Blogging:When is it time to expand?

Last updated on July 5th, 2024 at 01:08 pm

No matter why or how you start blogging there comes a time where you wonder is it time to expand? You may have this thought for a variety of reason. You may want to brand your blog or just branch out to possibly offer services or products.

Buying a URL (Domain name)

You can start off small by purchasing a URL. You can do this via many websites. Some URL’s can be purchased for a reasonable price. You may want to research different options prior to your purchase. You also may want to check to make sure that your blogging site will allow you to use a custom URL as well. I know Tumblr does I purchased my domain name via Google Domains. I opted to migrate it to Go Daddy a few months later. If you transfer your domain to another site you will need to see if a transfer fee is involved.

Another thing i learned during my research which was interesting is that many bloggers shared that you should purchase your domain name from one site and host via another. I don’t know why that is or if it’s just more convenient for some people to do so. I just figured I’d share that info with you.

Domain purchasing sites

Here’s a list of sites you can visit to learn more about buying a domain name.

• https://www.1and1.com/
• https://www.godaddy.com
• https://domains.google/#/
• https://www.namecheap.com/

Another thing I noticed when I was searching for sites to purchase a domain name is that you may come across discounts This may vary throughout the year but sometimes you may luck out and find a half off discount code. For example, if your domain name was going to cost you $14 you may purchase it for around $7 if the code is accepted. Also, domain names renewals might vary too. You can find out more as you research domain name buying sites.

Web Hosting

If you opt to branch out to use a website that isn’t part of a free site such as Tumblr, Blogger, or WordPress.com (Free) you may want to look into web hosting

I will admit that it is a bit daunting and can once again be overwhelming. Before I get too far into this I will mention that WordPress.com does offer a paid web service which you can view their plans by clicking on the link above.

I opted to branch out of my usual Tumblr page because I had been accepted into an affiliate marketing program. Tumblr doesn’t allow ads on their pages (For now anyway.) So after experiencing a few tech issues, I figured I’d try web hosting.

I will say that I did as much research as possible before picking the hosting site I finally chose. Like with domain name buying there are various options for web hosting. If you’re starting off small like I was (and still am) you may want to try for a cheaper plan. I found out that some hosting sites offer great low rates if you opt for a long-term contract. I signed up for a 36 month (3 yr) plan and that was a good rate at the time. Of course, if you have add-on items tacked on that may be a bit more to your monthly billing cycle.

I also found out that you will have some sticker shock too when you purchase a long-term hosting package. However, this may work out for you, in the long run, that way you only have to pay a set amount for that X amount of months.  I will add like with domain names you may find discounts during your online searching as well. But remember that deal is may only be a one time offer so when your hosting is up for renewal you may see a jump in your pricing.

Web hosting sites

Here’s a list of some web hosting sites you may like to look into. I will add that I am currently using Bluehost. I am also an affiliate for them as well.

• Bluehost
• Dream host
• Host Gator
• Go Daddy

There are also other sites you can look into such as wix.com ,  square space and once again  Wordpress.com. All of the sites listed offer additional help when it comes to creating a website. Some of these features may be free others may be at an additional cost. You will have to do some research into that when you decide on your hosting service.

Also if you choose to self-host via a site such as Bluehost you can use software such as WordPress.org . You also have more freedom to customize a page as well.

So, when is it time to expand?

I can’t say either way when it’s time for you to expand your blog into something larger. I think this may depend on you and your needs. Everyone’s goals for their blog are different. I can also say that making a move to a larger blog format or self-hosting is a learning process. I’m still learning. As i mentioned above I made the move so I could monetize my blog. All I can suggest is to do your homework and see what is right for you.

I hope these tips were helpful. Share your thoughts on the topic I’d love to read them.