdSense or Ezoic.
4. Click here to start using Ezoic to serve ads on your blog.
5. Before you apply to either one, make sure that your blog has a privacy policy and an “About” page.
6. You can also join the Amazon Associates program and include video game affiliate links in your articles.

Tip #1: Ezoic earns about 5x more than Google AdSense because of its technology.

Tip #2: After you’ve reached 50k or 100k monthly visitors, you can apply for Mediavine or Adthrive (both are premium ad networks).

Further reading

How to Make a Website Like WikiHow

How to Make a Website Like Wikipedia

How to Make a Website like Twitter (5 Easy Steps)