Introduction to blogging - blog hosting sites on the Web

There are many blog hosting sites on the Web where you can write your blog and have it hosted for free. Here are the Top blog hosting sites to make yours a great blog.

Blogger/BlogSpot (blogger.com): It is one of most commonly used blogs, linking to others is quite easy and updating it is very user-friendly. You also have the option of deleting comments, which is nice for those who don’t want people advertising on their blogs.

WordPress (wordpress.com) You can set up your layout, color scheme, theme and everything just the way you want it. Not only can you install WordPress on your own sites, you can use the same software on their site and save yourself all of the technical work. You do not have to install anything, but you can if you choose to.

LiveJournal (http://livejournal.com) not only is this a great blog, but it a great tool for writers. There are hundreds of groups set up designed to let you join a writing challenge. For anyone who is looking to have their skills as a writer tested, this is the place for you. Customizable theme, avatars, layouts and a few more things you can get if you want to pay for them, but I did that a few years back, not really worth the money.

Vox (http://vox.com) A personal blogging service where people share thoughts, photos, videos with friends and family

BlogSome (http://blogsome.com) BlogSome is the fastest growing blog host in the world (in percentage terms) was voted Forbes Best of The Web pick. Based out of Ireland, this site uses the WordPress MU platform, large choice of themes.

Xanga (www.xanga.com) this is more community-centric blogging, including Friends lists.

Insane Journal (insanejournal.com) - Another site based on the same software that runs LiveJournal, offers free and paid accounts, paid benefits are only enhancements.

BlogABond (blogabond.com) - A site dedicated to travel blogs with map integration and more.

Blog Cheese (BlogCheese.com) - A video blogging website.

Blog (Blog.com) - Offers free blog hosting with unlimited bandwidth for their free package, more benefits for paid members.

Blogr (Blogr.com) - Allows you to blog, host photos & videos, and podcasts.

Blogster (Blogster.com) - Offers free image hosting in addition to free blogs.

Bravenet (Bravenet.com) - Free blog hosting with RSS feeds and more.

Busy Thumbs (BusyThumbs.com)- A blog site specifically for your text messages and camera phone images.

Blogetery (Blogetery.com) - Offers multiple templates, anti-spam, free sub-domain and more. You can also get paid to write there, your profit there is 90%, which is higher than most paid to write blogs. I am a member here and highly recommend it.

Journal Fen (JournalFen.net) - Runs on the same platform as LiveJournal platform, very much directed towards various topics and is meant for users 18 and older.

FreeVlog (Freevlog.com) - Designed for video blogging and completely free.

Trippert (Trippert.com) - Create and share blogs of your travels.

Word Count Journal (http://www.wordcountjournal.com) - A new blogging format that is also part challenge. Write one word on the first day, two words on the second day and so on, at the end of the year you’ll have written 66,795 words.

EduBlogs (Edublogs.com) - WordPress powered blogging for educators and students alike.

ClearBlogs (ClearBlogs.com) - Free blog hosting and offers templates, friends only posts, IP-Banning and more.

Multiply (Multiply.com) - Mixes blogging and social networking, with photo galleries and more. There are rumors that this one is about to close, but I have no way of knowing if it is true or not. There is nothing on the website about it closing though.

Netcipia (Netcipia.com) - Free blog and wiki for private or public display with 2GB of storage. This one offers revenue as well, check it out for more information.

Open Diary (Open Diary.com) - Offers unlimited storage and posts, low cost subscription rates for advanced features.

ShoutPost (ShoutPost.com) - A platform for creating blogs with a focus on generating traffic. Ad-free!

Soul Cast (SoulCast.com) - Have something you want to talk about, but want to say it anonymously? This may be the blogging site for you. You can also get paid to right here and there are no restrictions on what you say and how you say it.

Tumblr (Tumblr.com) - A blog platform with a focus on allowing media-rich posts.

Weebly (Weebly.com) - Allows you to create a site and blog, free hosting and change designs on the fly.

ZoomShare (Zoomshare.com) - Free blog hosting with 250MB of free storage.

Thoughts (http://www.thoughts.com/free-blog)- At the eighth spot I listed Thoughts as another blogging hosting provider. I haven’t checked it out too much. This is definatly great for those of you who want something a little less mainstream.

Experience-Projects (http://www.experienceproject.com) - Here is another provider for a person to start blogging away.

Free-Blog (http://freeblogit.com/) it is another promising website to lend bloggers a helping hand.