Which Blog Software?
--------------------

There are many choices when it comes to blogging software but the
only sensible choice is WordPress and here is why:

- It is completely free
- It is constantly updated and extremely well supported
- There are thousands of free themes
- There are thousands of excellent plugins
- It is the most widely used blogging software in the world
- When people talk about blogs, they usually mean WordPress!

You can read more about WordPress from their website below but
don't worry about downloading the software as you can install it
very easily with a few clicks without having to do that!

http://wordpress.org/

Switching to WordPress From Another Platform
--------------------------------------------

If you already have a blog and it is not driven by WordPress,
reading the technical guides in these next few lessons may just
convince you to convert! WordPress has an import feature (from your
dashboard click 'Manage' and then 'Import') and that supports over
a dozen blogging platforms including Blogger, TypePad & Live
Journal which makes it very easily to make the switch.

Free Blog or Self Hosted?
-------------------------

If you are starting a new blog from scratch you can go to
http://wordpress.com/ and sign up for a free blog that is hosted on
their server. This is an excellent way to start if you just want to
play around with WordPress. However, you are not allowed to
monetize a WordPress hosted blog with AdSense or affiliate links so
if you are looking to build a profitable blog then this is not a
viable option!

If you have never blogged before and just want to experiment a
little then go create a free account but if you are creating a real
blog then invest the few bucks and buy a domain. Most hosting
providers such as the one I use allow you to set up WordPress with
a couple of clicks, and host as many domains as you like on the one
account with one fee.

I use BlueHost and as of November 2008 they charge $6.95 a month
and offer the following features:

- Unlimited amount of storage space
- Unlimited amount of bandwidth
- Host unlimited domains on the one account
- Full support for WordPress & many other server software
- Full support for PHP, MySql, Perl, Ruby & CGI

On my account I currently host 2 main blogs, my Traffic Rush
course, and a whole bunch of niche sites. I can continue to add
sites and never have to pay additional hosting fees. I highly
recommend BlueHost as I have now been using them for over a year
and I'm delighted with their service. Click the link below to have
a look at what Bluehost have to offer:

http://tinyurl.com/6rab4x

Creating a Blog
---------------

I have produced a free ebook and a set of corresponding videos that
show you how to setup WordPress, install themes & plugins and do
lots of the technical things that I will be covering in these
lessons. That eBook is geared towards setting up small niche sites
that are monetized with AdSense but just about everything that
needs to be done to create any kind of WordPress blog is covered so
I will be pointing you towards that in various places in the
lessons. It's all free and hosted on my blog - no need to sign up
for anything!

The main download page for the ebook and the links to all the
videos are here:

http://www.caroline-middlebrook.com/blog/niche-sites-wp/

This video will show you how to setup WordPress in literally just a
few clicks:

http://www.caroline-middlebrook.com/blog/developing-money-making-niche-sites-with-wordpress-26-video-2-installation/

Setting Up The Theme
--------------------

One question that people often ask me is whether or not they should
pay to have a theme designed for them or just use a free theme. I
was very lucky in that a designer offered to make a custom design
for me for free in exchange for some publicity which of course I
accepted. However, before I had that I used a free theme and there
are literally thousands of absolutely stunning free themes -
assuming you are using WordPress!

If you want some free themes, check these out:

http://themes.wordpress.net/

If you Google around there are thousands more!

Start Blogging Today

I teach everyone free, how to Make Money with Free Blogs at my new website www.makemoneybanc.blogspot.com.