Blogging is the activity of managing a weblog or blog, starting from developing, updating, and adding other content in the form of writing or images. This is done so that the blog can be visited by many people so that it can get high traffic.
However, blogging is not an easy job. There are many things to be aware of. So maybe you are one of those who are interested in creating a blog? Don’t make a mistake, let’s first learn the full guide in the following article!
What is Blogging?
Blogging is the activity of managing a web log or blog. This blogging activity is like adding content in the form of text and images on a regular basis. In other words, blogging is an activity that is carried out by someone with the aim of managing and developing a site (blog) that is owned.
Blogging is an activity carried out with the aim of being able to be visited by many people. Therefore, blogging activities are also considered as activities that are not easy, because the perpetrators must make various efforts such as SEO and SEM so that the site can achieve high traffic.
Difference between Blog, Blogging, and Blogger
Blogging is a term that is quite familiar to people’s ears, as well as the words blog and blogger. Although they seem similar, the three have different meanings, you know. what are the differences? Check-in full here.
What is a blog?
First, we will discuss the meaning of a blog. A blog is a site that contains some content including information, opinions, experiences or anything that is published by the author/blog owner as a post on a web page.
This blog can be a platform for writers to work and create content to attract traffic from visitors. In contrast to websites, blogs tend to be dynamic because usually the author will load his writing regularly and will continue to be updated.
The content on the blog is actually almost the same as the website, such as pictures, videos, photos or whatever information is published by the author or blog owner.
What is blogging?
While blogging is a term to describe the activities of managing the blog itself. These activities include writing, posting, linking and sharing content on the blog. Blogging is usually used by writers to load works and can generate money via the internet.
Who are bloggers?
The last term is blogger. Blogger is a term for people who do blogging activities. People who are called bloggers usually regularly fill their blogs with the latest and updated content so that their blogs grow and can attract visitors.
The Beginning of Blogs and Blogging
The history of blogs and blogging begins with the term Weblog which was initiated by Jorn Barger on December 17, 1997.
Blogs and blogging are activities that were originally carried out for the news and information segment such as newspapers, then developed more quickly into a platform for updating information as it is today to become a place to channel blogging interests and hobbies.
Until 2003, WordPress was created, and offers various conveniences in the form of features for people who are commonly referred to as bloggers. Now, apart from being a place to channel blogging interests and hobbies, blogs are also a place to make money with advertising partnerships.
Difference Between Blog and Website
Well, after knowing the ins and outs of blogs. You must be wondering, then what is the difference with the website? As previously explained, a blog is a platform that has content that is updated and maintained regularly.
Meanwhile, websites are static or not always updated like blogs. In addition, the difference between this blog and website can be seen from the date of publication, author references, categories and tags in the byline.
Blog Types
As previously explained, blogging is the activity of managing a blog. Well, this managed blog can be of various types based on its purpose and function. The following is a summary of the types of blogs.
1. Personal blog
Personal blogs have a function for the personal benefit of the author. So the content in a personal blog or personal blogging is stories, experiences, opinions, portfolios and so on. Although classified as a personal blog, everyone can still access it.
2. Company or business blog
Business blogs are usually owned by companies or business owners. Usually this type of blog is used for promotional media or as a company company profile that can be accessed online. In contrast to personal blogs, business blogs usually contain content for business marketing purposes or information to customers.
3. Niche blogs
Niche blogs are blogs that focus on more specific and useful information for their visitors. Niche blogs must meet several specifications including specific, informative, useful and interesting.
Usually niche blogs are aimed at a specific subject, while information on niche blogs contains infographics, podcasts or other media to convey knowledge about that specific subject.
4. Reverse blog
The next type of blog is a reverse blog. A reverse blog is a blog that has content and is written by several authors or guest writers. Blog owners are usually only tasked with changing and editing guest writers’ writings. This type of blog is generally used by freelance writers to expand their connections and portfolio.
5. Affiliate blog
This affiliate blog is usually used for affiliate marketing in promoting third-party products and services through online media. The way affiliate blogging works is that the blogger will provide a link that is directed to the soft selling online store of a business. From the conversions you get, the blogger will earn money from the affiliate’s blog.
Blogging Functions
Many companies as well as individuals have blogs to promote or simply share information. This is because blogging activities can be used as a place to pour thoughts as well as a business marketing tool. The rest of the benefits of blogging are as follows.
1. Media sharing
Blogging is an activity that allows blog owners to share various information, including selling product information. Here you can increase the brand awareness of potential customers.
2. Space for writing hobbies
Blogging is an activity to channel your writing hobby, which can later be used as an online journal. You can freely express yourself with various designs and shapes that you can update regularly.
3. Make money
Furthermore, the function of blogging is to make money. The content you create on your blog can bring in traffic. That traffic can attract other parties to advertise on your blog. In other words, you will make money from these ads.
Blog Platforms
After knowing the function of blogging, surely you are interested in creating a blog, right? Before that you need to determine what platforms can be used to create a blog. In order not to be confused, here are some recommendations for blog platforms that you need to know.
1. WordPress
WordPress is one of the best blogging platforms that you can use. In fact, more than 32% of all sites run on WordPress. No doubt WordPress is the best platform for blogging.
WordPress itself is divided into 2 versions, the WordPress.com and WordPress.org versions. Then what is the difference between the two?
- WordPress.com: This is a free blog publishing service that you can use. When you use this version you will use a subdomain of WordPress. This service has many limitations such as adding themes and plugins which will certainly add features to the website.
- WordPress.org: This is a CMS (Content Management system) that you can use to create a blog. WordPress.org is also known as WordPress Self Hosted where you have to set up web hosting first. By using self-hosted WordPress there are no limitations in controlling and managing a blog.
How much does it cost?
How much does it cost to use this platform? Previously you had to decide whether to use the Commercial or WordPress Self Hosted version. Because the two versions of WordPress are different.
If you choose to use commercial WordPress, you don’t have to pay anything or it’s completely free. However, you can customize the domain which was originally website.wordpress.com to website.com. But you have to rent a domain name first.
WordPress Self Hosted itself is open-source software, which can be used locally, or on a web server. To get your website online, you must first have web hosting and a domain name.
Can I monetize my blog?
If you use WordPress Self Hosted, you can more easily monetize your blog because you can control the entire blog. You are free to add HTML script code which is one way to monetize your blog with ads. In contrast to commercial WordPress which is quite limited, but you can still monetize your blog.
2. Blogger/Blogspot
Blogger is Google’s blog-publishing service. To use this blogging platform you simply register with your Google account, and use one of the default themes to get started with the blogspot.com subdomain.
Blogger is a free blogging platform that allows you to upload custom themes and widgets. In addition, you can also edit blog source code such as HTML, CSS, and Javascript in Blogger.
How much does it cost?
Blogger is a completely free blogger platform. But if you want a custom domain, you can do that. Blogger allows you to upload themes (templates). Then, if you want the best Blogspot template you can buy it.
Can I monetize my blog?
Blogger is a platform that allows you to edit and add code, that way you can more easily monetize your blog with ads. Google AdSense is built into the Blogger service, and getting started is pretty easy. Apart from that, you can also add third-party advertising services by adding relevant JavaScript in the widget, or in the source code of your blog.
3. Medium
Medium is a blog publishing platform focused on the reading experience. Medium is a free blogging platform that is very easy to use. You only need to register an account at the beginning, then you can be free to start writing and creating articles.
For posts that are not related to publications, you need to use the default theme. You can customize your post header, favicon, and layout. However, you cannot edit or add code.
How much does it cost?
Medium is a free platform. But this applies to publishers. For readers, there is a subscription model to get the best customized content.
Can I monetize my blog?
Through the Medium Partner Program, co-authors/publishers can monetize the content they create. Monetization generated or paid depends on reader engagement. However, this partner program is quite limited. Not everyone can activate or join the program.
That’s a discussion about what blogging is to some recommendations for the best free platforms that you can use to create a blog. Now, channeling your hobby of writing or sharing opinions through blogs is getting easier, isn’t it? Hopefully, this article is useful and good luck trying to become a blogger!