Blog categories made easy: how to choose categories that lead readers down the right rabbit holes

What blog categories are and why they matter

Blog categories are simply a way to organize your content so readers and search engines can easily understand what you write about. Each post can have zero, one, or several categories applied to it depending on where it naturally fits.

Think of your blog the way you think of a bookstore. Books aren’t placed on shelves at random. The cookbooks live in one area, functional medicine titles in another, and travel guides sit across from true crime. Categories create a sense of structure, and your blog works in the same way. They help group similar posts together so your content feels organized, intentional, and simple for readers to explore.

And just like a book can belong in more than one section, a blog post can comfortably live in multiple categories. A Mediterranean cookbook focused on longevity might sit in both “Travel” and “Health.” Categories allow that kind of flexibility in your own content, too.

How many categories should you have?

Most businesses only need zero to six categories. Some people who publish a very high volume of content may use more, but for most entrepreneurs, fewer feels cleaner and more helpful.

If you aren’t planning on blogging more than once a month, you probably don’t need categories right away. Wait until you have at least a dozen posts. By then, themes will start to appear and the right categories will feel obvious.

If you plan to blog more frequently, choosing your categories early can bring clarity and direction to your content. They help your blog stay organized as it grows, and you can always adjust them later. Plus, it’s much easier to have your designer (me) set them up for you, since it’s a bit of a tedious process.

Why categories help your readers

Your blog is a wonderful place for someone to go down a rabbit hole in the best way. Maybe you write about human design, mindfulness, and everyday routines. If a reader lands on one human design post and loves it, categories give them an easy way to find more on that topic without sifting through everything else.

For example, imagine someone finds your blog because of a post on gut health. If you have a Gut Health category, they can instantly explore all your writing on that theme, spending more time on your site and deepening their connection with your work. Categories help your readers move naturally from one meaningful piece of content to the next.

They also support your SEO by helping search engines understand the themes you write about most often. A clearly organized blog makes it easier for Google to match your posts with people searching for the topics you care about.

How to choose the right categories

Choosing categories early can act like a content compass. They help you brainstorm ideas, stay aligned with your audience, and create with intention.

Categories should feel broad, simple, and reflective of the content you plan to publish consistently. Think of them as themes, not specific post titles. Each category should be able to hold many posts over time.

For example, instead of using a long category name like “Tips for Supporting Your Hormones Naturally Through Nutrition,” you might choose “Hormone health” or “Nutrition.” Or instead of “Building Confidence as a Creative Entrepreneur,” something like “Mindset” or “Business growth” works beautifully. Short, clear names help readers quickly understand where they are within your blog.

Example categories for a business coach

Mindset
Business growth
Productivity
Human design
These areas are broad enough for ongoing content, yet focused enough to guide your readers with intention.

Example categories for a functional medicine provider

Hormone health
Gut health
Nutrition
Lifestyle medicine
Stress and nervous system support
Recipes
These categories reflect the core pillars of your work and offer a welcoming structure for readers who want to explore your expertise.

What I need from you

I’ll take care of setting up your categories inside your website. Your only task is to choose the ones that feel aligned with your business and the content you want to share.

Categories do not need to be perfect the first time. They can evolve as your work grows or shifts. Think of them as flexible containers that support your blog, not rigid commitments you’re locked into. They’re simply here to help your readers explore, learn, and feel at home in your world.

Now that you’ve got your categories, feel free to get a head start on brainstorming your first blog idea by reading “How to choose blog topics your audience truly wants to read“.