I want to start a cannabis-focused blog, but I’m stuck on where to build it as I have no coding experience. I’m not sure if I should just use something simple like Wix/WordPress.com, or go the self-hosted WordPress route with a host like Hostinger or Bluehost. Do you guys have a recommendation on where a beginner should start? Would there be any issues I should know about when it comes to advertising or monetizing cannabis content? Ideally I'd like to keep it relatively cheap for a first time thing as I obviously can't guarantee a return. How did you guys start your first blog?
Cannabis Blog Beginner
- Thread starter codizzle
- Start date
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- Tags
- beginner advice blogging
- Nov 6, 2025
- 151
- 48
Start with self-hosted WordPress (e.g., Hostinger). Expect major ad/monetization restrictions (no Google Adsense, strict affiliate programs).
ShenAgency
BANNED
- Oct 10, 2025
- 123
- 20
I don’t know what your goal is, but it looks like your blog is going to face quite a lot of restrictions. That said, if you’re building a website and don’t know how to code, WordPress is definitely the best choice. As for hosting, there are plenty of options available.
- Jul 3, 2016
- 1,172
- 5,610
You will want to control as much as possible, so use WP org, not WP com.
Watch WP academy tutorials to learn it all in a day.
My opinion would be to grab a com domain and 1 year of hosting from namecheap. Both will be less than $20 total for the next 3 days during their sale.
So cost is only $20 for a year to get started, then you can upgrade to better hosting if you start getting lots of traffic.
Email related companies and ask them to sponser you in different ways such as products to review, partnerships, giveaways, etc.
Use free keyword research tools to get a mix of short and longtail keywords that people search for and use those in blog titles and content.
Use free social media and other sites to promote cheaply without using graphic words or images as much as possible to avoid bans or post deletions. Keep it simple like "do you fertilize weekly or daily?"
Good luck, cant go wrong for $20 and you will learn a lot!
- May 13, 2013
- 6,961
- 1,959
You don't need to worry about this
Worry more about the content
Get a mate in-house to do a 50 USD wordpress blog and you are set to go
This helps you to avoid wasting time while concentrating on the most important --content
gardenmariena
Newbie
- Sep 8, 2023
- 44
- 11
As a beginner,It is best to use self hosted WordPress with a budget friendly host like Hostinger or Bluehost for flexibility and control.Since Google Ads will not support cannabis content,monetize via affiliate programs,sponsored posts or niche ad networks,keeping costs low and growing gradually.
- Sep 17, 2025
- 301
- 144
Dont use WP
Start with self-hosted WordPress on cheap hosting (Hostinger/Namecheap) because cannabis content is restricted on Wix/WordPress.com. For monetization, AdSense is limited, but you can earn with affiliate programs, Ezoic, MGID, and CBD/vape product partnerships.
- May 2, 2010
- 9,940
- 16,043
Don't pay anything, and make an impact right away with a sharing and rich community of users. Choose something like tumblr, which is perfect, for all types of blog posts about that subject. You can convert to a .com of your choosing, or just start with the tumblr/username format.
It won't cost you a penny, and you can jump start your business with the interactivity and engagement that the site offers. Instead of starting a wordpress blog in the wild and waiting weeks before you get your first visitor, then weeks before the second! lol
It won't cost you a penny, and you can jump start your business with the interactivity and engagement that the site offers. Instead of starting a wordpress blog in the wild and waiting weeks before you get your first visitor, then weeks before the second! lol
- Dec 26, 2024
- 106
- 76
Start with self-hosted WordPress on a host that allows cannabis content (many don't). Check their terms first. Use a .com domain, not .io or others, for better trust. Avoid any platform that can shut you down easily, like Wix or WordPress. com.
For monetization, Google Adsense will ban you. Look into niche ad networks like Mantis or affiliate programs from grow light brands, seed banks, or CBD companies. They pay via direct bank transfer, not PayPal, which often blocks cannabis transactions.
Content-wise, focus on growing guides, strain reviews, and legal updates. These have search volume and are less likely to get flagged. Avoid anything about consumption or dosage, stick to cultivation and education.
For monetization, Google Adsense will ban you. Look into niche ad networks like Mantis or affiliate programs from grow light brands, seed banks, or CBD companies. They pay via direct bank transfer, not PayPal, which often blocks cannabis transactions.
Content-wise, focus on growing guides, strain reviews, and legal updates. These have search volume and are less likely to get flagged. Avoid anything about consumption or dosage, stick to cultivation and education.
omarali01142003
Newbie
- Nov 6, 2025
- 21
- 7
I’d go with self-hosted WordPress (Hostinger or Bluehost) even as a beginner—much more flexible than Wix/WordPress.com. I started my first niche blog this way, kept costs low with a basic hosting plan, and used free themes/plugins.
For cannabis content, ad options are limited (AdSense won’t allow it), so focus on affiliate marketing or newsletters. Starting small with consistent content worked for me, and scaling later was easy.
- Sep 29, 2025
- 185
- 36
Better choose a simple platform. WP is fine. Choose the lowest rates at the start, do not waste money for nothing. Do not be afraid of taking some nice ideas of other people's blog and transform it into your own. Read the platform rules carefully before you try promoting yourself in any way.
D
Deleted member 731332
Guest
I’ve been in a similar niche for a very long time. It can be brutal getting shut down by hosting. I got shut down a lot in the beginning. So much that I just went to unmanaged vps, and then dedicated servers. These are tough niches and sometimes it feels like the hate is personal not because of any actual legal concern.
Anything self hosted is going to be what you want to start with. Because you don’t know about web development but you want to build websites you need to learn the basics:
HTML and CSS this will help you massively when it comes to designing your website.
As for the CMS, Wordpress is a no brainer. Start with Wordpress 100% I am still using Wordpress and woo commerce plugin for selling products nearly 15 years later.
Anything self hosted is going to be what you want to start with. Because you don’t know about web development but you want to build websites you need to learn the basics:
HTML and CSS this will help you massively when it comes to designing your website.
As for the CMS, Wordpress is a no brainer. Start with Wordpress 100% I am still using Wordpress and woo commerce plugin for selling products nearly 15 years later.
artur core
Regular Member
- Nov 24, 2016
- 426
- 153
I had an HHC / THC Blog a while ago. It was a pain in the ass with all those german laws and restriction. Check it before you start.
D
Deleted member 731332
Guest
It’s not going to grow when it gets deleted because of the content. Moderated platforms are not advised.
- Nov 11, 2018
- 12,058
- 10,828
I have a canni blog. The problem is for most money keywords big health sites rank due to their very high(no pun intended) authority. I have more then a dozen blogs so i guess its ok to get some traffic as it's not my main blog. So yeah do some keyword research find out what you sonna write about about and what's already ranking. If you see lots of high authority sites I would suggest don't try to outrank them because you can't. It does not matter how good your content is.
Hosting and domain is least of the problem with this canni niche.
Hosting and domain is least of the problem with this canni niche.