Q: I know this might be a bit on the personal side, but I’ve always wondered what goes on behind the scenes when it comes to running a successful blog. I’m sure a lot of readers just think you write up posts and conquer home improvement projects but from owning my own small business I know all about the “maintenance” (like taxes, health insurance, business licenses, etc). I don’t know if it’s something you’re willing to talk about but I’m sure there are a lot of other aspiring small business owners and bloggers who would like to learn about everything that goes into keeping YHL going. Thanks so much for the daily inspiration and all that “eye candy” as you call it! – Miranda
A: We thought this was a great question for our blogiversary. There’s a lot that happens behind the scenes to keep Young House Love running, and while some of it is mundane, it’s all part of making the blog a sustainable business. The payoff is getting to do what we love, even if that sounds a little corny.
When we started the blog, it was just a hobby to keep family and friends updated on our house projects. We didn’t have a business plan, and we learned most things by doing them—much like our approach to home improvement. As the site grew and became more than a weekend hobby, we had to learn how to run a small business. That included everything from taxes and insurance to choosing the right hosting and handling technical issues. With help from friends who run businesses and our accountant, we gradually became comfortable with the responsibilities of self-employment.
One of the first major changes was upgrading our hosting. In the early days we used an inexpensive shared host, which is a common choice for new blogs because it keeps costs low by sharing server resources across many sites. As our traffic grew, those shared resources weren’t enough and we experienced downtime and site performance problems. We eventually moved to a dedicated server, which improved reliability and allowed us to handle large surges of visitors during popular posts or giveaways. Moving two years of content and thousands of comments and images was stressful, but the site has run much more smoothly since the migration. Upgrading hosting can be a significant expense, but it’s essential for providing a consistent user experience for readers.
To keep pages loading fast and reduce risk, we also use a separate image hosting solution. Storing images on a cloud server helps distribution and accessibility, especially for readers who may view the site from work or school networks. While cheaper image hosts exist, we found that a dedicated cloud storage service offered the reliability we needed. That cost scales with the number of images and the site’s overall traffic, so it’s another recurring business expense to plan for.
Taxes were one of the biggest adjustments. As self-employed bloggers, we pay quarterly federal and state taxes on the income we earn. That requires discipline: instead of assuming every dollar in the bank is available for spending, a portion needs to be set aside regularly to cover taxes. Hiring an accountant was a game changer. An experienced accountant helps with estimated quarterly payments, record keeping, and tax strategy, which is especially helpful when you’re new to running a business. Paying an accountant quarterly costs more than an annual tax filing, but it’s worth it for the guidance and peace of mind.
Health insurance is another major consideration. As our own employers, we now pay for our own coverage rather than relying on a company plan. Finding a plan was straightforward—we researched options for freelancers and compared recommendations—but the monthly cost is noticeably higher than when we were covered through an employer. Even so, having reliable health coverage is invaluable, particularly with a family to protect.
Retirement savings also shifted from employer-managed plans to self-directed options. We contribute to a SEP (Simplified Employee Pension) plan, which allows us to set aside a percentage of our income for retirement. Learning how to manage retirement accounts was an important part of becoming financially responsible for our future. It turns out that researching and choosing a plan can be rewarding, especially for people who enjoy taking a hands-on approach.
There are also regular business requirements like maintaining an LLC and paying for a business license. These annual filings and fees are typical for a small company and help formalize the blog as a legitimate business. If you’re starting a blog as a business, checking county and state government resources and consulting with a lawyer or accountant can clarify what’s required in your area.
On the technical side, we occasionally hire programmers to fix bugs or improve site functionality. We also invest in equipment—better cameras, faster computers, or video gear—to enhance content quality. Those purchases can delay home projects when budget priorities shift, but they improve the blog’s overall presentation and reader experience.
Producing regular content means we’re constantly working on projects. Even small DIY posts require materials and time, so we budget for frequent makeovers and creative projects. Running a home-improvement blog means regular trips to stores like hardware and craft shops, and it’s part of the ongoing cost of creating fresh content for readers.
So, while the blog doesn’t manage itself, the effort is rewarding. Running Young House Love requires attention to hosting, image delivery, taxes, insurance, retirement planning, legal maintenance, technical fixes, and equipment investments, but it allows us to share our projects and connect with readers every day. We’re grateful for everyone who visits and supports the site—it makes all the behind-the-scenes work worthwhile.
Update – We often get requests for detailed, practical information about starting and growing a blog, so we put together a guide that explains how to start a blog, increase traffic, and eventually turn it into a full-time job. If you’re curious about the practical steps we took, that resource covers the essentials for aspiring bloggers.