How to Find a Blog Address
By Barbie Carpenter
If you want to enter the blogosphere, the first thing you need to do is secure a Web address for your site. Novice bloggers who are unfamiliar with HTML or those looking for a convenient way to blog can sign up with a blogging platform like Blogger or Wordpress. More experienced Web designers can purchase a domain name for their blog, and they can build the site from there. Whatever path you choose, finding a blog address is the first step in getting your thoughts on the Web.
Blogging Platforms
Research blogging platforms to find the one that suits you. Check out the free templates on sites like Blogger and Wordpress, and decide if any will work with your blog's theme. If you want to integrate your blog into a larger website, consider Wordpress, since the site allows you to develop pages to create a fully integrated website for your blog.
Create an account on the site you select to host your blog. Many blogging platforms are free---you simply have to provide a user name, password and email address to create your account.
Choose your blog address. If you choose a free site like Blogger or Wordpress, your blog address will end in the "blogger.com" or "wordpress.com" extension. Type in your desired blog address in your blogging platform, and check its availability. The site will tie the blog address to your account if it is available or give you alternate suggestions if it is not. Continue this step until you find the blog address that works for you.
Domain Name
Research domain hosts for your blog. Consider the cost of the host and the type of site you plan to develop. Will you develop a stand-alone blog, or will you incorporate the blog into a multipage website? Sites like Go Daddy, Dreamhost and Bluehost offer domain names, so they are a good place to start.
Find the "Domain Registration" page on the domain host you choose. Type in the domain name you want for your blog. You can choose from a number of extensions, including ".com," ".org," ".info" and ".net." Keep in mind that ".com" is the most common---and respected---URL extension for blog addresses.
Register the available domain name. Provide your name, billing address, credit card number and email address. You will also create a user name and password to log in and manage your blog. You will pay a monthly fee for the website hosting for your blog, and you can create the blog from scratch using your HTML skills.
References
Writer Bio
Barbie Carpenter worked as a technical writer and editor in the defense industry for six years. She also served as a newspaper feature page editor and nationally syndicated columnist for the Hearst Corp. Carpenter holds a Bachelor of Science in journalism from the University of Florida and a graduate certificate in professional writing from the University of Central Florida.