If you’ve just started blogging and then decide to “Google” your new hobby (or if you want to blog for money), you’ll be bombarded by hundreds of applications, widgets, platforms and services.
I’ve listed some of the basics and yes – tried and true services, which any blogger worth his salt must have.
It doesn’t matter if you host your own blog or do it via the free sites like Wordpess or Blogger (both of which are the biggest in the world), here are 9 Blogging widgets and services that you can’t do without.
Just hit the jump button, amigo!
BLOG MUST HAVES
- Feedburner - You can’t blog without a good RSS (Really Simple Syndication). Don’t know what the heck it means? Click here to find out. Feedburner will give your own RSS complete with systems and methods to optimize and promote it. One of the most common is a way for your readers to subscribe via email.
- Technorati - When someone links to your blog or to your post, Technorati notes it for you. You also get to have an “authority” ranking which is based (partly) on the number of backlinks that you have. The more people giving you “link love”, the more awareness you create. This in turn, drives traffic. Here’s a tip: visit those who link back and show them you care by returning the favor.
- MyBlogLog – See those little photos of people on various blogs? They’re not just there for show. It’s so succesful, Yahoo even bought this once-small company. Now, it’s a de facto thing to include it if you’re a serious blogger. The easy guides will show you how to get the widget up and running in no time.
- Entrecard – One of the simplest ideas turned into a gem! Advertise your blog for free across similar niches. Briliant!
- Google Adsense – Once you acquire a following, you can then turn those numbers into passive income. Income that will be regular as long as you provide fresh and ORIGINAL content on your blog. Your hobby can then give you extra cash to spend on gadgets or what-have-you. I spent mine on a kick-ass LCD TV
- Google Analytics – If you want to see how your blog fares in hits, what your readers are clicking and what content is hot, then get Google Analytics. Nothing is better!
- A Digg Account - One of the simplest and best ways to promote traffic to your blog is by getting dugg! Digg.com is a great help. Akin to a fledgling star getting the “breaks”, if you’re lucky, your site hits will increase by the thousands. Just be sure that your bandwith is ready.
- Akismet - don’t want splogs or viagra vendors putting spam comments? Get Aksimet! The only name trusted to keep ‘em bastards away! ‘Nuff said.
- Paypal - Here’s where your money goes. Most of the affliate programs pay via paypal. Make sure you have yours.
There you have it!
Best of luck to your blog. Questions? Let ‘em rip by commenting below.
Thanks,
GM T
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