Blogging is now becoming the fashionable thing to try to to. Either everyone has already got their own blogs or are looking to start out one. People blog for a spread of reasons. Some roll in the hay to earn money, while others roll in the hay to opinionated themselves or show their expertise on a specific topic. Some others use it as an advertising platform, while some others roll in the hay purely for fun.
Whatever be the rationale, the reality is that blogging is now a national, or rather a world phenomenon. If you’re new blogging, one among the foremost important decisions that you simply need to make is whether or not to travel with a free hosted blog, or whether to choose a self hosted blog.
Why is that so important, you’ll ask? it’s hugely important for a spread of reasons. But first, you would like to know the difference between the 2.
Free Blog
A free hosted blog is one during which you check in with an existing blog service, and that they put together an account freed from charge which you’ll start using immediately. Although great for beginners, you’ll experience problems with it as you become a experienced blogger. a number of their basic services are limiting.
For example, you cannot monetize most free blogs. Banners and other ads aren’t allowed. However, there are some paid upgrades available for features like name, custom CSS design, additional space, and upload of audio and video files.
Self Hosted Blog
Having a self hosted blog means you’ve got bought your own web hosting, your own domain and installed the blogging software of your choice, from a number of choices available (content management services or programs). you’ll have more control over the planning and content of your site.
Pros of a free blog
This is great for beginner bloggers who are just testing the waters to find out how they ought to be running a blog because it is totally free. Free hosted blogs are great for amateur bloggers, who blog just for fun and sharing experiences.
You need far lesser technical skills to line up and run a free blog, because the blogging service does all the technical things within the backend. you furthermore may choose between predefined templates, so no technical knowledge is required for installing themes or plugins.
Pros of self-hosting a blog
Self hosting a blog gives a blogger tons more control over the planning and content of the blog. It’s more versatile. additionally to adding pre-made themes and plugins, you’ll also install your choice of themes. Self-hosted blogs are great for brand building.
They give you more visibility. Suppose that you simply got to blog to market your company or a product, you’ll achieve this purpose better if you’ve got a self-hosted blog. Having your own name gives you better visibility because it offers you better program optimization (SEO) as compared to free hosted blogs.
Most self-hosted blogging services are supported open source content management services, in order that they are constantly updated. a website name costs but $10 a year and one can get an honest shared hosting account for less than $7 to $10 a month. So why wouldn’t knowledgeable blogger or a writer representing any organization choose a self-hosted blogs?
Cons of free hosting a blog
The downside is that the blogger has got to accept some terms of services before being allowed to use the service. If a blogger doesn’t abide by these terms, he/she stands the danger of getting their service terminated.
It is difficult to retrieve articles once lost this manner. additionally, the free templates on offer are often limiting. you’ll need to hire a HTML savvy person to further customize your blog as per your requirement.
The biggest drawback is that a blog, travel by you, on a free hosted site, doesn’t belong to you. All the content is added, indexed and credited to the free blog site, and not credited as content to the most company website. the foremost you’ll do is to put back-links to your company site on your blog. But this doesn’t give your main site any SEO benefits.
Cons of self-hosting a blog
One of the cons is typically the value involved but it should not be so bad if the proper blogging software is chosen. And within the end of the day the prices involved can usually be offset if the proper blogging strategy is implemented.
Another factor is that running a self-hosted blog requires an individual to be HTML savvy. However most CMS accompany an in-built visual editor, and with some exploration and twiddling with the backend, familiarity with the blogging service comes with time.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, if you’ve got any aspirations of taking your blog past the hobby stage, or if you’re blogging for knowledgeable organization, you ought to start out with a self hosted site. If you’ve got any intentions to maneuver from a free hosted site to a self hosted site afterward, it’s better to avoid all the transition fuss and begin with a self hosted blog.
SEO should even be considered once you decide which choice to start with. Ultimately, the aim must be to extend brand visibility, whether you select the free option or the self-hosted option.
Some bloggers may choose the pliability that a free site has got to offer and accept a number of its downsides. Others may choose more design flexibility and choose a self-hosted blog. Having a versatile mind will assist you to make a decision which choice to choose after carefully weighing the pros and cons of every. Visit Nigeria Blog for more information.