Create your very own blog - that's how it works!

Blogging is becoming more and more popular these days. For this reason, in this guide we highlight some systems with which it is very easy to create your own blog.

Admittedly, creating your own website has never been as easy as it is now. There are some systems for managing your own blog such as the popular CMS WordPress and Joomla. On the other hand, there are also website builders including free hosting, such as the solutions from Wix. Nevertheless, there are some differences between the systems mentioned, which play a major role depending on the intended use. In this guide, we compare these systems and go through all the important points.

First: use your own server or website builder?

To answer this question, let's take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of having your own server or a host compared to the WiX website builder.

Own server: Many options, but not necessarily cheap

The first question that many people ask is whether you shouldn't use your own server. This means that all systems, such as the database and CMS, then run on their own server or web server of a host. This also gives you more options when choosing the server, such as the location, RAM or the connection. You also have more setting options compared to a free homepage. You can run several websites on one server at the same time and adjust factors such as the PHP version yourself.

In addition, this also means planning regular additional costs for your own server or that of the hoster. For example, for a hard drive, memory or Processor upgrade. Here you should also compare several providers. Many promise a lot of storage space and many extras, but the performance is absolutely unsuitable. Therefore, another important factor: How many visitors do I have every day or does the server withstand attacks or large traffic? You also have to ask yourself the question “Have I already made my daily backup?” before important updates. Otherwise the website will quickly remain white after an update and you have to Problem go back to yourself. Therefore, if one decides on a server with Linux, knowledge in this area and in PHP is absolutely necessary.

Website builder: Much less complicated and cheaper for beginners

But if you create one free homepage With an additional website construction kit, such as solutions from WiX, things look a little different. The advantages speak for themselves: backups, updates and the maintenance of the servers are taken over by the provider himself. With these providers, the servers are already prepared for traffic loads and, if necessary, expanded dynamically and at no additional cost. In addition, the bandwidth is usually already included in premium offers from WiX. In addition, hosting is already included in a website construction kit.

As with your own server, there are of course certain disadvantages. You have to be able to rely on the provider - that's why you should pay special attention to support. Every provider should also be able to import backups quickly and easily without additional costs. These offers may also include advertising for the provider - for this reason you should compare various offers from different providers. There are about 8 euros at WiX pro Month premium support and all builder features without ads.

The preparation

The decisive question when it comes to your own server: Which CMS?

After the question of your own server or the direct access to the website builder has been clarified, there is another sticking point. With your own server or web space you now decide on the right CMS. For your own blog, you should consider the user-friendly WordPress. If you are looking for almost endless setting options, you are better off with Joomla. While the former is almost self-explanatory at the beginning of the setup, with Joomla as a beginner you are often at a loss even at the start. Both systems offer very good community forums for help and questions.

Website builder: which template?

While the setup of your own server can be quite tricky, on the other hand you are faced with the big question at the beginning with the construction kit: which template do I choose? With providers such as the website builder kit WiX, you can choose between thousands of templates for later editing. From pharmacies to carpentry businesses, there is a suitable template for every company in addition to the “blog”. This is the cornerstone for later editing your own homepage. In this guide, we take a closer look at the WiX construction kit and explain the first steps.

Here we go - the facility

Your own server: install the CMS

In our case, let's take a closer look at installing a WordPress website. Our instructions assume a functioning database and web server. The respective access data for the database and the FTP access are required for this.

Part 1 - Preparation

1. First download a suitable FTPProgram such as FileZilla, then connect to the server with your access data.
2. Now switch to the main directory, usually / httpdocs, or the current directory after connecting.
3. Now get the latest version of WordPress from the official WordPress homepage.
4. Now unzip all files and upload the files within the folder to the server using drag-and-drop. This may take a few minutes, depending on your internet connection.
5. Once all files have been uploaded, go to your website in your browser. Should you see the WordPress setup: great! If the page is white, wait for all files to be uploaded. If there is no change despite the completed upload, delete all files in the WordPress directory and start again at step 2.
6. Make sure you have all access data for the database ready and start the installation process.
7. In the next step, enter all database information. Note: The database server is usually localhost, but it can also contain a port. This must be specified with localhost: port.

Part 2 - Setup

1. Once WordPress has connected to the database, the installation can be started. If the connection fails, note the specified errors.
2. Now set the title of your blog, a username for your login and a secure password.
3. Now click on next.
4. The setup now directs you to the login, which you can access later under / wp-admin.

Part 3 - Customization

1. Once in the dashboard, you can now choose the right template for your blog under Design -> Themes.
2. Here you upload a template from the Internet, or you can use "Add" to find the right one.
3. Found it, you can easily add it by clicking Install.
4. Thus, the setup is finished. Have fun!

Homepage builder: registration and customization

If you want the whole thing to be a little less complicated, you can use the website builder. In this guide we go through the creation of your own blog with the WiX construction kit. We would like to create our own literature blog here. We have already created an account.

Part 1 - Choosing the template

1. On the homepage of WiX we are asked about the category of our new website. We choose “Blog” here.
2. Now scroll through the almost endless templates.
3. Once you have found the right one, click on "Edit" and you can start.

Part 2 - Setup

1. Let's start with the most important settings in the WiX editor.
2. In the top menu under Website -> Website Settings you get to all options.
3. We can define the future name under website name.
4. In addition, under “SEO” you should adjust some important settings for your presence in Google.

Part 3 - Customization

1. Each element can be easily edited with a click. We would like to change the text and the picture.
2. We click on the header image and can now choose from hundreds of free images. Otherwise you can upload your own pictures here.
3. To change the text, we click on it and can now change the font and font size as desired.
4. Posts can be edited by clicking on the posts. The order and other settings can also be made here.
5. Sounds pretty easy, it is. We hope you have fun!

Ultimately, both variants offer certain advantages and disadvantages, which everyone has to weigh for themselves. However, we hope to have given some suggestions with this guide. And don't forget to keep your own blog up-to-date and regularly feed the readers with new content.

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