A blog is short for "weblog" and is a website that lists entries in reverse chronological order. Originally they were designed to be online diaries or journals that were to be updated daily or at the desired frequency of the writer. Blogging platforms and software programs have made the process very easy over the last ten years. So easy that, depending upon the platform, you just type in your entry and press submit. You don't have to be a techie or know programming language. If you want to start a website starting a blog is the easiest way start one.
Set up is easy, quick and free so why not try it? There are many resources available to guide you through the steps that may be confusing. With over twenty million blogs out there it just can't be that hard to create.
You can find many services that allow you to blog for free and you may want to start that way. If you feel you want to move forward with blogging and try to make money you would want to consider a self-hosted blog. You will be more successful with a self-hosted blog if you are trying to make money. Even though a self-hosted blog is not free it is still very inexpensive. Domain names cost $10 and web-hosting may be as inexpensive as a few dollars a month.
You will need to select a blogging platform from the four that are available. Three options are the easiest to use but have more limited features. Choose one of the easier platforms if your goal is to make a few hundred extra dollars from your blog. If you are really serious self-hosting is the way to go.
Self-hosted blog platforms allow you the best way to customize your sites look and other features. The average monthly cost is $10 per month and you can use your own domain name. There is more work on the front end but the sites offer step-by-step instructions to help you get started.
You will need to select a webhost. This is a company that you pay to store the files for your blog. There are about one million web hosting companies. Go with a known name that has been in business for a while. Web hosting can cost from $7 to $50 a month. Remember, cheaper is not always better.
Choosing a highly-customizable theme will help to increase your earnings potential. You don't have do to this in the beginning as it costs money to get a good theme. Once you are committed to blogging and are willing to invest more money this is a good investment. If may cost $300 to purchase a theme that allows you to optimize your ad placements. If you are a programmer you don't need to purchase a theme because you can customize it yourself to any basic theme.
There is not a legitimate way to make quick and easy money with a blog. It will take time and work but you will be rewarded if you set things up right from the start.
Stace Zimmerman is an Internet Marketer who owns & maintains many websites online. Please visit this site for wordpress themes and other blogging information. He also runs a hoodia information site.
