How to Start a Travel Blog

One significant reason that pushes people to start a travel blog is the desire to document their travels. This might be why people begin to blog, but they soon find that a blog can do so much more. A blog offers valuable information to other people hoping to travel, and it describes the travel experience for people who can’t travel themselves. So, if you’re a travel enthusiast, a blog can document your travels and help others out at the same time.

The first step is to land on a name and identity for yourself. Although deciding on a name is essential, establishing the look and feel of the blog you want is even more critical. After all, the name your family calls you is vital. But, in the end, you are so much more than just your name. Deciding on the tone, aesthetics, and direction from the start can make decisions down the line much less painless.

To start your blog, you’ll have to choose a platform. Most bloggers use WordPress because it’s the most comprehensive and powerful platform and will allow you to profit from your blog in the long run (if you choose). You’ll need a domain name and web host, like Bluehost or Squarespace. The fees for setting up a site are relatively nominal, with many hosts offering free domain names and discounts for first-timers.

Choosing a theme is where knowing your goals and blog identity from the start helps immensely. More than likely, you won’t need to start your blog from scratch. Most web hosts have a variety of templates to choose from. With so many out-of-the-box options, you can get stuck trying to decide if you don’t already have what you want in mind. Don’t get too caught up in terms like “jetpack” or “updates.” The words are overwhelming at first, but they’ll become secondhand to you in no time.

 Once you’ve settled on a theme, the next step is to start four basic pages. Pages remain static and don’t change unless you make modifications. The “About” and “Contact” pages on a website, for example, stay the same. Posts, however, typically get pushed or “buried” down a page with each consecutive post upload. 

Before placing posts, a page needs to be established. Each page usually has some information regarding the site or standard information available on the internet (privacy outline, copyright, etc.). The four main pages most common on all websites are: ​About Page, Contact Page, Privacy Outline and Copyright Page

Some people choose to use their blog sporadically, uploading content when they feel the need to do so. For others, blogging becomes a career. For the people in the latter category, knowing how to drive traffic using SEO and analytics becomes a must. If you’re looking to monetize your blog, it’s possible with a bit of legwork and discipline.