Better blogging

Blog Platforms: An IntroductionSetting up your blog will require a little research and review; you'll need to consider the factors of cost, the time and skills you currently have, and your readiness to learn some new software. Almost all blog software is very easy to use and offers a variety of plug-ins and other resources to make yours unique. You don't necessarily need to hire a professional or specialist to start publishing; most blogs can be set up within a few hours, and you can learn how to use them as you go.We'll discuss how to make use of today's leading blog platforms. The three most widely used platforms include:WordPressBloggerTypePadChoosing the Right Blog Platform for Your BusinessYou'll find several free and low-cost fee-based blog platforms available, and most of them use a simple text editor box for publishing. The cost differences vary depending on the type of blog you are running; if you are going to host the blog on your domain, you will need to manage hosting fees. Blogs run within the blog's domain are usually free, but you will not have a simple address to work with. If you want a unique URL, it's better to consider the different packages, even if you're starting with the very basic ones.Most basic packages allow you to add your design elements and start making money with advertisements immediately. Most free hosts will not allow advertising, which limits your ability to start generating a separate stream of income from ad clicks and sales. If you're just starting, it's best to pick the basic version so you can at least start driving traffic to advertisements.Next, you'll need to consider how much you know about blog design. If you're already proficient with web design and templates, this will be fairly easy, but if you do not know where to start there are plenty of blog templates available. Blog templates can help you construct your basic site, and then change it later when you need to. These can be easily replaced with a more comprehensive design, but most blog platforms provide a variety of options, colors, and basic attributes to make your blog stand out.Blog platforms such as WordPress can be very helpful in getting you set up with a professional look, especially if you have limited design skills and are not working with a web or graphic designer immediately. Blogger also offers customizable options, and you'll find a range of colors and styles to choose from. Moveable type is somewhat limited, but you can still find a basic, well-organized template.