What bloggers have their own domain name?

[Kevin]

I'm interested to know how many members are using their own domain name for their blog.



Are there a lot of members who still use hosted blogging services (wordpress.com,blogger etc).
Do some members use hosted services but do so under their own domain name (eg. redirect their domain to their hosted blog)
Is there anything which has stopped you buying a unique domain for your blog?

:)

[sarahG]

I use my own domain and self host for all my blogs. Much prefer the freedom that a self hosted site brings.

[mintblogger]

I have my own domain name, though I use blogger platform.

[smub]

All Blogs that I have are running on my own domain and are self-hosted.

[hbixler03]

I only use self hosted Wordpress blogs for all my blogs. :)

[youlki22]

I have realized that domain name is important if you need good page rank or value for your blogs. I am using "blogger" platform but I have bought domain name for all, and I am using free available templates for them for unique look.

I think these small changes bring a good value for your blogs.

[redwall_hp]

I host my own sites and they all have domain names. I can't stand "get a blog" services like Blogger or WordPress.com (or *shudder* LiveJournal). I know my way around XHTML, CSS, PHP, etc very well, and I like being totally in control of my content.

[Dannymh]

Own my own domains and self host. I guess it would be cheaper to host on blogger etc, but I was lucky to snag lifetime hosting about 3 years ago for $300 (which was about years hosting cost) so doesn't hurt the hip pocket too much

[mdf]

I have my own domains and host multiple sites. I tried wordpress.com once but they limit you to their themes and plugins, you have so many more options when you host your own domain.

[navjotjsingh]

Only during first few months, I used free blog hosting services. But now I use my own domain for all my blogs.

[akira07]

Well, unique domain is seem more proffesional but i think it's OK since we have no own domain name. The most important things is content :D

[sizzler_chetan]

I am using my own domain name, my own web hosting company so no problem of hosting anytime ;)
And the platform is always wordpress.

[ghing]

I own one hosted blog in wordpress and also have some blogs on blogger platform..

Is there anything which has stopped you buying a unique domain for your blog?

The only thing that stopped me in buying my own domain is I doesn't have enough budget to get a domain of my own.. :(

[akira07]

What is your reason to buy own domain for your blog? Just wanna look more professional or what? Hmm, if you're have no budget it's OK, just dont buy own domain. Domain such namesite.blogspot.com is OK. As far as i know, there is many blogger success with not custom domain, they use just basic namesite.blogspot.com. The example is indonesian blogger Isnaini which have domain namesite.blogspot.com but he is no.1 in google and earning good from adsense.

[sarahG]

What is your reason to buy own domain for your blog?

Usually it's more a case of the domain is a requirement to have a self hosted site, either that or people feel it's more personal to be able to give out their address as their own domain, even if it's redirecting to a site on blogspot/wordpres etc.

I wouldn't say that money is a good reason with domains being so cheap to buy and renew, it's more personal choice. Some people prefer to have their site maintained for them, kept up to date etc. and in return they lose some of the flexibility that having a hosted blog brings such as limited themes and plugins. If they're comfortable with their freebie address then that's fine, there's no reason why a subdomain of wordpress or blogspot will not rank any more or less than that of a standalone domain.

[wahmsuzanne]

I use my own domains and self host ... wordpress for all of them. I am so glad that I was taught that way from the get go ... I wouldn't want to have to try to "move" everything down the road.

Matter of fact ... I just remembered that I have a blogspot blog that "came with" a business I purchased. It's been up for several years and has TONS of content ... a PR4 ... so I just leave it up and try to post there every so often.

*SmiLes* Suzanne

[narendra.s.v]

i just have more than 5 own domains :D but few useless ;)

[EmmaB]

I use self-hosted wordpress blogs with my own domain names. I have some blogspot and wordpress.com blogs without domain names but those were either my first blogs are an experiment.

[silent_thunder]

I use both blogger blogs as well as my own domain. I have a hosting account from bluehost. I created the blogger blogs for adsense but now it has become an obsession and I cant desert them even if I want to:D

[Indyan]

I have my own domain name and I host my blog myself. I find hosted solutions too restrictive.

[navjotjsingh]

I have my own domain name and I host my blog myself. I find hosted solutions too restrictive.

Can you explain the term host myself a bit more? Do you run a hosting company or own a dedicated server yourself? Explain pls.

[narendra.s.v]

maybe he mean he pays for his hosting! :rolleyes:

[ap4a]

I have my own domain that I host myself along with a few other, non-blog, sites that belong to Sarah and myself (plus our clients' sites).