Technical Blogging: How I Built Authority & Traffic as a Developer (From 0 to 79,000+ Impressions)

When I published my first technical blog post a few years ago, I thought nobody would read it. Today, my blog generates over 79,000 impressions per month, ranks at position 6 for hundreds of keywords, and has opened doors I never thought possible.

In this guide, I'll show you how to build a successful technical blog as a developer - even if you think you "can't write." I'll share my complete journey, my biggest mistakes, and the exact strategy that worked.

Why Developers Should Blog (Spoiler: It's Not About Writing)

Let me be honest: I'm not a "born writer." I'm a developer. Code is my language. But a technical blog has changed my career more than any other skill I've learned.

What technical blogging has brought me:

• Job offers without applying: Recruiters find you through your articles
• Network effects: Other developers contact you for collaborations
• Learning in public: I understand code better when I write about it
• Passive income: Affiliate links, sponsorships, own products
• Speaking opportunities: Conferences invite you
• Authority building: You're perceived as an expert
• Documentation for myself: I google my own articles!

The most important point: A blog is your digital portfolio. Better impact than any resume.

The Biggest Lie About Technical Blogging

"You need to be a good writer" - Bullshit. The best technical blogs aren't written by professional authors, but by developers who solved a problem and want to help others.

You don't need:

• ❌ Perfect grammar (I have typos in my most successful posts)
• ❌ A literature degree
• ❌ "Talent" for writing
• ❌ A large audience to start

You need:

• ✅ A problem you've solved
• ✅ Willingness to share your knowledge
• ✅ Consistency over 6+ months

My Journey: From 0 to 79,000+ Impressions

Transparency is important to me, so here are my real numbers and timeline:

Month 0-3: The Rocky Start

• First article: 5 views (3 from myself)
• Wanted to quit already
• Had no idea about SEO
• Wrote about things that interested me (not what was being searched)

Month 4-6: The First Breakthrough

• An article about a Supabase problem went viral on Reddit
• Suddenly 1,000 views in one day
• Realized: Problem-solving content works
• Started with keyword research

Month 7-12: Systematic Growth

• Focus on specific error messages
• One article reached top 10 rankings
• Traffic grew to 50-100 clicks/day
• First affiliate earnings: €47/month

Month 13+: Scale & Authority

• Multiple articles ranking in top 10
• 79,822 impressions per month
• 1,529 clicks over 12 months
• Job offers through blog
• Hacker News front page with one post

Key learning: The first 6 months are hard. Nobody reads your content. But if you persevere, the compound effect comes.

The 3 Types of Technical Blog Content (and Which Actually Work)

Not all technical content performs equally. Here are the three main categories and their success rates:

1. Problem-Solution Posts (Best Performance)

What it is: Articles that solve a specific technical problem

Examples:

• "Supabase Row-Level Security Error: Complete Fix"
• "CORS Error in Next.js API Routes - 5 Solutions"
• "PostgreSQL Connection Pool Exhausted - How to Fix"

Why it works:

• Clear search intent (user has a problem NOW)
• High conversion rate
• Less competition for specific errors
• Developers google error messages directly

My experience: My most successful article (79k impressions) is a problem-solution post. It ranks for over 100 related keywords.

How to find topics:

• Stack Overflow: Questions with many views, few good answers
• GitHub Issues: Common problems in popular repos
• Discord/Slack tech communities: What's frequently asked?
• Your own debugging sessions: What did you solve today?

2. Tutorial/How-To Guides (Good Performance)

What it is: Step-by-step instructions for specific use cases

Examples:

• "Build a Real-time Chat with Supabase and Next.js"
• "Docker Compose Setup for Production"
• "Implement OAuth with GitHub in 15 Minutes"

Why it works:

• Developers learn by doing
• Can be saved as boilerplate
• Good potential for backlinks (others link to tutorials)

Challenge: Higher competition, must be very good to rank

3. Concept Explanations (Moderate Performance)

What it is: In-depth explanations of concepts

Examples:

• "Understanding React Server Components"
• "Database Indexing Explained"
• "What is Row-Level Security?"

Why it's difficult:

• High competition (many explain the same basics)
• Official docs are often hard to beat
• Needs unique angle or exceptional quality

My tip: Focus on problem-solution posts at the beginning. They're the fastest path to traffic.

My Content-Creation Process (from Idea to Published)

Here's my exact workflow for every blog post:

Phase 1: Topic Selection (30 Minutes)

My rule: Only write about problems you've solved yourself.

Where I find ideas:

1. My own debugging history - I have a "Blog Ideas" note on my phone - Every time I spend 30+ minutes on a problem → potential article - Other people's frustration = my content goldmine
2. Stack Overflow Mining - Search for questions in your tech stack - Filter: "Votes > 10, No Accepted Answer" - These problems still need good solutions
3. Reddit/Discord Observation - Which channels repeatedly have the same questions? - Those are your topics
4. Google Search Console - See which keywords you're already ranking for on page 2-3 - Write better content for these topics

Phase 2: Research & Outline (1 Hour)

1. Google the top 10 results for your keyword

• What do they all have in common?
• What's missing in all articles?
• Which format dominates? (Tutorial vs. Documentation vs. Explanation)

2. Create an outline

H1: Main Problem/Topic
Intro: What, Why, Who is this for (150 words)

H2: Quick Solution (for impatient readers)
- Code snippet
- Step by step

H2: Understanding the Problem
- Why does this happen?
- Context

H2: Detailed Solution
- Multiple approaches
- Code examples
- Screenshots

H2: Troubleshooting
- Common issues
- How to debug

H2: Best Practices
- How to avoid this problem
- Performance tips

Conclusion + Related Posts

3. Collect all code snippets and screenshots

• I never write without having the code examples ready
• Take screenshots immediately while debugging

Phase 3: Writing (2-3 Hours)

My writing setup:

• VS Code with Markdown plugin (familiar environment)
• No distractions (phone away, notifications off)
• First draft: Just write, don't edit

Writing rules for developers:

1. Write like you speak

• Imagine you're explaining it to a junior developer
• No fancy words needed
• Short sentences > long, complicated sentences

2. Code first, text second

• Developers want to see the code
• Too much text without code = people bounce
• Show, don't just tell

3. The sandwich method

• Brief explanation → Code → Explanation of what the code does
• Not: Long theory → then code

4. Assume intelligence, explain anyway

• Your readers are smart, but might not know every term
• Explain abbreviations on first use
• Links to further resources

Phase 4: Code Formatting (30 Minutes)

Including code snippets correctly:

DO:

• ✅ Use syntax highlighting
• ✅ Comments in code for important parts
• ✅ Complete, working examples (not just snippets)
• ✅ Specify language: ```typescript, ```python, etc.
• ✅ Copy button for code blocks

DON'T:

• ❌ Screenshots of code (not copy-pasteable)
• ❌ Too long code blocks without explanation
• ❌ Code without context ("here's the solution" → shows 200 lines of code)
• ❌ Incomplete snippets (missing imports, etc.)

My code structure:

// Filename.tsx
// Brief explanation of what this does

import React from 'react'

export function ComponentName() {
  // Your code here
  // with helpful comments
  
  return (
    // JSX
  )
}

Phase 5: SEO Optimization (30 Minutes)

Technical blogger SEO checklist:

Title tag:

• Keyword up front
• Mention tech stack if relevant
• Example: "Next.js CORS Error: 5 Solutions That Actually Work"

Meta description:

• Briefly describe problem + solution
• Call-to-action
• Example: "Fix CORS errors in Next.js API routes with these 5 proven solutions. Includes code examples and debugging tips. Works for Next.js 13+."

URL structure:

• Tech stack + problem
• Example: /nextjs-cors-error-fix
• Not: /blog/2023/12/15/how-to-fix-cors-in-nextjs-api-routes-complete-guide

Internal linking:

• Link to 3-5 related articles
• Shows Google your topical authority
• Keeps readers on your site longer

Phase 6: Publishing & Promotion (1 Hour)

Minimal promotion, maximum impact:

1. Google Search Console

• Submit URL immediately
• Request indexing

2. Relevant communities (no spam!)

• Post in subreddits where it's truly relevant
• Not: "Check out my article"
• But: "I spent 2 hours debugging this and found 5 solutions..."
• Hacker News for exceptional posts

3. Twitter/LinkedIn

• One post with key takeaway
• Thread format works well
• Relevant hashtags

4. Dev.to/Medium cross-post

• Post the article on Dev.to with canonical link too
• Reaches different audience
• Canonical link ensures your blog remains the original

Technical Blog Monetization: How I Make Money

Transparency: My blog currently generates €200-400/month. Not life-changing, but passive income for "writing in public".

1. Affiliate Marketing (40% of My Earnings)

What works:

• Amazon Associates: Tech books I recommend
• Tool affiliates: Hosting (DigitalOcean, Vercel), tools (Plausible, etc.)
• Course affiliates: Online courses I've taken myself

My rule: Only recommend what you actually use. Authenticity > short-term money.

Integration in content:

• Not: Banner ads everywhere
• But: Natural mentions in text
• Example: "For deeper understanding, I recommend [Book Name] (affiliate link)"
• Section at the end: "Recommended Resources"

2. Sponsored Posts (30% of My Earnings)

How sponsorships came to me:

• After 50k impressions/month: First email from tool providers
• They offered €200-500 for an article
• I declined if the tool wasn't good

My sponsorship rules:

• Must-use: I test the tool for at least 2 weeks
• Full disclosure: "This is a sponsored post" at the top
• Honest review: I also mention weaknesses
• No-follow links for sponsorships (SEO best practice)

3. Own Products/Services (20% of My Earnings)

What works for technical bloggers:

• Consulting/Freelancing: "Work with me" page
• Courses: In-depth video courses on blog topics
• Templates/Boilerplates: Sell your code templates
• Sponsorship tiers: Companies can book you for custom tutorials

4. Newsletter (10% Direct, But Most Important Asset)

Why newsletter is more important than you think:

• You "own" your audience (not dependent on Google)
• Direct communication channel
• Higher conversion for products/services
• Can be monetized later (sponsorships, paid tiers)

My newsletter setup:

• ConvertKit (free up to 1000 subscribers)
• Weekly/bi-weekly updates
• Content: Link to new post + 2-3 personal takes/learnings
• Opt-in: At the end of each post + popup on exit-intent

The Most Common Mistakes by Technical Bloggers (and How to Avoid Them)

Mistake #1: Writing Too Technically

The problem:
You write for experts, but 80% of your readers are intermediate-level.

The solution:

• Explain basics briefly, even if they seem trivial to you
• Use analogies for complex concepts
• "ELI5" section for difficult topics

Mistake #2: No Clear Call-to-Action

The problem:
Readers come, read, leave. No engagement, no newsletter signups.

The solution:

• Every post needs a CTA
• Variations: Newsletter, related posts, "work with me," GitHub star
• At the end AND after the first section

Mistake #3: Incomplete Code Examples

The problem:
Code snippets don't work standalone, missing imports, unclear context.

The solution:

• Show COMPLETE examples
• Provide code on GitHub
• Test your examples before publishing

Mistake #4: Posting Too Irregularly

The problem:
One post per quarter doesn't build an audience.

The solution:

• Minimum: 1 post per month
• Optimal: 2-4 posts per month
• Quality > quantity, but consistency wins

Mistake #5: No Maintenance of Old Posts

The problem:
Your article about React 16 isn't relevant in 2025.

The solution:

• Update old posts every 6-12 months
• Add "Updated for [Framework] version X"
• Google loves current content

Tools & Tech Stack for My Blog

Blogging platform:

• My choice: Drupal (because I know it)
• Recommendation for most: Next.js + MDX - Full control over design - Markdown for content - Deploy on Vercel (free) - Performance out-of-the-box
• Quick start: Ghost, WordPress - Less setup, focus on writing

Writing & editing:

• VS Code: Markdown with syntax highlighting
• Grammarly: Typo-catching (free version is enough)
• Hemingway App: Makes sentences more readable

SEO & analytics:

• Google Search Console: Must-have, free
• Plausible Analytics: Privacy-friendly, cleaner than Google Analytics
• Ahrefs/SEMrush: Optional, for keyword research (~$100/month)

Code formatting:

• Prism.js / Highlight.js: Syntax highlighting
• Carbon: For beautiful code screenshots (use sparingly!)

Images & screenshots:

• CloudShot: Annotated screenshots
• TinyPNG: Image compression
• Excalidraw: Diagrams and illustrations

Content Calendar: How I Plan 12 Months Ahead

My system:

I use a simple Notion database with these fields:

• Topic: Working title
• Status: Idea → Outline → Draft → Published
• Target keyword: Main keyword
• Estimated traffic: Low/Medium/High (based on search volume)
• Difficulty: Easy/Medium/Hard to rank
• Priority: Quick win / Strategic / Evergreen

My content-mix strategy:

60% Problem-solution posts

• Specific errors and fixes
• Quick wins, faster rankings
• Example: "Error XYZ in Framework ABC - Fix Guide"

30% Tutorial/how-to

• More comprehensive guides
• More work, but higher authority signal
• Example: "Build a Real-time App with [Tech Stack]"

10% Opinion/experience posts

• Personal takes, tech comparisons
• Less SEO traffic, but community building
• Example: "Why I Switched from X to Y"

How I Reached Hacker News Front Page (and What It Brought)

One of my posts made it to Hacker News front page. Here's what happened:

The article: A technical deep-dive about a niche problem

The traffic spike:

• Day 1: 12,000 visitors (normally 100/day)
• Day 2: 3,000 visitors
• Day 3: 500 visitors

Long-term effects:

• Domain authority boost: My blog now ranks better generally
• Backlinks: 20+ blogs linked to the article
• Newsletter growth: +300 subscribers in 3 days
• Job offers: 3 recruiter emails the week after

What I learned:

1. HN loves technical depth + unique insights
2. Clickbait does NOT work on HN
3. Timing matters (morning PST = best time)
4. Be active in comments (community engagement helps)

Community Building: The Underrated Multiplier

What I learned about technical blog communities:

Your blog alone isn't enough. Community massively amplifies your reach.

Where I build community:

1. Twitter/X (less important now, but still relevant)

• Share code snippets, quick tips
• Thread format for blog summaries
• Engage with other developers

2. LinkedIn (underrated for developers)

• Repost your blog content
• Works better than Twitter for "professional" topics
• Recruiters find you here

3. Discord/Slack communities

• Join tech-stack specific communities
• Help others (don't just promote your content)
• Natural mention of your posts when relevant

4. GitHub

• Open-source your blog code examples
• Link blog posts in README
• GitHub profile becomes more professional through blog link

5. Dev.to / Hashnode

• Cross-post with canonical links
• Reaches developer audience directly
• Less SEO benefits, but community exposure

FAQ: The Questions I'm Asked Most Often

Q: How long does it take to see first traffic?
A: Realistic timeline: 3-6 months for first organic traffic. My first post that ranked took 4 months. Patience is critical.

Q: Do I have to blog every day?
A: No! Quality > quantity. 1-2 good posts per month beats 20 mediocre ones. I publish 2-3x per month.

Q: Should I write in English or my native language?
A: English has larger audience but more competition. Native language has niche opportunities. My tip: English as main, native version for selected posts.

Q: Which blogging platform is best for developers?
A: Next.js + MDX if you want control. Ghost/WordPress if you want to start quickly. Drupal if you already know it (like me). Main thing: Start!

Q: How do I find time to blog alongside full-time job?
A: My system: 1 article = 4 sessions of 1 hour each. Early morning or Sunday. Not perfect, but consistent.

Q: Do you really make money with technical blogging?
A: Yes, but not immediately. After 12+ months and 50k+ impressions/month: €200-400/month passive through affiliates. After 24+ months: Potentially €1k+/month with sponsorships and own products.

Q: What if I have no unique ideas?
A: You don't need unique ideas. You need unique explanations. Every blog post about "useState" has been written - but YOURS with YOUR example is unique.

Q: How often should I update old posts?
A: Every 6-12 months for high-traffic posts. Add "Updated for [Framework] vX". Google loves fresh content.

Action Plan: Start Your Technical Blog in the Next 7 Days

Day 1: Setup (2 Hours)

• ☐ Buy domain (yourdomain.dev or yourdomain.com)
• ☐ Choose hosting/platform
• ☐ Basic design/theme setup
• ☐ Write about page

Day 2: First Post Planning (1 Hour)

• ☐ Identify problem from last week
• ☐ Google check: Is the problem being searched?
• ☐ Create outline
• ☐ Collect code examples

Day 3-5: Writing (3 Hours Total)

• ☐ Write first draft (2 hours)
• ☐ Code formatting (30 minutes)
• ☐ Screenshots/diagrams (30 minutes)

Day 6: SEO & Publishing (1 Hour)

• ☐ Optimize title/meta description
• ☐ Internal linking (if you already have other posts)
• ☐ Publish!
• ☐ Google Search Console: Submit URL

Day 7: Promotion (1 Hour)

• ☐ Twitter/LinkedIn post
• ☐ Relevant Reddit/Discord share
• ☐ Dev.to cross-post

Conclusion: Your Blog Is Your Digital Portfolio

Technical blogging has influenced my career more than any other side project. It brought me job opportunities, networking, passive income, and authority in my niche.

The most important takeaways:

1. You don't have to be a "writer" - You just need to have solved a problem
2. Problem-solution posts work best - Focus on that at the beginning
3. Consistency > perfection - Rather 1 post/month over 12 months than 5 posts then quit
4. SEO is important but not everything - Community building amplifies your reach
5. Monetization comes later - Focus on value in the first 6 months
6. Your blog is your portfolio - Better than any resume

The biggest hurdle is starting. You now have all the tools, strategies, and knowledge. The only thing missing: Your first post.

Start today. Not next week. Not when you're "ready." Now.

Your first task: Open your code editor and write the outline for your first post. 30 minutes. The problem you solved last week.

In 6 months, you'll be grateful you started today.

📚 Recommended Books for Technical Writers:

Technical writing & content:

• Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content - Content-writing basics
• On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction - Timeless writing handbook
• Show Your Work: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered - Learning in public

Developer marketing & growth:

• Traction: How Any Startup Can Achieve Explosive Customer Growth - 19 channels for traffic

Good luck with your technical blog! If you have questions or want to share your first posts, leave a comment.