In today’s world, blogs have become a powerful way for entrepreneurs to share information and develop an online following. The special software used to create a blog is called a platform and there are two different kinds – hosted and non-hosted. In this article, PMI Education will help you decide which option is best for you.
A hosted platform houses your blog on their server. Blogger.com is an example of this type of platform. Hosted platforms offer several benefits to users. They are generally user-friendly and free, making them a particularly good choice for beginners. After a quick registration process, you are given a URL (web address) with the name of your blog. A hosted platform URL also includes the name of the platform. For example, scubadiverpro.blogger.com. Platforms such as Blogger.com already have good page ranks with search engines, giving your blog the opportunity to rank quickly.
One disadvantage to hosted platforms is they can be generic. With their general lack of customization control and limited design options, hosted blogs often look very much like the other blogs on the platform. A big contributor to this sameness is the generic URL. The requirement of including the platform’s name makes it hard to create a distinct name. And like it or not, your blog URL will be forever tied to any hosted platform you sign up with. If you decide to change to a different platform, you’ll have to create a new URL, because you obviously can’t take a name like scubadiverpro.blogger.com with you to a non-hosted platform like WordPress.org. Creating a new name means you will have to start over again in the search engines and you may also lose some of your readers.
Many experienced bloggers opt for the freedom and dynamic control of a non-hosted platform. If you have web design skills these platforms can be especially beneficial. By creating and purchasing your own domain name, such as scubadiverpro.com, you have full control. If you were to move to a different hosting service, you could take the name with you. Also, original domain names are more professional-looking. For those wanting to monetize their blog, this is a great way to give it a distinct and recognizable brand.
With a non-hosted platform, you must find hosting elsewhere. Because most ordinary bloggers don’t have access to their own server, they use a third-party server. Non-hosted platforms like WordPress.org and Textpattern.com provide affiliate companies that will host your blog for a price, such as BlueHost.com. Setting up a non-hosted platform can be complex, so beginners should be wary. Options such as BlueHost.com, however, make it simple. Also, you will have to pay annual fees for hosting and your domain name. If your purpose is just to share some news and photos, a hosted platform is a great option because they’re free and user-friendly. But for those who have bigger plans for their blog, such as operating an affiliate business, a non-hosted platform provides the versatility to adapt to changing needs.
Tags: blogging, platforms, pmi education, professional marketing international, web hosting
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