If you would like to learn how to start a travel blog of your own, this in-depth guide will give you the tools to do that. We have been running a successful travel blog for the past 11 years, and it is how we make a high 6-figure income annually.

When we started our own blog in 2008, we didn’t know where the industry was heading. We flew by the seat of our pants, hoping that one day we’d earn an income that would sustain us full time. Luckily, we figured it out.

Now, we can share what we have learned over the past decade so you too can start your travel blog on the right foot. Although it may seem daunting initially, following these outlined steps will set you on your path to establishing your travel blog and potentially a new lifestyle.

1. Understand the Reality of Travel Blogging

Moving from Challenge to Success

When we started travel blogging in 2008, it was significantly more challenging than it is today.

Back then, it required extensive hand coding, and the themes were rudimentary, resulting in travel blogs that often appeared substandard compared to today’s standards. Fortunately, it’s now feasible to get up and running within a day if you choose to, a stark contrast to the early days when we truly had no guidance on initiating our travel blog.

However, it’s essential to remember that if you aspire to make this a career, it demands hard work, time, and perseverance. Moreover, considering the long-term perspective is vital. With numerous travel blogs saturating the market, your goal should be to differentiate yours as a reliable resource.

It transcends merely exploring the world and writing about it; it encompasses engaging on various social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, networking at conferences, and optimizing for search engines, among other responsibilities.

You cannot merely place your travel blog on autopilot after launching it and expect success.

2. Choose a Reliable Hosting Platform

Get Started with a Dependable Host

The initial step to successfully launching a travel blog lies in selecting a dependable hosting platform.

This means securing a reliable host. For beginners, we recommend Bluehost. It’s what we initially chose, combining affordability and reliability.

3. Do I Have to Spend Money?

Moreover, be prepared to invest a little capital. Remember, investing in yourself is the foundational step to travel blog success. Early on, we realized that for our travel blog to become a thriving business, reinvesting was essential. More on this later.

If your intention is to pursue this as a hobby, that’s perfectly acceptable. In that case, I suggest starting a wordpress.com account. It’s free and allows you to share updates with friends and family, but for a serious full-time commitment, proceed to the following advice. It’s crucial to decide your approach, as competing with top travel blogs for revenue isn’t a game of chance.

4. Selecting a Unique Blog Name

This decision is crucial. Reflecting on our journey, we regret naming our travel blog The Planet D. Our intention was to echo a “Lonely Planet” aesthetic, considering our initials, but it ultimately lacks clarity about our content focus.

We were fortunate to achieve success despite our name’s ambiguity. Aim for something that genuinely reflects what your blog represents.

Ensure your blog name has enduring relevance.

Names to Avoid

In our view, you should steer clear of names that confine you to a specific type of travel or are overly clichéd.

A significant aspect of a successful travel blog is ensuring you stand out, which begins with your name. While challenging, avoiding words that may become overused is essential.

For instance, don’t limit yourself to the budget or backpacking niche if luxury travel appeals to you too. Additionally, refrain from using words that have already been successfully branded by other travel bloggers. Personal travel blogs should feature your persona, but your name should clearly signify a unique resource for readers.

Suggested Words to Avoid:

• Backpacking
• Budget
• Nomad
• Wander
• Vagabond
• Global
• Adventurous
• Luxury

Every Detail Matters

Additionally, avoid hyphens or underscores. If you have to explain your blog address with a “dash,” it’s likely your audience will forget it.

Blog Name Characteristics

Your blog’s name ought to be concise and illustrative of your content. Many early travel bloggers neglected to consider this (myself included), while others selected names that stood out for their relevance.

Consider brands like Expert Vagabond or Our Awesome Planet.

Choose a Timeless Name

Trust me when I say you want to avoid renaming your blog later. Transitioning names can disrupt your entire blog’s growth, wasting previous efforts

It’s a significant hassle. I’ve seen individuals abandon niches or discover their names no longer align with their travels, forcing a name change, which complicates matters. You’ll need to rebuild social media channels as well.

Taking time to ponder your name is crucial, as it’s the first representation of your travel blog’s brand. Engage with friends or family for feedback or explore Facebook Groups for raw opinions.

5. Host Your Blog Effectively

This portion often causes panic. Many individuals overlook the technical details until confronted with them. Now is the time to navigate these aspects, which can feel intimidating.

Understanding Hosting

Hosting is essentially a service that stores all your travel blog content, acting as your ‘slice’ of the internet. Every website requires a host, but the selection varies based on user-friendliness and the traffic it can handle.

For starters, we continue to recommend Bluehost for its affordability.

Hosting Cost Structure

Moreover, at specific times, they offer promotional prices, like $2.95/month with your domain costs waived!

When your traffic surges, switching to a better-suited host might be necessary, which can come at a higher cost—like our current annual hosting of approximately $1000!

Setting Up Your Blog

Begin by visiting Bluehost.com and click the “Get Started” button. Then, be prepared to choose a plan.

Choosing the Right Plan

Bluehost allows for plan upgrades as your needs evolve. Initially, we suggest starting with the basic package.

Domain Registration

Next, it’s time to register your travel blog name/domain. A .com address is advisable for trust and recognition. If you already registered a domain elsewhere, you can transfer it here to streamline operations.

This process is free with Bluehost; simply type in your desired name to check availability. If taken, revisit Step One. If available, proceed to finalize the registration!

Package Selection

Serious decisions await; select how long you wish to register (we recommend one-year increments). As you navigate package options, ignore extraneous options—focus instead on securing Domain Privacy Protection to safeguard your identity.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully acquired hosting and the domain name—now let’s move on to setting up WordPress!

6. Installing and Setting Up WordPress

With your hosting and domain name secured, it’s time to establish a platform for your travel blog content.

WordPress is the leading Content Management System due to its ease of use and being free!

While alternatives like Blogger or Wix exist, we don’t endorse them. Using Blogger or Blogspot can lead to cumbersome URLs like theplanetd.blogspot.com. You want a domain like theplanetd.com.

For comparisons, see this informative resource by WPBeginner.com, which emphasizes the benefits of WordPress.

Setting Up WordPress

To establish your travel blog on WordPress, head to your Cpanel, scroll to the “Website Builder” section, then click “Install WordPress.” Select the domain name you registered.

Once the installation completes, access your blog via the WordPress dashboard at http://mydomainname.com/wp-admin/. Input your username and password to begin!

Congratulations! You have successfully navigated the technical setup; now unleash your creativity and prepare your travel blog for worldwide visibility!

7. Choosing a Theme

At this exciting juncture, you will start to make creative decisions regarding your blog’s visual appeal. WordPress offers basic themes, but many more options are available to achieve your desired blog aesthetic.

I suggest investing a little in a premium theme. Initially, we focused on free themes, but investing in good design pays dividends through customization and support.

Having a reliable support team significantly eases the process, particularly as a novice, making it worth the $100 theme investment. Consider exploring Woo Themes or ThemeForest for eye-catching designs.

*Note* Take your time selecting a theme. Frequently changing it can be disruptive. Although changes are acceptable, excessive theme changes can confuse your audience.

8. Install Essential Plugins

During our initial phase, we faced challenges with plugin choices, as many come and go. However, certain plugins remain vital for starting your travel blog, which you can expand on over time.

Understanding Plugins

Plugins act as add-ons to your site, enhancing functionality without demanding coding skills. However, more plugins don’t necessarily equate to a better experience; too many can decrease site performance and increase compatibility issues.

A good rule of thumb is not to run more than 20 plugins simultaneously, keeping your site streamlined.

Recommended Plugins:

• Akismet: Anti-Spam Filter
• Yoast SEO: Comprehensive SEO Management
• Social Pug: Social Media Integration
• WP-Rocket: Enhances Site Speed
• Short Pixel Image Optimizer: Image Optimization
• Contact Form: User Engagement

9. Create Important Pages

A common inquiry regarding starting a travel blog is which pages are most crucial.

Indeed, the Home Page is vital, usually defined by your theme. However, in my view, the About Page holds the utmost importance for your travel blog—it’s when you can share your motivations and encourage readers to return.

Elements of a Compelling About Page

Consider breaking your narrative down into these sections:

1. Begin with your promise to the audience, such as providing valuable travel advice.
2. Dive into your personal journey and what inspired you to create this blog.
3. Highlight your specialty and what differentiates you from other bloggers.
4. Conclude with proof of your expertise and credibility—include awards and relevant skills.

Following these steps, you’ll craft a captivating About Page. After completing this, focus on establishing a Contact Us page before producing content.

10. Set Up Your Social Channels

Social media plays an integral role in promoting and marketing your site, necessitating active participation. Secure your channels promptly and aim for consistent naming across all platforms. While it may feel overwhelming initially, developing an individual strategy for each can simplify outreach.

Recommended Social Media Platforms:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Youtube
• Pinterest
• TikTok

11. Connect Your Blog to Google Analytics

Implementing Google Analytics is crucial for transforming blogging into a business venture. Understanding how to start a travel blog with revenue potential hinges on data management.

Utilizing Google Analytics enables tracking of website traffic and provides insights into your audience demographics, engagement, and navigation behavior.

To set this up, visit the Google Analytics website. To simplify the process, consider using the Monster Insights Google Analytics Plugin; it automates much of the setup.

12. Start a Newsletter

Many successful bloggers advocate for starting an email list at the outset, as almost everyone I’ve met wishes they had initiated it sooner.

Importance of a Newsletter

A newsletter provides direct communication with your readers, landing directly in their inboxes and fostering engagement through their subscription choices. Establishing a relationship with your audience via email builds trust from the beginning.

Furthermore, as you transition into affiliate work or product development in the future, your newsletter serves as a foundational audience. Start cultivating your list early, even if it’s just sending updates on your latest blog posts.

Consider investing in an email client that can scale with your growth. We’ve switched clients multiple times, which negatively impacted our audience engagement.

Suggested Email Client:

Constant Contact provides a 60-day free trial to determine its effectiveness for your needs.

Assessing Costs

Many presume a significant investment is required to start a travel blog. The truth is, initial costs can be minimal. Early on, we recounted experiences from past travels, maintaining lower costs. Below is an estimated budget for your first year in travel blogging, which may differ based on individual circumstances:

• Hosting: $3.95/month x 12 = $47.40
• Theme: $100
• Email Hosting: $20/month x 12 = $240

Total Estimated Cost for One Year of Travel Blogging: $387.40

13. Seeking Support

The travel blogging journey can feel isolating, yet numerous resources offer support and guidance. Back in our early days, we lacked such communities, which I wish had existed. While they are not mandatory for success, those serious about blogging will find value in them.

Participating in Facebook groups or forums enables you to learn from others on similar journeys and gain insights from seasoned bloggers. For expanding your travel photography skills, I recommend taking Photographing the World by Elia Locardi, widely regarded as one of the best travel photography courses available.

14. Begin Monetizing Your Travel Blog

Surprisingly, discussing monetization within a guide on starting a travel blog is essential.

As mentioned earlier about the newsletter, early engagement creates pathways for income. Numerous voices recommend delaying monetization until your traffic is substantial, but I diverge from this advice. Starting affiliate marketing early can yield immediate returns.

Introduction to Affiliate Marketing

Make Money from Affiliate Marketing, a course by Michelle from Makingsenseofcents.com, deep dives into the intricacies of affiliate marketing, offering an invaluable perspective on how to begin. Michelle earns over $100k monthly through her blog, predominantly via affiliate programs.

Start Monetizing with Affiliates Today!

This course is among the best I’ve encountered in learning how to monetize your travel blog effectively. If you prefer a less structured approach, consider signing up for affiliate programs such as Amazon or Booking.com to monetize products and accommodations.

A crucial note regarding promotions: it’s significantly easier to endorse products or services you trust compared to being a spokesperson for unfamiliar items. Achieving success in travel blogging entails maintaining honesty and integrity throughout your endeavors. We abide by the adage: if we haven’t used it, we don’t promote it.

Frequently Asked Questions about Starting a Travel Blog

How do I start a travel blog and make money?

Initially, you can try this method. As you grow, opportunities for selling digital products, advertising, and affiliations with tourism boards will emerge.

What are the expected costs of starting a travel blog?

Starting costs generally range from $200-$300/year. Refer to the full breakdown here.

Which hosting should I choose for my travel blog?

We recommend Bluehost for newbies due to its simplicity and affordability. Here’s a detailed guide.

Time to Get to Work

This comprehensive guide outlines all necessary steps for initiating a travel blog successfully.

However, keep in mind that travel blogging is rigorous. Our hours often exceed those of most CEOs, but the joy derived from it outweighs the effort.

One of the most rewarding aspects of forming a travel blog is engaging in a passion that feels effortless. If you’re ready to invest the effort and offer value to your readers, success in this endeavor is within your reach.

Good luck! If you have any questions, please comment below, and we will gladly assist you.

Resources for Learning More About Travel Blogging

For further insights, explore resources dedicated to travel blogging and launching your very own travel blog!