Many bloggers start out by using a free blogging tool such as blogger. In the first instance this makes sense as it has many advantages if you are a complete beginner. It is free to use, you do not need to know anything about web design to start using it, and you do not need your own domain name to get going. It is often a question of hitting the keys to bring your message to the world.
Very often though, you feel that you need to add more to your blog to take it that extra step forward. The blog is fine for what it is, and you may well have attracted a strong readership, but blogger and co. can only be taken so far. It is a little like riding a motorcycle, you start out with a 100cc, but pretty soon you want a 750!
This is where you start thinking about WordPress. If you dabble in contributing to the web it is almost impossible not to have come across it in some way. It has many users and has won many plaudits, and really, unless you have particularly sophisticated needs for your blog, this is the where you should be looking to take your blog up to the next level.
WordPress has many strengths
One of the amazing things about WordPress is that it is completely customisable. The range of free themes is simply breath taking. Many websites feature them for download, and these are a good way to get you up and running. As time moves on, you may fancy a change or just simply want to move in a different direction, so you may want to buy a theme for your blog. These themes are normally the crème de la crème of web design.
As you learn about WordPress you will no doubt learn about web design. This could be because you have to fix a problem, but just become a little curious, or most likely install a plugin or widget. You may also want to design your own theme, especially if you are familiar with Photoshop and other graphic design applications.
The theme makes a blog. The content is important, but a good theme not only enhances the content but contributes to it. Good themes will be appealing on the eye and layout the information just as you want it. I firmly believe that you do not chose the theme but the theme chooses you.
WordPress is also incredibly well supported and has many contributors to its development. The open source platform is constantly being updated, and should you run into any problems, WordPress has so many contributors that you will find that the problem has been encountered and fixed before.
This has risen to WordPress’s many plugins and widgets. These also help not only to enhance the appearance of a blog, but also have many practical applications such as SEO, RSS feeds, and traffic recording. They can also be fun and who knows, you may try designing a few of these too.
It is also very easy to monetise your blog through the use of Google Adsense and other kinds of advertising for your blog. Once you have gained regular traffic, it is often just a question of choosing the right ad.
WordPress’s phenomenal success is easy to understand and is simply a class way of telling the world about your genius. If you are looking to take your blog to a new level, then you should look no further than WordPress.
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February 26th, 2010 at 6:23 am
Since using wordpress for my blog I have seen my site listed in major search engines. I would however keep on your free blog and use it for backlinks and advertising of your wordpress blog or affiliate programs.
June 1st, 2010 at 12:34 am
I really am weak about wordpress, the themes – cant really classify which theme is the best theme to use.