Should I start with a blog or custom site?

[b9704]

Hello all. I'm in the process of starting my first site. I have several dozen articles that I wrote for an old offline newsletter some years ago. I'm about to start putting them online and would like to use adsense to monetize.

My question is, should I create a static site with its own layout and structure or can I start with a free blog on a service like blogger.com?

[Lexur]

You should download and install a blog software to start a website in your own domain. Today's blogs are really good sites.
My advice: look for a hosting service (10/15$/month) with free Wordpress setup.

[incrediBILL]

You should download and install a blog software to start a website in your own domain

Then brace yourself for getting hacked.

It's not if you'll get hacked, just a matter of when.

If you aren't terribly technical or don't pay attention to when updates are available, using hosted WordPress.com or blogger is a better bet than hosting your own IMO.

[martinibuster]

You are starting a business. Invest in it. A domain costs under a dollar per month. Hosting costs as little as $5/month. The cost of entry is cheap, there is barely no excuse for the average person to opt for a free subdomain and hosting.

Research the niche first. Ask where is the money being made? What are the affiliate programs paying? Evaluate your competition and make lists of strengths and weaknesses. Make their weaknesses your strengths, etc.

Structure the site according to what your research dictates is the most favorable way to strutcture it, the one with the clearest path toward successful monetization.

[incrediBILL]

A domain costs under a dollar per month.

Having your own domain is a good thing.

Hosting it yourself, not always unless you're vigilant with software updates.

Content makes the blog, not whether or not you host it yourself, My blogger blog is a PR 5 and ranks like crazy yet it's free and I don't have to deal with the software, spammers or hackers.

'Nuff said.

[farmboy]

My question is, should I create a static site with its own layout and structure or can I start with a free blog on a service like blogger.com?

What's your plan down the road - after you have put these several dozen articles online?


FarmBoy