What Is The Best Blog Publishing Software To Use?
Earlier this year, I received an email from a reader of mine named Brad who asked me about my opinion on what I think is the best blog publishing software. First and foremost, before I go into details regarding blog publishing software, I want to say that, hands down, the best web hosting company to use for blogging is HostGator.com. Their hosting services are tailored to meet the needs of bloggers, especially WordPress. I'll talk more about HostGator towards the end of this article and provide you with some specifics on why I personally recommend using them. That being said, let's take a look at the email.
Hey Garry,
I have a few questions for you.
1. What type of publishing software do you recommend(or do you). I am currently using Live Writer but am wondering what you use when your managing and publishing posts on your hundreds of blogs.
2. How do you manage so many blogs? I remember you saying around 500 of them. How do you manage so many passwords, usernames and content?
3. Do you recommend In Text Advertising Such as Kontera? Some people have mentioned to me that it clutters up web pages and turns visitors away. Is this true? Do you use In Text advertising on any of your blogs?
4. What type of Stats program do you use? Woopra, Google Analytics, Webalizer?
Thank you,
Brad
I have used Windows LiveWriter quite a bit in the past and I thought that is was a really neat program, but unfortunately it has quite a bit of issues. For one, it's very slow and clunky. Once you have it loaded though, it does allow you to do really cool things with posts. Some of these things include adding castings and shadows to pictures in your blog posts. Overall, Windows LiveWriter wasn't working well for me. On that note, I have also used BlogDesk but with their lack of support for WordPress and constant crashing, it's completely useless for me. The best option is using the standard WordPress editor, which is included in the WordPress Admin Dashboard. It's simple, straight forward, stable, and most importantly... secure.
As you know, I manage a high volume of blogs, many of which take the role of being a regular website. Frequently, I use WordPress as a site builder -- also called content management software -- as well as a blog publishing program. Most of my of my micro niche sites have around 20 to 25 articles and the sites are designed in a way to look like sites rather than blogs. Most importantly, they don't require me to do any updates. And as mentioned above, I use HostGator to host them. The reason is simple. HostGator is affordable, stable, and secure. And most importantly, my one account ($9.95/ month) literally hosts over 500 independant sites. I basically costs me 2 cents a month to run each site. Each site I run earns me around $10 to $50 per month.
Kontera is an 'okay' program. I have used them in the past and did ok with it, but I just like to stick to my own system of using Google AdSense and external links into Amazon. Over the last two years, this seems to be the perfect formula for me. So many people try to make the business of making money online seem complicated. Kontera, I am sure, is great program, and something you should test out for yourself. What works for me doesn't mean it will work for you. Try new things as they become available. For me, I'll just stick to doing what works for me and more than pays the bills. No matter what you do, make sure you use HostGator. Doing business with a terrible web hosting company is -- literally -- your worst nightmare.
As far as traffic analysis goes, I use Google Analytics to monitor my traffic stats on all my sites. Because I primarily use Google AdSense as a source of generating income on my sites, each site I own has been added into my URL Channels of my AdSense account. From there I can monitor my site earnings and if I discover a low performing site, from there I can investigate and make the proper changes. At any rate, I hope that my answers help you further with getting the best from blogging.
