So it has been over a week since a new post … several mini-projects related to blogging are underway, not the least of which being the migration of Jack’s Newswatch from its wordpress.com confines to a brand new web space. The site can now be reached via http://www.jacksnewswatch.com.
A number of fairly successful blogs are using services like Blogger or are hosted on collective webspaces like WordPress.com. While these services make setup and maintenance of a blog very easy, there are several reasons why the serious blogger should consider using an independent installation of WordPress:
- Content Control. Publish the content you want, when you want, how you want. Saturate your blog with large pictures or words your service provider may find objectionable. You can control advertisements on your site and possibly make a little revenue.
- Data Backup. Most traditional web hosts allow you to access your databases directly, allowing you to make backups of your data. This also allows you to move your site in whole to a different web host without having to start over.
- Unlimited Templates. WordPress.com and similar hosting services usually let you use a limited number of templates. By contrast there are literally hundreds of templates available on the web as well as the option to create custom web templates.
- Freedom of Plugins. You can install [nearly] any plugin you want on your own installation and many of these plugins can become indispensable. There is a slew of Cron-related plugins that will help you automate tasks ranging from regular database backup to pinging on future posts. Some plugins, like the Google Sitemaps plugin and Ultimate Tag Warrior, are vital to attracting visitors to your website. While technically not a plugin, Slimstat provides a detailed breakdown of the traffic on your website – complete with ever-useful statistics on nation of origin.
Of course the negative side of hosting independently is that you have to pay for your own hosting/domain and usually have to perform the WordPress installation yourself. This may be financially unfeasible and technically daunting to some, so one supposes the choice to go independent boils down to your comfort level.
Incidentally I have some spare webspace so if you are a fairly prominent blog who doesn’t mind covering the cost of your own domain name do feel free to contact me. No $ involved – inquire within.
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Greg has (and continues to be) a great help to me. We’re still fine tuning things on my new site but overall it’s been a successful migration and the “up” side is that the server will remain “up” because people aren’t fiddling with it all the time.
Thanks Greg {and I urge people to take up his offer if frustration is setting in).