I got some time to kill today so I decided to make a quick article about making your own blog.
I’ve been blogging for more than two years now and although I don’t post articles as frequent as before, I can say I know a thing or two about blogging.
Blog which is short for WebLog started more like as an online diary of a person who owns the blog. Now it can be a full website pertaining to almost anything from gadgets, sports to political topics.
Making your own blog is easy and you don’t have to spend a penny to make one. Two of the most popular free online blog services are Blogspot which owns by Google and WordPress.com which is different from wordpress.org
Let’s talk about Blogspot first. Because it is Google owned, then it has an advantage to be more searcheable and you can also put Adsense (ads from Google) in it. It’s main disadvantage is, the themes are very limited and the format sucks. Really.
Now when it comes to WordPress.com, the themes and the format are much better than Blogspot. There are more theme options too compare to Blogspot but you can not put any ads including Adsense to your WordPress.com blog.
Now if you are really serious about making a blog, then I suggest get your own domain name thats pertaining to your blog topic e.g. thelifeofbusybee.com if you compare yourself to a bee and wants to talk about your daily activites. This way the blog domain itself is already about your blog topic and it will have more weight on Google search results. So if your blog is about cars, then your domain name should be about cars too. The more specific your domain name usually the better.
The cost of domain name is usually between $7 to $10 per year but it comes free if you buy a hosting service for like $60 – $70 year. That’s like $5 to $6 a month for getting your own domain name plus your own hosting that’s a lot better than any other free blog sites out there.
For hosting, I suggest you take a look at Bluehost which got some very good reviews, and I personally use it to host this very own blog. Their pricing is competitive and their customer service is top notch. There are dozens of very good hosting providers out there, just search and pick the one that fits your budget but make sure check the reviews first.
Finally, you need content to put on your blog so I suggest you write your ideas or topics in a small notebook so when its time to write, you will have something to start with. As bloggers would always say, Content is the King.
I almost forgot to add, you need to let everyone to know about your article or blog itself. Put it in your Facebook wall, Tweet it or just go to similar blogs and let them know about yours by adding comments to their articles, just don’t spam them please.
If you have anything to add or tips for new bloggers, please feel free to add it on the comment section below.
It’s important to carefully choose a dynamic topic/niche that you’re interested in and won’t run out of things to talk about.
Nice to see you writing again,. Wonderful post! I agree with you on blogspot and wordpress being the two best platforms to start with, although I would prefer wordpress like 99% of the time. And speaking about hosting, there are many good hosting sites there so I don’t think picking one would be a problem, but hostgator seems to be on top in most people’s lists.
Lastly, if you are looking to be serious in blogging, I would highly suggest paying for a good hosting site, domain, theme, certain plugins to optimize your site’s results plus it helps how your viewers will perceive you.
Great comments Annie and Josh…definitely agree with your suggestions.
ZXT´s last [type] ..NEOBUX is a scam
Thanks for the informative post. Can you tell me what is the difference between hosting and buying a domain name? It would be great if you can answer my query.
John´s last [type] ..Selected Ex Girlfriend Quotes
I think you already know the answer John as you also have your own blog with your own domain and hosting.
ZXT´s last [type] ..NEOBUX is a scam
I had always used blogger because of the benefit of Google adsense. But now I intend to shift to wordpress. What is the benefit if I use paid wordpress? I can use the free one as well, right or are there any nominal charges for using wordpress?
Steve´s last [type] ..The Root and Solutions of Commitment Phobia
Been using Blogger! But thanks for sharing this very interesting post.
Kate Belle Townsend´s last [type] ..Hospitalized George Michael “improving”
This is the type of resource I would like to have had when I first started. Of course, that was twelve years ago and blogging software did even exist.
Mac@Moving Across Country´s last [type] ..Moving Out of Parents House Checklist
When one is thinking of opening his or her own blog for the first time, they should have some articles ready for publishing, maybe at least 10 so that when they are able to have their hosting site and domain name, they will be able to post immediately and have some content already available for people to read. Social media sites can greatly help with any type of blog, and they are one of the easiest ways how to gain free traffic to your site. Thanks for sharing!
Felicia @ No Deposit Poker´s last [type] ..WPT, EPT, GSOP Live: 11 Days of Poker in Prague
As always, sensible post from you Felicia.
ZXT´s last [type] ..8 Ways to flatten your belly in one week
Hi ZXT,
Thanks! You’re welcome
Felicia @ No Deposit Poker´s last [type] ..PCA: Faraz Jaka still going strong in Bahamas
Hi ZXT,
Great post! I’m a new blogger and I need to learn the basics of blogging. This is a big help to me. I just want to share what my friend always advice me every time I ask him tips in blogging. He always told me “Just enjoy it” and I found it very useful
Susan M. Shaffer´s last [type] ..Make Money With Blogs
It is to start our own blog but these Google Adsense does not approve an account from bloggers platform.
Maja@fantastic sams´s last [type] ..Choice of Hair Color
Actually Google will almost always approve it. Unless your blog doesn’t have content or either malicious or with adult theme.
ZXT´s last [type] ..Boost Your Brain Power Through the Morning Routine
I have heard that Google doesn’t like very much webs with a lot of advertising, is adsense included in this, or maybe because this ads ar from Google they don’t penalyze the web?
Jerry@contabilidad´s last [type] ..Autónomos sin cobrar y los bancos ganan 9.328 M€
Nice post! Me, I’m a wordpress man through and through…the diversity of themes and plugins mean that you can create virtually any kind of site you want nowadays (and all for the price of a meal in a restaurant!).
Quick tip – if you are new to blogging get a hosting package with one click install and online chat help, you be amazed at how much hassle this will save.
I’m a diehard WordPress fan and I would love to give Blogger a hard time. Two things though. For one, you can set up a Blogger blog in literally a few moments, and two, Blogger blogs get lots of traffic for some reason.
For full-on blogging though, I would always go WordPress.
Thumbs up for Bluehost from me too by the way.
I’m a starter in this field and i want to know more about blogging and WordPress so when i read your topic (basics of blogging) I have found it beneficial for us freelancers. Thanks for sharing this hints to us so we can enhance our skills in writing. I’ll also consider WordPress when I finish blogging. I’ll just find diversity of this craft and i will choose whatever fits my skills and especially what keeps me comfortable. Thanks admin for sharing this to us. Keep it up!
Agree with you Blogspot is a good option to start blogging with. Google AdSense makes it more beneficial. But I would suggest one should start with WordPress after a bit getting used to blogging. Once started with WordPress one is surely going to enjoy it forever! Your post gives perfect tips to start blogging and this will surely motivate wannabe bloggers. You have posted a great information for newbies.
Marc Derikx@Ontario Used Vehicles´s last [type] ..Jimmy G – Clients Feedback
I would recommend that they really pay attention when selecting a blog platform. You highlighted some of the differences between Blogger and WordPress, (and I believe Tumblr is also becoming popular). I just picked one randomly, and I wish that I had spent a bit more time on that decision. I like Blogger, but WordPress has a lot of plugins that would be nice to use. Yet, Blogger integrates seamlessly with Google’s tools – so each has pros and cons.
Josh@Play Board Games´s last [type] ..Quarriors Review
Great to hear some facts about blogs, I must confess though I am a regular blogger I was not aware of its full form, nor its history. So thanks for that, trivia is always great. It may have started as a personal space, but now I think there is hardly anyone who still uses it as a personal space. It has become as public as ever and a great money making and marketing platform. In the 21st century I must say the keyboard replaced the pen and the blog replaced the diary. So those who have no knowledge of computer use are equated to illiterate in the technological age. Sad but true, illiteracy has changed its definition now.
George@merchant account´s last [type] ..CheapestMerchantAccounts.com in the News
People are continually giving advise on the high-fi blogging techniques but many of us are just aware of blogs and really lack the ability to do well with it. I liked the way you have taken pains to explain the simple things that people take for granted. There always a group of people who do things on a different level and I am happy that you spared a thought for us who do not know the basics.
I almost forgot to add, you need to let everyone to know about your article or blog itself. Put it in your Facebook wall, Tweet it or just go to similar blogs and let them know about yours by adding comments to their articles, just don’t spam them please.
Basically you need to create some buzz around your blog in order to be seen on the internet.
Radu´s last [type] ..7 Ideas For Adding Fresh Content
I think going the route of buying your own domain is the way to go. Using the free sites limits you. Once you own your own site, the sky is the limit.