| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| SunnyJam |
Posted - Nov 20 2012 : 3:50:11 PM
Hi ladies!
I've been wanting to start a blog forever and decided to make it my 2013 New Year's Resolution, but I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row ahead of time or I know that won't happen... What I'm wondering is - what would you all recommend for starting a blog? Any site in particular? I'm mostly looking for something that's FREE and easy to customize. I scanned through the Blog Roll Call and it looks like most folks here use blogspot. (And it allows you to be the creative geniuses I've known you to be!) Since I'm new, I don't know what other features I might need. Anyone have any advice about how to get started?
Farmgirl Sister #2504 |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| SunnyJam |
Posted - Nov 23 2012 : 4:47:30 PM
Thanks Nini! I guess I'll have to go through with it now so I don't let you down. :) I totally thought you already had a blog, I don't know what I was thinking!
How exciting that you want to start one too, Charlotte! Be sure to let us know what your experience is like if you decide to start! It'd be great to have somebody to compare notes with.
Farmgirl Sister #2504 |
| Katlady93 |
Posted - Nov 23 2012 : 11:49:08 AM
i have been considering a blog, and now i think i will have to do some more thinking and researching it. i would like a place for ramblings and such, and maybe to practice writing like you mention Jamie. thanks for all the good info ladies.
Some dreams are worth the risk it takes to make them real.
Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footsteps on the moon. |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Nov 22 2012 : 06:47:20 AM
Oh, Jamie! I'm so excited for you! I would love to do a blog, too, someday! I absolutely cannot WAIT for you to get your blog up and running! Keep us posted, okay? Hugs - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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| Kendra Homestead-Girl |
Posted - Nov 21 2012 : 4:45:18 PM
Honestly, I can't remember how much I paid Bluehost, but GoDaddy.com is another popular place to buy domains, and they're only $9.99/yr. I also have a tech guy who has helped me with hacking problems and server demand as my site has grown... so I pay a little more than that per year for my site, but $10 is an inexpensive way to start out. If you love to write, and if you think you'll be sharing information that will be useful to other people, then it might be worth considering paying for a domain and plopping a few ads and affiliate links in there. It sure has been a blessing to us :) Thanks for dropping by my site! It's a work in progress ;)
~~Visit me at newlifeonahomestead.com!~~ |
| SunnyJam |
Posted - Nov 21 2012 : 11:38:02 AM
Wow, thanks ladies! I appreciate your help and support so much!
Kendra, I never even thought about ad revenue. May I ask how much it costs to buy/host a domain name? I will probably start small with one of the free sites but it's good to know that that's an option if I really get sucked in and take off with this. :) I checked out your site and it is amazing!
Farmgirl Sister #2504 |
| Kendra Homestead-Girl |
Posted - Nov 21 2012 : 05:47:49 AM
Hi SunnyJam!
When I started blogging about five years ago, I began with a free Wordpress.com account, which was great but as my site grew and I learned that I could not include ads on my sidebar with a wordpress.com account. So, bought my domain name (www.newlifeonahomestead.com)through BlueHost and used Wordpress.ORG as my host. I can now generate a little revenue from my site, which more than makes up for my website expenses. There are lots of free templates for blogs that you can check out as well, just do a search for free themes or templates for whichever site you go with.
Just a simple Google ad in your posts will bring in a bit of income, if you make your blog posts search engine friendly (I could help with that, if you want!). I earn about $125/mo from Google ads alone... which isn't huge, but it supplements our bare bones budget and allows me to buy things I need like soapmaking supplies, etc. which otherwise aren't in the budget.
Let me know if I can help any!
~~Visit me at newlifeonahomestead.com!~~ |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Nov 20 2012 : 8:26:38 PM
Jamie,
Blogspot.com has LOTS and LOTS of options and it is pretty easy to set it up. You can do ALL kinds of things. When you get more comfortable and/or confident you can also explore uploading different backgrounds, headers and buttons from other places.
I have three blogspots . . . they each serve a different purpose.
Go for it! And, like Teri, if I can help in any way, just hollar.
Have fun!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my hands - www.cjscreations-ceejay.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| kysheeplady |
Posted - Nov 20 2012 : 5:32:54 PM
Well, then that will be easy enough! Just follow th edirection on the blog start up ... And if you have any questions, I'll be glad to help you out.
Teri
"There are black sheep in every flock"
White Sheep Farm
www.whitesheepfarm.com |
| SunnyJam |
Posted - Nov 20 2012 : 5:23:36 PM
Thanks Teri, I didn't even think to narrow it down like that! I'm just looking for a place to post my ramblings and photos...possibly delving into travelogue territory with maybe some how-to stuff thrown in. I've been wanting to write more and it's mostly to practice that. I definitely don't have anything to sell.
Farmgirl Sister #2504 |
| kysheeplady |
Posted - Nov 20 2012 : 4:14:30 PM
what do you want to do with your blog ... sell? day to day stuff? cooking? homeschooling?crafting? sewing? Farm? City?
You can have just about anything you want on a blog ... pages, links, photos, labels, tabs, What do think you will need?
Teri
"There are black sheep in every flock"
White Sheep Farm
www.whitesheepfarm.com |
