Getting Started with Blogger -An Evaluation

There are a number of very good reasons to use Blogger.

1. The Cost: 0, zip, nada.

2. It is fast and easy. Using the basic default settings you can get started in less than 30 minutes. Even if you are particular like me and you want to view a bunch of template possibilities, it should only take an hour or so. It took me less than an hour to set up this site the way that it is. *note: This info. & site features the 'New' Blogger program.

I tried to simulate what it would be like if I knew nothing at all and kept referring to the Blogger Help site . Then it could take up 1 1/2 hrs. -2 hrs. tops.

3. It has most of the important features that the pay sites have. *Note: The 'New' Blogger program includes an optional links list or blogroll. The older program lacked this basic tool.

4. Public or Private blog? You can choose to publish a public site which can and will be viewed internationally. Or you can produce a site that is Private -accessible only by those you choose--or maybe a small group ( like: Church staff, Bible Study, Youth Group, Missionary Org. & etc.).

5. Posting to the site is easy and the editor is loaded with all the features that the big boys (blog programs) have. It even has a spell check built in which the more sophisticated Word Press that I use on my other sites doesn't give you to start.

5. Blogger is part of Google so there is almost no possibility that this host will quit or go out of business. Also the tech. support is built in and you can easily monetize it with only a click or two.

6. If you want to use your own domain you can and that is a good idea.

Here are a couple of not so good points:

1. If you use the built in “blogspot.com” address then Blogger/Google owns the domain you are publishing on so you are always somewhat limited in what you can do with the site. You can however get your own domain address and point it at your Blogger address to give yourself and your users an easier to remember URL (domain address).

2. If you use a “blogspot.com” domain and decide to move your blog to another host, you will lose your blog address, links, and much of your traffic. You can move your files to another address and republish, but you will need to maintain your old Blogger site in order to direct visitors to your new location and maintain the links to all your old posts.

3. No 'static' pages. Only small permanent messages my be placed on Blogger. Large articles or organizational documents have to be hosted elsewhere and linked to. You can however now place Blogger on your own church or organization website in a subdomain or link to your Blogger blog from a permanent web page.

Nevertheless, Blogger is a really good starting platform and could be utilized by a large variety of different groups, ministries, and churches. Plus you can't beat the price. You can even sign up for AdSense and make a couple of $ for your organization or church.