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Why Blog?. Why Blog?. To market or promote yourself, service or product. Why Blog?. To market or promote yourself, service or product To establish yourself as an expert. Why Blog?. To market or promote yourself, service or product To establish yourself as an expert
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Why Blog? • To market or promote yourself, service or product
Why Blog? • To market or promote yourself, service or product • To establish yourself as an expert
Why Blog? • To market or promote yourself, service or product • To establish yourself as an expert • To boost SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Two initial decisionsneed to be made FIRST Should I pay for a hosting package or opt for a free site?
FREE: No Initial Fees • Hosting and domain are free.
FREE: No Initial Fees • Hosting and domain are free.REMEMBER:
FREE: No Initial Fees • Hosting and domain are free.REMEMBER:-3GB storage space
FREE: No Initial Fees • Hosting and domain are free.REMEMBER:-3GB storage space-Domain name will begin with “wordpress.”
FREE: No Initial Fees • Hosting and domain are free.REMEMBER:-3GB storage space-Domain name will begin with “wordpress.”-No custom e-mail addresses included
FREE: No Initial Fees • Hosting and domain are free.REMEMBER:-3GB storage space-Domain name will begin with “wordpress.”-No custom e-mail addresses included-A customized “wp.-free” domain is $12-$17/yr
FREE: No Initial Fees • Hosting and domain are free.REMEMBER:-3GB storage space-Domain name will begin with “wordpress.”-No custom e-mail addresses included-A customized “wp.-free” domain is $12-$17/yr-Additional space is available starting at $20/yr for 5GB
PAID: Hosted Site • Domain Registration: $10+/yr
PAID: Hosted Site • Domain Registration: $10+/yr • Hosting: Varies - $120/yrshould include one domain, custom e-mail addresses and ample storage space
FREE: Networking • WordPress.com is a network-May create additional traffic-Slim possibility to be chosen as the “Blog of the Day”
PAID: No Network • Responsible for your own networking
FREE: Auto Updates • WordPress.com will automatically update your site to the current version whenever an update becomes available.
PAID: 1-Click Updates • WordPress will notify you • Your responsibility to install • Usually done with 1-click.
FREE: Limited Themes • Only WordPress.com free themes allowed • Customization limited to the control panel options • Style customization is $30/yr • You are responsible for customizations
PAID: Full Theme Support • Thousands of free and paid themes are available online • Same control panel operates basic customization • Open customization only limited to your imagination
FREE: No Plug-ins Available • No plug-ins of any kind are allowed • $2,500 each month (yes $2,500) join VIP Program for full control of customization and the ability to use plug-ins
PAID: Plug-in Freedom • Unlimited access to all free and paid plug-ins available for WP
FREE: WP Ad Space • WordPress.com reserves the right to sell ad space on your site • Ad-free option is $30 per year
PAID: Content Control • Only what you post or allow will ever be visible on your blog
FREE: Sales Restrictions • Cannot sell or control the ad space on your site • IF you receive MORE THAN 25,000 views per month and apply for the privilege • If approved you will split the revenue 50/50 with WP
PAID: Make Money! • Control and sell whatever ad space or items you want on your site
SECOND Should I design it myself or pay someone?
Do-It-Yourself • Easy to get started
Do-It-Yourself • Easy to get started • 1-click WP install
Do-It-Yourself • Easy to get started • 1-click WP install • Select a theme
Do-It-Yourself • Easy to get started • 1-click WP install • Select a theme • Customize, fairly user-friendly control panel
Do-It-Yourself • Easy to get started • 1-click WP install • Select a theme • Customize, fairly user-friendly control panel • WP is written in PHP, not HTML
Do-It-Yourself • Easy to get started • 1-click WP install • Select a theme • Customize, fairly user-friendly control panel • WP is written in PHP, not HTML • Install plug-ins (paid site)
Do-It-Yourself • Easy to get started • 1-click WP install • Select a theme • Customize, fairly user-friendly control panel • WP is written in PHP, not HTML • Install plug-ins (paid site) • Spend a lot of time learning
Outsourcing • Get a professional
Outsourcing • Get a professional • No portfolio?
Outsourcing • Get a professional • No portfolio? Guinea pigs don’t pay!
Outsourcing • Get a professional • No portfolio? Guinea pigs don’t pay! • Look over their web AND WP portfolio PHP NOT HTML
Outsourcing • Get a professional • No portfolio? Guinea pigs don’t pay! • Look over their web AND WP portfolio PHP NOT HTML • Analyze styles and variety
Outsourcing • Get a professional • No portfolio? Guinea pigs don’t pay! • Look over their web AND WP portfolio PHP NOT HTML • Analyze styles and variety • Ask for references/recommendations
Outsourcing continued. . . DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
Outsourcing continued. . . DO YOUR HOMEWORK! KEEP COSTS DOWN!