The world has shrunk. The days of spending weeks on end sailing to far-flung destinations have long since given way to the age of social media and last-minute travel deals. Every exotic location is now on your For You Page and flights are at your fingertips. Exploring the globe and experiencing new cultures has never been easier. Photographs were once painstakingly developed and affixed to photograph albums left to gather dust on a shelf. These days we’re snapping selfies, sharing each new dish we come across, and dying to become one of those people on TikTok, always sharing stunning clips of jewel-coloured seas and mind-blowing views.

Sharing your wanderings extends the exhilarating endeavour of travel. Starting a blog is a great way to do this, giving you space to document your journeys, but also offering avenues to become a travel blogger, connecting with a worldwide audience, and earning income from doing what you love. If you’re curious about how to start a travel blog and make it a successful conduit for your adventures, there are practical steps and strategies that can help you turn your passion for travel into a profitable blogging career.

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Setting Up Your Travel Blog

Starting a travel blog can be intimidating as there are so many things to consider, and a lot of people get hung up on either starting as fast as they can, or focusing on what things will look like, rather than how well they will work. Here are a few simple things to consider before you get started, to make sure you set up a travel blog that not only captivates but also connects with an audience globally.

Choosing the Right Blogging Platform

The first step in creating a travel blog is choosing a platform that offers the flexibility and ease of use necessary for a dynamic blog environment. WordPress is a preferred choice due to its robust features and the extensive support it offers (it’s certainly the platform all our client sites are built on, travel blog or otherwise!). Whether you’re DIYing a site or having someone do it for you, WordPress lets you customise your site with themes and plugins, giving you the control to make your blog as simple or complex as you like. The platform supports a range of media types and integrates easily with social media and marketing tools, making it ideal for a travel blog.

Selecting a Domain

Your domain name is essentially your web address and is pivotal in how your blog is perceived. It should be descriptive yet concise, catchy, and easy to remember. Think of a domain that reflects the spirit of your adventures and is easy to type and pronounce. This name will be your brand identity online, so choosing wisely is crucial. It’s your first impression on potential followers and a key component in your marketing efforts. For example, I recently set up a travel blog of my own (woefully neglected at the moment due to having far too much work to travel!), but the domain name I chose was WanderlusterWrites.com as it clearly captures the wanderlust spirit, and indicates I’m a writer (it also goes nicely with FantasyGirlWrites.com which is my fiction domain!). Pick something that captures YOU, but also makes it clear you’re writing about travel.

Designing Your Blog

The design of your blog should be as inviting and engaging as the destinations you cover. A well-designed blog can enhance your storytelling by providing a visually appealing and user-friendly interface. Focus on a clean layout that highlights your travel photos and articles, ensuring that navigation is intuitive and that content is easily accessible. Consider your target audience’s preferences for visuals and functionality and design your blog to meet those expectations. If you’re planning on taking a lot of video, make sure your design is capable of supporting it and you’re hosting those vids offsite (otherwise you’ll tank your site speed and screw up your SEO).

Content Creation for Travel Blogs

Crafting compelling content is the essence of a successful travel blog. It’s not just about documenting where you’ve been; it’s about weaving narratives that transport your readers right there with you. Start by mapping out your content to cover the places you visit with a blend of personal anecdotes, practical advice, and vibrant imagery. This approach turns simple trip reports into rich, engaging stories that captivate and inspire your audience. High-quality visuals are paramount—bright, clear photos and videos can dramatically enhance your tales, making every post a more immersive experience. Remember, consistency is key in blogging, so maintain a regular posting schedule that keeps your readers eager for more.

Growing Your Audience

To grow your travel blog, mastering SEO and social media strategies is crucial. Begin by optimising your blog posts with relevant keywords, meta descriptions, and tags that improve your visibility on search engines. Engage actively on social media platforms like Instagram, where stunning visuals can attract a global audience and direct traffic back to your blog. Additionally, connecting with other bloggers can provide valuable networking opportunities and potential collaborations that broaden your reach. Don’t overlook the power of guest posting—sharing your insights on popular travel blogs can introduce you to new readers.

Monetizing Your Travel Blog

Turning your travel blogging into a profitable venture involves diversifying your income streams. Affiliate marketing is a great starting point; promoting travel-related products or services can earn you commissions on sales made through your blog. Additionally, consider partnering with travel brands for sponsored posts that align with your blog’s theme and audience interests. Selling your own products, such as travel guides or branded merchandise, can also generate revenue. Tools like Capital One Shopping can help you snag deals on blogging essentials, lowering your overhead while increasing profitability.

Amazon is always a great place to start adding affiliate links on your blog, particularly if you’re good at hunting down a bargain or a good gadget that will help people with their travels. You can look at anything from luggage to GoPros, and as long as people are clicking your links and buying you’ll earn revenue. Just be aware, you only have three months after setting up an affiliate account to get three qualifying purchases, or they will cancel your account. They can be very finickity about what counts as a ‘qualified’ purchase, so you’re best waiting until you have good traffic and enough people visiting to make sales likely.

Beyond that, as you build your site and grow its authority you’ll be in a position to offer backlinks to travel sites, hotels, and other travel bloggers to boost their SEO. This is a great way to earn passive income from your blog, just remember you need to put a LOT of effort into your own SEO to get it to that point!