Starting a food blog is exciting—especially when you have recipes to share, photos you’re proud of, and maybe even dreams of turning it into a business. But like any online venture, the beginning comes with a learning curve. Here are 10 of the most common mistakes new food bloggers make, and how to avoid them.
1. Skipping Keyword Research
The mistake: Writing posts without thinking about what people are actually searching for.
The fix: Use free tools like Google’s autocomplete, Ubersuggest, or the Detailed SEO Extension to find terms your audience is searching. Target one keyword per blog post and make sure it’s in your title, URL, and headings.
2. Not Having a Clear Niche
The mistake: Posting everything from smoothies to slow cooker meals to sourdough—without a consistent focus.
The fix: Narrow down your niche. Are you focusing on gluten-free baking? 30-minute dinners? Vegetarian comfort food? A clear focus helps you build authority and attract a loyal audience.
3. Publishing Recipes Without Testing Them Enough
The mistake: Sharing a recipe that worked once, without testing variations or ensuring consistency.
The fix: Test your recipes multiple times. Include detailed notes and possible substitutions. Readers expect reliable results, and your credibility depends on it.
4. Ignoring SEO Basics
The mistake: Forgetting about title tags, meta descriptions, alt text for images, and proper heading structure.
The fix: Format each post with SEO in mind. Use an H1 for your title, H2s for your sections, and always write alt text for every image—even if it’s just “chocolate chip cookies on a cooling rack.”
5. Not Investing in Good Photography
The mistake: Posting dark, blurry, or unappetizing photos.
The fix: You don’t need a DSLR to get started, but you do need good lighting. Shoot near a window during the day, use a white foam board to reflect light, and keep your background clean and consistent. For an example of excellent food blog photography, check out Bake Cook Repeat.
6. Using a Complicated Blog Layout
The mistake: Visitors can’t find your recipe, contact info, or categories.
The fix: Keep your layout simple and intuitive. Include a homepage, about page, blog section, recipe index, and contact form. Make sure your recipes are easy to scroll through and your fonts are legible. For help with great food blog web design, check out this resource.
7. Overlooking Mobile Optimization
The mistake: Your site looks great on desktop but is hard to navigate on mobile.
The fix: Use a responsive theme and regularly check your site on your phone. Make sure your buttons, text, and images scale properly.
8. Forgetting About Email Marketing
The mistake: Relying only on Instagram or Pinterest to keep your readers coming back.
The fix: Start collecting emails early. Offer a free recipe eBook or meal planner as a lead magnet, and use a platform like Flodesk or MailerLite to stay in touch with your audience.
9. Posting Inconsistently
The mistake: Publishing three posts in one week… then disappearing for a month.
The fix: Create a realistic schedule. Even once a week (or every other week) is enough if you’re consistent. Use batching and scheduling tools to stay ahead.
10. Trying to Do Everything at Once
The mistake: Learning SEO, Instagram Reels, Pinterest strategy, web design, and monetization all in month one.
The fix: Focus on one thing at a time. Get your blog structure and a few solid posts live. Then add SEO. Then learn Pinterest. You’ll burn out trying to master it all at once.
Final Thoughts
Food blogging isn’t just about posting recipes—it’s about building trust, creating value, and slowly turning readers into returning visitors. Avoiding these common mistakes will save you time, help you grow faster, and make the whole process more enjoyable.
If you’re a new food blogger, start small, stay consistent, and don’t be afraid to learn as you go.
