JDI blogging with WordPress

Having considered, in a previous blog, the various options available for blogging, when it comes down to it we will encourage you to just get on with WordPress. It really makes a lot of sense for most people, not least because you have such control over where it lives and what you can do with it.

By hosting your own WordPress you are able to add on so much when the need or desire takes you, such as:

• your Twitter feed
• Advertising
• Sign-up forms
• Online shopping facilities
• Forums even

You have complete control over what you can do with your blog/website and how it looks and feels. You control your terms of service (within any that your host providers define, of course) and are not at the mercy of other free providers (not that we are suggesting you could be, but…).

On the downside – you do have to maintain your WordPress, carrying out updates to the theme, plugins and software as it becomes available. This is rarely hard work if you do as you’re told and certainly all JDI blogging members will be reminded when notable updates are due.

Hosting your WordPress is not free – you have to pay for the domain name – a few pounds each year – and the hosting – from £45 each year. For the £50 or so it really is worth having the ability to do whatever you want with your blog.

So – that is our recommendation – off the fence and suggesting you “just do it” with hosting your own WordPress.

One thing you do need to be sure of with your host is that they are capable of running your WordPress. We use Ezpzhosting as they include an easy-install few-clicks system which is no fuss at all. But if you want to stick with your own hosting, ask them the following:

I’m interested in running the open-source WordPress <http://wordpress.org/> blogging software and I was wondering if my account supported the following:

• PHP 4.3 or greater
• MySQL 4.1.2 or greater
• The mod_rewrite Apache module

Thanks!

Give us a shout if you’re not sure about any of this, if you want more guidance, or simply want us to set it up for you – we do this for JDI Bloggers from £30.

Babs