Why Blog?
To market or promote yourself, service or product
Why Blog? To market or promote yourself, service or product To establish yourself as an expert
Why Blog? To market or promote yourself, service or product To establish yourself as an expert To boost SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Where do I begin?
Two initial decisions need to be made
FIRST Should I pay for a hosting package or opt for a free site?
FREE (?) WordPress.com VS PAID HOSTING
FREE: No Initial Fees Hosting and domain are free.
FREE: No Initial Fees Hosting and domain are free. REMEMBER:
FREE: No Initial Fees Hosting and domain are free. REMEMBER: -3GB storage space
FREE: No Initial Fees Hosting and domain are free. REMEMBER: -3GB storage space -Domain name will begin with wordpress.
FREE: No Initial Fees Hosting and domain are free. REMEMBER: -3GB storage space -Domain name will begin with wordpress. -No custom addresses included
FREE: No Initial Fees Hosting and domain are free. REMEMBER: -3GB storage space -Domain name will begin with wordpress. -No custom addresses included -A customized wp.-free domain is $12-$17/yr
FREE: No Initial Fees Hosting and domain are free. REMEMBER: -3GB storage space -Domain name will begin with wordpress. -No custom addresses included -A customized wp.-free domain is $12-$17/yr -Additional space is available starting at $20/yr for 5GB
PAID: Hosted Site Domain Registration: $10+/yr
PAID: Hosted Site Domain Registration: $10+/yr Hosting: Varies - $120/yr should include one domain, custom addresses and ample storage space
FREE: Networking WordPress.com is a network -May create additional traffic -Slim possibility to be chosen as the Blog of the Day
PAID: No Network Responsible for your own networking
FREE: Auto Updates WordPress.com will automatically update your site to the current version whenever an update becomes available.
PAID: 1-Click Updates WordPress will notify you Your responsibility to install Usually done with 1-click.
FREE: Limited Themes Only WordPress.com free themes allowed Customization limited to the control panel options Style customization is $30/yr You are responsible for customizations
PAID: Full Theme Support Thousands of free and paid themes are available online Same control panel operates basic customization Open customization only limited to your imagination
FREE: No Plug-ins Available No plug-ins of any kind are allowed $2,500 each month (yes $2,500) join VIP Program for full control of customization and the ability to use plug-ins
PAID: Plug-in Freedom Unlimited access to all free and paid plug-ins available for WP
FREE: WP Ad Space WordPress.com reserves the right to sell ad space on your site Ad-free option is $30 per year
PAID: Content Control Only what you post or allow will ever be visible on your blog
FREE: Sales Restrictions Cannot sell or control the ad space on your site IF you receive MORE THAN 25,000 views per month and apply for the privilege If approved you will split the revenue 50/50 with WP
PAID: Make Money! Control and sell whatever ad space or items you want on your site
CONCLUSION Nothing but the Gift of God is ever free.
CONCLUSION Paid Hosting = Freedom
SECOND Should I design it myself or pay someone?
Do-It-Yourself
Easy to get started
Do-It-Yourself Easy to get started 1-click WP install
Do-It-Yourself Easy to get started 1-click WP install Select a theme
Do-It-Yourself Easy to get started 1-click WP install Select a theme Customize, fairly user-friendly control panel
Do-It-Yourself Easy to get started 1-click WP install Select a theme Customize, fairly user-friendly control panel WP is written in PHP, not HTML
Do-It-Yourself Easy to get started 1-click WP install Select a theme Customize, fairly user-friendly control panel WP is written in PHP, not HTML Install plug-ins (paid site)
Do-It-Yourself Easy to get started 1-click WP install Select a theme Customize, fairly user-friendly control panel WP is written in PHP, not HTML Install plug-ins (paid site) Spend a lot of time learning
Outsourcing
Get a professional
Outsourcing Get a professional No portfolio?
Outsourcing Get a professional No portfolio? Guinea pigs dont pay!
Outsourcing Get a professional No portfolio? Guinea pigs dont pay! Look over their web AND WP portfolio PHP NOT HTML
Outsourcing Get a professional No portfolio? Guinea pigs dont pay! Look over their web AND WP portfolio PHP NOT HTML Analyze styles and variety
Outsourcing Get a professional No portfolio? Guinea pigs dont pay! Look over their web AND WP portfolio PHP NOT HTML Analyze styles and variety Ask for references/recommendations
Outsourcing continued... DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
Outsourcing continued... DO YOUR HOMEWORK! KEEP COSTS DOWN!
Outsourcing continued... Browse free (if necessary paid) themes
Outsourcing continued... Browse free (if necessary paid) themes Choose one (or a few) ahead of time
Outsourcing continued... Browse free (if necessary paid) themes Choose one (or a few) ahead of time Blogging workshops AND online tutorials
Outsourcing continued... Browse free (if necessary paid) themes Choose one (or a few) ahead of time Blogging workshops AND online tutorials Gather high resolution images and media
Outsourcing continued... Browse free (if necessary paid) themes Choose one (or a few) ahead of time Blogging workshops AND online tutorials Gather high resolution images and media Outline your blog plans
Blog Outline
Are you just blogging (simple posts)?
Blog Outline Are you just blogging (simple posts)? Are you selling items or ad space?
Blog Outline Are you just blogging (simple posts)? Are you selling items or ad space? Adding images or video?
Blog Outline Are you just blogging (simple posts)? Are you selling items or ad space? Adding images or video? How many pages?
Blog Outline Are you just blogging (simple posts)? Are you selling items or ad space? Adding images or video? How many pages? Custom addresses? How many?
Blog Outline Are you just blogging (simple posts)? Are you selling items or ad space? Adding images or video? How many pages? Custom addresses? How many? Customized header? Additional design?
Blog Outline Are you just blogging (simple posts)? Are you selling items or ad space? Adding images or video? How many pages? Custom addresses? How many? Customized header? Additional design? Launch date?
Blog Outline Are you just blogging (simple posts)? Are you selling items or ad space? Adding images or video? How many pages? Custom addresses? How many? Customized header? Additional design? Launch date? Choose a designer/developer
Questions to Ask
What does the package include?
Questions to Ask Hosting on secure server, NOT HOME COMPUTER!
Questions to Ask Hosting on secure server, NOT HOME COMPUTER! Domain registration and yearly renewal
Questions to Ask Hosting on secure server, NOT HOME COMPUTER! Domain registration and yearly renewal WP experience with customized themes
Questions to Ask Hosting on secure server, NOT HOME COMPUTER! Domain registration and yearly renewal WP experience with customized themes Number of addresses included
Questions to Ask Hosting on secure server, NOT HOME COMPUTER! Domain registration and yearly renewal WP experience with customized themes Number of addresses included Storage space included
Questions to Ask Hosting on secure server, NOT HOME COMPUTER! Domain registration and yearly renewal WP experience with customized themes Number of addresses included Storage space included Are plug-in recommendations and Installation included
Questions to Ask Hosting on secure server, NOT HOME COMPUTER! Domain registration and yearly renewal WP experience with customized themes Number of addresses included Storage space included Are plug-in recommendations and Installation included SEO plug-in?
Questions to Ask Hosting on secure server, NOT HOME COMPUTER! Domain registration and yearly renewal WP experience with customized themes Number of addresses included Storage space included Are plug-in recommendations and Installation included SEO plug-in? Length of included support
Thank You for Your Patience and Attention
I hope this presentation will help you make informed decisions.