Last Updated on June 21, 2026 by Nadia Halfway
📜 Introduction.
If you usually read my blog, you probably know me for travel itineraries, hidden gems, and tips for travelling with Type 1 Diabetes. But in this article, I want to do something different and share the practical side of how to start a blog from scratch, starting with the absolute basics.
If you want to start a travel blog today, the technical side can feel confusing at first. Terms like domain, hosting, and CDN sound complicated, but they are much simpler than they seem.
After establishing the niche and the brand identity, in this article, I will walk you through some technicisms such as domain, hosting and CDN, what each one means, why you need it, and how they work together to get your website online.
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What is a Domain Name and Where to Buy It.
Think of your domain name as your home address on the internet. It is what people type into their browser to find you, such as yourblogname.com.
A good domain name should be easy to remember, easy to spell, and relevant to your brand. In most cases, it is better to avoid numbers, hyphens, or unusual spellings, because they make your site harder to find and harder to remember.
You can buy a domain name through a registrar. Personally, I use OVH for my domains because it is a budget-friendly option. When you buy a domain, you are usually paying for the right to renew and keep that name every year.
You may also see a few technical terms in your account:
- Domains. This is your actual website address. You buy it and easily renew it once a year.
- DNS Zone. Think of this as the internet’s phone book. It simply connects your blog’s name to the server that will physically host your website.
- MX Plan. This is a built-in plan that allows you to create a professional email address using your new domain name (for example, [email protected]).
At this stage, you do not need to understand every technical detail. You simply need to know that the domain is the first step: it gives your blog its online identity.
Choosing Your Web Hosting (and How to Sign Up).
If the domain is your address, web hosting is the plot of land where you build your house. It stores your blog posts, images, pages, and files so people can access them online.
Without hosting, a domain name alone does nothing. You need both working together: one gives your site a name, and the other gives it a place to exist.
For beginners, many bloggers choose hosting providers that include simple setup tools, automatic WordPress installation, and customer support. Thus, when choosing a hosting plan, look for:
- Easy WordPress installation
- SSL certificate included
- Good customer support
- Backups or basic security features
- Pricing that is sustainable after the first renewal
I personally use Hostinger because it is beginner-friendly and competitively priced. Here is how to set up:
- Subscribe to Hostiner
- Choose a hosting plan (the “Premium” or “Business” plans are perfect for new bloggers)
- Select your billing period
- Create your account and enter your payment details
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Why most people choose WordPress.
Once you have purchased your hosting plan on Hostinger, the setup wizard will ask you what kind of website you want to build. This is exactly where you should select WordPress. You do not need to download or install anything separately as Hostinger installs it for you automatically in just a few minutes.
WordPress is the most common choice because it is flexible, widely supported, and designed for content-based websites. It gives you control over your blog design, structure, plugins, and long-term growth in a way that many simpler website builders do not.
That is why WordPress is often the best option for beginners who want to start simple but still grow over time. You can begin with basic pages and blog posts, then add themes, plugins, newsletters, affiliate tools, and SEO features later.
What is a CDN (Content Delivery Network)?
CDN stands for Content Delivery Network. It sounds technical, but the idea is simple: it helps your website load faster for people in different parts of the world.
Let’s say your hosting server is in Europe, but someone visits your blog from Australia or the United States. A CDN stores copies of your site content on multiple servers around the world, so visitors can load the version closest to them. This improves both speed and performance.
For a travel blog, this is especially useful because your readers may come from many different countries. A faster website is better for user experience and generally better for search visibility too.
I use Cloudflare, which offers a free plan and is the most widely used CDN for bloggers. It also adds a basic layer of security to your site. The good news is that Hostinger makes it very easy to connect, so no advanced technical knowledge needed.
Setting Up a Professional Email.
Once your domain and hosting are in place, I strongly recommend doing one more thing before you start building: creating a professional email address. Something like [email protected] looks far more credible than a generic Gmail address, especially when you start reaching out to brands, tourism boards, or fellow bloggers.
The good news is that if you are already with Hostinger, you do not need any extra tools. Hostinger includes a free email service directly on its dashboard. Here is how to set it up:
- Log into hPanel and go to Emails
- Click Create email account
- Choose your email name and set a password
You can access it directly from the Hostinger webmail interface, or connect it to Gmail so you can manage everything from one inbox.
How these tools work together.
To put your website online, you need these three elements to work together:
- Your domain is your address.
- Your hosting is the space where your website is stored.
- Your CDN helps your content load faster for readers around the world.
Once those foundations are in place, you can install WordPress and start building your blog. This is the technical setup behind almost every content website, and while it may feel intimidating at first, it is actually manageable once you understand what each part does.
You do not need to be highly technical to get started. You just need the right tools and a clear understanding of what you are paying for.
❓ FAQ
Not necessarily. Many hosting providers (e.g. Hostinger) include a free domain name when you purchase a hosting plan. However, some bloggers prefer to keep them separate for more flexibility. Either approach works fine for a beginner.
It is not strictly essential on day one, but it is worth setting up early. A CDN like Cloudflare improves your site’s loading speed for international visitors and adds a basic layer of security, both of which matter for user experience and search visibility. The good news is that it is free and takes just a few minutes to connect through Hostinger.
A professional email is an address that uses your own domain name instead of a generic Gmail or Outlook address. It makes your blog look more credible, helps readers and brands take you seriously, and keeps your communication aligned with your blog identity.
🎈 Conclusion.
Starting a blog is much easier when you break it down into simple steps. First, you choose your domain name, then you buy a web hosting, install WordPress, and, if needed, connect a CDN to improve loading speed.
Last but not least, setting up a professional email address gives your blog instant credibility, especially when you start reaching out to brands and tourism boards.
These are the building blocks of your website, and once they are in place, you are ready to move on to design and customization. In the next article, I will walk you through how to navigate in WordPress.
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