How to Set Up a Blog

This page highlights two ways to set up a blog and discusses the pros and cons of each.

1. Use a free service that provides software, hosting, and a domain name.

There are many free services available including Wordpress, Tumblr, LiveJournal, and Blogger. What follows is more information about Blogger.

Learn how to set up a blog in Blogger by watching this video or by following the instructions at Blogger.

Pros

• The entire blog is free. There is no cost for the subdomain, hosting, or software.
• It’s easy to set up the blog and to add new content.
• Blogger offers pre-made additional features that can be easily added to the blog, for free.
• Blogger blogs can be integrated into your existing congregational domain name or another domain name which you own.
• Blogger blogs can be backed up. (For more information about what information is saved and how, please visit the relevant page at the Blogger Help Center).

Cons

• Blogger limits administrators’ access to the hosting environment.
• Blogger can be challenging to customize.

2. Use an open-source blogging software program, such as Wordpress.

Download the software from Wordpress (.org). Rent server space (via a hosting plan) and a domain name. Install Wordpress on your server. Configure your domain name settings to point to your server.

Learn how to set up a Wordpress blog on your server by following the instructions at Wordpress Please note that Wordpress.org differs from Wordpress.com.

Pros

• The software is free.
• It’s easy to add new content.
• Open-source software allows for a high-degree of customization and some open-source software can be used for a wide range of functions other than blogging.
• Open-source software can be installed on a hosting environment over which the blog administrator has a high degree of control.
• Blogs driven by open-source software can be integrated into your existing congregational domain name or another domain name which you own.
• Wordpress.org blogs can be backed up. (For more information about what information is saved and how, please visit the relevant page of the Wordpress Codex).

Cons

• A domain name and hosting package need to be purchased.
• Some technical skill is required to install the software and perform periodic updates.

Notes

• You may also choose to modify your existing congregational website to support a blog. The pros and cons of doing so will vary, depending on your existing website.
• If you are a Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) staff member contact blogs @ uua.org?subject=uua%20blogs%20inquiry to see if the UUA Blogs platform is a good match for your needs.