I was having coffee with Andrea last weekend, and the topic of blog hosting came up. (Andrea was great company that night – too bad I couldn’t say the same thing about myself. It was the same week we found out that frostie didn’t work out, and Simon was in the thick of his barf and poop marathon. I could barely get my nose out of my navel, and yet she left me feeling better than I had all week. Perhaps I should have said thanks for that before now…)
Ahem, anyway, we were talking about my disappointment that Blogger won’t allow true mobile blogging for cellular customers outside the US, and she said that I’m a big-girl blogger now and perhaps it’s time to move out on my own.
Six months ago, I would have said I was perfectly content with Blogger, but the tides are slowly turning. I’ve long coveted the capability to make catagories, and I made a stab at it with del.icio.us a while back, but I never kept up with it, and the idea of sorting and tagging several hundred posts makes me tired just thinking about it. And Blogger’s capriciousness with its ability to post photos is annoying at the best of times. And maybe a nice three-column format would be nice for a change, wot?
But, there are obstacles. First, Blogger is free and domain hosting is not. Then I’d have to choose another blogging interface, and while for no particular reason I’m leaning toward Typepad, don’t I have to pay for that, too? (Too lazy to click around and find out.) And the biggest obstacle is that moving from blogger means change – and you know how I feel about change. There’d be a change to how blog looks, and a change to the blog-posting interface, and a change to how you’d find me, and I’m just not sure if I’m up for all that.
So, whaddya think? Any thoughts or recommendations? Tell me what you love and hate about the blog interface you use. Is it time for me to pony up an actual cash investment for this silly, addictive hobby of mine? If you don’t mind, if you’re paying an ISP in Canada, would you comment or e-mail me with information about your domain hosting so I can get an idea to expect what to pay, and whether you would recommend your ISP? (I have absolutely no idea.)
Would you still drop by if I moved to a fancy uptown place? And hey, if it works out, stay tuned for the ‘name that domain’ autumn contest!
Edited to add: if you’re thinking about domain names and web hosting in Canada, check out the most excellent analysis over at Miche’s place. Thanks, Miche!
I can’t speak to the paid blogging services, as I too use Blogger. However, if you drop by, you’ll notice that I’ve got a three column layout … such as it is.
I plan on doing a post this week or next on domain name registration and hosting in Canada. I’ll be sure to buzz you when it’s up… if you haven’t already made up your mind by then.
I can’t speak to the paid blogging services, as I too use Blogger. However, if you drop by, you’ll notice that I’ve got a three column layout … such as it is.
I plan on doing a post this week or next on domain name registration and hosting in Canada. I’ll be sure to buzz you when it’s up… if you haven’t already made up your mind by then.
I would read you if you scrawled your posts with eyebrow pencil on paper towels and nailed them to trees. I’d feel bad for the trees, and it would suck if it rained, and I might suggest using a better quality pencil than that stuff you get from Shopper’s Drug Mart, but I’d still read you.
I would read you if you scrawled your posts with eyebrow pencil on paper towels and nailed them to trees. I’d feel bad for the trees, and it would suck if it rained, and I might suggest using a better quality pencil than that stuff you get from Shopper’s Drug Mart, but I’d still read you.
Although I’m in Canada, I use a US hosting company called AN Hosting. WordPress comes free with the $7USD/month hosting fee and so far, I have been very pleased.
Although I’m in Canada, I use a US hosting company called AN Hosting. WordPress comes free with the $7USD/month hosting fee and so far, I have been very pleased.
I’m so with you on your entire post. I nodded my head in agreement the entire time I was reading it.
My friend switched from Blogger to Typepad and really likes it. I think it’s cheap; maybe $5 or $10/month.
I’m so with you on your entire post. I nodded my head in agreement the entire time I was reading it.
My friend switched from Blogger to Typepad and really likes it. I think it’s cheap; maybe $5 or $10/month.
I have been doing some research on my own site as well. And although I am not a big time blogger like you, I liked the idea of being in more control of my site. I too am a chicken about change, but am gearing towards it.
My current obstacle is finding the right interface, like Typepad or WordPress, but when I find the one I want, I will most likely make the switch.
And yes, like Marla, I would read your blog if it was posted on scrap paper on a bulletin board at Timmy’s.
I have been doing some research on my own site as well. And although I am not a big time blogger like you, I liked the idea of being in more control of my site. I too am a chicken about change, but am gearing towards it.
My current obstacle is finding the right interface, like Typepad or WordPress, but when I find the one I want, I will most likely make the switch.
And yes, like Marla, I would read your blog if it was posted on scrap paper on a bulletin board at Timmy’s.
Anyone interested in a photo of Dani wearing her skort? Email me privately if interested.
😉
Anyone interested in a photo of Dani wearing her skort? Email me privately if interested.
😉
I changed over to TypePad back in June. I got so frustrated about not being able to post photos and some other annoyances. I’ve been pretty happy there, although some things were easier on Blogger. It’s $5/mo, which is a pretty cheap hobby. I bought a domain name through Blogroll just so I would have it if I wanted it. The URL just passes on invisibly to TypePad, so it’s not a real web site by any means.
I changed over to TypePad back in June. I got so frustrated about not being able to post photos and some other annoyances. I’ve been pretty happy there, although some things were easier on Blogger. It’s $5/mo, which is a pretty cheap hobby. I bought a domain name through Blogroll just so I would have it if I wanted it. The URL just passes on invisibly to TypePad, so it’s not a real web site by any means.
I use a Typepad interface on my blog, which is hosted for free by my friend Zo. I find Typepad easy to use and I do like the categorising facility. I’d recommend it… As for photos, I use photobucket and then write the code in html into my blog. Hope you decide something easily 🙂
I use a Typepad interface on my blog, which is hosted for free by my friend Zo. I find Typepad easy to use and I do like the categorising facility. I’d recommend it… As for photos, I use photobucket and then write the code in html into my blog. Hope you decide something easily 🙂
I posted the following on Miche’s blog. Sorry, I’m not trying to spam, just thought I ought to give you the info direct.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&
I use http://www.liquidesign.com. It’s a company run by two women and a bonus to me is that they are local (Hamilton).
They charged me Canadian. Even though I got .com extension, my entire package for the year came in at about $90, including domain reg and their smallest hosting package.
I’m pretty happy with their service, too. We had the whole thing done within 24 hours of my making an initial inquiry about the services.
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I use this for my professional site (I’m a doula) and I went with WordPress which is very easy to set up and work with. I quite like it. There are lots of gorgeous themes available and you obviously have the skills enough to do some customization.
You can see my other site at http://www.hamiltonbirthrevolution.com. I run a blog there with pregnancy, birth and newborn related articles.
HTH!
I posted the following on Miche’s blog. Sorry, I’m not trying to spam, just thought I ought to give you the info direct.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&
I use http://www.liquidesign.com. It’s a company run by two women and a bonus to me is that they are local (Hamilton).
They charged me Canadian. Even though I got .com extension, my entire package for the year came in at about $90, including domain reg and their smallest hosting package.
I’m pretty happy with their service, too. We had the whole thing done within 24 hours of my making an initial inquiry about the services.
&&&&&&&&&&&&
I use this for my professional site (I’m a doula) and I went with WordPress which is very easy to set up and work with. I quite like it. There are lots of gorgeous themes available and you obviously have the skills enough to do some customization.
You can see my other site at http://www.hamiltonbirthrevolution.com. I run a blog there with pregnancy, birth and newborn related articles.
HTH!
Sorry I’m late to the discussion, I’ve been meaning to come over.
I have had Typepad since I started blogging — I pay for the highest level of service, but I find it to be worthwhile because the platform offers everything I like.
I have also tried several of the free blogging platforms. I like Blogsome (which is free) and I’ve tried one called Eponym (free but with annoying ads.)
Another option is to get a free Word Press template if you have a server available for hosting. I think some of the other commenters may have covered this, though.
THanks for the heads up about Blogger Beta — I’ll have to give it a try.
Sorry I’m late to the discussion, I’ve been meaning to come over.
I have had Typepad since I started blogging — I pay for the highest level of service, but I find it to be worthwhile because the platform offers everything I like.
I have also tried several of the free blogging platforms. I like Blogsome (which is free) and I’ve tried one called Eponym (free but with annoying ads.)
Another option is to get a free Word Press template if you have a server available for hosting. I think some of the other commenters may have covered this, though.
THanks for the heads up about Blogger Beta — I’ll have to give it a try.