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[H1623]How To Start A Blog Website

by Kitty Chuk, Kit

You can write your own web pages using HTML . With HTML you will have control over your web pages and how to improve them. HTML can be written and viewed on any type of computer like Windows, Mac, UNIX/Linux, or any other. Because HTML is platform independent, you'll need to save your HTML files in standard text format, sometimes known as ASCII. This can be done by using a program like notepad .exe in Windows, pico in Linux, and the like. You can also use a word processor like Word or WordPerfect to write your HTML code, but you need to save your files as "Text" or "Text Only." You'll see this option in a drop down box in your "Save As..." screen.

In the event that you are using a word processor and forget to save your file in Text format, you will end up seeing distorted data when you try to view your page with a web browser.

Finding a Web Host

Running your own server is very expensive, complicated, and not recommended. Therefore you will need a web host who looks after the server that hosts your site. By choosing a web host, your site will be available to the world 24/7.

To make a personal web site, you can choose to get a web site from your Internet Service Provider (ISP), free space at a free host, or go straight to a domain host.

The disadvantages of free hosts:

There is no way to turn off the ads on a free service. They show banner ads or pop-up windows or both to pay for your service. Free hosts also limit the number of visitors you can receive in a month. If you exceed their "limit" your site will be "turned off" until the next month. Free hosts limit the amount of web space you get, usually to about 20 MB.

If you are not able to monitor the site yourself it can create problems, but there are products and services available that can carry out various tests to check if your site is still "live". Even if you can prove that your site was unavailable to you or the monitoring service for more than the agreed acceptable level, you should always check the small print; if the problem was not your host's fault, they may not need to pay up!

The advantages of Domain hosts:

Domain hosts place no ads on your site. They often give you 1000 MB (1 GB) or more of web space. They do not shut off your account based on number visitors. You need a domain host to make your personal website look professional or for a business site or for an organization like a church etc. A domain name ends in a .com, .org, or .net.

Once you sign up for a host, you'll get a username and password to log in and edit your site. On free hosts, your username is also your directory, so choose wisely. For domains, your username is not as important.

The most important HTML file- index.html

When you log on to any website, the file that is loading on almost all web servers is index.html. Take an example where you are making a web site of three HTML pages, the opening page (index.html), an about me page (aboutme.html) and a links page (links.html).

If you're on your own domain, the files would look like this once you upload them on your server.

http://www.abc.com/index.html

http://www.abc.com/aboutme.html

http://www.abc.com/links.html

The first page, http://www.abc.com/index.html, can also be loaded by just typing http://www.abc.com/

The same is true of folders or directories. If you made one called /xyz/, you could put a new index.html in it, and it could be accessed two ways:

http://www.abc.com/xyz/index.html

http://www.abc.com/xyz/

The Two Copy Rule

When you write your web site, you'll need two copies, one on your web host and one on your hard drive. The reasons for this are, firstly that you need a backup and secondly when you're working on your site, you don't work on it live. When you work on the copy of your HTML pages on your hard disk, it's called "editing the local copy." The copy on the web host is called the "remote copy." You will edit the files from a folder in your hard drive, and once you're down, you'll upload them to your web host. That's when everyone can view it. You can always view your files on your hard drive before you upload them.

Open your web browser.

Choose File -> Open... File, (Browse).

Find the folder with your HTML files.

Double-click the one you're working on, and it will be in your web browser.

Commonly made Mistake

The most common mistake for new web-designers is to put the c: in links and images. When you're on the web, there is no c: to the rest of the world. When you start out, keep all your HTML files and images in one folder, and don't use c: at all.

For example- loads an image into a web page. If you have a file called taco. jpg, use the code to load it, not

Author is a web business developer. He is a coaching of web hosting.
More information : http://www.pickto.net

If you want to reduce the risks involved with how to start a blog the right way then make a plan now to read this powerful information regarding it.

Are you ready to get started on setting up your first blog using Wordpress blogging software, the most popular blogging software on the web today?

I am sure you are because that's why you are here right now in the first place.

Enough said already. Lets move on to Step #1.

Step #1: Choose a niche you your passionate about.

I was blow away by how powerful choosing the right niche really is. Here's why? Why start something you have NO interest in. Remember, your going to be writing content about something and if you have no interest in it your setting yourself up for failure. By choosing a niche your passionate about you'll love blogging about it every day or every other day.

Believe me, this is the most important step to understand, so choose wisely.

The second step is equally helpful for the blogging world. Read on.

Step #2: Register a domain name around your niche.

Now don't let this step scare you. It very easy to register a Domain Name. Here's what you do.

Go to - www.domainsbot.com - and enter in one of your main keywords related to your niche. From there Domains Bot will search its database of all available domain names around your keyword phrases and present to you the results. It doesn't get any easier then this.

Once that is done and you have found a domain name you like that is focused around your niche its time now to register it with one of the domain registry services Domains Bot has built in to its service. To do this click on the Buy Now button. From there choose a domain register and set up an account, then proceed to follow to steps it guides you through. It's that easy. Really!!

Once you've done that move on to Step #3.

Step #3: Get a web hosting account set up.

Setting up a hosting account is easy as well. Things that are new to us always seen difficult, just be patient and follow the steps each service has in place. So with that said its time to set up your web hosting account.

First go to - www.bighosts.com. Here you'll find web hosting reviews so you can make a sound decision on which web hosting service you want to use. Take your time and read through a few.

I recommend using Host Gator. This is the web hosting service I use and haven't had any problems with so far and are very reliable, plus affordable. But the choice is yours to make.
Once you have set up your web hosting account and have followed there emailed instructions for getting your new domain name live on the web, proceed to Step#4.

Step #4: Install wordpress blogging software using Fantastico through your cpanel.

Now if you are at this step then things are working smoothly and you have your domain name live and ready for Wordpress to be installed. What you need to do now is login into your cpanel using your login information you set up with your web host and scroll down to the bottom of the page once logged in and locate the Fantastico icon.

Click on the icon and follow the instructions Fantastico guides you through. This only takes about 2 minutes. Its very straight forward.

Once you've completed that and have everything installed you'll be given an login admin URL along with your username and password you set up. Simply login into your new wordpress blog using your username and password.

That's it. Your blog is up and live. Now all you have to do is choose your theme and plugins.

Here's a few resources for you to get started with. For Wordpress Themes go to - www.wpthemesfree.com - and for Wordpress Plugins go to - www.wp-plugins.net/beta/.

Now this may take you a little more then 15 minutes the first time, but after you do this a few times your timing will increase.

That's it, you now have the ability to take these steps above and shape them to fit your own blogging needs.

Article Source : Pg. 77

About Author

Both Kitty Chuk & Cory Threlfall are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Kitty Chuk has sinced written about articles on various topics from The Internet. Author is a web business developer. He is a coaching of web hosting.More information :. Kitty Chuk's top article generates over 720 views. to your Favourites.

Cory Threlfall has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fishing, About Web Hosting and Internet Marketing. Looking to become an expert blogger in record time AND are serious about earning BIG money with blogging, then I highly recommend you check out my honest make money blogging product reviews. I've checked out all the top blogging products on the Internet a. Cory Threlfall's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.