Blogging is the activity of managing a web log or blog, starting from developing, updating and adding other content in the form of writing or images. This is done so that the blog can be visited by many people so that it can get high traffic.

However, blogging is not an easy job. There are many things to watch out for. So maybe you are one of those who are interested in starting a blog? Don’t take the wrong step, let’s first learn the complete guide in the following article!

What is Blogging?

Blogging is the activity of managing a web log or blog. This blogging activity is like adding content in the form of text and images on a regular basis. In other words, blogging is an activity carried out by someone with the aim of managing and developing a site (blog) that is owned.

Blogging is an activity carried out with the aim of being able to be visited by many people. Therefore, blogging activities are also considered as activities that are not easy, because the perpetrators have to make various efforts such as SEO and SEM so that the site can achieve high traffic.

Differences Blog, Blogging, and Blogger

Blogging is a term that is quite familiar to people, as well as the words blog and blogger. Even though they seem similar, the three have different meanings, you know. what are the differences? Check in full here.

What are blogs?

First, we will discuss about the meaning of the blog. A blog is a site that contains some content including information, opinions, experiences or whatever is published by the author/owner of the blog as a post on a site page.

This blog can be a platform for writers to work and create content to attract traffic from visitors. In contrast to websites, blogs tend to be dynamic because usually the author will load his writings regularly and will continue to be updated.

The content on the blog is actually almost the same as the website, such as pictures, videos, photos or whatever information is uploaded by the author or blog owner.

What is blogging?

While blogging is a term to describe the activities of managing the blog itself. This activity includes writing, posting, linking and sharing content on the blog. Blogging is usually used by writers to publish works and can generate rupiah coffers via the internet.

What is a blogger?

The last term is blogger. Blogger is a term for people who do blogging activities. People who are called bloggers usually fill their blogs regularly with the latest and updated content so that their blogs grow and can attract visitors.

Early Start Blog and Blogging

The history of blogs and blogging begins with the term Weblog which was initiated by Jorn Barger on December 17, 1997.

Blogs and blogging are activities that were originally carried out for the news and information segment such as newspapers, then developed more quickly to become a platform for updating information as it is today to become a place to channel blogging interests and hobbies.

Until 2003, WordPress was created, and offered various conveniences in the form of features for people who are commonly called bloggers. Now, apart from being a place to channel blogging interests and hobbies, blogs are also a place to make money with advertising collaborations.

The difference between Blogs and Websites

Well, after knowing the ins and outs of the blog. You must be wondering, what’s the difference with a website? As previously explained, a blog is a platform that has content that is updated and maintained regularly.

Meanwhile, websites are static or not always updated like blogs. In addition, the differences between this blog and website can be seen from the date of publication, author references, categories and tags in the byline.

Types of Blogs

As previously explained, blogging is the activity of managing a blog. Well, this managed blog can be of various types based on its purpose and function. The following is a summary of the types of blogs.

1. Personal blog

Personal blogs have a function for the personal benefit of the author. So the content on personal blogs or personal blogging is stories, experiences, opinions, portfolios and so on. Even though it is classified as a personal blog, everyone can still access it.

2. Company or business blog

Business blogs are usually owned by companies or business owners. Usually this type of blog is used for promotional media or as a company company profile that can be accessed online. In contrast to personal blogs, business blogs usually contain content for business marketing purposes or information to customers.

3. Blog niche

Niche blogs are blogs that focus on more specific and useful information for their visitors. Niche blogs must meet several specifications including specific, informative, useful and interesting.

Usually niche blogs are devoted to a particular subject, while information on niche blogs contains infographics, podcasts or other media to convey knowledge about that specific subject.

4. Reverse blog

The next type of blog is a reverse blog. A reverse blog is a blog that has content and is written by several authors or guest writers. The blog owner is usually only in charge of changing and editing the writings of guest writers. This type of blog is generally used by freelance writers to expand their connections and portfolio.

5. Affiliate blogs

This affiliate blog is usually used for affiliate marketing in promoting third party products and services through online media. The way affiliate blogging works is that the blogger will provide a link directed to the soft selling of a business’s online store. From the conversions obtained, bloggers will get money from the affiliate blog.

Blogging function

Many companies and individuals also have blogs to promote or simply share information. This is because blogging activities can be used as a place to express thoughts as well as a business marketing tool. The remaining benefits of blogging are as follows.

1. Media sharing

Blogging is an activity that allows blog owners to share various information, including selling product information. Here you can increase brand awareness of potential customers.

2. Space to channel the hobby of writing

Blogging is an activity to channel your writing hobby, which can later be used as an online journal. You can freely express yourself with various designs and shapes that you can update regularly.

3. Make money

Furthermore, the function of blogging is to make money. The content that you create on your blog can bring in traffic. That traffic can attract other parties to advertise on your blog. In another sense, you will make money from these ads.

Blog Platforms

After knowing the function of blogging, surely you are interested in starting a blog, right? Before that, you need to determine what platforms can be used to create a blog. So that you don’t get confused, here are some blog platform recommendations that you need to know.

1. WordPress

WordPress is one of the best blogging platforms that you can use. In fact more than 32% of all sites run on WordPress. No doubt wordpress is the best platform for blogging.

WordPress itself is divided into 2 versions, WordPress.com and WordPress.org versions. Then what is the difference between the two?

WordPress.com: This is a free blog publishing service that you can use. When you use this version you will use a subdomain of wordpress. This service has many limitations such as adding themes and plugins which of course will add features to the website.
WordPress.org: This is a CMS (Content Management system) that you can use to create a blog. WordPress.org is also known as WordPress Self Hosted where you have to set up web hosting first. By using WordPress self hosted there are no limitations in controlling and managing blogs.

How much does it cost?

How much does it cost to use this platform? Previously you had to decide whether to use the Commercial version of WordPress or WordPress Self Hosted. Because the two versions of wordpress are different.

If you choose to use commercial WordPress, you don’t have to pay a penny or it’s completely free. However, you can customize the domain, which was originally websitename.wordpress.com to become websitename.com. But you have to rent a domain name first.

WordPress Self Hosted itself is open source software, which can be used locally, or on a web server. To get your website online, you must first have web hosting and a domain name.

For web hosting, you can use services from Jagoan Hosting, namely, Unlimited Hosting. Starting from 9 thousand rupiah, you can create a website without the hassle! There are several packages that you can choose according to your choice. For every Unlimited Hosting, you can get domains starting from.COM to.ID.

Can I monetize my blog?

If you use WordPress Self Hosted, you can monetize your blog more easily because you can control the entire blog. You are free to add HTML script code which is a way to monetize blogs with ads. In contrast to commercial WordPress which is quite limited, but you can still monetize your blog.

2. Blogger

Blogger is Google’s blog publishing service. To use this blogging platform you simply need to register with your Google account, and use one of the default themes to start with the blogspot.com subdomain.

Blogger is a free blogging platform that allows you to upload custom themes and widgets. Apart from that, you can also edit blog source code such as HTML, CSS, and Javascript in Blogger.

How much does it cost?

Blogger is a completely free blogging platform. But if you want a custom domain, you can do it. Blogger allows you to upload themes (templates). Then, if you want the best blogspot template, you can buy it.

Can I monetize my blog?

Blogger is a platform that allows you to edit and add code. That way you can more easily monetize your blog with ads. Google AdSense is built into the Blogger service, and activating it is quite easy. Apart from that, you can also add third-party advertising services by adding the relevant JavaScript in the widget, or in your blog’s source code.

3. Medium

Medium is a blog publishing platform focused on the reading experience. Medium is a free blogging platform that is very easy to use. You only need to register for an account at the beginning, then you can be free to start writing and creating articles.

For posts that are not related to the publication, you need to use the default theme. You can customize your post header, favicon and layout. However, you cannot edit or add code.

How much does it cost?

Medium is a free platform. However, this applies to publishers. For readers, there is a subscription model to get the best custom content.

Can I monetize my blog?

Through the Medium Partner Program, writing/publishing partners can monetize the content they create. Monetization generated or paid depends on reader engagement. However, this partner program is quite limited. Not everyone can activate or join the program.

That’s a discussion about what blogging is and some of the best free platform recommendations that you can use to create a blog. Now, channeling a hobby of writing or sharing opinions through blogs is easier right? Hopefully this article is useful and good luck trying to become a blogger!

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