How to Start a blog

When you have learned how to start a blog you will be able to write down your thoughts and express them online, and also keep in touch with other people through your blogging. A blog is short for ‘weblog’, originally a web-based log of additions and changes to your website. However, it is no longer necessary to have a website to have a blog, and many use it as a personal online diary that is open for the world to read.

If need to know how to start a blog, then be comforted that it is quite easy. You can start your own blog simply by using one of the free online blogging services such as Wordpress or Blogger. These are completely free in that you can run from the providers own hosting site, so don’t even need a website. However, if you have a website you get much more flexibility in use if you operate your blog from your own website. This involves uploading the software to your own webspace, and configuring to run from there. Instructions on how to do this are given later.

So these are your options if you want know how to start a blog. Run it from Wordpress.com or Blogger.com or run it from your own website. The benefits of the first two are that you need know nothing about computers except how to type. You are provided with a limited number of templates and plugins, though they are enough for you to get started with a fairly reasonable blog.

The benefits of the second way are that you have much more functionality, a much wider range of templates and an almost unlimited number of templates. Unlike using a hosted blog service you have access to the HTML that makes up your blog, and can modify it exactly as you want it. Wordpress blogs are designed from stylesheets, and you can change each element to suit yourself: the header and footer, sidebars and body. You can use any graphic and add Adsense blocks anywhere you want.

If want to learn how to start a blog to your own design, then installing Wordpress to your own website is the best way in my book.

An alternative to Wordpress is Drupal, which is a content management service you can use as a blog, a visitors book, an FAQ page and much more. However, you can also get Wordpress plugins to do the same, and having used both I have opted for Wordpress since it gives me more control over what I use my blog for. Others prefer Drupal.

Check out the free hosted blog options here:

Wordpress

Blogger and Drupal here: Dupal

If you are interested in uploading Wordpress to your own website, here are the instructions:
Install Wordpress

I have put together some clear instruction using screenshots of my own installation procedure.

That should provide you with enough information on how to start a blog for the first time. Personally, I believe that if you have a website then you should install Wordpress on your own website.

If you don't, then try Wordpress and Blogger from their own websites, and once you get the chance get a web host and use either Wordpress or Drupal from your own website. If you prefer Blogger then just stick with it.

The whole point of having a blog is personal, and if you feel that you would be better with all the extra functionality you get by operating it from your own site, then go for it.

You can get a website for under $8 a month here:

Hostgator

This host provides a fully functional website with a lot more features than you are likely to find elsewhere. I use a hosgator website for many of my Adsense sites and I have never had a single problem with it.

You get unlimited subdomains, unlimited email addresses and autorepsonders that allow you to run your busienss on autopilot. It is also pre-formatted for Wordpress, but if you have problems getting it to work, or prefer to install it yourself, I can help.

If you register with Hostgator from this link I will install it for you free of charge. The reason is that I am an affiliate for this webhost because I use it and can safely recommend it. If you use my link you don't pay less, but I get paid, and that is enough for me to help you, since you helped me. That's how to start a blog without heartache: get me to do it!

Click here to register with Hostgator,

When or if you need my help, contact me using the link to the bottom left.

However, if you want something a bit more fully functional, that will allow you to run a number of different businesses with website design software and templates, double opt-in forms, shopping cart, affiliate programs, unlimited email adresses, autoresponders and subdomains, stats analysis, and also a means of accepting credit/debit card payments the I use Thirdsphere as my main website host.

They are brilliant, and again I have an affiliate program with them, but will share some of that with you by again giving you free help in installing Wordpress, free support in using the web hosting service (in addition to the great support you get)and will give you $5 back through PayPal if you register.

Yes, it's a bribe, and yes, I make more. But, hey - I have a living to make too, and you won't get this offer from anybody else.

However, if you need to know how to start blog that can be integrated with website designed to make money, then that is how to do it. Operate your blog from your own website, and anybody visiting the blog will also be exposed to your website, and vice vrsa. Use some other blogging money-making techniques I can show you and then you have a virtual personal mint bringing in money on a regular basis.

The cost of Thirdphere is under $25 monthly and to me is worth twice that. I have two of their sites, but run over 20 websites from them. Many websites cost more for just the one domain, yet you can operate an unlimited number of domains from your main Third Sphere domain. Just like different websites with their own personal URLs. That's how to start a blog that works for you!

If you prefer Third Sphere for a more permanent and comprehensive web hosting service for a fully functional biusiness, then CLICK HERE for a free walk through what they have to offer. I know you will be impressed, because many of the world's top internet gurus and entrepreneurs use Third Sphere as their web host of choice.

I could never use any other, except for a site when I need a minimum of functionality when I use my inexpensive Hostgator site. Starting a blog is easy on either of these web hosting services.

If you register with either of these I will personally install Wordpress for you. If you use Third Sphere I will also put $5 into your PayPal account.

Whichever way you decide to use, you now know how to start a blog, and I will help you all the way.


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