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There are basically three common blog platforms.
1) Hosted weblog platform
This type of blog is the easiest way to start. It's actually similar to
creating a free service account online, where you only need to enter your
information into the sign up form and click submit. If you know how to create
your own web mail account such as Yahoo! Mail, Gmail or Hotmail account, you
know more than enough to get started.
This is the only blog solution that allows you to get up and running in a few
minutes.
In this type of solution, you don't need to install any type of software or
script to get going. Some providers even allow you to use their hosting service
for free. All you need to do is select the options you want and start posting to
your blog.
The URL to your blog is usually in the following format:
* http://<user>.example.com/
* http://<blogname>.example.org/
* http://example.com/<blogname>/
As you've probably noticed, the biggest benefit of using this type of blog
platform is that you don't have to take responsibility for anything more than
using and managing your posts. The host providers will organize everything so
that no technical skills are required for it to operate properly.
Of course, to fully use one of these blogs, you still have to understand what
to do to accomplish certain tasks from the back-end of the blog, or sometimes
also called administration area or dashboard.
Still, these types of platform hosts will make sure their servers run
smoothly and securely. And if they are proactive and customer centered, they
will add features, upgrade new software and support you if you have problems.
Examples: Blogger, TypePad, Blogware, WordPress.com.
2) Standalone weblog software
Standalone weblog software platform requires you to install software or
script into your web hosting account. Usually, these software need database and
PHP or Perl support (scripting languages) in the web server. Most standard hosts
already have support for those features out of the box.
What makes this type of platform so popular is the flexibility and control
you get from owning one. You can host the blog on your own domain with your
existing web site; customize the template to inherit the color and navigation
(look and feel) from the rest of your website, and so on.
Additionally you can have the blog software modified to suit your needs, and
maybe even install some plug-ins to expand functionalities that aren't available
on standard package. If the blog software includes source code and the term of
use lets you modify it, you can even let a programmer fix something if you find
a bug - and if you release the bug fix into the community, you have made a
meaningful contribution back.
Obviously, this option involves more work than using a hosted solution. And
unlike the first solution, if you need to add features then you have to upgrade
it your own or hire people who know how to do it.
Like a hosted blog, standalone weblog software usually has a management
screen where you can conduct various administrative tasks using relatively easy
interfaces.
Examples: WordPress, Movable Type, GreyMatter, PMachine, ExpressionEngine,
B2Evolution.
3) Remote hosted weblog platform
Current web and Internet technologies allow certain blog platforms to expand
flexibility, creating a hybrid of some of the features of standalone weblog
software and hosted weblog provider. It takes the best of two worlds and bundle
them into an elegant solution.
This is generally how it works: you create an account, post and manage your
entries through the blog solution website, but the results are transferred to
your own chosen domain.
You have to enter your web hosting (or a separate FTP account) login details
for it to work properly, i.e. uploading content pages to your hosting server.
Example: Blogger.
Finally, if you are still confused, I would recommend going with either the
second or third option. Having your own domain not only means you own it, but it
also gives you more control, flexibility and credibility.
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