There are several major platforms to blog on, but for simplicity’s sake, we’re only going to focus on three options: WordPress (self hosted), WordPress (hosted) and Blogger. All three give you strong, steady options to blog from, and all three are easy to configure – and best of all, all three should integrate with any structure you’ve already created or are planning to create within your business.
You may find, however, that you can’t integrate the self hosted WordPress with your site, but you should find that you can find a complimentary template on most good self hosted WordPress blogs.
WordPress – self hosted
By far and away, one of the most popular options for anyone that is serious about their blogging, the self hosted WordPress option. You can install your blog anywhere on your site, and its completely within your control, which means YOU can choose what you’d like to have running – an important feature if you’re looking to add the ability to do things like email the information to people, or polls. Or your own advertising in some cases.
By far and away, the easiest way to install WordPress is via Fantastico – most cpanel hosts offer both Fantastico and the ability to install up to date WordPress. Otherwise, you can find instructions online at http://wordpress.org
You can choose your own themes, your own plugins – and modify it in any way you see fit.
WordPress (hosted)
Hosted WordPress is a secondary option for anyone whose hosting won’t support the WordPress self install options. You can grab blogs from lots of places, but places like http://wordpress.com won’t allow you to run a commercial blog – while places like http://thejv-press.com do, in exchange for joining their email list.
Hosted WordPress blogs will only ever offer the very basics of WordPress blogging – you can’t control the themes on offer, which means you can’t choose a specific theme – unless it’s already installed on the site. The same applies to plugins.