There are as many kinds of blogs as there are subjects people care about. But, most new niche blogs fall into a handful of top categories with food, travel, fashion, parenting, books, pets, money, fitness and tech among them.
Below, we explore each kind: what its readers are looking for, how it earns money and what it requires of you.
Each kind of blog links to its own guide. For detailed step-by-step instruction our popular course Blogging Step-by-Step will guide you through how to build whichever type of blog you choose.
KINDS OF BLOGS ARE ABOUT THE BLOG SUBJECT – NOT POST FORMAT:
When choosing what kind of blog to start, it helps to understand the difference between kinds of blogs (the subject of your blog) and blog formats (the format of your individual posts).
Your subject is what your blog is all about, such as food, travel, fashion, or pets. Your post format is how you present that information, such as a tutorial post, review post, checklist, or personal story.
For example, a travel blogger might publish several different posts that include: a hotel review, a packing checklist, a step-by-step guide to planning a trip, and a story about a recent vacation. Those are four different post formats, but they all belong on the same travel blog.
The same applies to a food blog. You might share recipes, review kitchen appliances, explain cooking techniques, and put together weekly meal plans. Using different formats allows you to answer different reader questions while keeping your content focused on your chosen subject.
As you decide what kind of blog to create, start with the topic you want to cover and the audience you want to help. You can then choose the most useful format for each of your posts.
comparE THE MAIN KINDS OF BLOGS:
| KIND | READERS WANT | HOW IT EARNS | REQUIRED OF YOU |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food | Recipes they can cook tonight | Affiliate links, ads, recipe eBooks | Tested recipes and good photos |
| Travel | Plans and honest tips for a trip | Affiliate links for stays or tours, ads | Travel, and photos you actually took |
| Fashion | Outfit ideas and where to buy | Affiliate links, sponsored posts | New looks and abundant photos |
| Parenting/Mom | Help and company as parents | Affiliate links, sponsored posts | Experience as a parent |
| Fitness/Health | Workouts and habits to follow | Affiliate links, diets, programs | Credentials and care |
| Personal Finance | Trustworthy advice about money | Affiliate links, ads | Sources, financial credentials |
| Pets | Care and training they can trust | Affiliate links, ads | Accurate care advice |
| Tech | Answers, how-tos and reviews | Affiliate links, ads | Keeping up as products change |
| Books | What to read next | Affiliate links to books, ads | Reading a lot, honest reviews |
START A BLOG ABOUT FOOD, TRAVEL OR FASHION:
FOOD BLOG:
Food blog readers often arrive with a practical question: “What can I cook tonight?” They want delicious recipes with clear instructions, easy-to-find ingredients, and photos that show what they can expect. Whether you focus on quick family dinners, baking, or budget-friendly meals, your recipes need to work in someone else’s kitchen.
Running a good food blog involves more than sharing your favorite dishes. You’ll need to test recipes thoroughly, provide accurate measurements and cooking times, and take clear, appealing photos. Helpful details, such as preparation tips, substitutions you’ve tested, and storage instructions, can give readers the confidence to try your recipes and return for more.
Affiliate Marketing is the most popular way to earn money from a food blog. You can recommend cookware, kitchen appliances, and other products you use, earning a commission when readers purchase through your affiliate links.
Be sure to clearly disclose your affiliate relationships and keep your recommendations relevant and trustworthy. Display ads and your own cookbooks or digital meal planners can offer additional income opportunities.
For a closer look at getting started, read my full guide on the following post:
How to Start a Food Blog: Recipes, Photos and a Plan
TRAVEL BLOG:
Travel blog readers want information that helps them plan a trip. They may be looking for a weekend getaway, a comfortable hotel, or advice on what to see and how much to budget. Beautiful photos can spark their interest, but practical details help them turn that inspiration into an actual itinerary.
Running a travel blog requires research, firsthand experience, and helpful recommendations. You’ll need to share clear information about destinations, accommodations, transportation, and activities, along with photos that give readers a feel for each place. Honest accounts of what you enjoyed, what disappointed you, and what you would do differently can be especially helpful. You’ll also need to revisit older posts because prices, entry requirements, and opening hours can change.
Affiliate Marketing offers opportunities to earn money by recommending hotels, tours, luggage, and other travel products or services. When readers book or purchase through your affiliate links, you may earn a commission. Be sure to clearly disclose those relationships and be honest about which places and services you have personally tried. Display ads, sponsored partnerships, and your own travel guides or itineraries can help to provide additional income.
For a closer look at getting started, read my full guide on the following post:
How to Start a Travel Blog – A Beginner’s Plan
FASHION BLOG:
Fashion blog readers often want help answering a simple question: “What should I wear?” They may be looking for outfit ideas, affordable wardrobe staples, or ways to style clothes they already own. Choosing a focus, such as fashion over 50, petite clothing, or budget-friendly style, can help you create content for readers with specific needs.
Running a good fashion blog requires an interest in clothing, an eye for putting outfits together, and clear photos that show how the pieces look when worn. Readers appreciate honest details about fit, sizing, fabric quality, and comfort. You’ll also need to keep shopping links current and suggest alternatives when featured items sell out. Your own photos and personal experience with the clothes can make your recommendations more useful.
Affiliate Marketing is a natural fit for a fashion blog. You can link to featured clothing, shoes, and accessories, earning a commission when readers purchase through your affiliate links. Be sure to clearly disclose those relationships and distinguish items you have personally worn from your shopping suggestions. Sponsored posts, brand partnerships, and personal styling services can offer additional income opportunities.
For a closer look at getting started, read my full guide on the following post:
TBA
START A BLOG ABOUT PARENTING, FITNESS OR FINANCE:
PARENTING / MOM BLOG:
Parenting blog readers often want practical help and reassurance from someone who understands their everyday challenges. They may be looking for rainy-day activities, ideas for smoother school mornings, or ways to balance family responsibilities. Choosing a focus, such as life with toddlers, raising teenagers, or parenting on a budget, can help you connect with readers facing similar situations.
Running a good parenting blog requires useful ideas, relatable writing, and honesty about your own experiences. Share what has worked for your family while recognizing that children and circumstances differ. Clear instructions and original photos can make activities and projects easier to follow. You’ll also need to set boundaries around your children’s privacy and distinguish personal experience from professional advice, particularly when discussing health, safety, or development.
Affiliate Marketing offers opportunities to earn money by recommending books, toys, school supplies, and other products relevant to your readers. Honest reviews that explain how your family used a product can help readers decide whether it suits their needs. Be sure to clearly disclose affiliate relationships and paid partnerships. Display ads, sponsored posts, and your own products, such as activity packs, planners, or printables, can provide additional income.
For a closer look at getting started, read my full guide on the following post:
TBA
FITNESS/HEALTH BLOG:
Fitness blog readers want practical help getting stronger, becoming more active, and finding exercise they can fit into their lives. They may be looking for beginner workouts, home exercise routines, or ways to stay consistent with a busy schedule. Choosing a focus, such as walking, strength training, or fitness for older adults, can help you create content for people with specific interests and goals.
Running a good fitness blog requires knowledge of the activities you cover, careful research, and clear instructions. Original photos or videos can help readers understand exercise technique, while realistic routines and progress tracking ideas can encourage consistency. Explain your experience and qualifications, offer modifications where appropriate, and recognize that readers have different abilities. Personal experience can add value, but it should not replace qualified guidance on injuries, medical conditions, or rehabilitation.
Affiliate Marketing offers opportunities to earn money by recommending exercise equipment, workout clothing, fitness apps, and other relevant products. Honest reviews that explain how you used an item, who it suits, and any limitations can help readers make informed purchases. Be sure to clearly disclose affiliate relationships and paid partnerships. Display ads, sponsored content, and your own workout journals or, where your qualifications support it, training programs can provide additional income.
For a closer look at getting started, read my full guide on the following post:
TBA
MONEY/ PERSONAL FINANCE BLOG:
Personal finance blog readers want help making better decisions with their money. They may be looking for ways to create a realistic budget, pay down debt, reduce everyday expenses, or save for a major purchase. Choosing a focus, such as frugal living, family budgeting, or managing money on an irregular income, can help you address the needs of your specific audience.
Running a good personal finance blog requires careful research, clear explanations, and accurate information. Practical examples, budgeting worksheets, and honest accounts of your own experiences can make financial topics easier to understand. Because readers may act on what you write, you’ll need to check that calculations are accurate and make sure to keep all information current.
Affiliate Marketing offers opportunities to earn money by recommending budgeting apps, financial tools, books, and other relevant products or services. Explain costs, limitations, and who a product might suit so readers can make informed decisions. Be sure to clearly disclose affiliate relationships and keep recommendations grounded in readers’ needs. Display ads, sponsored content, and your own budget planners, spreadsheets, or educational guides can provide additional income.
For a closer look at getting started, read my full guide on the following post:
TBA
START A BLOG ABOUT PETS, TECH OR BOOKS:
PET BLOG:
Pet blog readers want help keeping their animals happy, healthy, and comfortable. They may be looking for ways to entertain an energetic puppy, choose a scratching post their cat will actually use, or make traveling with a pet easier. Choosing a focus, such as dogs, cats, small animals, or senior pets, can help you build an audience with shared interests and needs.
Running a good pet blog requires research, helpful explanations, and an understanding of the animals you cover. Personal stories, original photos, and honest product reviews can make your content useful and engaging. When sharing training tips or activities, explain the steps clearly and consider the animal’s safety. Distinguish your own experience from veterinary advice, and use qualified sources when covering health or nutrition.
Affiliate Marketing offers opportunities to earn money by recommending pet beds, toys, grooming tools, carriers, and other supplies. Reviews that show how a product performed with your own pet can help readers make informed choices. Be sure to clearly disclose affiliate relationships and any free products you receive. Display ads, sponsored partnerships, and your own products, such as pet care planners or printable checklists, can provide additional income.
For a closer look at getting started, read my full guide on the following post:
TBA
TECH BLOG:
Tech blog readers want help choosing products, solving problems, and understanding how technology can make their lives easier. They may be comparing laptops, looking for useful apps, or trying to figure out why their Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting. Choosing a focus, such as beginner-friendly tech, smartphones, or home office equipment, can help you serve a specific audience.
Running a good tech blog requires research, hands-on experience, and the ability to explain things clearly. Useful reviews go beyond listing features to show how a product performs in everyday use, including its strengths and limitations. Tutorials need accurate steps, helpful screenshots, and instructions you have tested yourself. You’ll also need to update older content as software changes and products become outdated, and distinguish products you have personally tested from those you have researched.
Affiliate Marketing offers opportunities to earn money by recommending computers, accessories, software, and other relevant products. Comparisons and detailed reviews can help readers decide what suits their needs and budget. Be sure to clearly disclose affiliate relationships, sponsored content, and any products which have been supplied for review. Display ads, brand partnerships, and your own tutorials or educational guides can provide additional income.
For a closer look at getting started, read my full guide on the following post:
TBA
BOOK BLOG:
Book blog readers are often looking for their next great read. They want honest reviews, recommendations that match their interests, and help deciding whether a book deserves their time. Choosing a focus, such as mysteries, historical fiction, romance, or children’s books, can help you attract readers who share your taste.
Running a good book blog requires regular reading and thoughtful, original commentary. Useful reviews go beyond summarizing the plot to discuss elements such as pacing, writing style, and character development without revealing major spoilers. Reading lists, author interviews, and book club discussion questions can give readers additional reasons to visit. You’ll also need to balance your reading schedule with the time required to write and maintain your blog.
Affiliate Marketing is one way to earn money by linking to books, audiobooks, e-readers, and reading accessories. Individual book purchases may generate modest commissions, so building an engaged audience takes on particular importance. Be sure to clearly disclose affiliate links and complimentary review copies, and keep your opinions honest regardless of how you received a book. Display ads, relevant sponsorships, and your own reading journals or book club printables offer additional income opportunities.
For a closer look at getting started, read my full guide on the following post:
TBA
CHOOSE THE KIND OF BLOG YOU CAN WRITE FOR YEARS TO COME:
When choosing a blog niche, think beyond your first few posts. Ask yourself if you can see yourself researching, writing about, and answering questions on this subject several years from now? Building a blog takes sustained effort, and that work is easier when you have a lasting interest in what you’re sharing.
It is helpful if you choose something you are at least somewhat knowledgeable about. It makes writing new content much easier if you don’t have to spend a lot of time doing research.
You don’t need to know everything about your subject before you begin. However, you do need be willing to keep learning, gain experience, and help readers as your own knowledge grows. A topic you enjoy exploring and learning more about can give you plenty to write about, especially as you begin to discover the questions your audience needs answered.
Consider the practical demands as well. A food blog requires time to prepare and test recipes. A travel blog requires traveling and sharing useful destination information and opportunities to explore. A book blog means making time to read. Choose something that fits your budget, schedule, and everyday life so you can continue creating useful content consistently.
VIEW SOME LIVE BLOGS OF EVERY KIND BEFORE YOU CHOOSE:
Reading about different kinds of blogs is a useful starting point, but visiting actual blogs can help you picture what running one might involve. Explore a few examples in each niche you’re considering, including smaller blogs as well as well established blogs.
Look beyond the homepage. Browse the blog and read several posts. What questions do they answer? Are they using original photography, are they doing product testing, sharing personal experiences? Notice how the bloggers organize their content and what makes their posts useful. Then consider whether you would enjoy creating similar kinds of content yourself.
You can also look at how those blogs earn money. You might notice affiliate links, display ads, sponsored posts, or products for sale. These can suggest possibilities for your own blog, although their presence alone won’t tell you how much the blogger earns.
Use this research to understand the work involved and discover where you could offer your own perspective. Avoid copying another blogger’s wording, images, or distinctive ideas as that constitutes Copyright Infringement. Instead, consider which readers you could help and what experience or new thoughts and ideas you may be able to bring to the subject.
After exploring a few niches, ask yourself: “Which of these would I enjoy contributing to?” The answer can help you narrow your choices and move forward with a clearer idea of the blog you are hoping to build.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
What kind of blog should I start?
Start with a subject you are knowledgeable about or are willing to spend time learning about. Consider what experience you can share, who are the readers you want to help, and whether creating the content fits your schedule and budget. A manageable topic with plenty of useful post ideas is a good starting point.
What kind of blog makes the most money?
There is no single kind of blog that guarantees the highest income. Earnings depend on your audience, the usefulness of your content, and how you monetize it. Consider whether your chosen subject offers relevant affiliate products, opportunities to create and sell your own products, or other ways to earn money while serving your readers.
Can I write about more than one subject?
Only if the subjects are closely related and make sense for the audience you are hoping to reach. A Mom blog or parenting blog might cover family meals, children’s activities, and household budgeting because those topics serve related needs. Give readers a clear reason to return by keeping your topics relevant to the overall purpose of your blog.
Do I need to be an expert before starting a blog?
You don’t need to know everything, but you do need to offer useful, accurate information and be honest about your experience. You can document what you learn and share firsthand results.
Can I change my blog’s subject later?
Most times you will want to register a domain name that gives your readers some idea as to what your blog is all about. Normally, if you decide to go in a different direction… that would require registering a new domain name and starting an entirely new blog. Starting with a clear focus, while leaving room for future development, such as introducing closely related topics in the future can make it easier to expand naturally as your blog develops.
About the Author: Sherry Bennett
Ms. Bennett is a Professional Blogger, who has been earning a living online with niche websites since October 1996.
Through hard work and dedication, she has turned her passion for blogging into a 7-figure business.. and you can do the same.
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