Is 2020 the right year to start a travel blog, especially if you live in the United States? With politics and COVID-19, travel looks a lot different these days! Here’s what you need to know.

Starting A Travel Blog in 2020
As I write this, it is August 2020. Travel from the United States to the rest of the world is extremely difficult thanks to COVID19. Is now the time to start a travel blog? Are people even reading travel blogs or traveling at all?
I’m here to reassure you that yes, people are still traveling. It might not be globally, but they are still going on trips and experiencing the world beyond their homes.
In fact, how people use travel blogs is changing – but they are definitely using them! If you want to start a travel blog, follow my tips (and I’ll even introduce you to some of the best ones out there!)

Photo by Tom Eversley on Wunderstock (license)
Niche Down
The very first thing you should do is really focus your blog’s main content. I called this “niching down.” Narrow your focus.
Instead of just writing a blog about family travel, write about East Coast Family Travel. Some people go as specific as only writing about Disney World.
When you create a specific niche, you will help people know what they are going to find when they land on your site. It will improve the authority of your content too. People will trust you know what you are talking about if you talk specifically about one thing.
Use Stunning Photography
The other thing that will set your site apart from all the rest is if you have incredible photographs. One of the main reasons people read travel blogs is to visit the places virtually and dream from their couch!
The photo below is an example of a picture that tells a story and transports you from where you are.
If your photography can do this, then you have a shot at travel blogging.

Photo by mag3737 on Wunderstock (license)
Make Your Site Easy To Navigate
When people land on your site, it should be super easy to find everything they need. This is the beauty of niching down. When you have a specific focus to your blog, your menu will list those topics and people will know exactly what it is about.
You don’t have to be a tech wizard to do any of this, either. There are a bunch of free WordPress tutorials online that show you what you need to know.
Best Travel Bloggers of 2020
The best thing you can do as you develop your travel blog is read other travel blogs and use their content as inspiration. This interview with Traveling Graces is so encouraging! It shows how a family that simply enjoyed traveling together made an entire career out of it.
If you keep working at it, you could become one of the Top 10 Travel Influencers – but it will take a lot of work!
I also suggest networking with other travel bloggers on Facebook Groups. They are really friendly and willing to help new bloggers out. You can also contact the experts from SERPninja.io who will be helping you to reach out your blog to increase its visibility among the other competitors.

Focus On SEO
Traffic will make you eligible for earning money through affiliate links and banner ads – but how do you get that traffic? Lots of successful travel bloggers write content that ranks high in search engines like Google. This is known as SEO (search engine optimization). You can visit indexsy.com if you want to learn and understand more about SEO.
Lots of things go into SEO. It takes site authority (which includes how many well-known sites link back to yours), a well-organized site, detailed and reliable articles, and the ability to use the best keywords. Make sure you focus on learning what needs to be done from freelance SEO consultant Andy Drinkwater.
Believe me, SEO is an entire beast but it will help your blog if you learn even the basics of it. There are tons of courses out there. My favorite is the Hashtag Jeff SEO Course. It’s only $29 per month and you gain access to his mastermind group where you can ask questions.
This course is really simple and explains SEO in terms that anyone can understand. Once you take it, you will be able to help your blog grow in leaps and bounds.
Recap Past Experiences
Since 2020 makes traveling pretty difficult, it might help for you to create content from past years.
Share photos and details about trips you took before and describe them in detail so people can live vicariously through your blog.
If you are discovering a way to travel close to home, share it with your readers! Let them know how to navigate the world of COVID and what to look out for as they try to travel.

Final Thoughts
Just because traveling is more difficult in 2020 doesn’t mean you should put off starting a travel blog. In fact, with more time at home, this is the perfect year to do it!
Get in an RV, make a minivan a place you can sleep in, or explore the area around your house. Travel blogging takes lots of work to set up and get started. But once you do, it is one of the most rewarding jobs you will ever have!
More Blogging Tips
If you are serious about starting your blogging journey, then keep reading! I have more helpful articles for you right here.
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