If you are creating a blog for the first time, or are tired of your existing blog, give it an interesting name. Blogs are free in both senses of the word: free, as in free of charge, and free, as in freedom of speech. You are free to name a blog whatever you want. Generally it's a good idea to name your blog something purposeful for the uninitiated reader. Basically, give your readers an introduction to your blog through its name. The reason is your blog host will attach the name to the front of your blog's URL. Every blog needs a name. Most blogs include the name in the URL too (see Figure 12.1). This gives readers a much easier time visiting your site every day. Figure 12.1. The name you give your blog also appears in your blog's URL.For example, if your blog is called "Maine Coon Cat Lover," your blog's URL should be mainecooncatlover. <bloghost>.com or mainecooncatlover. <bloghost>.org.
With most blog hosts, your blog's name is included in the URL, but it is only part of the URL. The trade-off for free blogs is tolerating the URL of your blog host tacked onto your blog's name. This compromise is trivial to most bloggers, but what if your goal is a blog that appeals to a large number of readers, or will be profitable at some point (offering a unique service). In this case you may want to move your blog to an independent web host, or simply point your blog to the new address (see Figure 12.2). Figure 12.2. Your blog can have its own URL, but this requires knowledge of HTML and FTP.Moving your blog to an existing web host is not impossible but does involve knowledge of server addresses and names. You can read more about hosting your own blog online at the Blogosphere: Best of Blogs website, www.blogsbestof.com. |