Food is more than just sustenance. Food has become an experience, and it can also be a business opportunity if you have a passion for cooking or photography. There are many tasks involved in starting a blog about food, and you may not know where to begin.

We will guide you through starting a food blog, from planning out your niche to installing WordPress and plugins, choosing your domain name and hosting provider, and monetizing your content. Follow each step in this article to start an amazing food blog.

Types of food blog posts

Recipe blog post

Recipe blog posts are typically original recipes with a list of ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and high-quality photos.

Food bloggers have the opportunity to make a lot of money by publishing recipes. However, you need to make sure that you engage your readers with interesting food content without focusing too much on your own life story. When writing recipes, focus on making them clear, concise, and helpful. This keeps readers coming back for more delicious food.

When writing a recipe blog post, remember a few key elements. First, be sure to provide clear and concise directions on what ingredients and tools are needed to recreate your dish.

Second, make sure the post is interesting and engaging so readers will want to read it all the way through. By following these tips, you can create recipe posts that both cooks and non-cooks will enjoy. Here is a practical example of a recipe post from The Kitchn.

This video shows everything you need to know about writing recipe blog posts with Outranking AI:

Restaurant review blog post

Food bloggers are often the first to review new restaurants and bars. They post their thoughts and photos on their blog, which can help a restaurant get exposure if it’s good. Once a food blogger gains a decent readership, they can often start getting compensated for their reviews.

A restaurant review blog provides reviews of restaurants, different types of food, and sometimes recipes from specific establishments. These blogs are great for people to learn about local cuisine and find new places to eat. Roadfood is a typical example of a restaurant review blog.

If you’re planning on writing a restaurant review, it’s important to include detailed information about the establishment. This means talking about what the food was like, as well as your overall experience at the restaurant. Was the atmosphere enjoyable? Is the staff friendly? These are all important factors that potential diners will want to know about.

Your review should also be informal enough to let the reader relax. This means avoiding big blocks of text and using short, concise sentences. And remember – reviews that are brief and generic are not going to be trusted by readers, so make sure you take the time to write a thorough review with lots of details.

Food industry news

A food industry news blog post covers trending topics in the food industry. Eater is one such source for food industry news. To write a food industry post, find a trending topic in the industry and research it in depth. Then, craft an easy-to-read explanation of the topic.

To learn more about food industry blog posts, check out Food Dive:

How-to guides

A how-to guide can be a food blog post that provides readers with step-by-step instructions on a particular task. This can be how to make a full dish, but it’s often a specific skill. How-to guides are excellent for sharing your knowledge and expertise with amateur cooks who are open to experimenting with new recipes. You can also create how-to guides on different topics, such as planting fruits and vegetables, food storage, and bulk meal prep.

Personal stories

Food stories make great blog posts because they are personal, relatable, and interesting. Personal food stories connect with readers on a deeper level than recipes. They are also vivid because they are based on real experiences. And finally, they are captivating because they involve food and cooking – two topics that your readers can relate to.

Here is a set of personal food stories that might inspire you to start your own food blog.

Setting up and starting a food blog on WordPress

Step 1: Naming your blog and buying a domain name

When naming your food blog, be creative and come up with a name that is both descriptive and memorable. You’ll need to purchase a domain name, so make sure to choose one that is available. One of the best places to purchase your domain is Namecheap.

How to name your food blog and buy a domain name:

1. Be creative when choosing a domain name. A good name is descriptive and memorable.
2. Use keyword research to help you choose a good name. Try to include relevant keywords so that people can easily find you when they search online.
3. Once you’ve settled on a good domain name, head over to a registrar like GoDaddy or Namecheap and purchase it. Domain names typically cost around $10-15 per year.

Step 2: Finding a reliable web host provider for a hosting plan

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a web host: ease of use, features, blogging platform support, refund policy, and customer support. Make sure the web host you choose is easy to use; you don’t want to spend extra time trying to figure out how to navigate their system.

Also, look for a web host that offers free domains; this can save you some money. Make sure the web host supports your blogging platform (such as WordPress). Look for an easy host with all the tools you need to manage your website and make sure the hosting plan is affordable and fits your budget.

Finally, check the refund policy and customer support of potential web hosts before making a decision. If something goes wrong, you’ll want to be sure that the web host you choose has good customer service and will help you resolve the issue.

Some of the best and most affordable hosting companies include Namecheap, Namehero, and Cloudways.

Step 3: Installing the WordPress blogging platform

WordPress is a popular, user-friendly platform for bloggers. Websites use WordPress to publish a variety of content. You need to register your domain and choose a hosting package before you install WordPress.

Here is how to install WordPress and set up your site in a few minutes:

Step 4: Installing a WordPress theme to make your website more appealing

To install a WordPress theme for your food blog, first, find a theme that you like. Download it and then upload it to WordPress.

After the theme is uploaded, activate it and then start tweaking it using the WordPress Customizer. You can do this without knowing code or HTML.

Here is how to install a theme in minutes:

Step 5: Setting up Google tools

Google Analytics and Google Search Console are both important tools to help you track your website’s traffic. Google Analytics allows you to see what keywords are bringing users to you, what pages they’re visiting, and how long they’re staying on your site.

Here’s how to set up Analytics and Search Console on your WordPress blog:

Google Search Console shows how your website is performing in search results. You can use the data gathered by these tools to improve your food blog’s content and SEO.

Step 6: Installing WordPress plugins

Installing WordPress plugins is a simple process. First, find the plugin you want to install by searching for it by name. Once you’ve found the plugin, click Install Now. After the plugin has been installed, you’ll need to configure it using the directions provided.

Here’s how to install plugins on WordPress:

Performing keyword research for your food blog

Narrowing down your food blog’s niche

To zero in on the right niche for your food blog, start by performing keyword research. Narrow your focus to a specific cuisine, trend, or topic to make your blog more competitive.

Popular food blog niches include taste testing, cookbook reviews, food photography, and more. Be creative and explore all your options to find the perfect niche.

Collecting the main topics for your blog

There are many different areas that you can cover when blogging about food. However, to make the most of the topics you choose, use your keyword research to figure out which are most relevant to your main focus. This will help you to target your content and attract the right audience.

You can use Semrush to do keyword research and generate topic lists.

Finding keywords and clustering them

To find keywords that best represent your audience and their search intent, use keyword clustering. This way of researching and grouping keywords allows you to target a variety of terms that are difficult to rank for individually but have high search volume when grouped together.

Here is how to use Outranking Strategist to help with topic clusters:

Prioritizing keywords

To prioritize keywords for your food blog, you’ll need to balance many competing forces. The most valuable keywords are those that many people are competing for. To get keyword suggestions, you can use multiple sources and then sort, filter, and prioritize the results based on your goals. You’ll also need to determine your target keywords and new content creation needs and priorities.

14 tips to start writing food or recipe blogs and driving traffic using SEO

Write food blog posts with SEO in mind

As a food blogger, one of the most important things you can do is write SEO-friendly content. This will help your blog rank higher in search engine results, making it more likely that your target audience will find you.

To make your blog as SEO-friendly as possible, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, all of your content should be carefully written and easy to read. Short, concise passages are best. You should also focus on writing keyword-rich titles and descriptions for each of your blog posts.

Here is a keyword-optimized title from the Outranking AI title generator:

Another way to improve your blog’s SEO is to round up your most popular posts into one comprehensive article. This will give your blog added topical authority, making it even more relevant to searchers.

Finally, remember that freshness matters when it comes to SEO. Posting new, original content on a regular basis will make your food blog more relevant and authoritative in the eyes of search engines.

Write great and original recipes and cookbooks

There are many ways to write a great recipe. One way is to be creative and original, writing your own recipes in your own words. This helps you create something new and unique that people have not seen before. You can also adapt and improve recipes over time, making them your own.

Writing recipes is a great way to share your love of food with the world. You can use the Outranking recipe template to make beautiful and easy recipe posts:

When adapting recipes from other sources, credit the author and include a link to the original recipe or cookbook. This will help drive traffic to your blog. Be creative and think of new ideas when adapting recipes. Practice writing them and you will improve over time.

Give a detailed list of ingredients

Listing ingredients in the correct order makes a recipe easier to follow and helps it flow more effectively. Always list ingredients in the order in which the reader will use them.

Additionally, when you list ingredients, provide a bit of concise extra information if needed. Including a detailed list of ingredients helps your readers prepare to use the recipe.

Show recipe steps with images

Images can help illustrate recipe steps and communicate in more detail. By showing the process with shots and step-by-step instructions, you help readers to follow along with the recipe more easily.

Different recipes use different methods for showing steps and instructions. Generally, it’s useful to provide photos of difficult steps and use pictures that readers can use to check their progress.

Include videos of you cooking the food

Videos can impress your readers and keep them engaged. You can use Q&A or behind-the-scenes videos to connect with your visitors and establish a stronger relationship. Make sure you’re filming in a well-lit room, and use a high-quality mic and camera.

Editing is an important part of photography and videography, but it’s also important to know when enough is enough. Use editing software to enhance your visuals, not change them completely. Use staging to make your food look appealing and genuine. See Giant Peach learn more about food staging.

You can use videos to teach viewers how to make the recipes you post. Incorporate photos of your food in a consistent manner, and use the same fonts and colors as labels in all of your photos. Keep using a nice cutting board in your photos to help viewers associate the food with your brand.

Use videos to show your audience what your food or recipe looks like in natural, unedited surroundings. Be careful not to over-edit your footage, as this will make it look fake to your audience.

Provide nutritional facts

As a food blogger, it’s important to focus on educating your readers about nutrition. This includes providing information about the carbs, fat, protein, and other nutrients in each recipe.

One way to do this is to use a recipe plugin that details meal servings and their nutritional values. This ensures that your readers have access to accurate information.

Another way to help with nutrition is to promote a well-balanced diet and guide readers along their journey. For example, you can write blog posts with healthy eating tips, recipes for specific dietary needs, and ways to make healthier choices.

To style this information, consider using WordPress themes that are designed for food blogs.

Give it a personal touch and explain why your recipe or food blog is worth the read

If you want your food or recipe blog to stand out, it’s important to add a personal touch. By sharing your journey and experiences as a home cook, you can invite readers to join you on your cooking journey.

There are many ways to add a personal touch to your food blog, from talking about your own history to sharing personal memories with each recipe you post. Personal stories show your personality, demonstrate your cooking skills, and build a connection with potential readers.

Make sure to personalize your blog content to make it stand out from the rest. Include your own photos to show your personal style.

Leverage social media to share your food recipes and gain blog readers

If you have a food blog, use social media to share your content with the world and drive more traffic. You can post photos of your recipes, share tips and advice, and connect with other food bloggers.

How to use social media to share food recipes and drive traffic to your blog

Here are some tips on how food bloggers can use social media effectively:

1. Be active on social media. Keep your accounts updated and post regularly.
2. Share recipes often, and engage with your followers by asking for feedback.
3. Use hashtags wisely – this will help people find your content more easily.
4. Make sure your blog is easy to navigate and has an RSS feed so people can subscribe to it.
5. Use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to share links to your latest blog posts or recipes.

Participate in online food forums and communities

Find food blogs that cover topics you’re interested in. Online food forums and communities are great for connecting with others who share your passion for cooking.

Many food blogs are found through search engines or referrals from other bloggers. Once you find a few blogs that look promising, take some time to explore them. Get involved in the community by leaving comments on posts or recipes that you like. Most bloggers welcome feedback and discussion from their readers.

You can also share your own recipes and experiences in these forums. By sharing your own knowledge, you can help create a more dynamic and informative community for everyone involved. Be respectful of others’ opinions and experiences. Remember that not everyone will share your point of view, and this doesn’t mean that their perspective is wrong.

Create alternatives to your recipes and point out the ingredients people can replace

When possible, offer substitutions for ingredients or equipment in your recipes. This will make your articles more versatile and help you rank higher in search results. For example, consider offering cooking times that work for different types of cookers.

If you want to make your recipe more inclusive, consider offering substitutions for common allergens. Some people have dietary restrictions, so substitution options will broaden your audience. Add these substitution instructions to the notes section of your recipe, rather than burying them in the instructions.

Provide pairing dishes

The scientific method of food pairing can help you identify surprising flavor combinations that your readers will love. Share common food and drink combinations to make your blog more SEO friendly. Be sure to write these explanations in short passages so your readers can quickly understand and enjoy your content.

Monetize your food blog using affiliate products or ads

If you’re a food blogger, you can make money through affiliate marketing. This is when you provide publicity for a company’s product or service on your blog, such as with the Amazon Associates Program. When readers click on the ads or sign up for a subscription, they earn a commission.

AdSense is a popular advertising system that allows you to place ads on your blog and earn money when people click on them. You can also make money by selling digital products like ebooks or meal plans, or by setting up a membership site where people pay to access exclusive content.

Actively comment on your blog and let users interact

Engage with your readers by actively replying to comments on your blog. This will help you understand their perspectives and build relationships with them. Healthy conversations with readers will help you build a following and increase your readership.

Provide the storage instructions

When writing recipes for food blogs, it is important to give specific guidelines for storage. This includes answering questions such as how long the food will stay fresh and whether it can be stored in the freezer.

Providing instructions on how to store food can help your readers reduce food waste and save money.

Food and cooking blog writing examples

There are many great food and cooking blogs out there that can inspire you for your own blog. These blogs can give you a good idea of the types of content you want to write, the tone you want to use, and the level of detail you want to provide. Additionally, studying successful food bloggers can provide you with ideas for your own recipes and culinary ideas to share with the world.

We’ll take a look at some excellent food blog writing examples so you can sense the kind of content that resonates with readers. Not only will this help you produce better content, but it may also give you some ideas for future posts.

Recipes

Here is a recipe blog post from Sidewalk Shoes:

Sponsored content

Here is a food blog post with sponsored content from Chefiit:

Personal stories

Here is a food blog post focused on a personal story from Simply Delicious:

Tools to help you write food blog posts fast

If you want to start a food blog, there are a few tools that can help you write more quickly and easily. Grammarly is a great tool for catching typos and making sure your writing is clear and error-free. Outranking can help you research recipes and find ideas for new posts. Both of these tools can save you time and help you create a successful food blog.

Grammarly

Grammarly is a tool that helps you to avoid mistakes in your writing. It is available as a browser extension and as a desktop app. Grammarly is great for catching spelling errors, but it’s not 100% foolproof. Make sure to proofread your work carefully and spell brand names correctly when writing sponsored posts.

Proofreading is one of the most important steps in writing a food blog post. No one wants to read posts with mistakes, and that makes your blog look unprofessional. You can proofread on your own, but it’s always a good idea to have someone else take a look at your work as well. Proofreading for punctuation and grammar mistakes is important, but you also need to make sure your post makes sense.

Outranking: AI SEO content writing and optimization tool

Outranking is a tool that uses AI-powered content writing and optimization to help you rank higher in SERPs. It provides human guidance and automation to help you write in a balanced way so your website can get the most traffic possible.

Outranking is a comprehensive SEO tool that helps you identify and fix the most important on-page SEO factors for your website. It also offers a featured snippet optimization tool, which suggests keywords related to the content of your page. This can boost your rank in search results and increase your traffic.

Here is how to create an SEO-optimized blog post in a few minutes using Outranking’s AI-powered SEO content creator:

Outranking also offers a range of Google NLP topics and questions to help improve your page’s SEO. This can be extremely beneficial for food bloggers who want to rank higher on SERPs and provide valuable content to their audiences.

FAQs

How do food bloggers get paid?

Food bloggers typically earn money from advertising revenue (such as Adsense, Ezoic, or Mediavine), affiliate commissions (such as the Amazon Associates Program or CJ Affiliate), or tips from readers. They may also receive payment for writing sponsored content or for featuring products in their blog posts. Sometimes, they may even get paid for giving presentations or participating in food product tastings.

Is food blogging still profitable?

Food blogging is still profitable today because there are multiple ways to make a living as a food blogger. For example, many food bloggers make money through advertising and sponsorships. Others make money by selling cookbooks or other food-related products. And some food bloggers even make money by teaching cooking classes! So if you’re thinking about starting a food blog, know that there are plenty of ways to monetize your passion for food.

What do you usually write in a food blog post?

Food blogging typically falls into one of five categories: recipes, reviews, sponsored content, personal stories, or trends. Recipes are posts that share a step-by-step guide on how to cook something. Reviews give the reader an honest opinion of a food product or restaurant.

Sponsored content is a post that is paid for by a company in order to promote its product. Personal stories are posts that share the blogger’s personal experience with food. Trends are posts that discuss current food trends and offer the reader tips on how to participate.

A food blog can promote your business and build your brand. If you own a restaurant or catering business, sharing your recipes online can help attract new customers. If you write reviews, you can build trust with your readers by giving them honest opinions about products and services. And if you have sponsored content, you can earn money by promoting a company’s products or services.

Can I create a food blog on my own?

You can create a food blog on your own, but it requires some time and effort. You’ll need to find recipes, photograph them, and write about them. Also, consider using social media to promote your blog and build an audience.

Which WordPress theme is good for food blog design?

There is no one perfect WordPress theme for food bloggers. However, some themes are better suited for this purpose than others. Our favorite theme for food blog design is Foodica, which is free and offers a wide range of features, including the ability to integrate with WooCommerce.

Is it too late to start a cooking and recipe blog?

It is not too late to become a cooking or recipe blogger! Starting a food blog allows you to share your recipes and cooking tips with the world. You don’t need to be an experienced chef or have years of blogging experience. This guide walks you through everything you need to know to start a successful food blog, including how to pick a niche, come up with ideas for posts, write engaging content, and grow your audience.

What are some good examples of food blog writing?

There are many different types of food blogs. It can be helpful to look at successful examples such as Iowa Girl Eats, Downshiftology, or TheKitchn to warm up to writing and beat writer’s block.