I started my blog Like it Is on May 7, 2006 so that makes it 10 months. (Have I really been doing it that long?!) I’d reviewed several blogging platforms (had used Blogger and didn’t like how buggy it was) and decided on WordPress.
Initially, I thought of setting up my own hosted version of WordPress, but hastily decided against it because I thought it was too complicated (too technical) for a completely new to blogging person such as myself. I was very attracted to the control I would have with the hosted version of WordPress, but thought it better to learn to walk before I run…I didn’t even know if this “blogging bug” was going anywhere other than the land of experimentation.
Happily there was an alternative option, WordPress.com. Very easy to use and marvellously simple to set up and with one of the most helpful forums I have ever had the pleasure of participating in I couldn’t really go wrong. I could see that, that further down the road, WordPress.com might have limitations if I wanted to go further (and that proved to be true months later) however it was completely right for my needs at the time. I wasn’t even too sure what those needs were either.
I started Like It Is at a new domain, thebritgirl in November 2006. So it is actually my second iteration. Moving to hosting my own blog was a huge decision for me. I thought about it for months, weighing up the pros and cons. At the time (May-October) I had had over 14,000 hits to like it is and, since I would be changing my domain, would it mean losing readers? And what did I know about php and code?
The pros were too hard to resist, however, more control, more ability to customise my blog, (no-one telling me what I could and could not put on my blog) analyse my visitor stats, explore so many wonderful plugins. I decided to take the plunge, determined that whatever I needed to know I would have to learn. Or get help. I am never afraid to ask for help. And, whenever I’ve needed help I’ve always been able to find it. But I still read every instruction at least three times! And I was so impresses by what some fellow bloggers were doing on their blogs… cool.
My own hosted WordPress blog was the right way to go for me, I know it may not be for everyone. I found it daunting at first after having everything done for me at wp.com.If you are thinking about it, personally I would say it’s well worth the effort. You really feel your blog is “yours.” I decided not to worry about losing readers, take my time and simply focus on enjoying the writing and making Like It Is a place where people liked to come and visit.
I have 200 posts, 812 comments and just over 26,000 hits (excluding my own) at last count.
Not bad for a blog less than a year old. And I still have lots of things I want to try out. Still learning.
OK, over to you. How long have you been blogging?
Next: What got me started?
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Well, like I said in one of my recent comments, I have been blogging for a full two years now. I’ve been averaging around 2 to 2-1/2 posts a week, which really isn’t as good as what I really can do. However, that may change depending on my future mental energy levels! I love to write anyways, so I knew it wouldn’t just be a passing fancy for me. The biggest challenge is only in deciding what you want to write about. The rest is easy!
Like you, I decided on WordPress after having some bad times with Blogger.com. (Bloated-and-bogged-Blogger) A web-based service is no match for dedicated server space! Plus, I come from a programming and technical background, so the only hurdles I’ve had to overcome is understanding the relation between MySQL databases and PhP codes and calls.
I love the sheer power behind the WordPress platform and, with some modification, it can be an awesome substitute for a personal or organization’s full-fledged website. I’m actually in the process of building up a WP site to become a .org’s website. I administer their current one, but I won’t be doing it forever and I want administering it to be as simple as possible. Well, I could learn all the ins-and-outs behind PhP and MySQL… but that wouldn’t be as much fun now, would it?
Since December 2000 – six years and three months.
Two domains, two publishing platforms (Movable Type and before that, plain, hand coded html and manual uploading), hundreds and hundreds of entries (now culled mercilessly), thousands upon thousands of comments and some of the juiciest hatemail I’ve ever seen.
i started my blog in january 2006, so that makes 13 months now. never looked back since. what’s blogging to me? an extension of myself, a mirror of myself, closer than family.
Let’s see… I’ve had a hosted blog since my birthday in June… so… almost eight months. I used to blog for my friends, though, a long, long time ago. You know, I don’t even remember how I found this blog.
A little over a month now…and loving it! I enjoy expressing myself and sharing my story. Not as many hits as you though…but perhaps some day.
Jack – six years!! I like your Valentine’s day post by the way…
I’m glad to have had the brief experience with Blogger though… I can’t count how many times it ate up my posts…
Chris – you are so fortunate having a programming background.. It must make things so much simpler. Without coming across as Just another wordpress advert, I am really so impressed with it as a blogging platform. That became more apparent when I set up my hosted version – all the plugins and customization is great. Not that I’ll use even half of them, but it’s nice to know what’s available. I’m not entirely tech challenged but have to say I am only interested in learning the basics of php and sql to know what I’m doing…
Sulz- and I do believe you post every day.Pretty darn good! I’m going to talk about posting frequency a little later so I hope you’ll add your bit then.
Joy – what did you use when you used to blog for your friends? I recall you did a post on it…
Jannette – patience, posts and time…just wait and see
I had a site and domain since 1998 or maybe 1997 and my site was a collection of little stories — somewhat like a blog but not really as is was not really a daily thing. It was mostly a place for my resume and portfolio.
My current blog started in the summer of 2005 because my friends asked me why didn’t I ever update my site. I guess I was just tired of coding and ftp and all that stuff. I figured what the heck and I installed WordPress after a bit of research. It wasn’t that hard but it wasn’t super easy either as I mostly have worked as a project manager and content person. I can write and talk tech better than I can do it
.
I like WordPress but I’m a bit lazy and I have not updated to the latest version. I also need to add some functionality but I put it off as that feels a bit like work.
I write (online and offline) things for a living — and that’s both good and bad for blogging. Some days, the last thing I want to do is write after 5pm. But usually I enjoy writing the kind of stuff I don’t get to during the day. I like to be a bit silly on my blog. And I write it pretty much to amuse my loyal readers (aka my friends who read it regularly).
It’s rarely very serious. I have two rules…I don’t write about my workplace or my personal life except in passing and I keep it light. I often write about new shoe/boot purchases.
Christine – you’ve linked to your blog
I like your style. I also have the same two rules as you regarding workplace and personal stuff – mentioned in my next post.
I was rather reluctant as I’ve never joined a blog community or ever posted my site anywhere (except to everyone I know in real life
)but I’m on the internet for goodness sake so why not? I like your disclaimer. I’ve been debating adding one as well.
I’ve been blogging for 10 months now and I’m still as enthusiastic as the day I began.
TT – Yay!
I think I’m the only commenter who doesn’t currently blog. I’ve had more online diary experiences, but I find I enjoy reading more than writing these days.