Jane Chin asks Aug 13, 2008 04:42AM i'm a bit surprised so many branding & marketing experts blog via blogger vs. self host the blog. why did you go this route?
AppleSlut says Aug 13, 2008 04:46AM I started two blogs with Blogger. Both got shutdown without any notice or explanation. It was all self-hosted WordPress after that.
DebInAustin says Aug 13, 2008 04:48AM for me, blogger just seemed easier to use. I wasn't expecting it to become such a huge part of my business, but it has.
Connie Aug 13, 2008 04:49AM Depends on when you started blogging. many mktg ppl started blogging early, pre-WordPress.
AmberCadabra Aug 13, 2008 04:50AM I started blogging personally back in 2004 or 2005 and then Blogger was IT
Jane Chin Aug 13, 2008 04:52AM i see... my understanding is that the wordpress precursor was cafelog > b2 > wordpress
Jane Chin Aug 13, 2008 04:52AM i started blogging in 2000 and self-coded via html in notepad (back when that was en vogue), then eventually went to b2.
Jane Chin Aug 13, 2008 04:53AM did the blogger thing but self-hosted from the beginning (didn't like the .blogspot part)
Jane Chin Aug 13, 2008 04:53AM it's interesting that blogger remains extremely popular because of (perceived) ease of use
AmberCadabra Aug 13, 2008 04:55AM Jane, self-hosting is still a technical step that seems difficult to many people, even today.
Jane Chin Aug 13, 2008 04:56AM it does get intimidating at first, many hosts use fantastico "1 click installs" to help ease the first time (dreamhost has this too)
Connie Aug 13, 2008 04:57AM Go Daddy hosting comes with Word Press set-up now. You don't have to download the software.
AmberCadabra Aug 13, 2008 04:57AM But even knowing what a host is or how to find one - you would be surprised how many people get tripped up at just that step.
Jane Chin Aug 13, 2008 04:56AM not to mention the need to backup mysql databases on a regular basis to make sure you save your data, as well as wp-content >upload folder
Jane Chin Aug 13, 2008 04:58AM yes, self hosting comes with a bit more hassle than just the installation part, bc now you have to be responsible for data bkups
Jane Chin Aug 13, 2008 05:00AM true. i think part of wordpress' appeal is the robust development community, but downside is the "code is poetry" mentality.
AmberCadabra Aug 13, 2008 05:01AM Just tonight, Deb and Beth were like "don't you need to know how to code to use WordPress"? That's what intimidates people.
Jane Chin Aug 13, 2008 05:02AM well, part of that is true - knowing code is helpful IF you want to customize a template or make your own. for some plugins, you will need
Jane Chin Aug 13, 2008 05:02AM to know how to edit the plugin (rarely but can happen). however if you are fine with the template as installed, you don't need to know code
ThoughtWrong Aug 13, 2008 05:03AM does not know a whole lot about coding but I think its that you need to know just enough to get you by
AmberCadabra Aug 13, 2008 05:03AM yes, but there are people to do that. It's no different than needing to change the HTML in a blogger template
Jane Chin Aug 13, 2008 05:03AM here's an example - for some of my "blogs" i no longer update, and therefore forced a "front page" to load instd of regular blog page
Jane Chin Aug 13, 2008 05:03AM then it helps to know "code" meaning which .php page is directing what, etc. (an example is my www.peerlessprofessionals.com with TOC front)
Jane Chin Aug 13, 2008 05:05AM (and Gardner's theme behind the content page if you click on an article title) - makes it look like a site, not a blog.
Jane Chin Aug 13, 2008 05:07AM i'm going to try that seo all in one plugin and see what that's about!
AmberCadabra Aug 13, 2008 05:09AM I've heard good things about that plugin and will have it installed on my new site which will be live in a few weeks
sus4th says Aug 14, 2008 08:36PM i'm a newbie in using social networking sites for marketing -- b2b audience used to scoff at myspace and facebook -- blogger was easy
