A blog is a type of website or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Most blogs are interactive, allowing visitors to leave comments and even message
A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, Web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability of readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs. Most blogs are primarily textual, although some focus on art (Art blog), photographs (photoblog), videos (video blogging), music (MP3 blog), and audio (podcasting).
Corporate blog
Create a Blog... The Easy Way
Now, just because a blog requires a database and server-side scripting, it doesn't mean that you need to learn these technologies. You can easily build a blog by using a hosting plan with a blog builder such as Quick Blogcast. Quick Blogcast provides everything you need to start blogging. Hosting is provided. Blog is provided. And most importantly, you can have your own domain name (for example "myblog.com"). By using Quick Blogcast, you'll save yourself the hassle of having to install your own blog software onto your hosting provider's server.
Creating a blog like this is just as easy as creating a website with an online website builder. Using an online website builder, you simply log in, choose your favorite design, then add content. It's the same thing with blogging. By using a hosting plan that includes a blog builder, you simply log in, choose your design, then start blogging. In a nutshell it goes like this:
1. Create blog
2. Add content!
There are other ways of setting up a blog, but this is the easiest assuming you want a blog with your own domain name. Other Options
I've just discussed the easiest way to set up a blog with hosting and domain name included. There are other ways of doing it if you're so inclined.
When it comes to setting up your own blog, you have three basic options. The option you choose will usually depend on how seriously you take your blog.
- Free Blogging Service such as Blogger, TypePad and LiveJournal.
This option is popular with amateur bloggers. Although this is the easiest way to set up a blog, it can cause you problems in the future.
When you sign up for these free services, you don't get your own domain name. So, instead of having "myblog.com", you will have something like "myblog.blogspot.com". This will cause problems if you ever decide to get your own domain name. This is because all your old links won't work once you change to your domain name. Users finding your blog from a search engine will encounter a "Page not found" error.
Another problem with these free blogging accounts is that the blogging service has the power to completely destroy your blog. For example, if the blogging service went out of business, you'd lose your whole blog. You'd then have to start all over again.
- Self-installation: Sign up with a hosting provider, download blogging software (also known as "blogware") such as Wordpress (downloadable version) or Movable Type, then install the software onto the server. You will also need to register your own domain name with your hosting account.
- Pre-installed (no installation needed): As mentioned, this is a hosting account that already includes a blog. Similar to the "self-installation" option, however, there is no need for the blogger to download any software.
