Want to turn your love for travel into cash? Starting a travel blog can get you there.
Many travel bloggers are raking in big bucks each month just by sharing their adventures. Why not join them?
In this guide, I'll show you how to create a travel blog that captures attention and earns money.
Ready to become a go-to source in travel blogging? Let's dive in.
Why You Can Trust Our Travel Blogging Guide
Lasso is installed on over 8,000 websites, including many travel blogs.
Our team has built multiple 7-figure blogs in a wide range of niches.
We have hands-on experience working with founders to grow and monetize their travel blogs.
Travel Blogging Basics
Starting a travel blog can be a really fun and rewarding experience, but it's important to know what you're getting into.
Here are a few basic things to keep in mind before diving in:
What Is a Travel Blog?
A travel blog is essentially an online diary where individuals share their travel experiences, tips, and photographs. Travel bloggers often provide firsthand insights about the destinations they visit, making these blogs a great resource for personal travel recommendations and real-time advice. They cover a range of topics from local cuisines, accommodations, attractions, to cultural norms and practical travel guides.
Typically, a travel blog is maintained by someone who travels frequently and wants to share their adventures with a wider audience. This could be a solo traveler, a couple, or even a family. Each blog has its own unique voice and style, reflecting the personality and interests of the blogger. It’s this personal touch that makes travel blogs particularly appealing and relatable to readers planning their next getaway.
Furthermore, travel blogs are often interactive, allowing readers to comment and engage with the blogger and fellow readers. This can create a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for exploring the world.
Why Should You Start a Travel Blog?
Starting a travel blog can be a fantastic way to share your adventures with the world while honing your writing and photography skills. If you love traveling and storytelling, a travel blog allows you to merge these passions into a fulfilling hobby or even a lucrative career. Here are a few compelling reasons to get started:
- Document Your Journeys: Capture the details of your travels, preserving memories that you can look back on for years to come.
- Share Experiences: Help others by providing tips, insights, and inspiration from your own adventures.
- Connect with Like-Minded People: A travel blog can introduce you to a community of fellow travelers and enthusiasts.
- Monetize Your Passion: With time and dedication, you can earn money through affiliate marketing, partnerships, and sponsored content.
Each of these points highlights how starting a travel blog can not only enhance your travel experience but also provide various personal and professional benefits. So, why not start today?
Ready to kickstart your Travel blog? Get Your FREE 20-Page Guide To Making $1,000/Day.
Finding Your Travel Niche
You’re probably thinking, 'I already picked a niche! Travel' But for the purposes of blogging, that’s not nearly specific enough, at least in the beginning. If you want your blog to succeed, you need to niche down.
Why Choosing a Niche is Important
Choosing a travel niche is important for a number of reasons.
First, it makes it easier for readers to find your content and for search engines to rank it. If your blog is too broad, it will be hard to compete with other established travel bloggers and get organic traffic.
Second, having a specific niche will help you establish yourself as an expert in that area. Readers will come to trust your opinion and recommendations, and you'll be able to build a loyal following.
Finally, having a travel niche will also make it easier for you to come up with content ideas. Rather than trying to cover every aspect of travel, you can focus on the specific topics and recipes that your readers are most interested in.
How to Choose a Travel Blog Niche
Choosing the right niche for your travel blog can really define your success. Here’s how to nail down the best niche that suits your passion and can attract readers:
- Assess Your Interests: Start by listing what aspects of travel excite you the most. Whether it’s adventure travel, luxury escapes, food journeys, or eco-tourism, pick a theme that you are passionate about.
- Research Market Demand: Look for what readers are interested in and what’s trending. Use tools like Google Trends or browse through popular travel blogs and hashtags on social media to gauge interest levels.
- Consider Your Expertise: Think about areas where you have special knowledge or unique experiences. This could be insights into traveling with a family, solo journeys, or budget travel.
- Identify Your Audience: Define who you are writing for. Understanding your target audience’s demographics, interests, and travel styles can help tailor your content to their preferences.
- Check Competitor Activity: Analyze what other travel bloggers in your prospective niche are doing. Look for gaps that you could fill or a new angle from which you can approach the topic.
We’ve written extensively about niche research for bloggers, but you should look for these qualities in your final choice:
- A mix of big and small competitors. If the niche doesn’t have big sites, there isn’t much money to be made. If there aren’t small sites, you won’t be able to compete.
- Income potential. A healthy mix of affiliate offers, display ads, and original products will allow you to diversify your income.
- Keywords and link-building opportunities. You’ll do more extensive keyword research later, so right now you’re just looking for content gaps. Are there keywords you could realistically rank for and get traffic early?
Popular Travel Blog Niches
Delving into the world of travel blogging reveals a plethora of niches each catering to unique interests and audiences. Choosing the right niche can dramatically influence the success and engagement of a blog.
Adventure Travel: Focuses on thrilling activities and exotic destinations. Ideal for those who love to explore off-the-beaten-path spots and engage in activities like hiking, diving, and kayaking.
Luxury Travel: Targets high-end experiences. Reviews and recommendations cover first-class flights, 5-star accommodations, and exclusive tours.
Budget Travel: Provides tips and hacks on how to travel well without breaking the bank. Popular with students and young travelers looking to maximize their experiences on limited budgets.
Cultural Travel: Explores the customs, art, and traditions of different cultures. Great for deep-diving into history, local crafts, and culinary adventures.
Eco-Tourism: Focuses on sustainable travel practices. Highlights destinations that are environmentally friendly and promotes conservation efforts.
Family Travel: Offers advice on traveling with children, covering family-friendly destinations, accommodations, and activities that cater to all ages.
Each niche attracts different kinds of travelers and provides fresh perspectives on exploring the world. Selecting a specific niche helps travel bloggers stand out and connect with their target audience more effectively.
Planning Out Your Travel Blog
So you've picked a niche for your blog, that's amazing! But don't forget,'failing to plan is planning to fail.'
Before you run off and start posting, let's take a moment to plan out your business strategy.
Set Your Blog Goals
Setting goals for your Travel blog is essential to its success. It gives you direction and helps you stay focused on what matters most.
When setting your goals, it's important to consider your audience, your niche, and what you realistically hope to achieve.
This can include things like increasing your readership, building your email list, or monetizing your blog.
By setting clear and achievable goals for your travel blog, you'll be able to create content that resonates with your audience, establish yourself as an authority in your niche, and achieve the success you're looking for.
Define Your Target Audience
Defining your target audience is crucial for the success of your travel blog. It helps you tailor your content to meet the specific needs and interests of your readers, ensuring greater engagement and loyalty. Here’s how to pinpoint who you're writing for:
- Demographics: Consider age, gender, income level, and education. For example, are your ideal readers budget backpackers in their 20s, or are they luxury travelers in their 40s and 50s?
- Travel Preferences: Are they adventure seekers, culture enthusiasts, food lovers, or all about relaxation? Knowing this helps you focus your blog posts.
- Geographic Location: Knowing where your readers are from can help you decide which destinations to cover. If most of your audience is based in Europe, they might prefer content about nearby destinations.
- Online Behavior: Understanding how your audience uses the internet will guide you on how to reach them effectively. Do they hang out more on Instagram or are they active Facebook users?
Remember, the better you understand your audience, the more targeted and effective your content can be. Start with broad ideas and refine as you learn more about your readers!
Do Your Keyword Research
Keyword research is an important aspect of creating content for your Food blog. It helps you understand the phrases and questions people use to search for information on the topic you're writing about. That way, you can use those phrases and questions to optimize your content for search engines.
Identify the keywords that are most relevant to your niche. These are your “seed keywords.”
Seed keywords are broad terms used to generate super-specific long-tail keywords.
Here's a quick list of seed keywords for anyone looking to dive into the travel blog scene. These terms are broad, making them great for branching out into more specific long-tail keywords:
- Adventure travel
- Luxury getaways
- Budget travel
- Cultural experiences
- Eco-tourism
- Family vacations
- City breaks
- Beach destinations
- Travel gear
- Travel tips
Take your seed keywords and feed them into your keyword tool of choice. I like using Ahrefs.
Add them to the report and hit search. Then, go to “Keyword Ideas” and click “Matching Terms.”
This list will contain thousands of possible terms for you to write about. I recommend targeting the lowest-volume keywords possible, no matter the traffic.
When you first start your travel blog, it’ll be hard to get traffic. But you can get it by targeting keywords that other site owners ignore.
TIP: When you first start your travel blog, focus on info content (question keywords). The content will be more helpful for your audience and less competitive since monetizing it is more challenging.
By doing your keyword research, you can improve your chances of ranking higher in search engine results pages and attracting more traffic to your Food blog.
Supercharge your earnings from day one. Lasso makes it easy to organize affiliate links make your first sales with conversion-optimized displays.
Don't wait for success; seize it with Lasso!
Learn MoreHow to Start a Travel Blog | Step-by-Step Guide
Now that you're done with the business plan, let's get to the fun part.
Here's how to start a Travel blog:
Step 1. Pick a Blogging Platform
Choosing the right blogging platform is crucial for the success of your Travel blog.
I strongly recommend building your blog with WordPress. It’s open-source, so your blog won't be dependent on a private company, and it’s fully customizable.
Some bloggers are intimidated by the number of features WordPress offers, but the best way to learn is just to jump in and start.
Here are some other options to consider:
- Blogger: A free platform owned by Google. Offers simple templates and easy integration with Google AdSense for monetization.
- Squarespace: A premium platform known for its design-centric approach. Offers visually appealing templates and in-depth customization options along with integrated eCommerce solutions for monetization.
- Wix: A free platform with a drag-and-drop website builder and customizable templates. Offers e-commerce options for selling products.
Consider the features, ease of use, and cost when choosing a platform that fits your needs. Each platform has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it's important to do your research before making a decision.
Step 2. Register a Domain Name
Registering a domain name gives your blog a unique online identity. When choosing a domain name for your travel blog, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Make it easy to remember
- Keep it short and sweet
- Include your main keyword
- Avoid using numbers and hyphens
Also, please don’t create an exact-match domain name, like An example of an exact match keyword domain name in the Travel blog niche could be "bestcitytravelguides.com"..
It’s limiting, has terrible branding potential, and just looks amateurish. You can do much better.
Instead, spend some time brainstorming travel blog names that have the following:
- A keyword related to your niche
- A feeling, emotion, or quality you want your website to communicate
- Three words or less
So, instead of the example used above, you could use one of these:
- JoyfulJourneys.com
- BlissfulVoyages.com
- HappyTravels.com
- ThrillSeekerTrips.com
- CherishedEscapes.com
All of those are available at the time I’m writing this, and all would be easy to build a brand around (not to mention better for Search Engine Optimization or SEO).
You can also use a domain name generator tool for inspiration.
Once you have a few ideas for a domain name, you can check if they are available using a domain registrar.
Many services can help you register a domain name, but I recommend getting one from your hosting provider. (They usually include a free domain name when you buy hosting.)
When you find the perfect domain name, register it right away before someone else takes it.
Step 3. Secure Reliable Hosting
Once you’ve chosen a domain name, you have to purchase website hosting to make your travel blog accessible online. (As I mentioned earlier, you can usually purchase both simultaneously.)
Website hosting is a service that allows your website to be stored on a server and accessed by Internet users.
CAUTION: I recommend staying away from Godaddy. They have awful customer service and a history of alleged predatory behavior
Here are some popular website hosts for travel blogs:
- WP Engine: I host all my sites with WP Engine. It's lightning quick and super easy to use. I've tried almost every shared hosting provider, and WP Engine is by far the best.
- Kinsta: A premium hosting provider known for its high performance and managed WordPress hosting solutions.
- Hostgator: A popular host that offers affordable pricing and easy WordPress integration.
After you’ve chosen and registered your domain (following the instructions from your hosting company), you’re ready to install WordPress and start building your site.
Step 4. Install WordPress
The first step to setting up your travel site is to install WordPress.
NOTE: WordPress is an open-source software found on WordPress.org. WordPress.com is a premium blogging platform, but you never need to pay to install WordPress on your website, even if it’s self-hosted.
Any legitimate host these days will offer automated WordPress installation with the click of a button. Follow their instructions, and reach out to their support if you get stuck.
Once you’ve installed WordPress, go to your WordPress Admin Dashboard and start customizing your site.
TIP: You can find your dashboard login page at yoursite.com/wp-admin
Step 5. Pick a Theme for Your Travel Blog
When choosing a theme for your website, it's essential to consider your niche and target audience. Your theme should reflect your content's style and tone while being visually appealing and easy to navigate.
There are thousands of themes available to choose from, both free and paid. These are the free themes I recommend for new bloggers:
- GeneratePress - GeneratePress is one of the most popular WordPress themes on the market. It's lean, fast, and easy to customize. There's free and paid versions available.
- Kadence - Kadence is an extremely fast and lightweight theme, with a wide range of free customizations, although it does fall behind in updates from time to time.
- Astra - Astra is a simple WordPress theme that makes designing a website easy. It makes it easy to create a stunning niche website without all the fluff.
You could also buy a premium theme, but free themes are fine in the beginning.
Step 6. Install Essential Plugins
A lot of people are afraid of plugins because they think more plugins will slow their site down.
However, any good plugin these days is built for speed, so you shouldn’t worry too much about it.
If you’re still worried about site speed, our Cloudflare review shows how to perfect it.
To install a new plugin, click on “Plugins” in your WordPress dashboard sidebar. Then, click on “Add New” and either upload a plugin ZIP file or search for free plugins in the WordPress Plugin Repository.
Here are a few plugins that I recommend for every new Travel blog:
- Lasso Lite - The best way to insert product displays and affiliate links into your content is to use Lasso. Lasso Lite is the free version of Lasso and is great for new sites.
- Cloudflare - I recommend the paid Cloudflare plan, but even the free CDN will do wonders for your site speed.
- Imagify – Big images are the biggest thing that slows down websites, and an image optimization plugin like Imagify fixes them instantly.
- RankMath – RankMath is my favorite SEO plugin, but you could also use Yoast SEO or All-In-One SEO. SEO plugins provide guidelines rather than done-for-you solutions.
Now that you’ve installed and set up WordPress and your plugins, it’s time for some branding.
Step 7. Design Your Site
I’m not a web designer, but here are a few guidelines for beginners to create a professional-looking site:
- Use two colors: You only need two colors for your brand, a primary and an emphasis color. The emphasis color should contrast your primary color and only be used for CTA buttons. I use Coolors to quickly find a color palette that works for me.
- Use one or two fonts: You don’t want to overwhelm your audience. A tried and true technique is to use one font for your headings and one for your body text. It also helps to have one serif font and one sans serif font, so they stand apart. Fontpair is a great tool for this.
- Start with a text logo: Too many marketers get hung up on details like logos. You don’t even know what your site is going to be yet. Give your brand time to develop by starting with a simple text logo.
Don’t worry too much about your site’s design in the early stages. You can change all this stuff later when sales start coming in.
Step 8. Set Up Your Basic Blog Pages
You'll need to create a few key pages before you can start publishing awesome Travel content.
The first page is your homepage, which should introduce your blog and give readers an idea of what they can expect to find on your site.
You should also create an "About" page, which provides more information about you and your blog. This is a great place to share your story and give readers a sense of your personality.
Another important page is the "Contact" page, which makes it easy for readers to get in touch with you. You can include a simple contact form or provide your email address and social media links.
You can create these pages by using your blogging platform's built-in categories or by creating custom pages that link to your posts.
By providing readers with clear navigation and easy access to your content, you'll be on your way to building a loyal following.
Step 9. Write Your First Blog Posts
Once you've set up your blog and have a clear idea of what you want to write about, it's time to start publishing your first blog posts.
Here are some tips to get you started:
- Choose a topic you're passionate about and that your audience will find interesting. Research what's already out there and offer a fresh perspective or unique insights.
- Plan out your post by creating an outline or mind map. This will help you stay focused and ensure that your post flows logically.
- Write your post in a conversational tone and avoid using jargon or overly technical language. Use short paragraphs and sentences to make your post easy to read and scan.
- Include images or other media to break up the text and make your post more visually appealing.
- Use subheadings and bullet points to organize your content and make it easier to read.
- Edit your post carefully for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Read it aloud to ensure it sounds natural and flows well.
- Once you're happy with your post, hit the publish button! Share it on social media and other channels to get it to as many people as possible.
Get our FREE toolkit and checklist for writing articles that convert.
How to Write Great Travel Blog Posts
Now that you officially have a site, it’s time to fill it with top-notch content.
You won’t get really good at it until you’ve done it for a while, so it’s best to write as much as possible in the early days
Here’s how to publish better travel articles from day one.
Brainstorm Ideas
Coming up with great blog post ideas based on your niche and your audience's needs can be very tough.
What I like to do is start by writing word clouds with pen and paper. It helps me quickly move from one topic to the next without thinking about it.
Once I have a good list of topics, I organize the keywords and put them into Ahrefs. Then I prioritize my content production based on what I think I have the best chance of ranking for (and what sounds like the most fun to write about).
Build a Solid Framework
Before I ever write a blog post, I build an outline using Dynalist.
I look at what competitors have published for my keyword, write down my version of the headings, and move the structure around until the flow makes sense.
Not only does this give me a solid foundation to build my article upon, but it helps me pace my article. If I’ve written 300 words under an H3 heading, I need to wrap it up and move on to the next point.
If you establish solid guidelines, your posts will practically write themselves.
Write Without Stopping
Once you have an outline of where you want your article to go, it’s time to just sit down and write.
I like to shut out any distractions and write in silence, or put on very quiet music. It’s insane how quickly you can write when you don’t have anything else to think about.
You shouldn’t even care about quality when writing your first draft. Just get your words down on paper.
Once you’re finished, step away for a bit, then come back and start editing. Correct any grammar mistakes and make sure your ideas make sense (it helps to read the content out loud).
TIP: I use Grammarly Pro to speed up the editing process for all my content. It’s probably the most valuable tool I use (aside from Lasso, of course 😉).
Optimize Your Content for On-Page SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing your content to rank higher in search engine results.
Make sure you do these things when writing your travel blog posts:
- Properly structure your headings. Headings are like a map that search engines like Google use to decipher what your content is about. Make sure your headings make sense (nest smaller ideas under larger ideas), and that you’ve included keywords.
- Use your target keyword naturally and often. It’s common knowledge that keyword stuffing doesn’t work anymore, but it’s still important to use your target keyword often. It will help your readers stay on track and help search engines better understand what you’re talking about.
- Add Photos and Videos. Images and videos increase the time readers spend on your page. That signals to Google that your article fits what readers are looking for. They also break up a post and allow your readers to breathe before reading the rest of the article.
- Promote the post immediately after publishing. There’s some disagreement about whether traffic is a ranking factor, but I’ve definitely had faster rankings when I got early traffic to my blog posts. And, if you have a mailing list, your subscribers want to know about your content anyway!
Use AI to Speed Things Up
At the time I'm writing this, AI still isn't able to replace a skilled, knowledgable writer.
But it's getting really close.
As AI tools continue to improve, you're going to find more and more content online that's produced without a human writer. And that content will rank in Google. There's no consolation prize for human-written content.
For the time being, here's my advice; use AI to write the first draft of your content. Then edit it thoroughly before publishing.
To get the best AI content out of the gate, I recommend Copy.AI.
Out of all the AI writing tools I've tested (which is a lot), Copy.AI produces the best, most natural content, and also has the most reasonable pricing.
Promoting Your Travel Blog
Once you publish a blog post, you need to promote it.
Seriously, most travel bloggers post and pray. If you use even one of these promotional methods, you’re doing more than 99% of the competition.
Make the Most of Social Media
Social media and blogging go hand-in-hand. Social media can be a game changer, especially in the travel niche, where readers care about the person behind the blog.
I don’t recommend spending all day on Twitter, but comment on popular threads, respond to outreach and share helpful things.
Also, shout out when you have a new blog post! Your followers want to know when you put out new content.
Build an Email List for Travel Enthusiasts
There’s a reason why email marketing is the only form of online marketing that’s barely changed in the past 15 years. It works.
It’s also challenging. Most travel blogs ask readers to join their mailing lists, so give them a special reason to sign up for yours.
It could be a workout plan, equipment guide, or anything else that sets you apart from other travel bloggers.
Why go through all this headache? Because anyone who signs up for your mailing list is devoted to what you have to say. These people are your congregation.
If you recommend a product to your mailing list, they’ll likely purchase it. At a bare minimum, send your new blog posts to your mailing list to pump up early traffic numbers.
Be ethical, but find things your mailing list will appreciate and sell, sell, sell!
TIP: You can find a bunch of premium sales email templates on Canva. Work smarter, not harder!
Collaborate with Other Travel Bloggers
As website owners, we tend to think of our competitors as enemies, which is a bit silly. When you think about it, they’re just like us, trying their best to hustle and make things work.
Instead of worrying about how other travel bloggers will outrank you, reach out and see if you can work together.
If you build a network of small travel bloggers who all promote each other’s content, you’ll stand a much better chance of competing with established travel authorities.
Engaging in Travel Communities
Join online communities related to your niche and engage with other members. This will help you establish yourself as an expert and build relationships with potential readers.
Monetizing Your Travel Blog
Ok, so your blog is up and running, and you're gaining a following. How do you monetize a travel blog?
Here are the best ways to earn a real income from your new travel blog.
Affiliate Marketing
I recommend travel bloggers start with affiliate marketing before any other monetization method.
I love affiliate marketing because it’s a low-effort way to monetize your website without ruining your reader’s experience.
To monetize your travel blog with affiliate marketing, first, you have to identify products your audience will find helpful. Then, find the affiliate program for those products, and write thorough product reviews.
For beginners, I recommend focusing on the Amazon Associates affiliate program. The conversion rate is incredible, and you can diversify when your site is more successful.
For products that aren’t available on Amazon, just do a Google search for “[Product] affiliate program,” and you’ll find their program’s signup page.
Another way to find affiliate programs is by checking Lasso's database.
To save you some time, here are a few of the best affiliate networks for travel bloggers:
-
Commission Rate: 5% Per Sale
Cookie Duration: 30 Days
REI has been sharing its passion for the outdoors since 1938. It has massive brand recognition on its side and offers a wide variety of products.
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Commission Rate: 25% - 40% Per Sale
Cookie Duration: N/A
First started in 1996, Booking.com is one of the largest eCommerce travel companies in the world. As an affiliate member, you can make up to 40% commission.
-
Commission Rate: 15% or $5 - $55 Per Sale
Cookie Duration: 1 Year
Travel Insurance Master is an easy way to find your recommended travel insurance plan from multiple leading providers all in one place!
TIP: We maintain a database of the best affiliate programs. Click here to see the best travel affiliate programs.
Once approved for your chosen affiliate program, add your affiliate link to products and images, and you’re good to go. You’ll earn a commission if a reader clicks on your link and makes a purchase.
If you're still wondering how to earn money with affiliate marketing, check out these affiliate marketing website examples for inspiration.
Earn More Affiliate Income With Lasso
If you want to take your affiliate marketing strategy to the next level, I recommend you sign up for Lasso.
Lasso is a WordPress plugin that helps affiliate marketers manage links and create product displays that convert.
All you need to do is paste the affiliate link in your Lasso dashboard, add some interesting sales copy, and you’re ready to insert that Display into your blog posts.
Your product displays could look like this one:
Lasso is the best WordPress plugin for affiliate marketing. If you want to earn more affiliate income and grow your niche site, you need Lasso!
Great Displays Increase Conversions!
If you ever need to change the link, you can change it once in your Lasso dashboard, which will update the link across your entire website.
Lasso will also handle your link cloaking and attributes, so your site will always be optimized and compliant.
That’s not even mentioning things like Tables, Grids, Lists, Link Alerts, and more.
4.8
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4.6
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Starting at $30 a month
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Starting at $2.75 a month
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If you want to monetize your travel blog the easy way, sign up for Lasso today.
Display Ads
Another great way to monetize your travel blog is with display ads. Display ads use cookies to advertise products your readers will love, so it’s a very individualized experience.
Display ads are also the most passive way to monetize a travel blog. You turn them on, configure the settings, and wait for the money to roll in.
The drawback to display ads is that nobody likes them. It’s why so many people install ad blockers in their browsers (which stop you from making money, by the way).
TIP: If you use display ads on your travel blog, configure the settings to prioritize user experience. By being selective with your ad placements, you’ll make more money in the long run.
Here are the best ad networks to join based on your site’s page views:
- 50,000+ Visitors per month - Mediavine
- 10,000-50,000 Visitors per month - Ezoic
- <10,000 Visitors per month - Google Adsense / waiting to grow
NOTE: With the low rates ad networks pay, it won’t be worth running display ads if you have less than 10,000 monthly visitors. You’re better off focusing on affiliate offers and creating more content to grow your following.
Digital Products
Selling digital products is the easiest way to transition from advertising other people’s products to selling your own.
That’s a great step to take because it means instead of earning 3-8% of the profit, you’re taking 100% of the profit.
The drawback to selling anything is that you’re responsible for the bulk of the work. You need to provide customer service, handle returns, and find a way to process payments and distribute products.
Hey! If you're diving into the travel blog niche, here are some digital products that can totally kick things up a notch:
- Customized Itineraries: Offer personalized travel plans based on the customer's interests and budget. Big hit for those who want unique experiences without the hassle of planning.
- Travel eBooks: Create guides on specific destinations or travel tips. These can range from "The Budget Traveler's Guide to Europe" to "Secret Beaches of Thailand."
- Online Courses: Teach your audience how to travel smarter, from packing hacks to finding cheap flights. Could be a series like "Become a Travel Hacking Master."
- Photo Presets: Sell your own custom Lightroom presets for enhancing travel photos. Great for Instagram enthusiasts looking to up their game.
- Membership Programs: Offer exclusive content, discounts on travel gear, or personalized advice for members. Adds a recurring income source.
Each of these products can help monetize your travel blog while providing real value to your audience. Cheers to your adventure in digital products!
Once you’ve created a digital product, connect a payment processor like Paypal or Stripe to your site with a plugin like Woocommerce.
Then you can use a tool like ConvertKit to automatically email the lead magnet to customers after they’ve finished checking out.
It’s a lot of work, but the extra profit is well worth it.
Consulting
Travel consulting could be your next big move. If you've been soaking up all things travel, you're sitting on a goldmine of insights. Why not share that knowledge with your blog readers?
They'll even highlight the areas they need help with. As your following expands, expect to receive messages about how to handle specific travel challenges or requests for detailed guides.
Consider offering personal consultations at $100 per hour. It's a simple way to monetize your expertise, and hey, the worst they can say is no!
If you find you’re selling a lot of consulting services, you can even create a section of your site dedicated to your services.
TIP: You can use Lasso to increase your consulting sales. Set the destination link to your contact page, and you’re all set!
FAQs on Starting a Travel Blog
How Much Money Do Travel Bloggers Make?
The income range for travel bloggers is enormous. Many bloggers make no revenue, while some travel blogs make over six figures per month. It all depends on traffic and how well you present your offers.
How Can I Monetize a Travel Blog?
The best way to monetize a travel blog is with affiliate marketing, but you can also use display ads, sell digital downloads, or even sell coaching services.
How Do Travel Bloggers Get Paid?
Most travel bloggers make money through affiliate commissions and advertising fees. Both of these monetization methods pay out one or two months after the fees have been generated.
Some travel bloggers also sell sponsored posts, consulting services, or their own products. In these cases, a payment processor like PayPal or Stripe is necessary.
Is Travel Blogging Easy?
Nothing worth doing is truly easy, but that doesn’t mean travel blogging isn’t fun.
As a travel blogger, you’ll get to go places, try new things, and meet new people. And it will be part of your business! What could be cooler than that?
Is It Worth Starting A Travel Blog?
It’s absolutely worth it to start a travel blog. Not only can you make a living from it, but you can also build a community and control the conversation.
Once you’re an established authority, people in travel-related industries will take you seriously.
Final Thoughts on Starting a Travel Blog
That wraps up our guide on starting a travel blog.
Yes, the travel blogging world is tough. It might take a while to see your first paycheck, and you could even be in the red during your first year. But hang in there—it's worth it.
Stick to the tips we discussed, keep at it no matter what, and create posts that you'd enjoy reading. It's hard work, but you've got this.
Always be consistent, connect with your followers, and remember to enjoy the journey!
Why You Should Trust Our Travel Blogging Content
You may be thinking, "that's all great, but what does Lasso know about travel blogging?"
Quite a lot, actually.
Here's why you can trust our process for building a successful travel blog:
We've Built Wildly Successful Blogs
Lasso is built for affiliate marketers, by affiliate marketers. We're not gurus; we've walked the walk.
Our team members have built multiple blogs from the ground up, some of them earning over seven figures in revenue.
We put that experience into every guide we write, so you can trust we're giving you a process that works.
We Talk To Travel Bloggers Every Day
Lasso's WordPress plugin is installed on over 8,000 websites, including a lot of travel blogs.
Our team supports those bloggers every day as they create awesome content and earn lots of money.
These communications give us a bird's-eye view of what's new in the travel industry. We take that information and use it to keep these guides as up-to-date and accurate as possible.
We're Super Nerds
We've put a lot of company focus into learning everything we can about blogging, affiliate marketing, SEO, and anything to do with online entrepreneurship.
We attend conferences, collect high-level contacts, read tons of books, and distill all of that information into our content. We pass information onto you that was previously only available to industry insiders.