Got your blogging niche selected? It’s time to actually look at making a blog.
Let’s get an overview of how to make a blog. Of course, we will take a closer look at each aspect of the blog creation process in great detail later on this blog.
Before we head further, you need to choose between free and paid options for blogging.
- Create a blog for free, or
- Self-hosted blog with full control
Create a blog for free
Platforms such as Blogger.com and WordPress.com are 100% free to use, but you have no control over the website. Of course, these platforms (generally) let you retain complete ownership of the content.
You should you a free blogging platform such as Blogger when:
- Looking for pure hobby site
- Creating personal blog website for family or friends
- It doesn’t matter even if your blog finds no reader
- You have no plans to monetize blogging for extra income
- You are totally broke to invest any money
Why should you avoid free blogging platforms?
- No ownership of the free blog address (eg: sarah.blogspot.com)
- Unprofessional website URL that screams free site
- Limited or no control over the website backend
- Customization of design is limited to a great extent
- Search engine optimization is poorly done
Looking to start a blog for income but have no money to invest? Don’t be sad.
Choose Blogger.com as your free hosted platform for blogging. Blogger is ideal when you have big ambitions but no money.
Even if you are absolutely broke, invest in a nice domain name for your blog.
Adding a custom domain (website URL address) grants full control of your Blogger blog. You don’t control the website platform, but you own the domain (website URL) and the content.
For any website, the domain (URL) is its identity. People enter the domain in the browser and reach the site. When you own the domain, you can set it up in any manner. You control what people see on the website.
A custom domain means you control how and where the blog is hosted. You can switch between different providers and self-hosted platforms without losing the website in entirety.
Here’s a real-world corollary. A Blogger.com blog with custom domain (which you own) is like a self-owned shop where you sell your own products, but the machinery is on lease. When situation arises, you can replace the machinery with little disruption.
Without the custom domain, you have no shop and no machinery. What if the shop owner (Blogger.com) kicks you out or decides to redevelop the property? People arriving at your shop address will find nothing.
Never use free WordPress.com blog if you are looking to make money. It doesn’t allow showing ads via HTML or code implementation. Also, images have to follow the rules and should not be seen as advertisements or banner ads. WordPress.com will delete your blog if they find any violation of their service terms.
Create a self-hosted blog
Looking at blogging for extra cash or making a living? Skip free blogs.
If you want to earn money blogging, get a self-hosted blog.
Most self-hosted blogs run WordPress.org as their content management system. It’s not only great for blogging, this GPL (open source) software is 100% free to use, modify and distribute.
Don’t use free WordPress.com for money blogging. You have limitations with WordPress.com even when paying for the service.
Self-hosted blogs are basically websites that you control in all possible manners.
- You own the domain (actually the right to use and renew it)
- The web server where your blog sits is leased or owned by you
- The script or platform that powers the website is under your control
- The content of the website is owned by you
Why should you choose to create a self-hosted blog?
- Option to customize design and website functionality
- You own the digital real estate and exercise absolute control
- Better search engine optimization control
- Ability to display advertisements and use affiliate links
- Professional email address to go with your blog website
How much does it cost to have your own self-hosted blog? Here’s a break-up of the basic expenses in setting up own hosted blog website.
- Domain name registration : $1-15 / year (.com domain)
- Web hosting space : $100 / year (unlimited websites)
- WordPress blogging platform : FREE
Generally speaking, it costs you $50-150 for the first year, after benefiting from the promotions of hosting and domain companies. Your cost for a self-hosted blog will be around $150 / year (or higher when you need specialized hosting and services).
Is it worth spending the money? Yes, every single penny.
When you are blogging for money, it makes sense to retain control. Among its disadvantages, free blogging platforms lack the edge required for ranking in search engines. No ranking equals no money.
➡️ Learn how to create your self-hosted WordPress blog with our 100% free guide.
Conclusion
If you are serious about blogging and you have the money, start your own blog with hosting and domain.
Serious but don’t want to spend the money: start a Blogger.com blog and add your own domain so that the blog has its own URL.
Everyone else, start a free blog on any online platform or spend some money to look professional.