There are several options when choosing a blogging platform. The most common include WordPress, Blogger, and Typepad.
WordPress
WordPress is an Open Source Web software solution for creating beautiful websites or blogs. Started in 2003, WordPress has grown to be one of the largest self-hosted blogging tools. WordPress offers the latest blogging technology available. With thousands of plug-ins, you will be able to customize your site to be effective and unique. You can have a custom domain option which means you can install the wordpress code directly into a website.
Blogger
Blogger is great for the beginner and is extremely easy to use. They offer beautiful templates you can customize and the service is free. Your hosted blog will have an URL such as joeauthor.blogspot.com. However you can choose to integrate your own custom domain option. This means you can purchase JoeAuthor.com and Blogger will still host all your blog content for free, but it will display on your personal URL address.
TypePad
Typepad offers hundreds of stunning designs to choose from or you can customize your own. The built-in SEO helps you target your audience through auto posting to your social networks, such as Twitter and Facebook. The process is easy. You choose a design, create your first entry and go live. Typepad offers a free trial, then fully hosted (paid) packages.
In the following video, I will describe the basics of setting up a free blog with WordPress.com. Take a few moments to read through the tutorials listed below and familiarize yourself with the blog content management system.
Don’t be worried. Like any new product, it takes a little time to learn. If you find yourself getting frustrated, let me know and I’ll try to point you in the right direction.
Resources
- Step-by-Step Tutorial on How to blog
- WordPress Lessons
- SiteGround: WordPress Tutorial
- WordPress for a Website
Great article and video on how to set up a blog! WordPress is my blog of choice, and wonderful! So many great features!
Thanks for all the comments, Dan!