How to Start a Blog
The Blogging World: What Is All the Fuss?
Blogs began as a collection of personal diary-style posts. Since then, blogging software has grown into full content management systems that run all kinds of websites, from news magazines to company sites, because it is flexible and easy to extend.
Blog Hosting: Which Type Is Right for You?
There are two kinds of blog hosting: hosted platforms and self-hosting. On a hosted platform, such as the free versions of Blogger or WordPress.com, the platform stores and controls your blog. That takes care of the design and maintenance hassles and works well for a personal blog.
For a professional blog there are drawbacks. Your content lives under someone else’s rules, so if the platform changes its terms or closes your account, you can lose the blog. An address ending in a platform’s own domain also looks less credible to readers, advertisers and partners. Self-hosting on your own domain, usually with the free WordPress software on a web host, gives you full control over the look, the features and the content. Most hosts install WordPress in one click and many offer other blogging platforms as well.
How to Find the Best Hosting for Your Blog
If you want your blog running quickly, look at what each host offers for bloggers. If you are new to blog hosting, choose a company with a one-click blog installer: pick your domain name and the host takes care of the rest. Here are the blog hosting providers we recommend:
- One simple shared plan
- Beginner-friendly control panel
- Site builder and WordPress installer
- Long-running budget brand
- cPanel-based shared hosting
- One-click app installs
- Email accounts included
- Good for first WordPress sites
- Straightforward shared plan
- Green-energy commitment
- Site builder for simple sites
- Plain-English help pages
- Shared, VPS and dedicated options
- Generous money-back period
- Own US data centres
- Clear upgrade path
- Drag-and-drop website builder
- Optional done-for-you design service
- Domain, email and marketing add-ons
- Aimed at small businesses
- One plan, one price structure
- App installer for common scripts
- Email and databases included
- Suits small personal sites
A Short Checklist for a Self-Hosted Blog
- Install WordPress (or your chosen platform) with the host’s one-click installer and turn on automatic updates.
- Switch on the free SSL certificate so that every page loads over HTTPS.
- Choose a lightweight theme and only the plugins you really need.
- Set up automatic backups, and store a copy somewhere other than the hosting account.
- Create a proper email address on your own domain for reader and partner messages.
Blogging About Casinos, Poker and Sports Betting
Gambling is one of the busiest niches in blogging: casino reviews, poker strategy, betting tips and odds explainers. A self-hosted blog is the only realistic option here, because free blogging platforms often restrict gambling content and advertising. Before you buy hosting for a gambling blog, read the host’s acceptable use policy: most mainstream hosts allow informational and affiliate content about legal gambling, but terms vary. Expect traffic spikes around big sporting events, so caching and a content delivery network are worth setting up from day one.