I wish I had some magic secrets or shortcuts to share, but the truth is that food blogging is hard work. I receive questions about the subject fairly often, so I sat down to compile my best tips for food bloggers and ended up with an even twenty. You’ll be more likely to develop a successful food blog if you follow these guidelines.
1. Be authentic.
Post about what you love and produce the best content you possibly can.
2. Don’t give up.
Blog growth is slow at first and gains momentum as time goes on, assuming that you stick with it and do your best.
3. Post original content.
If visitors like what you do, they will keep coming back for more.
4. Show your personality!
Enthusiasm is infectious, so don’t be afraid to show it. One of the coolest things about blogging is that you can connect with people who share your undying love for, say, avocado on toast.
5. Make friends and help each other.
In other words, network! Connect and cultivate friendships with other bloggers who share your interests. Leave thoughtful comments on their blogs, chat with them on social media and promote their content.
6. Make yourself accessible.
Be present and responsive on social media as best you can.
7. Keep your site design clean and easy to navigate.
Clutter detracts from your content.
8. Make it easy for visitors to follow your blog.
Place links to RSS/email subscription and social media prominently on each page.
9. Make it easy to comment on your blog.
No CAPTCHAs or required logins, please. Find a way to let your commenters know that they are appreciated, whether that’s by emailing them privately, responding to their comment publicly or by commenting on their blogs.
10. Make it easy to share your content.
Provide social media sharing buttons at the end of each post. Say thank you when others promote your work.
11. Post fantastic recipes only.
You don’t want visitors to invest their time and ingredients into a recipe and end up disappointed, right? Better to let the blog go quiet for a few days than to post a recipe you can’t stand behind.
12. Cite your sources.
Always. Not cool: reposting recipes verbatim, posting other bloggers’ photos without permission. Cool: original recipes, sharing links to your inspiration, linking to further resources on the subject at hand.
13. Don’t sell out.
I’m not saying that you shouldn’t try to make money off your blog, but don’t align yourself with a brand or project that isn’t a good fit. You are the company you keep. Focus on producing your best content and building your audience and the opportunities will come.
14. Post on a regular basis.
Whether that’s every day, once a week or once every other week, don’t let your blog look abandoned.
15. Get your own domain name.
If you want your blog to be taken seriously, just do it. You can buy a domain name for less than twenty dollars a year through GoDaddy (affiliate link).
16. Build a self-hosted WordPress blog.
That is, if you want full control over your design and content and plenty of room to grow. If you don’t know how to do these things, pay someone good to do it for you or shower your geeky friend with homemade cookies until he agrees. Find a step-by-step guide (and food blog design and web hosting tips) here.
17. Learn about search engine optimization.
SEO isn’t black magic; it’s about making your quality content findable. It’s important to understand and implement the basics. Here is Google’s SEO starter guide [PDF].
18. Submit your posts to recipe submission sites.
When you’re getting started, submission sites may be a good source of new visitors. In the past, I’ve submitted my posts to Foodgawker, Tastespotting, Tasteologie and Finding Vegan (when applicable). Keep a text file that contains the submission information so it’s easy to copy and paste it onto each site. If your photo is rejected the first time around, edit it or choose a different photo and resubmit. Don’t forget to pin your new recipes to Pinterest, too!
19. Learn how to take appetizing photos.
People are much more likely to want to eat, make, share and pin your recipes when they are presented alongside appealing photos. Find my food photography tips and equipment recommendations here.
20. Do what your mama told you.
This should go without saying, but be nice, be constructive, be respectful, be appreciative, be humble. Work hard.
More resources for food bloggers on Cookie and Kate
Questions? Feel free to leave them in the comments section below.
senthilnathan
Thank you for providing this information about this.
Kate
Welcome!
Tracy Bishop
Hi Kate
Thank you for the amazing blogging tips. I’m inspired to have a go at food blogging after reading and seeing your website.
I too have a Barney ‘dog’ that would help with clearing up!
I’m totally new to this, but want to give it a go. Can I just ask if I need to reinvent the wheel or just share my amazing food recipes that I’ve found and adapted to suit me along the way please?
Thanks x
Madhu
Good one.
Aloysio Botello Jr
Hi Kate,
Thank you for the wonderful information. You made a bit easy on me and now I know what steps I will have to take in accomplishing my future blog.
Nakisha lewis
Thanks for the awesome info need it for me and my mom about to started a food blog we have a love and aewsomeness love for food this really helped me thank..
Ope ogunremi
Thank you for sharing, so helpful
ashiq
thanks for sharing ideas for how to start blog i have recipe website on chicken where i write recipe only about chicken i want to share my opinion that we should keep our recipe blog with step by step writing recipes
Jeesun
In addition to your recipes, I wanted to say I love your blog’s clean design (#7)! It’s so easy to navigate.
Kate
Thanks so much! I have worked hard on it over the years.
Jason Munson
I was looking over your article here on starting a Food Blog, I found this to be one of the most informative and linked with many great tips and sites. Thank you very much for posting this stuff, it has set a standard for what I would like to establish for my Blog-Which is coming Soon.
Kate
You’re welcome! I’m happy you found it helpful, Jason.
Thesaltandsweet.com
I’m new to blogging, thanks for the tips!
Kate
You’re welcome!
Raja Catering
Thanks for sharing these delicious dishes.
Kate
You’re very welcome!
Place2explore
Hello,
I am very happy with your blog information with good ideas food blog is a provides better information for any information…
Thanks
Kate
I’m glad it’s helpful for you!
Raja Catering
Thanks for the post
Kate
You’re welcome!
Khuram Chef
I have new blogs and have so much to learn about recipes and foods. I feel that anyone can learn through.
Kate
Great! I’m glad you found it helpful.
Natalie
Hi Kate and send my hello to Cookie too,
I’m Natalie and just graduated from the university. I just begin building my food blog and your tips are really useful to me. I’m taking step by step to develop everything in my blog and I would love to make friend with you to share everything about food the thing we are both obssessed :)
Also, I hope to recieve some of opinions from you on my website to improve it.
Much thanks and all the best!!!
Natalie
Kate
Congratulations, Natalie! I’m glad you found this post helpful. I know there is a lot of differing opinions out there and resources. This is what I have found most helpful.
Fani Malik
Well written and explained, thanks for the info and your time!
Kate
Thank you!
Andey Wala
You have got a great blog. I am interested in looking for more of such topics egg dishes and would like to have further information. Hope to see the next blog soon.
Kate
Thank you!
John Willis
Hi – thanks for this, its a real good starter for ten (or 20).
I’ve just started a blog cooking a meal from every country and I’m already running out of inspiration when I literally have a world of info to go at!
I think point 14 is going to be my Achilles heal!
thanks
pasta maker
I am a regular member of this site. I read all the post of you.Your posts are highly informative as well as useful too. Thank you very much for such an excellent post. I am waiting for your next post.
Kate
Thank you!
godzillatummy
SEO is what i need to focus more right now. Thankyou for the tips Kate!
Kate
Welcome!
Cindy D Raley
Hi!
I’ve been reading/over-researching social media managers like Co-Schedule, Crowdfire, etc etc. Curious if you use one & if so which one do you recommend?
I appreciate the tips on your page too, thank you!
I’ve been trying to ramp up for over a year now…and I love your page and recipes! I will share them when I get my act together ;)
Thanks!
Cindy~
Kate
There are a lot of options out there. I haven’t used those so can’t speak specifically to that. I’m glad you love the blog and article!
Ragini
Good stuff, thanks for sharing the great tips related to food
Kate
You’re welcome!
Andeywala
Thanks for sharing knowledgeable blogging tips .keep share us
If you are really food lover visit us
Kate
You’re welcome!
daniel
I loved this!
Kate
Thanks!
Eva
Thanks Kate. Awesome tips you got here. I started a food blog just yesterday and I didn’t think it would be that hard. Thanks again!
Kate
You’re welcome, Eva!
Carl Sanford
This is really great! Thank you Kate! Those are really helpful tips for the food blog.
RADHA
good tips. thank you. I will follow them.
Kate
Welcome!
Michelle
If used to be a food blogger is just a hobby, now many people who are interested to make this activity as a profession. Food blogger is a true activity of reviewing the food both in terms of taste, price, and atmosphere of the place that is poured into a personal blog through text or video. Thanks some tips for creating a blog about food. meesterslijpers.nl
Kate
You’re welcome!
Jayne Rain
Wow. It is amazing how many things I have not even thought of. I just started my food blog and will try to implement these tips. Thanks alot.
Kate
Welcome, Jayne!
dannie
Very well said couldn’t agree with you more.
Kate
Thank you!
Crystal
This was really positive and helpful. Thank you!
Kate
Welcome, Crystal!
Amanda
Whenever I feel a little lost on my own blog, I come back and re-read these sage words. Thank you.
Kate
You’re welcome! I’m happy it’s a great resource for you.
Nukkadwala Fast Food
These are great tips indeed. Thanks for all the help.
Kate
You’re welcome!
Courtney Ransom
Katie,
These tips mean a lot coming from you! Thanks for all the info. I just hit my 4th month of blogging at cookwithcourt.com and it’s been so fun/frustrating/super rewarding trying to figure it all out. At this point I’m just trying to reach a wider audience so I think I need to work on improving my photography and producing content more consistently. Thanks again :)
Kate
I’m glad you find them helpful! It can be a lot, but don’t loose the enjoyment. :)
charlotte
i would love to start a food blog but feel like i wouldn’t be able to be creative enough to come up with many new meals that people wouldn’t have eaten before.
Kate
It’s challenging and takes a lot of work! It isn’t always about coming up with new, but a twist or even a different way to prepare.
charlotte
when twisting a recipe do you need to reference the original owner
akash
such a nice content about a recipe i really like ur blog i also write a blog
Kate
Thank you!
Bella
Thank you so much for these tips! I am starting my first food blog and this post was very helpful.
Kate
I’m glad it was! Thank you, Bella.
Amy
Kate, Thank you so very much for this and your other great article on starting a food blog. I’ll be starting mine within the month after thinking about it for years. It’s so hard to know where to start without guidance. My family has been testing out your recipes for awhile now and they’re always amazing (our fave is your thai red curry) … so when I found this article, it was already coming from a trusted source, and you didn’t disappoint.
Kate
I’m happy you have found it helpful! Thanks so much for the kind words, Amy. Good luck!
Kim Roy
I’m a Big Foodie. I love read blogs on food and it’s good to have tips and tricks for food bloggers. usually get all cooking tips will get on all channel but this kind of articles will not get thanks for sharing.
Kate
Thank you, Kim!
Tiffany Wallace
OMGosh I’m planning to start a blog soon and I have a ton of recipes and a ton more questions wanting information on what I need to do to get started.
Tiffany Wallace
Thanks sooo much! This is very helpful!
Kate
You’re welcome, Tiffany!
jek
Thx you for your information.
These are the Best Knife Roll
Kate
You’re welcome!
Rajat Kumar
Wonderful post. Today I just felt like running out of ideas on what to write…
Kate
Thanks!
Niva Shrestha
Love this 20 tips for food blogging post! Thanks for the helpful tips. I’m a new food blogger, so I’m trying to find all the help I can get!!
Kate
Wonderful, Niva! Thank you.
Advika Kapoor
very Nice blog and cooking tips is very good.
Kate
Thank you!
Custom Popcorn Boxes
What an amazing list of blogs! We’re launching our nutrition blog soon, so it’s great to connect with similar bloggers!
Kate
Thank you!
Kayla
I am starting a food blog as simply an outlet as a missionary. I want to share the food that I was able to share with the people. Is it ok to use people’s recipes while giving full and complete credit. Please give any advice as I am so new to this!
Buy Smoked Salmon Online
Thank you for sharing these tips for food blogging.This will help a lot of aspiring food bloggers.
Kate
You’re welcome!
Machael Cronin
Hi Kate! Thank you for the tips. I have been blogging in a little while. Number 18 was brand new to me. Thank you so much. BTW always love your recipes. Only use the vegan ones but they are always good.
Kate
I’m glad this was helpful! Glad you are enjoying my recipes!
chris
This is very nice! Makes me feel I’m a pro lol.
Kate
Thank you, Chris!
Anna Hettick
Thank you for this post! I am trying to grow my blog and these tips are so good!!!
Kate
Glad it was helpful, Anna!
Kristy Jones
Thanks for this info!! Just starting a blog and I’m so excited; this was all very helpful!
Kate
Happy to hear that, Kristy!
Indian Online Recipes
Thanks for sharing this great info. This is really gonna help me out in making my blog a great one. Keep posting such content because I have started following your blogs.
Kate
You’re welcome!
Alisson Kalel
Really good list!!
Kate
Thank you, Alisson!
PiZZERiA
Thanks For Sharing.
Really Helpful Content For Me.
Kate
Happy to hear that!
Floria lena
Really Helpful Content For Me.
Kate
Great to hear!
Ganesha Restaurant
It is really very helpful content specially relates with food. Will suggest to others for follow this.
Kate
Thank you!
Rajinder Singh
Really, this content depicts a great recipe and tips are helpful in this blog.
Kate
Thank you!
Royal Thai
Awesome tips you have shared here. Thank you to suggest the tips.
Kate
Thank you!
Amy
Thank you Kate! I am new to blogging full-time and working on cleaning up my older, not so great content and getting my blog to be what I envision it can really be! All of these tips are so helpful!
Kate
I’m glad to hear that, Amy! Good luck!
Ana Durand
Wonderful tips! thank you for sharing. It’s always wonderful to see established bloggers (business women really) talk about what they’ve learned.
Thanks for giving back!
BR,
Ana
Kate
Thank you so much, Ana! I appreciate that.
ash
Thank you for these wonderful tips. It was very helpful for as i am going to start my new blog.
Love from India!
Kate
Great to hear, Ash!
Jack William
Thank you for the amazing blogging tips. I’m inspired to have a go at food blogging after reading.
Kate
Good luck, Jack!
Haleema
Thank you for these amazing tips and all the wonderful recipes you share, especially the sweet treats!
Kate
You’re welcome, Haleema!
Sarita
Hey Kate,
Thanks for putting this huge information for all the aspiring food bloggers. I do have a blog myself and find the whole experience overwhelming. Its only the love of food and inspiring people like you that help me continue on this journey. Thanks again :)
Kate
You’re welcome!
Tim
Hello,
That thank you for the great tips! My question is more about substantive topics to write about. Should I use a blog to write restaurant reviews, share recipes, give kitchen tips, provide instruction about cooking, etc.; or should i focus on one thing? And, do you have any other topics suggestions? Thank you so much for your help!!
Mejwani Recipes
Thanks for the info. I just need this. I will not give up and will stick to it. I know one day i will be successful blogger.
Kate
Good luck!
Caitlyn | Withcaitlyn
What a great post! I am just starting out and this will definitely help!
If I take different recipes and make it my own, do I also have to link back to them? Like I take part of the marinade from the one and part of the other?
I often just read recipes for inspiration and bake without one. Is that alright?
Thank you for this!
Kate
I’m glad it’s helpful, Caitlyn! You do want to give credit as a rule of thumb, but it also depends on the recipe copyright. If you create your own, that’s fine to not provide credit.
kealey
Thank you so much for the helpful tips! I have used these tips to help updated one of my friends blogs for her customized Charcuterie business. I would love if you could check it out!
Thanks!
Kate
You’re welcome, Kealey!
Tracey
Hi there! I’m a fan of your blog and so appreciative for your tips for new bloggers (and your recipes, of course!), of which I will be soon! First I need to get my recipes into a good program that will work well with my new blog and wondering what you use. Some people like BigOven and it looks like it might work well with WordPress, but I’d be happy for any advice on that that you can share! It all seems a bit intimidating, as I’m not tekkie, but I’m gonna give it a try.
Thanks so much!!
Kate
You’re welcome, Tracey!
Cherie
Thank you so much for this information, it is very well written and informative. I have just found your blog and am thrilled … it’s wonderful and very inspiring.
Kate
Welcome! I’m happy this was helpful, Cherie.
Robert Jackson
You made a good site and giving us such a good information on this topic it’s a very interesting one. Thanks for sharing the best posts they amazing.
Kate
You’re welcome, Robert!
Larry Alton
Nice food blog list thanks for sharing. It’s really helpful for me thanks again
Kate
You’re welcome, Larry!
Chainlink
Wow! That’s incredible!
Dose this compete or have anything to do with a substitute for the keto diet?
Kate
Hi! I’m not an expert with the keto diet, sorry!
Rinn
Thank you for your insightful list! These tips help new food bloggers like myself feel encouraged. I am planning carefully through this again and insure that I am incorporating them as I am just starting out and am working to get my name and blog out there.
Warmly,
Rinn
Kate
You’re welcome!
Giselle
I’m just starting out and muddling through the process of setting up a food blog. It’s so much more complicated than I thought, but your site has been super helpful! Thank you for your tips…and those amazing recipes!
Kate
I’m glad this is helpful, Giselle!
Morgan @ Gowell Health
Thank you for sharing this very nice post awesome keep sharing.
Kate
You’re welcome, Morgan!
Ogechukwu
Hello, Kate. Your post is very informative. I actually bumped into your site while researching what I needed to start a food blog. I’m still looking. What do I need to start and make a food blog successful beyond just the domain name, hosting and others? Like cooking items and appliances and photography or video setup. I would be grateful if you could help me with that.
Thank you.
Courtnie Cobb
I found this blog very interesting and exciting because I am working on creating my own blog where I will be critiquing different brands of ranch. I found your post very informative because it helps me know the best way to write my own posts.
bblfoods1997
This blog will be used for me. This site will be used for food factory related machine items. Thanks for sharing your information
Raquel
Thank you for the encouraging tips! I am new to the food blog business and am excited to get going!
yumzen
I want to start a food blog thanks to sharing your valuable thoughts with us. I will keep this in mind.
Lauren
This is just the guidance I needed! Thank you so much for all your wonderful content and practicing what you preach! I am currently switching my new foodblog to wordpress and girl I am struggling!
Malika
Thanks for sharing good .
Liz Durham
I collect a lot of recipes via Pinterest. I see lots of bloggers saying things like “I love to share recipes.” But that’s ambiguous. Sometimes they clearly state they’ve adapted a recipe from a published cookery writer, but other times they seem to imply it’s their recipe, or their mother’s or grandmother’s, but I suspect is more likely Irma Rombauer’s, if you catch my drift. I get that some bloggers have a culinary background, but others, not so much. I have also seen recipes described in such a way, that it is clear the blogger has never actually cooked or baked the item in question. Is it a given that most bloggers are using someone else’s recipe?
Kate
Hey Liz, that’s a great question. I can’t speak for other bloggers, just for me. I hope it’s not a given that most bloggers are using someone else’s recipes! The generally accepted rule of thumb I’ve heard is that you can’t call a recipe your own unless you’ve made three substantial changes to the ingredients/method. I wouldn’t share the recipe as my own at that point, anyway—I’m careful to always attribute my sources of inspiration. I think that we as bloggers can lift each other up by sharing ideas and sources for those ideas, rather than claiming to be magical recipe genies with all the good ideas. :)
I don’t share someone else’s recipe unless it’s from a cookbook that I’ve been asked to promote and given permission to share. Recipe copyright says that you can’t copyright the ingredients list or basic details like “preheat the oven to 350 degrees.” If a recipe contains substantial tips/commentary in a person’s own voice, those bits are copyrighted. I wish it went further than that. Anyway, complicated subject, hope this helps.
Liz Durham
Thanks Kate. I think that helps clear up what is essentially some murky territory…
Tanu rathore
your blog was really helpful.
Owoeye taiwo
I’m new to food blogging. Thanks for the tips.
simon andrew
Thank you for the amazing blogging tips. I’m inspired to have a go at food blogging after reading and seeing your website.
Kate
You’re welcome, Simon!
Sharmilarock
Awesome your blog is very interesting . Thank you
Nyasha
Great post and thank you as I needed this. I’m only a month in but am looking for more advice for my spicy food website, Nyam with Ny. I just need to keep trying and pushing myself!
Ujjal Dey
Fantastic tips……Really nice post.
Kate
Thank you! I’m happy you loved it.
KaraluMiryal
Thank You!
Nice tips and Great advice . I would be very much happy if you check my work as same as your’s.
Food Break
Thank you for your beautiful blog. I patiently read.
Foodbreak info
Kate Dahaiya
Cookie is my boyfriend nickname and mine is Kate I was like omg this website sounds. Too sweet
Kirti
Hey… This is kirti.. Awesome blog. Truely useful, the links provided are much interesting and easy way of looking and enhancing the passion.
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Megan
Thanks for the info! I have seen many blogs that say, “I found this recipe in such and such cookbook…” or “This recipe is from so-and-so’s blog…”. It sounds like this isn’t acceptable though? If you’re baking cakes, for example, you need to come up with all your own recipes?
Asma
Hi Kate! Thanks for such useful tips. I am a housewife and m eager to make my own blog but don’t know how to make it .may u help me for this?regards
Kate
Hi! Sorry, I wish I could help everyone who was wanting to start a blog. I tried to provide the best insight I could in this post. Good luck!
Precious Chika
Hey there,
I’m totally new to all of this andi would like to say that this post has really opened my eyes to a lot of down sides. This post is 100% what I needed.
Thanks a lot. I would get right on all of these tips and with time my project (blogspot on food) will yield a very good progress.
Thanks one again.
Nick Wilson
Food safety is very important especially for kids. Their immune system is not fully developed so it’s really important to take care of their food and food safety . It was really an informative article. All food business owners should provide proper food safety training to their staff to ensure food safety and hygiene. Thanks for sharing this article.
CupofTiah
I love this! Thank you so much for this post, it has given me some good advice for growing my new blog. This blog was actually one of my inspirations for getting started!
Debjani
Hi… I’m glad to read this.I’m a simple home maker.I want to do something for me…kind of food blogs. I don’t have idea about food bogs but I think this blog will help me. Thanks
malika
Great work
Elite Cooker
Awesome blogging tips and guides. Thank you
Cheri
Kate, I just wanted to personally thank you for posting the information on blogging. Your enthusiasm is contagious and knowledge shared is inspiring. I love your site. I have made many of your recipes. We have enjoyed every single one! Thank you for taking the time to share your ideas, knowledge, and delicious recipes!
AndrewAlpha
Thanks for the blog. Personally I say confidence is key to making a good meal even though it tastes otherwise, haha. I made my first proper ultimately amazing meal that blew my mind and i attribute it to you as well as my chopbox.
Numnum
Great post Kate!
-Numnum from bakeeatsmilerepeat.com
mercy
Hi, I really learnt a lot from your post. I hope to have a fulfilled blog like yours one day.
My Food
Thanks for sharing a Great all food blogs, such A nice detail is mention here…….