Help

[dreamr802]

Hey everyone,
I'm new to blogging, what are some things that I need to know and where can I start my blog? Thanks!

[Dan Schulz]

Well, the first thing you need to do is ask yourself "what do I want to blog about?"

Once you know what topic you want to discuss (even if it's no topic at all, for that 'Seinfeld feel") then you need to look at what blogging platform you want to use. A lot of people recommend WordPress, though there are other optins, such as MovableType, TypePad and Blogger. I'd go with WordPress though because it's easy to set up.

Depending on on what blog package you use, you'll either have to host it on THEIR site (a bad idea since it just gives them more revenue and more eyeballs) or set up your own hosting account. If you go with the latter you'll need a domain name (I prefer Misk.com and NameCheap.com for domain names myself). Visit www.domainwarning.com before registering a domain name, don't use Network Solutions OR GoDaddy for your registrar (visit www.nodaddy.com for why on the latter).

A good domain name shouldn't cost you more than $10/year (make sure you go with an annual or bi-annual registration with an ICANN accreditted registrar so you don't get locked in with a registrar you don'l like).

Also make sure that the domain registrar you use isn't the same provider for your hosting. If you don't want to pay for hosting to start off, go to www.awardspace.com and pick their free hosting plan (you can even use your domain name - or if you don't want a domain name, you can still use it).

For paid hosting (single account, since you don't need a reseller or virtual private server account) I strongly recommend www.hostgator.com - pick their $10/month plan so you don't have to pre-pay for a whole year in advance.

[ses5909]

Dan gave some great advice there. I would also recommend Dreamhost and you can usually get a domain and hosting for a year for $50 with a coupon.

When I started, I just kind of started and blogged about whatever came to mind. It ended up taking a more internet-related feel but in general its still my personal blog and other topics I branched off into other blogs.

[shyflower]

I've been at one and one internet for (I think) three years now. I have a business site that includes up to 5 domains (I mean really includes them... my hosting takes care of the registration for the first year), has all the bells and whistles including the stripped down version of WP. My business hosting at one and one internet costs under $30.00 dollars a quarter. Their personal plans start at 3.99 a month. It's a company that is really worth looking into - http://1and1.com/

[Dan Schulz]

I don't like having my hosting provider being my domain name registrar. It's all about the "all your eggs in one basket" problem that many people tend to have. I've changed hosting providers a few times, but not once have I had to change my domain name registrar. Imagine if I were to pick a hosting provider that registered the domain name "for me" (but really put their name on the registration) and then told me I was stuck with them when I wanted to change hosting providers?

Granted, this hasn't happened to me, but it has happened to several people. And the really bad thing is that if you try to move the domain name to another hosting provider you won't be able to because you don't own it - your hosting provider does, and there's nothing you'd be able to legally do about it (since ICANN treats the administrative contact on the registry to be the "owner" of the domain name).

This is why I keep everything separate. I'll also use one domain registrar for no more than ten domain names (I'm on 8 with Misk.com right now and will be using NameCheap as my next registrar when I register my 11th domain).

[ses5909]

I have a few with dreamhost, but i've got about 70 (im not kidding) with godaddy. I've been very happy with them.

[Jeremy]

Dreamhost? Don't you mean Dreamhosed? :p

[Oliver]

I also provide hosting at a very reasonable price if you're interested.

[Dan Schulz]

Oliver, you're about to become the reason why Sara will have to ban commercial self-promotion on here, you know that right? :p

[dreamr802]

Oh wow, thanks for all the information guys! I havne't been online in a while so I will try to start my blog sometime this week.