I asked Raivyn of Idiot's Guide to Blogging to put together an overview of blogging platforms for those just getting started, and she's done a great job of introducing the topic in today's guest post:

by Raivyn

Before I begin my post, I'd like to thank Tom for allowing me to write for New Tech Heroes. It's not often that I get the chance (or time) to write for another blog, so this is a nice break from the norm.

Now on with the show....

There are a number of things to think about when starting a new blog, especially now, when there are countless web hosting companies and blog platforms to choose from. It's easy to get lost amid all the chaos, even more if you're new to blogging.

I wish I could say there is one ideal blog platform, but the truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all software, and the same goes for hosting packages. Some solutions are geared toward professional bloggers, and others toward those who only blog as a hobby. The decision should ultimately be based on the blogger's needs and tastes.

This article is geared toward the less experienced bloggers, or those who don't want to invest much money into their blogs. Contrary to popular belief (among the problogging crowd, that is), you don't necessarily have to pay for a domain and hosting to have a successful blog. It depends on the service and how you use the features you are given.

Here is a rundown on two of the most popular free blog hosts:

Blogger

This is a free service that I highly recommend for those who have little to no blogging experience, and/or have yet to decide whether or not they want to keep doing it.

It is quick and easy to set up, and you can have several blogs on a single account. Posting is simple, too, and photo blogging is a snap with this service. Like most blog software, Blogger supports comments, trackbacks, archives, tags, etc., and you can also monetize your free blog with AdSense (which can be added with a few simple clicks) or any other ad program you wish.

Also, because the blogs are hosted for you on an established domain with good page rankings, there is more of a chance that your blog will be ranked by search engines quicker than if you had gotten your own domain and hosting.

Another advantage to using a free blog hosting service like Blogger is the fact that new software updates are installed automatically. You don't have to go through the hassle of uploading new software to the server.

Like most free services, Blogger does have its drawbacks. The forced bar at the top of each page is one of them (but this can be hidden with a simple template hack), and you will be given a long sub-domain. There are ways around this, like if you wanted to invest in your own domain, but if money is involved, there are plenty of other worthy choices to pick from.

WordPress.com

Just like Blogger, WordPress.com freely hosts your blog for you on their servers and is a good choice for a new bloggers, especially those with few tech skills. You're given all the blogging basics (comments, archives, categories, ect.), and all the maintenance is taken care of for you, too- the setup, security, software updates, etc.

The design options are limited, however. Bloggers using the free service are bound to the themes provided and have no access to the code. Plugins are not supported, either. New templates are added regularly, but it is still an inconvenience for those who want something more unique.

Overall, services like these are meant for the more casual blogger, or those who are just learning.

But as we grow in experience, many of us begin to feel that the free service is too limited and we can never reach our goals with what is provided. We then decide it would be better to upload blogging software to a paid host. Among the mess of domain registrars and hosting services, there are plenty of low-cost options available- some of the most popular being 1and1, GoDaddy, and HostGator.

There is plenty of open source blog software available, the most common being:

WordPress.org

This is the software used on WordPress.com, but much more flexible and you choose the hosting service. And because there is such a large WordPress following, there are lots of free templates and plugins available for download, and the software is constantly being improved.

WordPress would be my first recommendation to someone looking for a free blog platform due to my experiences with it, but Joomla and Drupal are two other worthy candidates to consider.

A good blog is not necessarily defined by how much money is invested in it, but rather what it provides to the internet community. There's nothing wrong with trying to save some cash, and maybe one of these free or cheap options is right for you. It never hurts to try out free blog software. Even if you find it doesn't fit your needs, you just might learn a thing or two in the process.

Thanks, Raivyn! If you're just getting interested in starting a blog, Raivyn has plenty of advice at her site, Idiot's Guide to Blogging. I've found her advice to be solid and friendly, and I recommend visiting her blog whether you're a new or seasoned blogger.