Tag Archives: blogs

Paid vs. Free

Is a free blog really worth it? In my eyes, no. For the past year and a half I have tested numerous types of blog software and services. From free services such as blogger and MSN spaces to pay for hosting and set up like plog or Typepad. In the beginning, the free one’s really seem fantastic. They are fast, free, and easy to start and get going on. It’s only after you work with them for awhile that you start to realize that “free” may not be all it’s cracked up to be. Here’s a quick review of my problems with the “free” blogs: -many have hidden extra fees that pop up when you least expect them. i.e. you start using too much of their server space. -many have no easy way to upload images, voice, or video. Or, if they do, you will need to pay extra. -the bells and whistles in the free blogs such as the RSS get outdated fast and there is little development going on to fix broken whistles. You get stuck with something that has problems with little choice of what to do about it. -there are NO back-ups. I know, who cares about back-ups? Well, we all do when we realize all the thoughts, comments, images, and time we spent working on our blogs disappear. -there is NO easy way to get your information out of the free blog’s. It took weeks of copying and pasting info from the free blogs when I decided to leave. Talk about being held hostage! -invasion of ads. Free blogs are inundated with advertising. Nothing like having a “get bigger breasts” ad next to a smiling picture of your child. Is there a place for free blogs? Yes. They are great to get people started and great for personal musings. However, if you actually plan to keep up your blog over the long haul or are a business person looking for the marketing value that blogs can offer, cough up the few dollars. You’ll be much happier in the long run.]]>

Is a free blog really worth it?

In my eyes, no.  For the past year and a half I have tested numerous types of blog software and services.  From free services such as blogger and MSN spaces to pay for hosting and set up like plog or Typepad.

In the beginning, the free one’s really seem fantastic.  They are fast, free, and easy to start and get going on.  It’s only after you work with them for awhile that you start to realize that “free” may not be all it’s cracked up to be.

Here’s a quick review of my problems with the “free” blogs:
-many have hidden extra fees that pop up when you least expect them.  i.e. you start using too much of their server space.
-many have no easy way to upload images, voice, or video.  Or, if they do, you will need to pay extra.
-the bells and whistles in the free blogs such as the RSS get outdated fast and there is little development going on to fix broken whistles.  You get stuck with something that has problems with little choice of what to do about it.
-there are NO back-ups.  I know, who cares about back-ups?  Well, we all do when we realize all the thoughts, comments, images, and time we spent working on our blogs disappear.
-there is NO easy way to get your information out of the free blog’s.  It took weeks of copying and pasting info from the free blogs when I decided to leave.  Talk about being held hostage!
-invasion of ads.  Free blogs are inundated with advertising.  Nothing like having a “get bigger breasts” ad next to a smiling picture of your child.

Is there a place for free blogs?  Yes.  They are great to get people started and great for personal musings.  However, if you actually plan to keep up your blog over the long haul or are a business person looking for the marketing value that blogs can offer, cough up the few dollars.  You’ll be much happier in the long run.