How can I create a blog too?

Anyone can create a blog. A blog is a website where an individual or business shares information, commentaries, product descriptions videos etc. The key benefit to blogs vs. a traditional website is that readers are allowed to post comments. Postings are listed in reverse chronological order, the most recent entry appearing first.

It is this interactive atmosphere which tends to create a sense of community. Although blogs are generally textual, they can also take the form of video blogs, photo blogs, art blogs, etc….

Your Blogging Platform

Before you can create a blog, you need to decide on a platform. There are basically two platforms upon which blogs can be published. The first is the hosted blog platform and the second is the stand alone.

Hosted blog platforms are named as such because your blog is hosted on someone else's domain. The web address you are given is usually a combination of the Host's URL and the name of your blog. WordPress.com and Blogger.com are a few of the hosted blogs that you may be familiar with. The good thing about hosted blogs are that they are cheap, easy to set up and they are already a part of high ranking domain. A major downside to the hosted blog platform is that you have less control, in terms of design. You only own the content.

Stand alone platforms are hosted under your own domain. ProBlogger.net, MovableType, TextPattern and Expression Engine are just a few. Although you do have more flexibility in terms of design with Stand alone platforms it does cost you a little more.

Blogging with benefits

You do not have to be an expert to create a blog; most blog sites offer step-by-step tools on getting your blog started. They also offer ideas on making it look attractive.

All it takes is a little time and energy and you can create a small business with little to no work.

Once you've created a blog, just remember fresh content rules. Monetizing your blog is relatively simple. At a bare minimum Google adsense can be used.

AdSense allows for the display of highly targeted ads. Ads that are relevant to your website’s content. When people click these ads, you get paid. The amount you get paid for each click (CPC or cost per click) depends on various factors.

In addition, if your blog is related to a product or service, you may be able to sign up for an affiliate marketing programs. These programs pay you for customer purchases, after referrals from you. Not bad for just blogging about a topic you enjoy I say.

Choose a platform, you are ready to create a blog:

Wordpress (http://wordpress.org/)

Blogger (https://www.blogger.com)

TextPattern (http://www.textpattern.com/)

Moveable Type (http://www.movabletype.org/)

Serendipity (http://www.s9y.org/)

LifeType (http://lifetype.net/)

Flatpress (http://www.flatpress.org/home/)

Wheatblog (http://wheatblog.sourceforge.net/)

sBlog (http://sblog.se/wiki/Main_Page)

Problogger (http://www.problogger.net/)

Need help installing Wordpress on your domain? Check out the following article: How to Install Wordpress