Seduced by wanderlust? Are you dreaming of going places? Then, what are you waiting for?
Travelling the world is a one-of-a-kind experience no one would ever refuse. Getting in touch with other cultures and experiencing what people miles apart live every day is alluring, but not everyone has this chance. So, how would it be to share your memorable adventures with others and show people at least a small part of your journeys?
A travel blog may be what you need – the perfect place to share your experiences and socialise. More than that, it can bring significant rewards if done right, so why not? Of course, success won’t come overnight, but is there any domain that doesn’t require hard work and dedication? We don’t think so. However, becoming a top travel blogger is not impossible, especially if you’re passionate about globetrotting. You’ll see that, in time, visitors will be more and more interested in your content, and you can entice other travellers, as well as tourist destinations and brands. It’s not uncommon for bloggers to make a living from this type of activity, but as previously mentioned, you need to go the extra mile to get there.
If you’re planning to start a travel blog, here’s all you need to know, so don’t go anywhere, at least for now.
Choose a niche
This step is optional, as having a generic travel blog is also fine. But, if you want to focus on a particular travel style or destination, it’s advisable to have a specific niche in mind. Some bloggers prefer to concentrate on a niche because it’s easier to keep an audience. Like any other blogs, travel blogs have various niches to choose from. You may want to focus on luxury travel, backpacking, or tell people what it is like to travel with your pet. Establishing a niche can help you stay focused and do one thing at a time, but again, there’s nothing wrong with sharing all kinds of experiences. From city guides and camping to hotel reviews and being a working nomad, you’re welcome to try it all. If you’re not decided on a particular niche, you can also discover it in time. The more miles you go, the more interested you’ll become in a specific activity.
Come up with a blog name
Your blog name is just as important as the blog itself as it’s going to reflect your personal journey and what people will know you as. That’s why it’s crucial to think about a suitable blog name that is easy to remember, short, and quirky. Also, consider using a blog name that you can develop into a brand, something that can become viral. The choices regarding travel blog names are infinite, but this depends highly on your specific needs and taste. A “name + a travel-related term” pattern is fine, but how about a name that stands out in a crowd of hundreds of travel blogs on the Internet? Think outside the box and come up with a name that can tell a story and use uncommon words (wanderlust and adventurous are no longer options). If you’ve chosen a niche, you can use this and build your blog name around it. For example, if you’re going to travel to Europe, consider a name like “Nomad in Europe” or, if Asia is what grabbed your attention”, go for names like “A Month in Singapore” or “Tips from a Buddhist”. Variants are uncountable but ensure you understand the personal connection to your travel blog before choosing something.
Choose a platform
Finally, it’s time to get your travel blog running. Although there are several blogging platforms out there, such as Blogger and Tumblr, WordPress is the most popular one. If you plan to self-host your blog, consider WordPress, as it allows you to customise it completely. This platform is also great for newbies, particularly if you’re looking for something that gives you a chance to grow naturally. However, make sure you know the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org. You may want to opt for the latter since it’s the only option that allows you to self-host your blog.
WordPress has long been a platform for many websites, including blogs, news portals, e-commerce websites, and business web pages. But although it’s a safe and user-friendly option, it doesn’t mean it’s safe from cyber threats. Data breaches are common nowadays, and it’s only normal since we live in a data-driven era. Technological advancements have also brought with them cyber-attacks. We recommend securing your blog with strong credentials, plug-ins, constant back-ups, malware scans, and quality software. However, if your website is hacked, ensure you take all the necessary steps to claim data breach compensation and always seek professional help.
Set up a domain and hosting
One of the most important steps in this journey is to choose a domain and a reliable web host. These tend to be sometimes confused, so let’s explain each term.
- The domain is the actual URL of your web page – it can be anything you choose for your blog name followed by “.com”.
- Web hosting, instead, is renting space on the Internet so you can store blog files – it can be updated according to your storage needs.
When choosing a web host, it’s crucial to consider factors like the support offered and cost. Ensure also it doesn’t have too much downtime. The Blonde Abroad, one of the top female travel bloggers, recommends Bluehost, but there are multiple user-friendly web hosts with excellent customer service, so take your time to document well before making a decision.
Boost blog functionality with plug-ins
Almost all WordPress pages make use of plug-ins for increased functionality. Plug-ins are a must when it comes to blogging, as it helps with back-ups, blog speed, analytics, SEO, and security.
Some of the most popular plug-ins include:
- Whereabouts
- Travel Map
- Simple Lightbox
- TravelPayouts
- Instagram plug-ins
- Gutenberg block plug-ins
Personalise the blog’s look and start creating!
Now it’s time for the fun part! At this stage, you’ll choose your blog’s design (theme, header, colour palette, fonts) and make it reflect your style. After you have all these things in place, all that remains is for you to start sharing your travel experiences.