5 Steps to Start a Blog (That Actually Makes Money)

Starting a blog is easy. Starting a profitable blog that funds your travels? That requires a strategy.

You don’t need to be a coding wizard or a professional writer. You just need to make the right decisions on Day One. Most people get stuck in “analysis paralysis” where they worry about logos and color schemes before they have even written a word.

Stop overthinking. Here are the 5 non-negotiable steps to building a digital asset that works for you.

Quick Summary:

1. Choose a Niche: Find a specific problem to solve.
2. Select a Platform: Use self-hosted WordPress for full control.
3. Pick a Domain: Keep it clean, simple, and brandable.
4. Create Content: Use the “Topic Cluster” strategy.
5. Design for Conversion: Prioritize speed and readability over fancy layouts.

Transparency Note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services I personally use and trust.

1. Choose a Niche (Solve a Specific Problem)

When a stranger lands on your site, they need to know two things within 3 seconds: Who are you, and what can you do for me?

Take it from me, I learned this the hard way. I started “That Travel Blog” because I was obsessed with sharing my travel experiences. But over time, my focus shifted to teaching people how to afford travel through online business and my life in Thailand. Now, I love my brand name, but I have to admit it is way too broad and it just says “I make travel content”.

Don’t make my mistake. Pick a lane early.

How to find a profitable niche:

• Look at your consumption: What content do you read every day? You can’t write passionately about finance if you find it boring.
• Find the gap: You want to be a travel blogger? Great. So does everyone else. But maybe you are the only travel blogger focusing on “Sustainable Living in Southeast Asia” or “Accessible Travel for Wheelchair Users.”
• The “Guide” Test: Can you write a “How-To” guide for your niche? If your niche is just “My thoughts on life,” you will struggle to monetize it.

2. Best Blogging Platform: WordPress vs. Wix

This is the most critical technical decision you will make. You generally have two paths:

• The Hobby Path (Wix/Squarespace): Easy to set up, but you don’t own the land. You have limited customization, limited SEO power, and you are trapped in their ecosystem.
• The Business Path (WordPress): This is the industry standard. It powers over 40% of the web. It is fully customizable, scalable, and you own it.

My Recommendation: Most people are scared of WordPress because they think it involves coding. It doesn’t. You just need the right stack. Here is the exact setup I use and recommend:

• Hosting: SiteGround. It’s fast, reliable, and has a “one-click install” for WordPress. You literally press a button, and your site is live.
• Platform: WordPress. This is the engine. It gives you access to thousands of free plugins to do almost anything you can imagine.
• Design: Elementor Pro. This sits on top of WordPress and lets you design your site visually. It’s “drag-and-drop” easy, but because it’s on WordPress, you aren’t trapped in a walled garden.

This combination gives you the ease of Wix with the power of a custom-coded site.

(Note: These are affiliate links, but I recommend this exact stack because it is what runs That Travel Blog. I trust it with my own business.)

3. Pick a Domain Name and Brand

Nothing kills momentum like falling in love with a name, designing a logo, and then realizing the .com costs $5,000.

The Rules of Naming:

1. Keep it clean: Avoid hyphens, numbers, or creative misspellings (e.g., Travelz4U). If you have to spell it out over the phone, it is too complicated.
2. Think bigger: Don’t box yourself in. If you name your blog BackpackingInPeru.com, what happens when you move to Vietnam?
3. Check the handles: Before you buy the domain, check Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. You want your brand to be consistent across the board.

Pro Tip: I use iwantmyname for all my domains. No hidden fees, no up-selling nonsense, just clean, honest pricing. (Note: This is an affiliate link, but I trust it with my own business.)

4. Develop a Content Strategy (The “Cluster” Method)

Don’t just post random thoughts. You need a content strategy that signals to Google that you are an expert.

Instead of writing one giant post about everything, use Topic Clusters:

The Pillar Page: A massive guide on a broad topic (e.g., “Digital Nomad Life in Thailand”).

The Cluster Content: Smaller, specific posts linking back to it. For example, “Best Cafes in Chiang Mai” or “How to get a Thai Visa.”

The Schedule: Consistency is key, but quality is king. It is better to publish one incredible, SEO-optimized guide per month than four “fluff” pieces that offer no value.

5. Design for Conversion (Not Vanity)

It is tempting to spend weeks tweaking font sizes, but an ugly blog that works is better than a pretty blog that breaks.

Model, Don’t Copy: Look at the sites you visit every day. Notice why they work.

• Do they have a clean navigation bar?
• Is the font easy to read on mobile?
• Do they have a clear “Call to Action” (like a newsletter signup) on every page?

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Use a lightweight theme (like Hello Elementor) and focus on speed and readability. Your readers are there for the information, not your fancy background animations.

Ready to launch? Your first post won’t be perfect. The most important step is to just start.