Hosted blog or Host a blog

[ASchmitt]

Ok,

I'm using adsense now for two years. I have always used it on my forums and content sites. I read a lot on bloggers makes lot's of money with adsense, so I want to try to create a blog.

Now my question is: Is it better to host a blog on a platform like blogger or myspace or host one on your own server? And if you would choose a blog platform, witch one would it be and why?

When you make use of blogger, I can image that, following some proper guidelines, you can easily benefit from the traffic that blogger is getting. Your content is immediately inserted into the blogosphere, so less seo actions needed... etc.

(please do not reply with 'will you be able to provide quality content' or 'it's not wise to just start a site to earn money with adsense'. This question has the only purpose to find out about the differences and consequences of choosing a hosted blog or host a blog yourself)

Ash

[edited by: ASchmitt at 2:49 pm (utc) on Nov. 27, 2006]

[Zygoot]

I would install it on my own webserver. IMO hosted blogs are more for people who don't want to pay for hosting or people who don't know how to install blog software onto a hosting account.

When you install it on your own server you can fully customize all the pages, something you can't do when you go for a hosted blog.

[send2paul]

What's wrong with Blogger? (I'm sure someone will tell me if there is....):
1. You can adapt the template to your own design.
2. It's easy to use.
3. You have useful little tools like the "Blogthis" button on the Google toolbar.

SEO/Adsense - it's all about words. A blog is merely a constantly updated website as far as search engines are concerned.

As far as Adsense is concerned I don't see what the difference wiil be, if any at all, between choosing a hosted blog or host a blog yourself.

[Mistra]

It is better to host the blog yourself because you own the database. You can also change the Ads of your choice anytime you like if you are not happy with Adsense or anything allowed by your blog provider.

[ASchmitt]

The main question would be:

Wouldn't it be easier to use blogger and profit from the overall traffic/popularity the platform has?
Hosting your own blog requires a start-up from scratch traffic and SEO wise...

The relation with Adsense in this topic is the relation between Adsense and traffic.

Blogger > possibly more traffic > more Adsense revenue
Own hosting > less start-up traffic > maybe more targetted traffic > maybe more Adsense revenue?

[edited by: ASchmitt at 11:38 am (utc) on Nov. 29, 2006]

[enthrall]

From experience I can tell you that if you host your own blog you will make more money than if you did it on blogspot. It's true that blogspot will generate more traffic through the blogosphere, but you have so little control over your blog it's not worth it.

It's true that you will have to work more if your hosting your own blog, but in the long run you will make more money through: 1. better ad placement, 2. more professional look, 3. your own brand name, 4. SEO without blogspot's limitations.