Blogger or not Blogger??

by sophy8
30 replies
I've JUST set up a Blogger blog (!) and I'm starting to drive traffic to it. I've been accepted as an affiliate marketer with Shareasale too with that blog domain BUT I've just heard that it's better to set up a blog with BlueHost and use Wordpress etc...
Am I disadvantaging myself by using Blogger? Thanks
#affiliate #blog #blogger #bluehost #wordpress
  • Profile picture of the author Michael Meaney
    Build it on your own hosting account, with a database that you own and control.. so nobody (Google) can destroy it if you run afoul of the Blogger ToS.

    Don't build your business on somebody else's land.
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    • Profile picture of the author Catherine Bueno
      Originally Posted by Michael Meaney View Post

      Build it on your own hosting account, with a database that you own and control.. so nobody (Google) can destroy it if you run afoul of the Blogger ToS.

      Don't build your business on somebody else's land.
      Michael's right. If you have money to spend, it's best to spend it on this!

      Good luck and wishing you the best.
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    • Profile picture of the author webbrain
      Hi,

      It's best to build your blog on a self hosted wordpress so that you can manage your entire site the way you want. Also, as you grow you can further develop custom plugins to carry out specific functions for your blog which might not work on blogger etc.

      Thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author johnben1444
    Surely, you will be better off having a blog that you have full control over without anyone there to raise an eyebrow on breaking any TOS.

    And it doesn't really cost extra or much if you know how to build it yourself.

    It mustn't be bluehost, there are many good hosting companies out there.
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  • Profile picture of the author PPG19
    Blogger or no Blogger? I would say no Blogger.

    Go with Wordpress.org, get a domain and a hosting account and then as Michael said you are the one who is in charge.

    There are some scary stories out there about google removing content after 5/10 years of blogging...

    Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author art72
    I'd use both!

    While I prefer to control my web properties with my own domain and hosting on a WordPress theme... you can use Blogger as a buffer to drive traffic to your main site.

    When I first entered the affiliate marketing world, I used Blogger and ranked several articles/keywords on page 1 of Google and made my first sales doing; "Bum Marketing" strategies using a Clickbank product.

    Again, if you're just getting your feet wet, Blogger serves a purpose, but... I would get a domain with GoDaddy or NameCheap and start off with an inexpensive shared hosting plan with LiquidWeb or a respected hosting provider. (Also, as a personal preference...I would avoid any hosting owned by EIG, such as Bluehost.)
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  • Profile picture of the author Sven300
    As others have said, it would be far better to have a paid hosting. But to start to make some money online, Blogspot / Blogger may be an acceptable choice.

    You can do affiliate marketing with Blogspot. But there are many limitations:

    Do not use Blogger as a way to make money on adult content. For example, don't create blogs that contain ads for or links to commercial porn sites.
    We do not allow illegal sexual content, including image, video or textual content that depicts or encourages rape, incest, bestiality, or necrophilia.
    Do not post or distribute private nude or sexually explicit images or videos without the subject’s consent. If someone has posted a private nude or sexually explicit image or video of you, please report it to us here.

    ......

    Regulated Goods and Services: Do not use Blogger to sell or facilitate the sale of regulated goods and services, such as alcohol, gambling, pharmaceuticals and unapproved supplements, tobacco, fireworks, weapons, or health/medical devices.


    Read the Blogger Content Policy: https://www.blogger.com/content.g?hl=en

    But the worst thing is that some bloggers who met all the Blogger conditions had their account closed without notice and without explanation..

    So you constantly have a sword of Damocles over the head with Blogger.

    Then yes you can use it but I strongly suggest that you purchase and you use your own domain name and your own hosting plan. It's not expensive.

    https://www.namecheap.com/ can be a valid choice for starters.



    Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author Coach Marc
    As others have mentioned, you'd be much better off with your own paid hosting. It's something that you'll need very soon in order to start collecting subscribers and grow your business. You can use Blogger to snag a few sales here and there, but to do anything worthwhile, get your own hosting.

    There's also the fact that your Blogger site can be shut down at any point-- it's not something in your control.

    And as a product creator, I know a lot of us prefer to have our products promoted on slightly more professional platforms.

    You can pick up relatively cheap hosting with http://www.hostgator.com and/or http://www.namecheap.com. Then you can set up a nice WordPress blog.

    Hope that helps!
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  • Profile picture of the author aizaku
    do you want to be a crew member or the ship's captain?

    build your own site!

    This is one area you shouldn't be stingy on

    -Ike Paz
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  • Profile picture of the author jinmin
    If changing domain name requires you to resubmit the application for review from Shareasale, I would suggest go ahead with Blogger blog first. Get the momentum going and DON'T let other small matter bothers you. Just do it with whatever you have. However, if changing/updating a domain in Sharesale is a very straightforward process without needing to resubmit for review, then go ahead to change it to your domain and setup a WP blog (a very simple process).

    Even if you start with Blogger's blog, at the same time I'd suggest just setup your own WP blog on your domain. Then, at a certain time (let say few week down the road), just update the domain in your shareasale account or request Shareasale to update, if needed.
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  • Profile picture of the author ChrisBa
    IMO use Wordpress on your own domain.
    Never rely on a free service. Also make sure you have full control over your site.
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  • Profile picture of the author linux7802
    Originally Posted by sophy8 View Post

    I've JUST set up a Blogger blog (!) and I'm starting to drive traffic to it. I've been accepted as an affiliate marketer with Shareasale too with that blog domain BUT I've just heard that it's better to set up a blog with BlueHost and use Wordpress etc...
    Am I disadvantaging myself by using Blogger? Thanks
    You can purchase domain name and web hosting account from any good reliable hosting provider and host your website and start earning good money via affiliate products.
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  • Profile picture of the author Edwin Torres
    I made my first dollar online on Blogger/Blogspot so it's definitely doable. But, if I had to do it all over again I would make sure I have my own domain name and not use the .blogspot extention.

    If you're willing to spend the money, yes, it's better to go the self-hosted Wordpress route. You have more features and more flexibility.
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  • Profile picture of the author vishwa
    I always pefer to use WordPress as my blogging platform. Blogger indeed a good option, but when you do things seriously than WordPress is best choice. Google Can suspend your blogger account without any notice and you will lost everything.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Ten
    Blogger is OK, but self-hosted WordPress is best.
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  • Profile picture of the author ThomasHenry
    Originally Posted by sophy8 View Post

    I've JUST set up a Blogger blog (!) and I'm starting to drive traffic to it. I've been accepted as an affiliate marketer with Shareasale too with that blog domain BUT I've just heard that it's better to set up a blog with BlueHost and use Wordpress etc...
    Am I disadvantaging myself by using Blogger? Thanks
    Having your own website and free blogger blog/Facebook page is actually like day and night. Always register your own domain name and build a Wordpress site.
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  • Profile picture of the author Goyllo
    It's really depend on your niche. If that niche is don't break the blogger policy then feel free to go with them. And once you get your first sell, then start investing that money on self hosted blog.

    No need to worry about that, lot's of professional blogger have done that in past.
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  • Profile picture of the author Marian
    If you take your online business seriously, don't ever rely on Blogger!
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  • Profile picture of the author MikeTran
    Blogger don't have a lot of extension as wordpress, so you don't have a lot of chance to customize your site.
    My advice is you should switch to wordpress instead of sticking on a dying platform like blogger
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  • Profile picture of the author project v
    While I believe that having your own site that is within your full control is really great, but for beginners you could opt to use a blogger. You could experiment on it, try out your niche and set yourself up, once you're ready you could move into a hosted site anytime.
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  • Profile picture of the author Hatuko
    I agree with the others re: self-hosted blog, but this means that you will have to manage at least one server, backups, security etc. Can you do this or can you have someone else do it for you? If not, then I'd look for a good hosting specialised in Wordpress
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  • Profile picture of the author micksss
    Yes be in total control and go the self-hosting WordPress route.
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  • Profile picture of the author Cesar Sampaio
    If you are still just learning, Blogger is good enough. That way you won't waste your money while you learn the in and outs of affiliate marketing.

    After you make a few sales and start to get what works and what doesn't, you can upgrade your site to a paid one (domain and hosting).
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  • Profile picture of the author wodonga park
    It would be better if you get a hosted site, one is because there's a sort of trust that could be associated to your own domain name. Second, you have the freedom on how you would create your site and present it to the world because you have full control over it.
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  • Profile picture of the author lindseysan494
    As a general rule, it's always better to have your own hosting and your own domain name. It makes it easier to configure/customize the way you want it. Also, in the long run if you become successful, it gives you ownership of the domain and adds value.

    Blogger is good to start out with and a simple solution, so you could run with it for now, but if you're planning on expanding then go with your own hosting. It's pretty cheap these days with Godaddy, and you install wordpress with one click. Only thing is you have to set up the templates and everything.
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  • Profile picture of the author Project Sniper
    As a didicated project. I personally wouldn't do it. Blogger is good for really small things or ranking in the serps. You shouldn't use it as a dedicated asset. You should own the site you put work into. As far as hosting goes. It's a preference it honestly doesnt matter so long as the company is awesome. I use liqued web for bigger projects and namecheap for smaller projects.
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  • Profile picture of the author cetab titan
    Many known bloggers started with Blogger and it did them well. I think the key here is having the content that would render your site as quality, but if you fall short on the expectations set by Blogger, then you could rethink your process after all you would still want affiliates to like your site, right?
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  • Profile picture of the author James Clifton
    Actually NO - You aren't using the wrong method. Blogger is the best in the industry right now. However I would highly suggest to get hosting with HostGator, eHost or Bluehost. You can sign up for managed Wordpress Hosting and you can setup your own blog on your domain in 5 minutes using their setup wizard. It's fairly easy to use.

    Hope this helps.
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  • Someone has probably already said this, but it does seem that selling affiliate products through Blogger probably isn't allowed. Even if it is, it's a risk, because Google could shut you down for a number of reasons.
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  • Profile picture of the author opensourcenetork
    Wherever your blog is, what matters is the followers you gather. Were you able to monetize them, or do they stay as leads? Blogger is a great site for beginners who does not have the resources to set up their own domain, but once you get the hits you might eventually consider moving into your own domain.
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