HOW TO START A TRAVEL BLOG
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Starting a travel blog is pretty simple if you want to make it an interest or a profession. It can be set up in less than 30 minutes. It’s a lot simpler than when I first began my blog in the year 2008. In 2008 I didn’t even have any idea about creating a website. Lucky for me, during my travels around the globe, I came across Matt and Kat, the British couple who happened to be web designers.
When I got home and decided to begin a journey blog on the internet, my friends offered to assist me in setting it up and to teach me HTML. I coded the website by hand using a funky software known as Dreamweaver to create it. It was extremely slow, and I wasn’t skilled at making it. (And my first website was pretty ugly!)
Making a website has become considerably easier and simpler due to WordPress, the platform of choice, created to make websites more accessible for those who aren’t technically adept (like me). WordPress powers more than 25 percent of the web and is the most suitable platform to begin your blog. It’s highly adaptable and will do what you’d like, from a simple blog to elaborate blogs and e-commerce websites.
In our course on blogging, we’ve seen thousands of students set up websites on WordPress with no technical knowledge. They set them up and running, and you, too, can!
As I’ve previously discussed how to be successful as a travel blogger, I’d like to offer a brief guideline on creating an entirely new travel blog in seven simple steps.
Pick your domain name
The first thing to decide on is your domain name (i.e., your website’s name). If you’re doing this, there are no rigid and exact guidelines. There’s nothing that is a “wrong domain name,” however there are some guidelines I live by:
Make a name that can last – If you pick “JohnsAsiaAdeventure.com” and then leave Asia, the domain name won’t make sense anymore. You should select a name that’s not so centered that should you want to switch to another direction, you’ll still have your domain’s name.
Don’t put a date on your blog. Choose a theme that isn’t similar to your age. “Twenty-Something Travel” becomes obsolete as you age. It happened to a blogger I’ve met. Choose a name that can be used regardless of your age!
Beware of specific terms. Avoid words such as “nomad,” “vagabond,” “wanderlust,” and “adventure.” They have been used in countless ways and can appear as if you’re copying others, not being unique.
Choose a name that describes your business as accurately as you can. I’m a nomad, so “Nomadic Matt” was my ideal choice. If you’re interested in the luxury industry, include the words of your name to express the idea of luxury. People need to look at the domain name and think, “I get what that website is about.”
Please keep it simple. Use a maximum of 3-4 words. You want a name that flies effortlessly off your tongue. It’s not just the name. Ramit Sethi from “I Will Teach You to Be Rich” has his site abbreviated as “I Will Teach” or “IWT.” The shorter, the more effective.
Simple, I’m not a big fan of using jargon or slang within your domain’s name because I believe it makes things difficult for those who don’t understand it. What you don’t would like to hear is someone asking, “What does that mean?” or getting confused. If someone is forced to think about the meaning, you’ve lost the person. Don’t try for a clever answer!
Sign up for the position of host
Once you’ve decided on the domain you want to use, you must sign up online and purchase hosting (the tiny computer that will run your site). Many essential hosting providers are available– and most of them are a mess.
The two most significant and most famous of them are HostGator and Bluehost. I’d suggest one of the two.
While an identical parent firm controls both, I prefer HostGator because I find their customer service in the call center to be faster and more friendly as well as HostGator has a lower risk of downtimes (no one wants their site to shut out of service!). HostGator has also enhanced its usefulness and offers a no-cost SSL certificate (the certificate that tells that your site is secure).
Here’s a guideline on how to configure your host on HostGator (it isn’t tricky):
The first step is to go to the website’s sign-up page and sign up for hosting at just $2.78 each month. That’s more than 60% off of the regular cost!
If you already own an existing domain name but require hosting, select the “I already own this domain” option from the menu on the right. Enter your domain’s name and proceed through the following step.
Check that you’ve selected the appropriate host plan in the dropdown menu, then choose the billing period you will pay for. The longer you lock in, the more expensive your initial price will be.
We suggest using the “Hatchling Plan” (which gives you hosting for one domain). If you are planning to host multiple websites, choose”Baby Plan” instead of “Baby Plan” instead, to allow you to expand (since you can host unlimited domains using it).
Then, you’ll select your username for your account, as well as an encryption PIN. Complete your billing details and the preferred payment method (credit cards and PayPal.)
You can uncheck all the other services offered by removing the boxes.
Review the details of your purchase and ensure that everything is in order. Click “Checkout Now!” at the end of the page.
You’ll be directed to your HostGator payment portal when your order has been accepted. You’ll also receive two separate emails with your login credentials for the control panel for your hosting and that portal to bill your HostGator account. You should save the details. Keep them on your computer or print the emails to keep them safe.
They’ll look similar to the image below:
For those with an existing domain or domain you purchased through a third-party site such as GoDaddy, Note the nameservers in your Hosting account’s email. It is necessary to connect them to your domain from where you bought it to connect your hosting account and environment. Refer to the support documentation from where you purchased your part to get instructions on changing your nameservers.