Does It Matter Where I Host My Blog?
Apr. 28th, 2009 by Mike MoranWith so many people deciding to start blogging, one of the first questions they ask is, “Where should it go?” I get that question all the time, but especially from those savvy in organic search marketing, because they are concerned about the links coming into the blog counting for improved search rankings. Should they be?
I say no. Not everyone agrees with me, and they might be smarter than me, but here’s my reasoning.
If you host your blog on your own site, that’s beneficial for your site’s search rankings, because all the links you get to your blog raise the perceived importance of your site. That was my thinking when I set up my blog on my Web site and I think it worked just fine.
But in retrospect, I think setting my blog up elsewhere would have worked just fine, also. If I had set up my blog on a separate Web site, even a free one like Blogger, I’d have attracted links to my blog, which would improve the blog’s perceived importance, and my blog would be linking to my Web site anyway, passing along value to my Web site. In addition, when someone searched for me, I’d have two sites coming up in the results instead of just one.
Which approach works better? Who knows? It might make no difference at all.
Which, unfortunately, leads us back to our original question. Where should you host your blog? I think you should look at non-search factors to make your decision.
If you are the kind of person who likes to tinker with the look and feel of your blog, and doesn’t mind getting your hands dirty installing software, grab WordPress or Movable Type and have at it. Go install the blogging software on your site and customize to your heart’s content.
But if you think you need to wash your hands after handling a tar file, you’re better off using something simple, regardless of where it’s hosted. If you are fine with picking between the available styles and haven’t ever changed the default wallpaper on your computer, don’t drive yourself nuts now. It will just set up an impediment that keeps you from blogging.
It’s more important that you start blogging and that you write stuff that people want to read. I think if you do that, then you’ll get attention and it will help you. Whether the attention comes straight to your Web site or takes a slight detour along the way isn’t that important. If you’re blog is good, it won’t matter where you host it.
About The Author
Copyright Mike Moran Mike Moran is an IBM Distinguished Engineer, expert on Internet marketing, and the author of Search Engine Marketing, Inc., the best-selling book on search marketing. Mike also writes the popular Biznology newsletter and blog.Posted in: The Net |
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May 2nd, 2009 at 9:33 pm
I think you can definitely be successful on any where you host your blog, like you said… as long as you are putting out quality content, in the end thats what matters.
May 3rd, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Quality is what matters most, as well as getting your writing out there….when you start getting popular, you should then start contemplating better hosting, etc
May 11th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I guess it does matter but nothing which should affect your blog. Having a blog hosted with an independent provider will be better to manage than one hosted on a free wordpress or blogger account.
June 28th, 2009 at 3:45 am
I started out with yahoo hosting, and it was great to start with when you are new. I have since made the switch to hostgator and have enjoyed it for the most part. I haven’t really ever planed to use free hosts, I don’t really think it is a very good idea unless you are just starting.
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Where can I host my blog, preferably for free and easy to use, where if it becomes popular I can get paid by advertisers? If I use a free web host can I get paid advertising? Specific websites would be helpful.
August 11th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
I don’t think it matters at all where it is hosted. There can be mild country-specific ranking benefits but they aren’t worth too much deliberation.
August 11th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Great post. So many individuals get caught up in where to host their blog.
August 27th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
I too started out with yahoo hosting, and it was great to start with when you are new. I have since made the switch to godaddy and have enjoyed it for the most part.