| There is more than one way to start your own | | | | support (scripting languages) in the web server. |
| blog. In fact, with so many blog solutions out | | | | Most standard hosts already have support for |
| there, you can easily get lost. That's why it's | | | | those features out of the box.What makes this |
| important to pick the right solution for each | | | | type of platform so popular among businesses is |
| business. There is nothing more annoying than | | | | the flexibility and control you get from owning |
| having to handle countless of problems and | | | | one. You can host the blog on your own domain |
| decisions when you suddenly find you need to | | | | with your existing web site; customize the |
| switch blog platforms after you already have a | | | | template to inherit the color and navigation (look |
| blog up and running.Of the various blog hosting and | | | | and feel) from the rest of your website, and so |
| services, they all have their own particular | | | | on.Additionally you can have the blog software |
| benefits and drawbacks. All of them share some | | | | modified to suit your needs, and maybe even |
| basic characteristics that make blogging easy and | | | | install some plug-ins to expand functionalities that |
| fun, although some platforms may require more | | | | are not available on standard package. If the blog |
| technical knowledge than others. That should not | | | | software includes source code and the term of |
| be the barrier though, because it actually is not as | | | | use lets you modify it, you can even let a |
| difficult as you may imagine.There are basically | | | | programmer fix something if you find a bug - and |
| three common blog platforms.1) Hosted weblog | | | | if you release the bug fix into the community, |
| platformThis type of blog is the easiest way to | | | | you have made a meaningful contribution |
| start. It's actually similar to creating a free service | | | | back.Obviously, this option involves more work |
| account online, where you only need to enter | | | | than using a hosted solution. And unlike the first |
| your information into the sign up form and click | | | | solution, if you need to add features then you |
| submit. If you know how to create your own | | | | have to upgrade it your own or hire people who |
| web mail account such as Yahoo! Mail, Gmail or | | | | know how to do it.Like a hosted blog, standalone |
| Hotmail account, you know more than enough to | | | | weblog software usually has a management |
| get started.This is the only blog solution that | | | | screen where you can conduct various |
| allows you to get up and running in a few | | | | administrative tasks using relatively easy |
| minutes.In this type of solution, you don't need to | | | | interfaces.Examples: WordPress, Movable Type, |
| install any type of software or script to get going. | | | | GreyMatter, PMachine, ExpressionEngine, |
| Some providers even allow you to use their | | | | B2Evolution.3) Remote hosted weblog |
| hosting service for free. All you need to do is | | | | platformCurrent web and Internet technologies |
| select the options you want and start posting to | | | | allow certain blog platforms to expand flexibility, |
| your blog.The URL to your blog is usually in the | | | | creating a hybrid of some of the features of |
| following format:1. 2. blogname.example.org | | | | standalone weblog software and hosted weblog |
| 3. example.com/blognameAs you have probably | | | | provider. It takes the best of two worlds and |
| noticed, the biggest benefit of using this type of | | | | bundle them into an elegant solution.This is |
| blog platform is you don't have to take | | | | generally how it works: you create an account, |
| responsibility for anything more than writing and | | | | post and manage your entries through the blog |
| managing your posts. The host providers will | | | | solution website, but the results are transferred |
| organize everything so that no technical skills are | | | | to your own chosen domain.You have to enter |
| required for it to operate properly.Of course, to | | | | your web hosting (or a separate FTP account) |
| fully use one of these blogs, you still have to | | | | login details for it to work properly, i.e. uploading |
| understand what to do to accomplish certain | | | | content pages to your hosting server.Example: |
| tasks from the back-end of the blog, or | | | | Blogger.Finally, if you are still confused, I would |
| sometimes also called administration area or | | | | recommend going with either the second or third |
| dashboard.Still, these types of platform hosts will | | | | option. Having your own domain not only means |
| make sure their servers run smoothly and | | | | you own it, but it also gives you more control, |
| securely. And if they are proactive and customer | | | | flexibility and credibility. Those are critical to your |
| centered, they will add features, upgrade new | | | | business that you don't want to give |
| software and support you if you have | | | | away.Copyright 2006 Hendry LeeHendry Lee |
| problems.Examples: Blogger, TypePad, Blogware, | | | | helps business owners integrate technology into |
| 2) Standalone weblog softwareStandalone weblog | | | | their marketing. He actively blogs about Small |
| software platform requires you to install software | | | | Business Blogging. Subscribe to Blog Tips for |
| or script into your web hosting account. Usually, | | | | Business to receive short and practical tips to |
| these software need database and PHP or Perl | | | | start and get the most out of your blog. |