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Getting Started With Blogging and Affiliate Marketing – The FREE Way vs. The Other Way

Assuming you already have a computer and an Internet connection, there is really nothing more you MUST have to beginning blogging and affiliate marketing. Sure, there are products, book, and tools which can help you learn what you need faster, organize and be more effective and efficient, but they are not a necessity.

All the information you need — it’s free on the Internet.

The problem with information on the Internet is that it doesn’t come neatly organized, and there is a lot of bad that will need to be separated from the good, but it’s all there.

Blogging tools and services — free versions exist for almost anything you need to do. Occasionally for the sake of cost you’ll have to give up a a few extra features or a bit of efficiency, but not always. Some of the freebie tools I’ve listed below are as good as it gets (Read of my love affair with Evernote. :-) )

I’m learning as I go that free or the cheapest way is not always the way which makes the most sense. In blogging as in life, sometimes free costs more in the long run.

One thing to keep in mind is that each person is different and has different needs.

Using myself as an example, I’m fairly knowledgeable of computers, software, hardware and setup. There are literally hundreds of eBooks, classes, and online products available to help me in this area if I felt I needed it. I don’t – certainly not at the price they want to charge.

On the other hand, I lack terribly in organizational skills. Anything which gives me an edge in organizing and performing more efficiently is where I spend my dollars and I believe they are dollars well spent.

The charts below outline the free way to get started blogging and affiliate marketing as well as other ways. I’ve also tried to include the pros and cons of each option.

KEYWORD ANALYSIS TOOLS

Keyword analysis is an important first step as you work to choose a name for your site. The name you choose should be closely related to the topic of your website as well as memorable. Once the writing begins, it’s a good idea to revisit keyword strategy to search for long tail keywords on which the written blog posts and pages will be focused.

The Free Way The Other Way

START HERE ==> Free 100 page download SEO Fast Start includes a couple of very helpful chapters which detail how to search and find long tail keywords.

Google Keyword Tool is a free tool provided by Google. It is intended to help advertisers determine the search volume and other user behaviors related to keywords.

WordTracker offers a free version of its keyword search tool.

WordTracker.com offers a monthly subscription for their keyword search service. They offer a 7 day free trial.

MY CHOICE: I’ll stick with the freebies for now, although at a later date I do want to take advantage of free trials of the others to see for myself how they compare. I’m waiting to do it when I have more time since the free trial is for 7 days only.


DOMAIN NAME REGISTRATION AND HOSTING

Domain names identify your site, such as www.thethirdroad.com or if you choose the free route it might be something like thethirdroad.wordpress.com.

Web hosts are companies that provide space on a server they own or lease. They provide it for their clients for a fee. This space is where the files which run a blog are stored.

The Free Way The Other Way

Blogs can be set up free at blogger.com and wordpress.com. This eliminates the cost of registering a domain name and hosting services for the domain.

If you’re not yet sure if blogging is for you and just want to try it out, this is probably a good solution. However, if you’re more serious there is a down side to choosing the free route.

If you set up a free blog through one of the sites mentioned, the domain and the blog name are not truly yours. The host site you choose has total control over your blog.

For example, if blogger.com decides you have in some way violated the terms of your agreement with them, they can shut your site down. In the blink of an eye all your hard work is gone. And any profit you’ve started to see — also gone.

Since the domain is not yours, you’ll have to live with someone else making the rules. There are normally limits regarding which themes and plugins you can use, and what changes you can make to customize your blog.

One of the few pluses is the free blogs are easier to set up and maintain because that work is all left to someone else.

GoDaddy is just one of many sites online where domain names can be registered. The cost is around $10 and must be renewed yearly. Pricing fluctuates a lot since they always seem to be running one special or another.

Several times a year GoDaddy runs a special of $1 per domain name. Follow me on Twitter or Facebook and I’ll let you know the next time it happens.

After purchase of the domain at GoDaddy, I prefer to host my site at DreamHost. There are many other places from which you can choose. This is the only host with whom I have personal experience.

I’ve been using DreamHost for almost ten years now (I can’t believe it’s been that long.) Back in 2001 when I was selling jewelry on eBay I needed a place to upload images. I used several other host sites but had problems with each (servers down frequently, company suddenly out of business, slow speed, etc.) before finding DreamHost.

DreamHost’s prices are reasonable and most importantly, they’re dependable.

For $8.95 a month they currently offer unlimited storage, unlimited bandwidth, and host as many sites as you want. No contract. Cancel any time you want.

I highly recommend them.

If you decide to host your blog at DreamHost, use the code TTR10 at sign up to get $10 off, basically giving you your first month of hosting free.

MY CHOICE: Registration and domain hosting are cheap. It’s not worth the risk to save a few dollars on this one.


BLOGGING PLATFORM AND THEMES

Blogging platform also known as weblog or blogging software is software designed to simplify the creation and maintenance of blogs.

A theme is the easy way to add a nice look to a blog. Most of the work is done by someone else and all that needs done is for the theme to be installed.
The Free Way The Other Way

WordPress is the most popular blogging platform and is free for anyone to download at WordPress.org. If you sign up for hosting at DreamHost, installation of WordPress is an easy One Click Install. Most other host providers also include free WordPress. (If they don’t I wouldn’t host with them.)

Hundreds of free themes are available to give your site a more customized look. Google search “free WordPress themes”.

Premium themes are available for a cost. I’ve seen anything from $20 for a simple setup to $187 for Developer version of Thesis theme.

Why would anyone pay anything at all for a theme when so many freebies are available?

MY CHOICE: I’m frugal. I’m cheap. I pinch a penny so hard . . . you wouldn’t believe how hard. I’m almost embarrassed to admit it, but I bought Thesis for $87!!!

Why? Because I began to realize that the free theme I had chosen, although pretty, was not set up well for Search Engine Optimization, so I began looking for a replacement.

One month into my blogging adventure I knew slightly more about what I wanted in a theme. I had a “wish list” and off I went searching the Internet. My searching led me time and time again to Thesis, but there was no way I was going to pay that much for a theme.

Then I noticed Thesis had a 30-day money back guarantee. After researching for two days and reading one glowing review after another about Thesis, I wanted to see for myself what made this theme so special that everyone seemed to be talking about it.

. . . . and I was hooked!

Please read my blog post “Thesis Theme: Why I’m Keeping It” for more detail.


LEARN ABOUT WORDPRESS, HTML AND CSS, ETC.

Your local library is a great place to find books which teach how to learn to use WordPress, or any topic of interest. If your library doesn’t have the book you’re looking for be sure to ask the librarian about Interlibrary Loan. Most libraries participate. It is an agreement between libraries where they allow their books to be borrowed by other libraries. Check out my book list for more great suggestions.
The Free Way The Other Way

Free online tutorials and help files. See my tutorials page for a list of sites which I’ve found helpful.

A couple of my favorite books include:

WordPress For Dummies – This is a great starter book for anyone new to WordPress.

WordPress Web Design For Dummies – This book digs deeper into customizing WordPress. A great resource but may not be of interest to everyone.

DISCLAIMER: If you choose to use the links above to purchase I will earn a small commission. Thank you for supporting this website.

I’ve never paid for this type information and can’t give any recommendations.

MY CHOICE: I have borrowed books from the library and I have a couple which I’ve purchased (after borrowing from the library). It all depends on the topic and how often I expect I might need that book in the future.


SEO (SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION)

SEO is is the process of improving a blog or website in an attempt to rank higher in search engines results pages.

The Free Way The Other Way

Two great books I recommend:

SEO Fast Start – a free 100 page eBook filled with great information.

Website Optimization written by Andrew B. King and published by O’Reilly Media.

I’ve never paid for this type information.

MY CHOICE: I definitely recommend going with the free option here. Why? SCAMS!! Oh, the fakeness of it . . . all the products being sold promising to give you the “secrets” to getting to the top of the Google rankings and make your million dollar fortune. SCAMS!

Sorry . . . please have a look at the free options. :-)


MORE TO COME . . . . .

The Free Way The Other Way

MY CHOICE:

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