Ever dreamt of sharing your travel adventures with the world? Maybe you’ve thought about starting a travel blog, but don’t know how to start a travel blog.
Don’t worry, I’ve been there, and I’m here to guide you on this exciting journey.
Starting your own blog isn’t just about posting pretty pictures, it’s about telling stories, inspiring others, and finding your travel niche. It can be a bit daunting at first, but with the right guidance, you’ll be up and running in no time.
So, buckle up, future travel bloggers! We’re about to embark on a thrilling ride to creating your very own corner of the internet. Let’s turn that passion for travel into a blog that resonates with readers around the globe.
Note: Everything mentioned here will be taught in an over the shoulder video series very soon. Visit TravelBlogging.com to get on the early notification list!
Already Have a Blog?
Transition your existing blog into a travel blog. Developing a solid content strategy is crucial to ensure your travel blog remains focused and engaging. If you find joy in sharing your travel experiences and have an existing blog already, take the leap and repurpose it into a travel blog. Use the 5-step strategy below to seamlessly do just that and transform it into a successful blog.
- Identify your passion and set your travel blog theme – Determine what about traveling exhilarates you the most. It might be food tourism, off-beaten paths, or business travel. Provide examples, like ‘locals’ favorite eateries,’ ‘hidden trails in Alaska’ when referring to your theme.
- Employ smart keyword research. Harness tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMRush. Generate a set of relevant, high-volume keywords, for example, “hidden gems in Paris” or “best business hotels in New York.”
- Create top-quality travel content. Diversify the types of posts you write. Don’t only stick to travelogue style. Try “Top 10” lists, detailed guides, resources posts, for instance, ‘Top 10 Street Foods to Try in Thailand,’ ‘A Complete Guide to Exploring Bali,’ or ‘Resources for Budget Travels in Europe.’
- Reorganize your blog reflecting travel categories. Categorize your content into relevant travel sections. For example, you may have categories such as ‘Travel Tips,’ ‘Destination Guides,’ ‘Travel Gear,’ etc. This improves navigation and user experience.
- Optimize old posts for travel. If your old posts hold relevance to travel, optimize them to fit your new direction. For instance, a post about hiking gear can be optimized with more specific details about ‘Essential Hiking Gear for Trekking the Alps.’
Incorporate constructive feedback: Don’t shy away from welcoming suggestions and criticism. View each as an opportunity for improvement, granting you the ability to refine the content over time, attracting more readers.
Collaborate with other travel bloggers or industry experts: When you feel ready, engage in collaborations. Contacts with fellow travel bloggers or even hospitality businesses can elevate your blog credibility, boosting visibility in the wider travel genre. For instance, you can guest post on a popular travel blog or work on a sponsored post with a resort.
Finally, remember that consistency is key in blogging. Even as you transition into the travel niche, continue crafting and delivering high-quality content regularly. Consider the fact that sustainable success does not come overnight — be patient and prepared to nurture your travel blog over an extended period.
The Travel Blogging Journey
Creating a successful travel blog requires planning and preparation. Equipping yourself with the right blogging tools can make the process smoother and more efficient. Let me guide you step by step on this journey, which we started a while back with All World Travel, starting from setting up your blog to creating awe-inspiring content.
Essential First Step to Start a Blog
Kick-start your travel blogging journey with the right set of tools by setting up a WordPress blog. Ensuring proper SEO optimization from the start can significantly boost your blog’s visibility. Your first task entails acquiring a domain name and reliable hosting. For this purpose, I personally recommend BlueHost, which offers not only an affordable solution but also throws in a free domain name as part of their package. You stand to benefit from a good deal of up to 60% off on their hosting plan.
Choose a Suitable Name for Your Travel Blog
Next, picking a suitable name for your travel blog proves crucial. It’s part of your brand identity and helps you stand out in the travel blogging niche. So, dive deep into your creative pool and come up with a name that resonates with your travel story and intended audience.
In the next section, we shall dive deeper into the realm of content creation because your stories are what will drive your travel blog. Stay with me on this amazing journey of starting a travel blog.
1. Pick a Name for Your Travel Blog
As we move further along the travel blogging journey, our next focus centers on christening your blog. Selecting a suitable name becomes as important as preparing the content itself, as it forms a crucial part of your brand identity. Let’s discuss a few essentials to keep in mind while picking the perfect name, especially if you aspire to become a professional travel blogger.
Make It Short & Memorable
The name of your travel blog, which also becomes your domain name, dictates how easily people can find, remember, and share your travel stories. It’s pivotal that its length remains manageable and its words, easy to spell. Take a moment to jot down words you associate with your blog. Is it adventure, culture, or centered around a specific geographical location like South America? These aspects form the essence of your blog. Give combinations a whirl, even making the thesaurus your ally and soliciting suggestions from friends. Remember, your aim is to form a domain name that rolls off the tongue and lingers in memory.
Avoid Hyphens & Numbers
In an era when domain names abound, maintaining originality may spawn temptations to resort to hyphens and numbers. I stress the importance of deferring from this tendency. A hyphen or a number disrupts the flow of speech and demands explanation when shared. Consider a scenario ahead:
POTENTIAL READER: “You have a travel blog? Cool! Where do I find it?”
YOU: “Oh, it’s expert hyphen vagabond the number 100 dot com.”
The fragmenting of the blog name hampers effective word-of-mouth marketing, an essential promotional tool in the world of travel blogging.
Avoid Overused Words & Similar Branding
The key is dodging trademarked names and hackneyed words in the industry proves beneficial. Names like Nomadic Bob, Adventurous Wendy, or Wandering Clarence, albeit interesting, don’t promise uniqueness in a field dominated by similar ideas. An original, if less common, name helps stand out amidst seasoned travel bloggers and potentially, yields better standing in the future.
Try to Think Long-Term!
Selection of your travel blog’s domain name calls for substantial thought, as alterations later present neither simplicity nor enjoyment. Choose wisely to prevent restrictions. Let’s say your blog is named Twenty-Something Travel but what evolves when you hit 30? Perception of your blog, hence, reflects careful branding. In the past, I transitioned my blog name to expertvagabond.com at three months in when, quite frankly, I was barely an expert. Propelled by passion, I projected my professional travel blogging aspirations onto my name, and hence, chose something I could grow into. Always envision the larger picture and factor longevity when naming your blog.
If you want to get an aged domain with some power (backlinks) or something memorable, consider purchasing through Odys.Global.
2. Get Hosting for Your Blog
When the name of your prospective travel blog sits well with you, the next step involves securing a reliable host to ensure optimal website performance. A hosting provider rents out server space to store aspects of your travel blog, including texts, images, videos, and related files that make up your blog. Connecting your blog to Google Analytics can help measure the success of marketing campaigns and track blog growth.
>>I recommend Siteground.com – they offer very cheap plans and reliable web hosting.
Choose a Reliable Hosting Provider
Countless hosting providers exist but the distinguishing factor remains performance. Select a host with an uptime of no less than 99.98% to minimize downtime – your blog’s offline periods.
Secure Their Services
Once the decision for an ideal host settles, proceed to purchase their services. By visiting their official website, on the homepage, click on the ‘get started’ button to initiate the setup stages.
Pick a Suitable Plan
Among several plans displayed, you might be indecisive. The basic plan suffices in most instances. Offering a single website option, it covers 50GB storage which would serve a beginner’s blogging needs amply. Upgrading, if the need arises later, always remains an option.
Match Your Domain Name
In this stage, plug in the creative name you have for your travel blog. To ensure domain name consistency, match your travel blog’s name with your inputted domain. For instance, if the travel blog’s name is “Travel Diary,” secure a domain name ‘traveldiary.com’ if available.
Fill Out Account Information
Complete the process by filling in required account information, selecting your account plan and preferences, and inputting your billing details. Most hosting plans offer a 30-day money-back guarantee if you change your decision within a month’s duration.
Install WordPress for Content Management
Upon securing a host, WordPress installation becomes necessary. Being the most popular content management system, it simplifies your blog’s operation, and managing your travel blog becomes effortless. Most hosts, including Bluehost, offer an easy WordPress installation process.
By the completion of these steps, you’ll have acquired a host for your travel blog. Remember, the aim always lies in offering appealing travel stories backed by incredible photos and experiences. A reliable host forms the backbone to this endeavor.
How to Set Up Your Travel Blog
Creating the foundation of your travel blog emerges as an integral part of becoming a successful travel blogger. A well-designed blog enhances user experience, making it easier for readers to navigate and enjoy your content. It involves steps like choosing a blogging platform, deciding on a blog design, configuring necessary settings, and preparing for initial blog post publication.
Choosing a Blogging Platform
Starting a blog becomes an easier task with the plethora of blogging platforms available today. WordPress comes as my recommendation since it powers 30% of all websites globally (source: W3Techs). WordPress offers a flexible, user-friendly, and robust system for crafting your travel blog.
Deciding on a Blog Design
Once you’ve settled for WordPress, the next action pertains to selecting a blog design. Hundreds of free and premium themes exist in WordPress. Opt for a clean, responsive design that resonates with your travel theme. Examples of popular themes include Divi, Astra, and OceanWP.
Configuring Necessary Settings
After choosing your design, set up some critical settings. Permalinks relate to your blog’s URLs for its content. Adjust them to a more SEO-friendly “post name” format. This change implies your blog’s posts depict descriptive texts instead of number-based identification. Another critical setting involves reading. Specify the number of posts appearing on your blog page and what each visitor sees when they land on your page.
Preparing for Initial Content Publication
Now with your travel blog almost set, prepare some initial content. Start with a catchy ‘About Me’ page to introduce yourself and the blog’s mission to your audience. Next, draft some blog posts on varying travel topics. Remember to engage your audience with compelling narratives, vivid pictures, and practical travel tips.
This structured approach to setting up your travel blog ensures a captivating, well-optimized online platform ready to welcome your potential readers, offering them a passport to your travel experiences.
3. Install WordPress Software
Stepping into the practical sphere of setting up your travel blog, learning to install the WordPress content management system on your hosting account is next in line. Not to worry though, the process is simpler than it may sound.
SiteGround Makes it Easy
Complete WordPress installation effortlessly with your SiteGround account, signifying there’s no manual legwork needed. Simply click a button, wait a few moments, and before you know it, the WordPress software is installed.
Welcome to your new outlet of expression – your travel blog. Gaining access to the WordPress dashboard happens with the help of your newly created username and password, allowing you to design, construct, and breathe life into your site.
Remember, there’s still more in store! This part of your travel blogging journey concludes, but remember, the next stage involves harnessing the WordPress interface to craft your enticing travel stories. Let’s buckle up and keep going.
4. Learn How to Use WordPress
Grasping the fundamentals of WordPress simplifies building and maintaining a travel blog.
WordPress breaks down into two main components: the dashboard and customization features. Mastering these two elements makes it easier to navigate and control the various WordPress functionalities.
4.1. Understanding the WordPress Dashboard
The WordPress dashboard serves as your command hub. From this central workspace, you can manage all aspects of your blog – from publishing posts to changing settings. The dashboard lets you:
- Control the website structure, including page creation and menu customization
- Publish and manage content, such as drafting blog posts, uploading images, or editing articles
- Optimize the SEO, by integrating plugins like Yoast SEO
- Monitor site performance, tracking views, visitors, and the most viewed posts
4.2. Customizing Your Blog
WordPress excels when it comes to personalization. The platform offers an array of themes, both free and premium, that you can play around with. The different customization options give you the foot up to:
- Select a blog theme that resonates with your travel niche – for instance, a clean, minimalist theme for a luxury travel blog.
- Adapt the structure of the blog to better suit your aesthetic by arranging widgets, tweaking colors, and placing menus.
- Incorporate tools and functionalities, such as inserting maps of your travel routes or a widget leading to your Instagram feed.
- Utilize plugins to add extra features like social sharing buttons or email subscription forms.
Being proficient in WordPress advances your travel blogging journey, steering you towards producing dynamic, compelling travel stories, much in contrast to merely recounting your daily adventures. Now, you are well equipped with the knowledge to fully utilize WordPress to manage and customize your blog, understanding what essential steps lead to a successful travel blogging venture.
5. Download a Professional Theme
Once the WordPress dashboard has become your new best friend, kickstart the visual appeal of your travel blog by selecting a professional theme. The theme informs the look and feel of your blog, visually translating your travel experiences, much like a canvas to a painter.
Choose a Professional Theme
Always engage a premium or professional theme for the travel blog. It ensures not just a visually appealing layout but also extends functionalities that free counterparts do not offer. Consider Avada, Divi, or Astra— a few out of the preferred 7,000+ available paid and free WordPress themes that vary in design, layout, and features. The selected theme should harmoniously mesh with the travel blog’s branding, content, and intended audience, remember those concepts from the previous sections?
Download and Install the Chosen Theme
Even though it sounds complex, downloading and installing a professional theme isn’t. First, purchase or select the preferred theme from the WordPress theme directory. With one click, the theme downloads right onto the travel blog platform.
Customize the Theme
Post the theme install, an array of customization options swings open. Modify colors that match your blog’s personality, arrange menus, decide on fonts, position headers, and experiment with many settings available until satisfaction ensues. This process in detailing personalizes the theme to align it with your vision of the travel blog.
You can also go with a premium theme if you want to make an additional investment. You can probably do it yourself if you are computer savvy, but you can find a cheap web developer on Upwork.com if you want any advanced features.
However, I do recommend using free themes until you start making money.
Update Regularly
Avoid downgraded user experience by keeping the theme updated. Whenever WordPress releases new versions, the theme’s developer often simultaneously launches updates to ensure seamless compatibility. Look out for WordPress notifications that indicate theme updates are available.
By investing time in learning WordPress and customizing a professional theme, a travel blog transforms from a simple visual diary into a compelling, immersive platform to share travel experiences.
6. Install Essential Plugins
Installing essential plugins adds functionality and enhances overall site functionality and user experience on a travel blog. Plugins augment the existing WordPress features, thus amplifying the visual and interactive elements. They assist in improving the website aesthetic and user engagement.
Select your plugins
Identifying the right plugins, added for their respective merits, forms the primary stage. For instance, ‘Yoast SEO’ helps with optimizing content for search engines. ‘Akismet’ assists in managing spam comments. ‘Jetpack’ contributes to site speed and security. Make a list and pick those that serve your purpose.
Download and Install Plugins
The next phase in the process involves downloading and installing the chosen plugins. On the WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins -> Add New. Type the plugin name in the search bar. Clicking on ‘Install Now’ and subsequently ‘Activate’ completes the process.
Configure your plugins
Once activated, plugins often require configuring to function optimally. Settings can usually be accessed from the WordPress dashboard. Each one, like ‘Wordfence’ for security, has its own configuration process, and thorough instructions are often provided.
Keep Your Plugins Updated
Remember that, just like a theme, your plugins also require regular updates. For instance, the ‘Contact Form 7’ plugin which helps visitors to reach out, might need occasional updates for seamless performance.
Looking ahead, your travel blog starts to shape up with functionality attributes as you install these plugins. They are crucial components and play a significant role in the overall blogging experience, closely followed by the step of creating engaging content, taking the travel blog goal forward.
7. Craft Your Online Persona
Crafting an engaging and relatable online persona is essential for personal branding and becoming a successful blogger, especially in the travel niche. The subsequent sections deal with creating a compelling ‘About page’ and effectively embracing social media to build your travel blog.
Create an About Page
I strongly advise crafting an about page immediately after setting up your travel blog. Often, the ‘About‘ page garners immense traffic, given its role in introducing you to potential followers. It offers glimpses of your personality, background, and the reasons that make your travel blog worth following.
Aim for a balance between infotainment – stay fun yet informative, personable yet professional. Encouraging your readers to identify with you is the key here!
Embrace Social Media
Social media Posting diligently and effectively on social media can make a significant difference in your travel blog’s growth trajectory.
While mastering the art and science of social media may seem daunting initially, fear not. For detailed insights, refer to my prior section: Secrets Of Professional Travel Blogging.
Kick start your social media journey by joining well-known platforms and maintaining a consistent username throughout to avoid follower confusion. The noteworthy ones include:
On a side note, some bloggers contemplate initiating their travel blogs exclusively on Facebook or Instagram, bypassing a standalone website altogether. To them,** I suggest using social media solely as a promotional tool and support system for your blog.** Building your entire business on platforms over which you hold no control can pose unnecessary risks and eventual inconveniences.
8. Writing Your First Blog Post
Content creation tips can be invaluable when transitioning towards creating your initial posts, especially when it feels like there are countless topics to cover. However, with a logical approach and adherence to your unique perspective, the task becomes manageable and intriguing.
Writing articles is the base of all successful travel bloggers. You need to create quality content in order to attract new readers and publish articles that they find intriguing and packed with value.
It’s a bonus if you have any exclusive travel tips from somewhere that some other bloggers may not know about. The key here is to differentiate yourself from all other web pages that cover your topics.
What if You’re Not Traveling Now?
Even aspiring bloggers without mile-long travel histories can leap into travel blogging. Suppose your travel plans are still in offing. In that case, writing about your plans, sharing cost-saving strategies, or making a bucket list of activities you’d like to try, represents valuable content for readers potentially in the same boat.
Yet, directly drawing from your immediate environment often proves the most effective strategy. Consider yourself a resident of Richmond, Virginia. While you might consider Richmond monotonous, thousands seek travel insights about this city daily. Instead of dismissing Richmond as mundane, convert your local knowledge into helpful blog posts for these aspiring visitors. This approach not only helps you connect with a broader audience but can also turn them into devoted readers. For instance, a quick glance at TripAdvisor showcases 225 recommended activities in Richmond. This number translates to a healthy pool of blog topics to keep you writing through the year!
Network With Other Bloggers
Developing an active presence within the travel blogging community proves a useful connection-building strategy. Engage in perusing other travel blogs, draw inspiration from their ideas, and participate by leaving thoughtful comments on their posts. When opportune, linking to other people’s blog posts from your blog can help foster an interlinked community spirit.
The power of networks extends beyond opportunities for exchange of thoughts. It can prove pivotal in learning ways to monetize your blog, a likely future goal for many bloggers. Being an active participant in blogging communities often brings such learning opportunities to your fingertips.
9. Start Making Money With Your Blog!
Before you initiate your plan to monetize your blog, bear in mind that successful travel bloggers emphasize that there’s a direct correlation between your efforts and your earnings, eventually governed by your reader base.
Exploring various monetization strategies can help you maximize your blog’s earning potential.
How Much Money Can You Make From a Travel Blog?
Consider this; your earning potential is virtually limitless. In the foundational phase, anticipate modest earnings as everything hinges on your dedicated time and effort.
Earnings tend to amplify with an expanding audience, implying the importance of acquiring a robust reader base first and foremost. Creating compelling travel content persistently attracts fresh eyes to your blog.
Take this for instance, you may rake in a few hundred dollars or even spiral to thousands per month after an inert year of blogging. The totality of your earnings rests on a myriad of unpredictable elements.
For instance, it took a span of four years for me to rev up my annual earnings to a hefty sum of $100,000, while some fellow bloggers have managed to eclipse this benchmark even quicker. To put it simply, the potential exists; it just varies due to different circumstances and individual efforts.
Travel Blogging Tips
If you want to start a travel blog, you will need to be comfortable writing a blog post, or at least having the knowledge and ability to outsource your blogs. The most successful travel blogs have an in depth blog post on topics that have search demand.
In order to make money blogging you must cover topics that have demand in search engines. Search engine optimization is something most bloggers will agree is the bread and butter of their traffic.
I recommend using a wordpress site, as this gives you a lot of control over your site with relative easy. T The wordpress dashboard is easy to use, and if you can use any Microsoft program like word or excel, you’ll have no issue using this as your content management platform.
There are many wordpress plugins that I recommend inside my travel blogging course, and I also give opinions on web hosting and social media posts.
Most professional travel bloggers use wordpress as it’s easy to make blog pages for their travel website.
You’ll want to gauge the success of your first blog posts in Google Analytics so you can monitor their success.
Focus on evergreen topics. These are topics people will always look for in search engines. Google search will feed you lots of traffic if your search engine optimization is on point and this is where you will make your money blogging.
Make sure to have a contact page. Make it visible and call it out. This is how affiliate programs and press trips happen! Out of all the blogging tips I can give you, being transparent with your information and asking people to contact you is probably the best advice I can share.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are a few commonly asked questions about starting a travel blog. Engaging with the blogging community can provide valuable insights and support as you start your travel blog. Let’s continue the learning journey.
Can You Really Make Money Blogging?
Indeed, money gets generated through blogging. Delivering value through your blog plays a crucial role in being a successful travel blogger. However, simply blogging about your experiences doesn’t equate to compiling a useful travel guide. Thus, alongside sharing fun articles, it’s imperative to create content that people genuinely seek.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Travel Blog?
Starting a travel blog incurs fairly low initial costs. With hosting via BlueHost, for instance, the cost amounts to just $2.95 a month (for the 36-month package). Particularly keen bloggers might choose to download a professional theme – an additional expense around $50. While optional, it contributes positively to standing out in the crowd. Additionally, investing in a well-designed logo is another recommending step. Through resources such as 99 Designs, one can get a logo for an approximate $50. Therefore, you’re potentially looking at an upfront investment close to $150.
Is Travel Blogging Too Saturated?
While blogging appears widespread, it is the level of dedication that differentiates a hobby blogger from a successful one. The competition exists, but the commitment you demonstrate sets the path of your blogging journey.
Do You Need a Laptop & Camera?
Affirmative, both a laptop and a camera are essential for a travel blogger. The laptop aids in writing and publishing blog posts, while a camera captures your travel exploits visually. They don’t necessarily need to be high-end; fit-for-purpose works fine too. Here are my favoured travel cameras.
Should I Enroll in a Travel Blogging Course?
While not mandatory, enrolling in an online course could accelerate your travel blogging journey. Just like any other field, invaluable insights from training can help enhance your skills significantly. After the initial setup, if you feel the need for structured guidance, Superstar Blogging Course comes in highly recommended.
Happy Travel Blogging!
So there you have it folks! Starting a travel blog may seem daunting at first but trust me, it’s a blogging journey worth embarking on. You’ve got the tools now, from choosing a catchy name to mastering WordPress and optimizing your content. Remember, it’s all about storytelling, inspiring others, and building a community.
Don’t let the competition deter you. Yes, it’s a crowded field, but your unique voice and dedication can make you stand out. Be ready to invest a bit of time and money, but also know that the potential rewards, both personal and financial, are immense.
It’s not just about having a laptop and camera, it’s about using them to share your adventures and experiences. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there, start your travel blog, and let the world be your audience. Happy travel blogging, my friends!
About Tim Schmidt
Tim Schmidt is a 20+ year Entrepreneur and Digital Marketer. A Fort Lauderdale-based "Digital Nomad," he enjoys traveling as much as possible with family and friends. AllWorld is his escape to document all of his adventures, including being a hardcore "foodie." He has property in Costa Rica and visits several times each year and is happy to offer his expert advice for planning your trip.
