why blog? to market or promote yourself, service or product
TRANSCRIPT
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
• To boost SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Where do I begin?
Two initial decisionsneed to be made
Two initial decisionsneed to be made
FIRST
Should I pay for a hosting package
or opt for a free site?
FREE (?)WordPress.com
- - - - - - VS - - - - - -
PAID HOSTING
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
CONCLUSION
Nothing but the Gift of Godis ever free.
CONCLUSION
Paid Hosting = Freedom
SECOND
Should I design it myself
or pay someone?
Do-It-Yourself
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
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!
Outsourcing continued. . .
• Browse free (if necessary paid) themes
Outsourcing continued. . .
• Browse free (if necessary paid) themes
• Choose one (or a few) ahead of time
Outsourcing continued. . .
• Browse free (if necessary paid) themes
• Choose one (or a few) ahead of time
• Blogging workshops AND online tutorials
Outsourcing continued. . .
• Browse free (if necessary paid) themes
• Choose one (or a few) ahead of time
• Blogging workshops AND online tutorials
• Gather high resolution images and media
Outsourcing continued. . .
• Browse free (if necessary paid) themes
• Choose one (or a few) ahead of time
• Blogging workshops AND online tutorials
• Gather high resolution images and media
• Outline your blog plans
Blog Outline
Blog Outline
• Are you just blogging (simple posts)?
Blog Outline
• Are you just blogging (simple posts)?
• Are you selling items or ad space?
Blog Outline
• Are you just blogging (simple posts)?
• Are you selling items or ad space?
• Adding images or video?
Blog Outline
• Are you just blogging (simple posts)?
• Are you selling items or ad space?
• Adding images or video?
• How many pages?
Blog Outline
• Are you just blogging (simple posts)?
• Are you selling items or ad space?
• Adding images or video?
• How many pages?
• Custom e-mail addresses? How many?
Blog Outline
• Are you just blogging (simple posts)?
• Are you selling items or ad space?
• Adding images or video?
• How many pages?
• Custom e-mail addresses? How many?
• Customized header? Additional design?
Blog Outline
• Are you just blogging (simple posts)?
• Are you selling items or ad space?
• Adding images or video?
• How many pages?
• Custom e-mail addresses? How many?
• Customized header? Additional design?
• Launch date?
Blog Outline
• Are you just blogging (simple posts)?
• Are you selling items or ad space?
• Adding images or video?
• How many pages?
• Custom e-mail addresses? How many?
• Customized header? Additional design?
• Launch date?
• Choose a designer/developer
Questions to Ask
Questions to Ask
What does
the package
include?
Questions to Ask
• Hosting on secure server, NOT HOME COMPUTER!
Questions to Ask
• Hosting on secure server, NOT HOME COMPUTER!
• Domain registration and yearly renewal
Questions to Ask
• Hosting on secure server, NOT HOME COMPUTER!
• Domain registration and yearly renewal
• WP experience with customized themes
Questions to Ask
• Hosting on secure server, NOT HOME COMPUTER!
• Domain registration and yearly renewal
• WP experience with customized themes
• Number of e-mail addresses included
Questions to Ask
• Hosting on secure server, NOT HOME COMPUTER!
• Domain registration and yearly renewal
• WP experience with customized themes
• Number of e-mail addresses included
• Storage space included
Questions to Ask
• Hosting on secure server, NOT HOME COMPUTER!
• Domain registration and yearly renewal
• WP experience with customized themes
• Number of e-mail addresses included
• Storage space included
• Are plug-in recommendations and Installation included
Questions to Ask
• Hosting on secure server, NOT HOME COMPUTER!
• Domain registration and yearly renewal
• WP experience with customized themes
• Number of e-mail addresses included
• Storage space included
• Are plug-in recommendations and Installation included
• SEO plug-in?
Questions to Ask
• Hosting on secure server, NOT HOME COMPUTER!
• Domain registration and yearly renewal
• WP experience with customized themes
• Number of e-mail addresses included
• Storage space included
• Are plug-in recommendations and Installation included
• SEO plug-in?
• Length of included support
Thank You forYour Patience and
Attention
I hope this presentation will help you makeinformed decisions.
www.ChelsiGraphics.com