In last week’s post, I shared several tips on how to improve your blog by doing very simple things. I’m excited to learn that many of you turned off comment verification, also called captcha, on your blogs. I can hear the cheers coming from all across blogland!
I asked if you were interested in reading more about the various techniques you can implement to improve your blog. I was thrilled with the response that I received! Many of you left comments or contacted me via email with questions that you have and expressing desire to learn more. Over the course of the next few months, I will share many things that I did – and continue to do – to improve my blog. This series will be posted on weekly on Fridays through the end of November, at which point we’ll reevaluate the needs and desires to continue learning and growing. Sound good? Yeah, I thought so too!
Let’s think about our blog platform for a minute.
Are you running blogger or WordPress? It’s often perceived that a blog that is a “Blogger” blog, should not be taken seriously because the author isn’t serious about the blog themselves. You know, because the Blogger platform is free. {Your “free” blog will look more polished if you purchase your own domain name. And, this will prep you when the time comes should you decide to become self-hosted.} Did you know that Google can shut down your blog just because they want to? Don’t worry if you’re a blogger blogger, it rarely happens. But. It. Can. Were you a Blogger blogger back in May 2011? Then you know all to well what can happen when updates to their service goes wrong. How could we all complain though, we were using a FREE service.
Don’t get me wrong, I complained too. Mostly because the suits at Google weren’t providing prompt updates to let us know what was going on. I understand that things go wrong, but there is no excuse for the lack of service. What did I do to protect myself – and my growing blog?
You guessed it. I switched to WordPress. Being self-hosted offers you more control and more freedom. You actually own your content. And, that is appealing to many companies and corporations who are looking to work with bloggers. SHHH! I can hear you whining that it costs too much money to be self-hosted. It does cost money, but not too much. I highly recommend Blogelina, that’s who I used. Her price is fair {it was $85 when she completed my transfer in June} AND she offers one free year of hosting. Everything transferred smoothly and was completed quicker than I expected. If you prefer to transfer yourself, you can purchase a great e-book for just $35 here. Keep in mind that you’ll also need to find a hosting service too. And, Go Daddy
is a great option for hosting plans.
I am happy that I made the choice to invest in my blog. Since that time, I have worked with great companies and I can’t help but think it is because I am self-hosted and viewed as a professional blogger. Oh my gosh, does that make me a writer too? Eeeekkk!! I think it does. That’s awesome. I just made my own day.
Next week, we’ll talk more about networking!
Emily this is awesome, I was thinking about doing this, but was not sure how hard it would be. This is great info, looking forward to next Friday.
YAY! So glad you’re enjoying this new series. If you have any questions about making the switch, please feel welcomed to ask.
Also, if you have any particular topics you’d like to see included in the series, let me know!
Okay, it’s so weird that you wrote about this because I was JUST talking to one of my friends who started a blog and went with WordPress! We were trying to figure out what the heck the difference was, since it seems to be the trend for Blogger bloggers to switch over! Anyway, this has given me lots to think about!
Newest follower from the hop!
Thanks
I have a triberr tribe too! its a wonderful thing. I’d love to join another tribe, but I’m not sure if I’m allowed too. lol
Blooger is great and I can totally understand the need to switch over to WordPress.I am signed up with WordPress but have not jumped in yet, still unsure about it. I hate change 🙂
i started a wordpress .com account that is free. then realized that isn’t the right one. poo!
the idea of doing the blog are great deal if i had the money to do it i would
If you’re serious about it, there are free sites available – try blogger.com or wordpress.com!
is this blog powered by wordpress?
Alicia – I am self-hosted, but I do use the WP platform.
I never knew that blogger could be shut down! Once I get a little more experienced I will really think about switching! Thank you for sharing what you know with us 🙂
thanks for the great info. Still on blogger here but love your tips!
I had no idea that Google could shut your blot down just because! This is good to know…
I had no idea! Totally unfair that Google can shut down your blog for no reason!
And I’m glad to hear that people are turning off their captcha. I HATE those!
So many things to think about. I am going to look into wordpress.
This is so interesting…I never thought there was a difference between blogs, but now that I think about it, you’re right…i mean, does anyone take a Xanga seriously? (Do those even still exist?)
this is such great information. i use blogger, but i understand why you would choose to switch to wordpress, i have even considered it myself
Wow, I had no idea that Google could just shut down a blog. That is really good information to have. Plus, I didn’t know that some people consider a Blogger blog less seriously, but your advice makes good sense.
I don’t think I’ll be blogging for income any time soon (I haven’t touched my 2 blogs in over a year) but this series is very interesting.