I use both Blogger and WordPress for my blogs. Here’s some of what I’ve learned so you can make your own choice:
How and when did Blogger and WordPress start?
Blogger was launched in 1999 by Pyra Labs offering free blog-hosting services and was purchased by Google in 2003. You need to have a Google email address (which is free) in order to start using Blogger. Although its website is www.blogger.com, the blogs it hosts are all sub-domains of blogspot.com. In 2007 Blogger was ranked 16 on the list of top 50 domains in terms of number of unique visitors.
WordPress was started in 2003 and claims it has become the largest self-hosted blogging tool in the world with hundreds of thousands of sites as a blog-publishing platform (Wordpress.org). In 2005 they began offering a free blog hosting service (WordPress.com) with a version of the original WordPress software As a newbie blogger, it took more time than is reasonable to learn that WordPress.org is the software which you can purchase, and WordPress.com is their host platform which is free (and uses free WordPress software).
So how do you get started with your own blog?
Getting started is easy. The tough part involves choosing a domain name that will be used as your blog’s address. For Blogger blogs, you will use “blogspot.com” at the end of your domain name. For WordPress blogs, you will have domains ending with “wordpress.com.” You will choose your own domain name which appears before the suffix. I’ll share more info about selecting domain names in a separate future post.
How easy is it to use Blogger or WordPress?
Both free hosting platforms offer a choice of templates – the theme or look of your blog - that you can choose with just a click of a button. Blogger, at present has 31 ready-made themes and WordPress has 66 templates.
Blogger is very easy to use, perhaps due to the fact that it doesn’t have as many options for advanced information management. WordPress is simple, too, but may require more investigation on your part because of its many options.
What about creating and editing my blog?
Both hosts offer WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editing, and both also include the ability to upload or link to images for inclusion in your posts.
Both services feature commenting (comments from readers of your blog) as well as support for comment moderation. You can decide whether or not to publish any specific comment on your blog.
Where are blogs published?
Blogger and WordPress save the content of your blog on their servers. Both hosts also allow you the option of publishing the pages to your own server (paid hosting service) so you can fully host the blog with your own domain name, eliminating the need to use a blogspot.com or wordpress.com address.
How about managing multiple blogs?
Blogger allows you to manage multiple blogs from a single dashboard making it easier to post and track the content of your blog. WordPress.com has added the ability to manage multiple blogs from a single account.
Note to Newbies: When I first saw the word, ‘dashboard,’ I thought of an automobile dashboard. A blog dashboard is very similar. It’s like a menu that organizes and displays information in a way that is easy to read.
What about adding widgets?
Wordpress.com is the most restrictive as it does not allow most external widgets to be embedded in your posts without special codes. Many widgets must be approved by WordPress.com prior to working. You can search for widgets on WordPress.com to get more information on what works and what doesn’t.
Blogger is more liberal than WordPress.com as far as allowing widgets. You can add widgets to your template for display on all pages. You can also add most standard embed codes to your posts. Blogger’s page element features also allow you to add images and slideshows to your blog layout.
Note to Newbies: A widget, also called gadget, is a chunk of code that can be installed on your blog. They often take the form of on-screen tools like clocks, calendars, weather info, calorie counters, etc.
What about monetizing my blog with Advertising?
At present, WordPress.com does not allow third-party ad serving services like AdSense to be present on their blogs. This, of course, could change in the future.
Since Blogger is owned by Google, they completely support AdSense advertising on blogs and even include an easy page element to assist you when adding and editing AdSense ads.
Conclusion
Both of these free hosting services are viable options if you want to start blogging. But if you want to start making money from your blog, it has to be monetized with AdSense and other advertisers. Blogger, therefore, is the logical choice. (to be continued)
Didja know that laughter is very good for your health? Check out my new blog: http://jokesnpuns.blogspot.com/
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Gmail Tips for Newbie Bloggers
Did you know you can have multiple email addresses with Gmail without changing your basic user name?
I discovered a hidden feature about Gmail that most people don't know. Here's how it works.
If you don't have a Gmail address, go to Google Mail and set up a free acount. Now suppose you want to have a number of email addresses so you can track or archive the source of different incoming emails but you don't want to change your basic Gmail name.
First method - Add a plus (+) sign and any combination of words or numbers after your email address. Example: if your email address is AmazingBlog@gmail.com, you could also use something like AmazingBlog+101Tips@gmail.com. Or AmazingBlog+greatjokes@gmail.com. The emails will all come to your basic AmazingBlog@gmail.com address.
Second method - Use one or several dots (periods) anywhere you like in your email address. Gmail doesn't care where you put the dot. It will recognize and send your emails to your basic email address. Example: You could use Amazing.Blog@gmail.com, or A.mazing.Blog@gmail.com, or Amazing.B.log@gmail.com.
The next post will feature a comparison of Blogger vs. Wordpress as your free host.
Do you know anyone involved in active job search? Tell them to go to Barnes & Noble (bn.com) to read Chapter One of "Much of What You Know about Job Seach Just Ain't So," my latest book.
I discovered a hidden feature about Gmail that most people don't know. Here's how it works.
If you don't have a Gmail address, go to Google Mail and set up a free acount. Now suppose you want to have a number of email addresses so you can track or archive the source of different incoming emails but you don't want to change your basic Gmail name.
First method - Add a plus (+) sign and any combination of words or numbers after your email address. Example: if your email address is AmazingBlog@gmail.com, you could also use something like AmazingBlog+101Tips@gmail.com. Or AmazingBlog+greatjokes@gmail.com. The emails will all come to your basic AmazingBlog@gmail.com address.
Second method - Use one or several dots (periods) anywhere you like in your email address. Gmail doesn't care where you put the dot. It will recognize and send your emails to your basic email address. Example: You could use Amazing.Blog@gmail.com, or A.mazing.Blog@gmail.com, or Amazing.B.log@gmail.com.
The next post will feature a comparison of Blogger vs. Wordpress as your free host.
Do you know anyone involved in active job search? Tell them to go to Barnes & Noble (bn.com) to read Chapter One of "Much of What You Know about Job Seach Just Ain't So," my latest book.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Would You Like to Make $5,000 or More a Month Posting Links on Google?
Make $5,00 a month? Of course you would So would I.
This headline and blog has been appearing all over the web on various websites as well as Twitter since the beginning of the year. So I investigated. Wouldn’t you.
It’s a downright, outright scam. I located five websites offering the same “Google Cash Kit” with information for $1 or $1.97.or $2.95. There may be many more.
The websites I located are:
JoshMadeCash.com (Josh Parker)
ScottsMoneyBlog.com (Scott Hunter)
KevinGetsFree.com (Kevin Hoeffer)
EarnCashFreewithGoogle.com (Danny Goldberg)
JoansMoneyMakingStory.com (Joan Falletta)
Each website is practically identical with regard to the copy and the offer. Josh and Scott have different names but the same photo.
All lost their jobs recently and are making money (?) with the Kit. The copies of supposed $5,000 checks each received are identical and spurious, not genuine. (I love that word. ‘Spurius’ in French means bastard.) The checks shown on separate websites all have the same date, same amount, and same check number. What an amazing coincidence.
One more thing – the routing number on the check is fictitious.
Although the offer states you will pay only $1 to $2.95 for the kit, you will find your credit card charged for $49, $59 or $99 with additional monthly charges thereafter. Even so, many buyers never receive any Cash Kit.
If you have encountered anything like this, please make a comment and tell me about your experience – it may help others.
I know I promised to tell you all I know and learn about being a newbie blogger but when I discovered these sites, I was furious. How dare these folks (it may be only one ‘folk’ with numerous aliases) scam readers who only want to find a way to make some additional money in these difficult times.
I’ll get back to blogging tips and strategies with my next post. Stay well.
This headline and blog has been appearing all over the web on various websites as well as Twitter since the beginning of the year. So I investigated. Wouldn’t you.
It’s a downright, outright scam. I located five websites offering the same “Google Cash Kit” with information for $1 or $1.97.or $2.95. There may be many more.
The websites I located are:
JoshMadeCash.com (Josh Parker)
ScottsMoneyBlog.com (Scott Hunter)
KevinGetsFree.com (Kevin Hoeffer)
EarnCashFreewithGoogle.com (Danny Goldberg)
JoansMoneyMakingStory.com (Joan Falletta)
Each website is practically identical with regard to the copy and the offer. Josh and Scott have different names but the same photo.
All lost their jobs recently and are making money (?) with the Kit. The copies of supposed $5,000 checks each received are identical and spurious, not genuine. (I love that word. ‘Spurius’ in French means bastard.) The checks shown on separate websites all have the same date, same amount, and same check number. What an amazing coincidence.
One more thing – the routing number on the check is fictitious.
Although the offer states you will pay only $1 to $2.95 for the kit, you will find your credit card charged for $49, $59 or $99 with additional monthly charges thereafter. Even so, many buyers never receive any Cash Kit.
If you have encountered anything like this, please make a comment and tell me about your experience – it may help others.
I know I promised to tell you all I know and learn about being a newbie blogger but when I discovered these sites, I was furious. How dare these folks (it may be only one ‘folk’ with numerous aliases) scam readers who only want to find a way to make some additional money in these difficult times.
I’ll get back to blogging tips and strategies with my next post. Stay well.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
MAKING MONEY WITH YOUR BLOG WITH ABSOLUTELY NO EXPENSE
How can I make money with my blog without investing a cent?
How can I get a FREE web host and a FREE domain name (URL)?
How can I make money with ads on my blog without any cost on my part?
How can I get the most traffic to my blog?
How can I add my Twitter tweets to my blog? and more.
Hello, if you're a newbie blogger -- new to the world of blogging -- like me. I've had 4 blogs running for almost a year now and by doing exceptional, sometimes tedious, research on the web, I've learned how to do all the above, and make money. I'm not a techie in any sense of the word. I always thought that a 'code' is what you have when your 'node' is stuffed up. But I'm grateful for what I've learned and willing to share this information with you for FREE.
I'll tackle each subject in separate posts and try to post at least weekly. Your comments will be very important to me as we can each learn from them. I've learned most of what I know from folks I call the blogging experts who have been on the web for some time. But I also find new, rewarding information from those who comment on what the 'experts' say.
My background has been eclectic: psychologist, copywriter, marketing VP, training and development, executive coach, career consultant, and motivational speaker. Now I'm a successful blogger and enjoying this newest money-making career.
Okay. Here's one of the first free strategies I learned: selecting a web host and url (your domain name) without paying a monthly fee - no cost whatsoever for the hosting and your name. Sounds almost too good to be true, doesn't it?
The best free hosts I've discoveed are Google Blogger (Blogspot) and WordPress. I use both. Blogspot seems to be easier for me when adding Adsense and Widgets (more about them later), but I use both. Check out my blogs to make your own decision. Both hosts have a number of clean-looking templates that you can choose.
http://itjustaintso.blogspot.com/
http://justaintso.wordpress.com/
http://interview-doctor.blogspot.com/
http://interviewdoctor.wordpress.com/
(to be continued)
How can I get a FREE web host and a FREE domain name (URL)?
How can I make money with ads on my blog without any cost on my part?
How can I get the most traffic to my blog?
How can I add my Twitter tweets to my blog? and more.
Hello, if you're a newbie blogger -- new to the world of blogging -- like me. I've had 4 blogs running for almost a year now and by doing exceptional, sometimes tedious, research on the web, I've learned how to do all the above, and make money. I'm not a techie in any sense of the word. I always thought that a 'code' is what you have when your 'node' is stuffed up. But I'm grateful for what I've learned and willing to share this information with you for FREE.
I'll tackle each subject in separate posts and try to post at least weekly. Your comments will be very important to me as we can each learn from them. I've learned most of what I know from folks I call the blogging experts who have been on the web for some time. But I also find new, rewarding information from those who comment on what the 'experts' say.
My background has been eclectic: psychologist, copywriter, marketing VP, training and development, executive coach, career consultant, and motivational speaker. Now I'm a successful blogger and enjoying this newest money-making career.
Okay. Here's one of the first free strategies I learned: selecting a web host and url (your domain name) without paying a monthly fee - no cost whatsoever for the hosting and your name. Sounds almost too good to be true, doesn't it?
The best free hosts I've discoveed are Google Blogger (Blogspot) and WordPress. I use both. Blogspot seems to be easier for me when adding Adsense and Widgets (more about them later), but I use both. Check out my blogs to make your own decision. Both hosts have a number of clean-looking templates that you can choose.
http://itjustaintso.blogspot.com/
http://justaintso.wordpress.com/
http://interview-doctor.blogspot.com/
http://interviewdoctor.wordpress.com/
(to be continued)
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