Blogging in Nigeria is no longer just a side hobby, it’s now a profitable career and business model.
Many Nigerians are turning their passion for writing, sharing knowledge, or building an online brand into a steady income stream.
But one question almost every beginner asks before they start is:
“How much does it cost to start a blog in Nigeria?”
The answer depends on your budget, the tools you choose, and your blogging goals.
In this detailed guide, you will get a complete cost breakdown, budget-friendly options, premium setups, and tips to save money while still building a blog that looks professional and makes money.
What “Starting a Blog” Really Means
When we talk about “starting a blog,” it’s not just about typing posts and hitting publish. There are a few essential things you need to set up first:
- Domain name – Your blog’s web address (e.g., www.yourname.com).
- Web hosting – The online space where your blog’s files are stored.
- Blogging platform – A tool like WordPress that lets you publish and manage your content.
- Website design – Themes, colors, layout, and branding.
- Plugins – Extra features like SEO tools, backups, and security.
- Marketing – Promoting your blog so people can find and read it.
Each of these can be done cheaply or expensively depending on your budget and preferences.
Major Costs of Starting a Blog in Nigeria
A. Domain Name
- Domain name is unique web address people type to find your site.
- Average cost in Nigeria (per year):
.com→ ₦8,000 – ₦15,000.com.ng→ ₦5,000 – ₦8,000.ng→ ₦9,000 – ₦15,000
- Where to buy: Whogohost, DomainKing, Truehost, Namecheap, GoDaddy.
- Money-saving tip: Some hosting companies offer a free domain for the first year if you buy hosting from them.
B. Web Hosting
- Web Hosting is server space where your blog lives online.
- Average cost in Nigeria (per year):
- Shared hosting → ₦20,000 – ₦40,000
- Cloud hosting → ₦40,000 – ₦100,000
- WordPress hosting → ₦30,000 – ₦60,000
- Popular Nigerian hosting companies: Whogohost, SmartWeb, HostNowNow, Truehost.
- Popular international hosting companies: Hostinger, Bluehost, SiteGround.
- Money-saving tip: Shared hosting is cheapest for beginners and works fine for new blogs.
C. Website Theme & Design
- Free themes: Available in WordPress, but may have limited customization.
- Paid themes: ₦20,000 – ₦60,000 (one-time or yearly fee).
- Why it matters: A good theme makes your blog look professional and helps with user experience.
D. Essential Plugins
Plugins add extra features to your blog. Many are free, but premium ones can boost performance and SEO.
Examples:
- SEO: Rank Math or Yoast SEO (Free or ₦20,000/year for pro)
- Speed: WP Rocket (₦25,000/year)
- Security: Wordfence or Sucuri (₦20,000/year)
E. Content Creation Tools
- Canva Pro – ₦5,000/month for professional designs.
- Grammarly Premium – ₦7,000/month for grammar checks.
- Keyword tools like Ubersuggest – ₦6,000/month for keyword research.
You can start with free versions and upgrade later.
F. Marketing & Promotion
Even the best blog won’t succeed if no one sees it.
- Social media ads → ₦5,000 – ₦50,000/month (optional but effective).
- Email marketing tools → ₦0 – ₦15,000/month.
Estimated Blogging Costs in Nigeria
1. Domain & Hosting Costs
| Budget Level | Domain | Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Low budget | ₦5,000 | ₦20,000 |
| Mid budget | ₦8,000 | ₦30,000 |
| High budget | ₦15,000 | ₦60,000 |
Note:
- Domain: This is your blog’s web address. Cheaper domains usually use less popular extensions, while premium domains or .com addresses cost more.
- Hosting: This is where your blog’s files live. Low-budget hosting offers basic speed and features, while high-budget hosting provides faster loading, more storage, and better security.
2. Theme & Plugins Costs
| Budget Level | Theme | Plugins |
|---|---|---|
| Low budget | Free | Free |
| Mid budget | ₦20,000 | ₦10,000 |
| High budget | ₦50,000 | ₦25,000 |
Note:
- Theme: The design and layout of your blog. Free themes work for beginners, but paid themes offer more customization, better SEO, and professional layouts.
- Plugins: These add extra features like SEO tools, security, or e-commerce. Premium plugins often provide better performance and dedicated support.
3. Extras & Total (Year 1)
| Budget Level | Extras | Total (Year 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Low budget | ₦0 | ₦25,000 |
| Mid budget | ₦5,000 | ₦73,000 |
| High budget | ₦15,000 | ₦165,000 |
Note:
- Extras: These include optional costs such as marketing, email tools, or premium stock photos.
- Total (Year 1): First-year expenses are higher because you buy one-time tools like themes and certain plugins. In the second year, renewal costs drop since you won’t be paying for those one-time purchases again.
Free Blogging Options in Nigeria
If you have ₦0 budget, you can start with:
- Blogger.com – Free hosting and subdomain.
- WordPress.com – Free plan with limits.
- Medium.com – Free, but less control over design and monetization.
Downside: You don’t own your domain, customization is limited, and monetization options are fewer.
How to Save Money When Starting Your Blog
- Buy hosting during discount seasons (Black Friday, New Year promos).
- Use free themes first and upgrade later.
- Install only essential plugins to avoid extra costs.
- Learn basic design skills instead of hiring a designer early.
Mistakes to Avoid When Budgeting
- Choosing the cheapest hosting without checking reliability.
- Ignoring renewal prices (some companies increase prices after year one).
- Spending on fancy design but nothing on marketing.
- Using pirated themes/plugins (illegal and risky).
Extra Costs for Professional Bloggers
If you want to scale quickly:
- Logo design → ₦5,000 – ₦30,000
- Premium SEO tools → ₦50,000+/month
- Content outsourcing → ₦5,000 – ₦20,000 per article
- Email automation → ₦20,000 – ₦50,000/month
Is Blogging in Nigeria Worth the Cost?
Absolutely. If you treat it as a business, blogging can pay for itself many times over. You can earn through:
- Google AdSense
- Affiliate marketing
- Sponsored posts
- Selling products or courses
Even a ₦25,000/year blog can grow into a 6-figure business with quality content and consistent promotion.