SPWD

Have you noticed what seems to the traditional evolution of a blogger? If there is such a tradition in such a relatively new area. I have noticed it, and the following seems to be what I have found most commonly.

1. Free Blog Hosting: Starting out, many sign up for Blogger, WordPress or some other “free” hosted blog. This gives them a great URL such as http://southplatte.wordpress.org that they can blog on and test the blogging waters out with. There is very little knowledge needed to do this, no hosting to figure out and pay for, no domain name to register or anything else. It also isn’t the best way to brand or build a phenomenal and popular blog, though it can be done.
2. Commercial Hosted Blog: This is the next step for many bloggers. Registering a domain name, buying a blogger or basic hosting packing from a hosting company. Many times the domain is less than $10USD and the hosting as low as $5USD. Usually a host is found that is blogger friendly – meaning they will have a control panel with a one click installation of WordPress or some other blogging software. Many time they will have a selection of themes to go with the blog package so users can get a good looking blog without any coding, graphic design or layout knowledge. This works great and there are many blogs that are popular that do just this. Many times in this area users will scour the web finding free themes for their blog – installing many, selecting a few and hoping that the design looks good and works for visitors. They hope and pray that 10,000 other blogs haven’t chosen the same theme, since after all they are trying to set themselves apart, right?
3. The Custom Blogger: This blogger knows that to stand out they need it all. They need a custom domain name, custom hosting package and a custom design or theme. This blogger sees the value in being who they are, how they are. They also understand they should not have a blog that looks like 10,000 other blogs on the planet if they want to make a name for themselves. This is the blogger that is in it for the long haul, constantly writing, improving and trying new things.

Agree or disagree – leave a comment and discuss it and let’s see what others have to say!