Special web host for blog type site ?

Yankeestonk · #1 (**permalink**) 11-01-2007, 02:30 PM

Hi all,

Extreme newbie here. Hope you guys can direct me a bit. I'm interested in builiding a website which will be devoted mainly to bloggers. ( My space-esque). I don't intend to offer any products, really looking to just add content for a while and play the money part by ear if I can get it going. My teenage daughter is going to direct me on what kids would be interested in doing on the site. But since I don't know just yet exactly what that will turn out to be just yet, I don't know if I need a certain kind of web host and/or website to handle this. I contact SBI but so far have only gotten an e-mail back from someone who uses their site. ( can't really contact them directly I don't believe ) So I'm starting off with a half baked idea and am stuck already !

lisa · #2 (**permalink**) 11-01-2007, 03:14 PM

Hi Yankeestonk,

SBI! is not a good solution for your MySpace-esque site. Too much scripting, programming, etc. to create an interactive site. SBI! is best for content and store sites.

And just for the record, be sure you gather information about what is needed to maintain a site like that. Tons of server space, the ability to protect your server from malicious activities (hackers), especially since people will be uploading data to your server. And of course the programming capabilities needed to create something like this. If you're serious about this you will want dedicated hosting, which can run hundreds of dollars per month if your site should happen to get big and heavily trafficked. Many people don't realize this.

I know you said you're targeting young bloggers and that's good you've identified your target audience. So many people have ideas for the kind of site they want but do not define WHO they want to target. I think when you spend time deciding who you want to reach and how you want to reach your audience that is key because you definitely want to provide them with features that will set your site apart from the other "MySpace-esque" type sites. And it's good you have your daughter's feedback 'cause she can help you come up with ideas that don't exist yet that are in demand.

Have you thought about how/where you are going to promote your site?

My advice.... start small at first with a cheaper host (many people here use www.hostgator.com, www.powweb.com or www.godaddy.com) Do you have someone to do all the interactive/programming for you? Or do you plan to learn on your own?

Bingo · #3 (**permalink**) 11-01-2007, 03:22 PM

I cant really help you with SBI but I think that's something Lisa might be able to advise on.

For now start planning out the topic of your site and how it will be structured. Write down the main topic of your new site, now write down all the topics that would be related to your main topic. In your spare time start writing content, even for the contact us page or the about us page. Content can take up a huge chunk of time so any spare minute you have throw it towards writing articles to publish later.

Is there a reason why you've selected the topic you have?

*edit*

Opps just seen that Lisa responded during my response.

Yankeestonk · #4 (**permalink**) 11-02-2007, 07:05 AM

Thanks so much for your quick responses !

I don't know if you both get this or not, I hope so.

Lisa, Can you recommend a company that could host the blog type of website I am referrring to? Who do you use? Your site is similar to what I'm looking to do but with a different topic. When you mention hackers proof, etc., all this stuff I would really need a company that knows what they're doing. I'm going to have enough on my hands doing content etc.

Gavin,

I'm not locked into this particular idea just yet. I thought of it after hearing that inspiring story about the 17 year old girl just in the news. She's made a lucrative business out of doing wallpaper mainly for my space pages. I'm very creative, although not computer wise. ( not yet at least ) I've wanted to do an internet business but always felt these drop shippers and stuff was a scam in itself, and I needed something of my own. But without any product I've always had nothing to start with. I never considered that the website itself could be the product, and advertisers might pay to put their ads on the website. So I'm looking into using my creativity to build a website that will attract people. ( I was also considering a Pet site, as I'm big into animals. ) But I know the kids spend a ton on Webkinzs, Club Penguin, etc., and that audience might be the biggest on the web right now. And I've got my own little "test market" living under my roof !Thanks for taking the time to help.

Ken

lisa · #5 (**permalink**) 11-02-2007, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yankeestonk

Lisa, Can you recommend a company that could host the blog type of website I am referrring to? Who do you use? Your site is similar to what I'm looking to do but with a different topic. When you mention hackers proof, etc., all this stuff I would really need a company that knows what they're doing. I'm going to have enough on my hands doing content etc.

That's just what I mean. A web host is generally not going to help you with programming. They may give you some suggestions and some basic scripts but when it comes down to doing the grunt work, that's really up to you (unless there's a certain type of host that I'm not aware of). Their job is to provide you with the space, email accounts, platforms, and basic scripts but that's about as far as most hosts go. The building and implementation is up to you. Hosts support you, they don't build or create for you.

I use hostgator.com for my site 2createawebsite (I'm assuming that's the site you mean) but I manage everything in Dreamweaver. But you will need more than Dreamweaver. You need a programmer and perhaps an admin to maintain a site as complex as what you're talking about.

But I'm a little confused. You said you want a site similar to mine but you want it to be myspace-esque. My site doesn't have any myspace-esque features. It's mostly content and images with a bit of flash but I do it all in Dreamweaver.

When you start talking about interactive things like uploading profiles, creating user accounts that's a whole other level.

Bingo · #6 (**permalink**) 11-02-2007, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yankeestonk

I was also considering a Pet site, as I'm big into animals.

Personally I would advise on going with the Pet site, its something you know and have a passion for. Its perfect for a first time site (great learning experience) and if successful it can be very lucrative.

RPort · #7 (**permalink**) 11-03-2007, 06:13 PM

Just an idea...
If you are just getting started, try a host that has Fantastico. It allows you to create a Wordpress blog with the push of a button. You have Web 2.0 functionality wit the blog platform and people can comment on the blog which gives you visitor interaction.
After you get used to running the blog, you can branch out into other areas.
Hope this helps.

Russell

paperchaser777 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 09:21 AM

I have some questions for Lisa (I really enjoy your work by the way),

I believe I read that SBI has a blog module? I have a few questions about it:

1. Are you forced to turn your entire site into a blog, or can you have a regular site with one page devoted to blogging?

2. Does it allow you to add the Youtube video embedding codes so the videos will show up in the blog entry? Are there any types of video sites who's codes SBI can't handle (metacafe, megavideo, etc.)?

3. Does it allow you to upload your own videos to the blog? And if so, is there an MB limit?

4. Can I turn blog dates on/off whenever I want? For example, if I started a blog and I set it to post the date of each entry, can I later turn dates off? And if I can, will it take off the dates globally (for all entries)?

5. Can I edit user comments, or is there only a remove feature?

lisa · #9 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paperchaser777

I have some questions for Lisa (I really enjoy your work by the way),

I believe I read that SBI has a blog module? I have a few questions about it:

1. Are you forced to turn your entire site into a blog, or can you have a regular site with one page devoted to blogging?

2. Does it allow you to add the Youtube video embedding codes so the videos will show up in the blog entry? Are there any types of video sites who's codes SBI can't handle (metacafe, megavideo, etc.)?

3. Does it allow you to upload your own videos to the blog? And if so, is there an MB limit?

4. Can I turn blog dates on/off whenever I want? For example, if I started a blog and I set it to post the date of each entry, can I later turn dates off? And if I can, will it take off the dates globally (for all entries)?

5. Can I edit user comments, or is there only a remove feature?

The blog for SBI! is not like a blog you get at blogger.com. It's more of a site blog that automatically updates when you add a new page. In a sense it's like a table of contents for your site and it's more for search engine optimization. See an example of one here...

http://www.anguilla-beaches.com/Anguilla-blog.html

Notice how it's just an introduction to every new page that is added and the content is dynamically generated when a new page is added and the content is taken from snippets of the page.

And "no" to the rest of your questions.

Everything on that page is dynamically generated so you have very little control over it. That's why I use Blogger.com with my SBI! site. I don't really care for SBI!'s "Site Blog".

paperchaser777 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisa

The blog for SBI! is not like a blog you get at blogger.com. It's more of a site blog that automatically updates when you add a new page. In a sense it's like a table of contents for your site and it's more for search engine optimization. See an example of one here...

http://www.anguilla-beaches.com/Anguilla-blog.html

Notice how it's just an introduction to every new page that is added and the content is dynamically generated when a new page is added and the content is taken from snippets of the page.

Thanks for the reply!

I took a look at it. I think I may be missing something... I couldn't match the blog entries to any of the button links. It just looked like a regular--but no frills--blog to me. But not being able to add video is a letdown, especially if you can't even bring in a video hosted someplace else. Gee, SBI has got to get with it

I think I'll use Blog it! just for the SEO benefit, but also use Blogger to post my videos.

lisa · #11 (**permalink**) 11-10-2007, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paperchaser777

Thanks for the reply!

I took a look at it. I think I may be missing something... I couldn't match the blog entries to any of the button links. It just looked like a regular--but no frills--blog to me. But not being able to add video is a letdown, especially if you can't even bring in a video hosted someplace else. Gee, SBI has got to get with it

I think I'll use Blog it! just for the SEO benefit, but also use Blogger to post my videos.

You're not missing anything. Ken's main focus for the "Site Blog" was mainly for the search engines and less for the purposes of what we know a blog to be. I believe they are working on making it more like a true blog in the future where you have more control over it. I sure hope so.

I agree with you which is why I use Blogger.com for now.

paperchaser777 · #12 (**permalink**) 11-11-2007, 11:13 AM

Hey Lisa,

I have another question (sorry for it being a bit off-topic). But how does that SBI $100 promo work? When they say "free", does that mean I don't have to pay a yearly subscription for the second site?

lisa · #13 (**permalink**) 11-11-2007, 12:15 PM

No for $100 more you get another SBI! site BUT you still have to pay the renewal $299 for both sites.

So basically for $399 you get 2 SBI!'s but still are responsible for the renewals of both.

paperchaser777 · #14 (**permalink**) 11-11-2007, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisa

No for $100 more you get another SBI! site BUT you still have to pay the renewal $299 for both sites.

So basically for $399 you get 2 SBI!'s but still are responsible for the renewals of both.

Ahhh, I see. Pretty good deal for the first year.

lisa · #15 (**permalink**) 11-11-2007, 10:15 PM

Exactly. It's a nice teaser to get you "in."

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