Before You Start: Blogspot vs. Self-Hosted?
There is some controversy out there in the sphere about whether blogspot blogs (or other free blog hosts) are as high quality at self-hosted ones. To me, it’s no contest, but I can’t speak for everyone.
I would recommend a self-hosted blog. I am not saying that blogspot blogs CAN’T be good. But as a general rule, bloggers who care about delivering consistent, well-written content will self-host.
Blogspot is firewalled at all public schools K-12. That’s one example of its limitation. Besides that, most people who frequent blogs assign a stigma as “free blogger” when they see the blogspot giveaways. As a result, they don’t read them.
I have a few blogspots on my favorites list because they have great content. (though I wish they’d see the light!) If a self-hosted blog had garbage content, I’d dump it just as fast as I’d dump a blogspot. And just to reiterate, I keep blogspots on my sub list if they have great content.
In conclusion, I guess the rhetorical question becomes:
“If one cares about ones audience, wouldn’t one use the most accessible and inviting platform available?”
More of my 2 cents on this subject.
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Tags: Blogging, web hosting
I’ve got nothing against users who use free accounts and services provided, and for that matter I remember starting to program on a free host with ads plastered all over my site.
My issue now though is that there are so many people trying to break into this market and don’t want to take a chance and just buy a domain - HostMySite offers domains for 2.99 every so often, hosting is as cheap as 5 dollars a month - anyone can break into the market without spending more than their allowance (if they are lucky enough to be young and just jumping in).
I will read a blog if content is good - but I loose respect in writers who don’t own their own “space” on the internet. That simple :)
-N
I’m really starting to dislike blogs that are on sites like Blogger. Their comment system drives me away from wanting to leave a comment.
Why do I dislike it?
a) You cannot theme the comment section to go with your website (well I’ve never seen it done)
b) I don’t get to see what I am commenting on in case I need to recheck something or make reference to it
Besides with cheep hosting packages out there (bluefur.com has one for like $5.month) why not do it? WordPress’ blog script is free to download, and having your own domain is really cool too!
Thanks for visiting Damien, I appreciate it!
No problem Tyler. It’s a pleasure browing your site ( tyleringram.com/ ). Thanks for the comment.
I will save a rant for my blog. But I do have to remind the blog world that there are people out there, good writers, who don’t have 5-10 dollars for a blog host.
I understand what Tyler said about not being able to see what they are commenting on, that is frustrating. With Blogger comments there is a link at the top of the comments page that says “Show Original Post”; if clicked it pulls the original post (minus photos) into the comment section. I did not know it did for months.
That said I like Blogger. Sure there are extras I would like, but for the most part I much prefer Blogger to my Wordpress.com blog, but I am going to Wordpress.org.
(Your other blog sounds like it will be interesting, too.)
I have convert from blogspot.com to .net recently and have a stupid hard time due to my mistake on forget to put .html in my permanlinks. Now I totally change it and really a waste for my previous link building… I still think on change it back to .html… what do you think on my case? Before i forget, my blogspot blog is bloggingsecret.blogspot.com and my .net is bloggingsecret.net. Waiting for your reply.
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You need at least a year of English writing training, your grammar is almost imperceptible.
Besides that, html and Wordpress are not easy. They are almost like foreign languages in and of themselves. You can get comfortable with them, but it tales a while. I might suggest hiring bloggers you like to guest post for a while so the language thing doesn’t turn people off. I’m available for 10 dollars a post. Email me if you are interested.
Thanks for the visit and comment
Damien
Thanks Damien, I know my english is sux, I currently I try to hire someone offline in my area to write for me. Anyway, what I concern for my blog is the permanlinks.
Currently I’m using /%category%/%postname%/ but my previous blogspot is /%year%/%month%/%postname%.html
I hope you know what I mean here, since the permanlinks can put .html and I need your opinion on: should I put the .html in my wordpress permanlink? I have around 300+ posts now, do I have any side effect on doing this?
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Don’t put the .html in your permalinks. I didn’t even know that was possible.
For example, here is the permailnk we are commenting on now:
postcardsfromthefunnyfarm.com/2007/05/09/blogspot-...
There is no html and that is how Wordpress permalinks work as I understand it.
Sorry I can’t be more help to you there.
Great job leaving blogspot. It sucks really bad for so many reasons.
Peace