How I Built My Blog for $20: A Step-by-Step Guide

When I decided to launch my blog, I was determined to do it on a budget. And guess what? I made it happen for just $20. Yep, you read that right! I started for less than the price of takeout that night. With a little resourcefulness and the help of some amazing tools, I created a professional blog that I’m so very proud of.

Here’s exactly how I did it, step by step, and how you can too. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Sign Up for Systeme.io (Free for Life Plan!)

The first thing I needed was a platform to host my blog, and after a lot of research, I landed on Systeme.io. The best part? They offer a Free for Life Plan—no credit card required!

This free plan gives you everything you need to start: blogging tools, email marketing, funnels, and more. Honestly, I don’t know how long this free plan will stick around (because inflation and all that), so I recommend hopping on it while you can.

• Why I chose Systeme.io: It’s easy to use, beginner-friendly, and packed with features. I didn’t need to upgrade to a paid plan to get started, and everything I needed was right there.

To make it even easier, Systeme.io has a free certification course that walked me through the platform step-by-step. I followed along as I set up my account, and within no time, I was ready to launch.

Step 2: Buy a Professional Domain Name and Email (For Just $20!)

• While Systeme.io gives you a free subdomain (like yourblog.systeme.io), I wanted something more polished and professional. So, I bought my own domain name and email through Namecheap, and it was super affordable.

• Domain name: I purchased a custom domain for just $10/year. Now my blog lives on a sleek address like www.hustlehobbies.com, which make it absolutely professional.

• Professional email: Instead of using a generic Gmail address, I set up my professional email (e.g., jen@hustlehobbies.com) for just $10/year (1 mailbox). If you need more, Namecheap also has a promo for 3 mailboxes for $20/year.

Connecting my domain and email to Systeme.io was a breeze, thanks to their helpful guides. Within a day, my blog was live with a custom domain and email.

Step 3: Build Your Blog with Systeme.io

• With my domain set up, it was time to build my blog. What I love about Systeme.io is how simple it is to use—no coding or tech skills required.

• Templates galore: Systeme.io has pre-designed templates that you can easily customize to fit your style. In just a few clicks, I had a beautiful blog layout ready to go.

• All-in-one platform:Systeme.io isn’t just for blogs—it also includes built-in marketing tools and funnels. Everything I needed was in one place, which saved me time and hassle.

Step 4: Create Stunning Graphics with Canva

Here’s the thing: Your blog needs to look good to grab attention. That’s where Canva came in and totally saved the day.

• Why Canva? Canva is my go-to tool for creating all kinds of visuals: blog graphics, Instagram posts, Facebook banners, TikTok videos, Pinterest pins—you name it. They even have tons of templates, fonts, stock photos, videos, and design elements to help you get started.

• Free vs. Pro: You can totally get started with the free version of Canva. However, I personally upgraded to Canva Pro before I even started my blog. Let me tell you why—it’s worth every penny and I already use it for everything. I create pins for Pinterest, reels and posts for all other social media platforms, and this website. Canva Pro also allows me to create a reel for Instagram and then resize it to the correct specs for TikTok with the click of a button. I can resize a logo for my website, my socials, and the resizing tool is just one of so many pro tools that make life easy. Pro gives you access to millions of premium stock photos, videos, graphics, templates, and advanced tools like a background remover.

• Can’t upgrade yet? If $120/year feels like a stretch, don’t stress. You can start with Canva’s free version but you are limited to what you can create with their library. But if you’re serious about your blog and everything social media, put Canva Pro on your “to-upgrade-as-soon-as-possible” list—it’ll save you so much time and effort in the long run.

The Total Cost: Just $20

Here’s the breakdown of my budget-friendly blog setup:

• Domain name: $10/year from Namecheap
• Email service:1 mailbox: $10/year (Total: $20) 3 mailboxes: $20/year (Total: $40)
• Systeme.io: Free for life (sign up NOW before that's gone!)

So, for $20, I was able to get my blog up and running with a custom domain and professional email. If you opt for the 3-mailbox promo, your total investment would be $40—still an amazing deal for everything you’re getting.

Step 5: Start Blogging and Build Your Dream

With my blog live and my graphics ready, I started creating content and sharing it with the world. For me, this blog isn't just about writing—it’s about connecting with people. Thanks to Systeme.io, I have tools to grow my email list and set up e-mails automatically with different funnels. So when you hit that subscribe button... you will already get an e-mail from me that I've created especially for you!

Why Wait? Start Your Blog Today

Here’s how to start:

• Sign up for Systeme.io (Free plan available)
• Get your domain and email on Namecheap
• Design your graphics with Canva (Free plan available)

If I can do it, so can you. Don’t wait—your dream blog is just a few clicks (and $20) away.