The right platform

[Rocklegends]

That's right I'm a new future blogger too!!

I am trying to decide wether to use wordpress, blogger or another blog host.

I have a an existing website on an unrelated topic and am an intermediate html user.

I want to start a blog about pre-engineered metal buildings, sheds and garages. (my day job) I am a sales rep for a reputable company and can educate homeowners on how to choose the right buiding and materials for their circumstances.

From the standpoint of monitization with Google Adsense and affiliate programs does it make sense to start with a free host like blogger or to get right into a unique domain name with the paid wordpress or like host?

I guess the bottom line question is... is it possible to successfully monitize a blog using a free blogger type host?

Thanks, Rocklegends

[Blaine Moore]

Originally Posted by Rocklegends

From the standpoint of monitization with Google Adsense and affiliate programs does it make sense to start with a free host like blogger or to get right into a unique domain name with the paid wordpress or like host?

I guess the bottom line question is... is it possible to successfully monitize a blog using a free blogger type host?

Thanks, Rocklegends

You can, but its harder, and you are going to eventually have to move to your own domain and your income will take a hit when you do. It is so cheap to buy a domain ($8-$10 annually per domain) and hosting ($8-$10 monthly and can handle multiple domains) that it isn't worth using any hosted solution.

Besides that, if you use your own hosting, then you aren't subject to the whims of your blogging platform - you control your backups and can move it if you have to, and you don't have to worry about your site just getting deleted for the hell of it.

Note that wordpress.com is not the same as wordpress.org and that you should be using the wordpress.org version on your own hosting solution.

[Laurence]

Besides, you wont be able to monetize your blog the way you want on a free blog hosting platform. If at all.

For example, you actually can't really monetize a free blog on WordPress.com. Worst, sometimes you will have adds on your site without being the one seeing the money.

Originally Posted by WP.com on its features page

Advertising
To support the service we may occasionally show Google text ads on your blog, however we do this very rarely. In the future you’ll be able to purchase an upgrade to either turn the ads off or show your own ads and make money from your blog.

So yes, it's way better to use on your own domain and hosting solution.

[BDurfee]

I can see benefits to using Blogger.com's free platform, but I wouldn't use it for any topic I was deeply attached to ... that definitely requires your own domain and hosting account.

The benefits I've found from the Blogger platform is that you seem to get indexed quickly by Google, PageRank seems to be higher initially (you may get a 3 or 4 on your first ranking) and PR doesn't seem to drop as quickly when Google is slashing ranks. Your mileage will certainly vary.

Bottom line: If you're making a "disposable" blog for text links or Adsense, Blogger is OK.

[cyberhill]

Most people who end up getting popular shift away from a free platform if they are on one, so I'd say save yourself the trouble and do it from the start.