Wanting to start a blog, looking for some advice!

kaiserpups

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So, starting a blog is something I've been wanting to do for a while, but I don't know whether it would be better to start with a free option to see how it goes, or whether it would be better to just bite the bullet and get my own domain from the start?

I'm totally clueless on the whole design thing, so I will probably need something that can do some hand holding :D so somewhere with good customer service. Any recommendations??
 

Annie Beau

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You're in the right place right here! My blog is only a few months old but before this one I've had a few which I discontinued. All of them with the help of this forum and support from the hosting company.
I can't comment on the free ones but as far as I know, free sites like blogger can close your blog whenever they like and you don't own the content.
Personally here's what I would recommend
Don't use a free blog site. The money shed has a fab offer with Hostpresto. 25 for the year. Or if you prefer to pay monthly it's four quid a month.
You can buy your domain from them too.
With regards to design, once you have your hosting account you can install wordpress via softalicous (this will be on your dashboard) but if you're struggling with how to install it, no question is too much troublefor the team at Hostpresto.
 

Jon

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So, starting a blog is something I've been wanting to do for a while, but I don't know whether it would be better to start with a free option to see how it goes, or whether it would be better to just bite the bullet and get my own domain from the start?

I'm totally clueless on the whole design thing, so I will probably need something that can do some hand holding :D so somewhere with good customer service. Any recommendations??
I would honestly not go down the “free route” just because it doesn’t give you a true example of all the flexibility and monetisation options there are out there.

The design thing you will learn as you go, it’s common not to know anything if you’ve never done it before.

I’ve of course covered a lot of blogging basics over to Totally Blogging
 

kaiserpups

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I’ve of course covered a lot of blogging basics over to Totally Blogging

Thanks for the quick replies. Ok so I don't want to end up with it disappearing, so I'll look at doing it myself.

I'm just having a look at Totally Blogging at the minute, thanks Jon, I have a lot to learn I think. Entering into the scary world of SEO's and other things I know nothing about!!
 

katykicker

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My first year of my blog I think cost me £11 or something. Did me fine and let me dip my toe.

I'd suggest not doing the 'free' option either to be honest, it's just a bit restrictive, and honestly, a year with low traffic doesn't usually cost a lot!
 
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Jon

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I just don't get what value there is about people going the 'free' route.

No matter which platform you choose there IS going to be a slight learning curve beyond just 'writing stories'!

I've written about the advantages/disadvantages of free hosting before over at Totally Blogging - https://www.totallyblogging.com/free-hosting-vs-paid-hosting/
 

kaiserpups

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Ok you've all convinced me. I shall forget about the free route! Just need to come up with a name now I guess and then just go for it.

Are there any good beginners wordpress themes out there, or do I just flick through and pick one that I think would be easy to work with? Sorry for the questions!
 

Jon

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Ok you've all convinced me. I shall forget about the free route! Just need to come up with a name now I guess and then just go for it.

Are there any good beginners wordpress themes out there, or do I just flick through and pick one that I think would be easy to work with? Sorry for the questions!
Flick and pick!
 

marriedmeeples

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You're in the right place right here! My blog is only a few months old but before this one I've had a few which I discontinued. All of them with the help of this forum and support from the hosting company.
I can't comment on the free ones but as far as I know, free sites like blogger can close your blog whenever they like and you don't own the content.
Personally here's what I would recommend
Don't use a free blog site. The money shed has a fab offer with Hostpresto. 25 for the year. Or if you prefer to pay monthly it's four quid a month.
You can buy your domain from them too.
With regards to design, once you have your hosting account you can install wordpress via softalicous (this will be on your dashboard) but if you're struggling with how to install it, no question is too much troublefor the team at Hostpresto.
A paid host could close down too without notice
Sorry had a debate recently about a similar topic (what we own online). Unless you have control of everything like your own server then anything could happen!
 

Jon

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A paid host could close down too without notice
Sorry had a debate recently about a similar topic (what we own online). Unless you have control of everything like your own server then anything could happen!

See I just can't see that happening. At least not with enough notice for you to take a backup of the site!
 

JesseEverAfter

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See I just can't see that happening. At least not with enough notice for you to take a backup of the site!

I think it's unlikely to happen if you're sensible - especially around copyright (it's certainly a lot less likely than with Blogger or WordPress.com - they have very little to lose by closing your account in order to protect their reputation and Blogger is especially well known as an organisation which deletes blogs with little or no reason).

But I think it's important to remember it can happen with any webhost and is built into all web hosts terms and conditions. This really allows them to remove pages / content / close your account if a copyright holder contacts them about your content - (this is usually the next step if they can't get hold of the person running a web site or their reply isn't satisfactory).

I've heard some people just report to Google which can only go so far - they don't have the power to remove content from your website if it's not hosted with them but your web host does.
 
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Calmander

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How do you monetise a blog, im assuming its affiliate marketing and ads? does anyone here make a full living off blogging here? just curious. :)
 

Jon

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How do you monetise a blog, im assuming its affiliate marketing and ads? does anyone here make a full living off blogging here? just curious. :)
Yes I do

Well that and matched betting but that’s all
 

marriedmeeples

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Thanks Jon, wanna see if the Mrs will get into blogging i'm a horrible writer :)
I've got a joint blog with the husband (he's meant to be bring the geeky, gaming, dad element to the show) but it's still really me doing the writing. It's nice to have a second pair of eyes on my posts though as I hate proof reading!
 

Calmander

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I've got a joint blog with the husband (he's meant to be bring the geeky, gaming, dad element to the show) but it's still really me doing the writing :rolleyes::p

classic men LOL, I was kinda thinking I could do the same with gaming and football tbh and she can write about reviews and creativity things might be a good idea, shes heavily pregnant atm so hopefully will start after she gives birth :)
 

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