How do you setup a blog?
One of the most common questions I get asked here on the site is a relatively simple one, how do you setup a blog?
First, let’s establish what a blog is and what it isn’t.
A blog is a running editorial, while it has a start date (the day you put it online) there is no end date. It’s not like sending a flyer to a printer, it’s more like a newsletter where you continuously update the content and newer posts (usually) appear at the top.
A blog gives you the ability to allow users to comment on your posts, but it is not a forum which allows general users to start conversations. Generally a blog is written from the perspective of a group of authors on a specific subject and read/responded to by the general public.
Excellent examples of blog usage would be for couples getting married who want to share their details with family and friends, travelers who are posting updates as they find accessible computers or companies who are sharing information about their events. More formal uses of blogs can be found in daily newspapers, online magazines and even support websites which post commonly asked questions and receive comments from users.
Blogging removes the need for complex software solutions and rarely requires more than a basic knowledge of computer use. Unlike publishing a website, blogs almost always feature a rich content editor similar to Word or other popular desktop publish packages.
To operate a blog of your own, you’ll need to setup some fairly basic web technology.
- You’ll need a domain name (this is your address on the web)
- You’ll need a web host (this is where your files are stored on the web)
- You’ll need to install a blogging package (this is what allows you to run a blog)
Luckily, to accomplish all these tasks there’s a wonderful, simple solution called BlueHost which offers a turn key blogging solutions for new businesses. Their introductory package offers free domain name registration as well as one year hosting and free installation of WordPress, the world’s most popular blogging package for just $6.95 per month.
When you’re ready, get started with your blog today!
