The very first question after deciding to blog is whether to use a hosted blog service, or to self-host your own blog, on your own host.  Here’s what those two terms mean.

Hosted
This is where you sign up for a blog on the service providers platform.  You don’t need a domain name, or a hosting service.  You are playing in the blog services playground, and you play by their rules.  The most popular examples are Wordpress.com and Blogger.com

Self-Hosted
This is where you purchase web-hosting from a hosting service provider.  That basically means you’re renting space on someone else’s server.  Your blog then needs a domain name.  You are in complete control over your blog.  Nobody dictates to you what you can or can’t do.

Hosted

• Not really suited for commercial use.  Too many restrictions, better for personal blogs.
• No technical skills required, or learned.
• There are content restrictions, mostly commercial.

Self-hosting

• No rules – you do what you want.  The blog is yours.
• Provides the opportunity to learn new technical skills.
• No content restrictions, advertise and sell what ever you want.
• More credibility than a hosted account.
• Your own domain name.
• Better personal and commercial branding.
• Better search engine rankings.
• More professional image.
• Many more tools and add ons available.
• Wordpress.org

Well, as you can probably tell I’m very pro self-hosting.  If you are serious about your online business, you must consider hosting your blog on your own domain.  The advantages far out weigh any possible disadvantages and will serve you well in the long term.

Next up: Part 3, Marketing your Blog

Related posts:

1. Your First Blog – Why You Should Get Started Blogging
2. Your First Blog – Part 3 Marketing Your Blog
3. Your First Blog – Part 6 How’s it Look
4. Your First Blog – Part 7 The Rest of the Story
5. Your First Blog – Part 5 Keeping Up