Simplest way to setup a blog
Since I just started this blog, what I went through is still fresh so I thought I should just document it down. I actually did more research upfront to end up with what I use in this post so you don't have to. Things like comparing which blog platform (I'll write another post on this), which domain registrar to use, etc.
The few key factors I ended up with these chosen services and products is really simplicity. I'm an IT guy and used to setup lotsa website before. There's just so much work to go through with many different components to think about (yes I'm referring to self hosted wordpress). But technology has been evolving fast, software services has been improving so much that it's so easy to setup a blog now.
These are what I used to setup this blog and its done within 30 mins.
Blogging platform - Ghost.org
I've setup many websites and blogs before on platform like blogger and wordpress. As common as they seem to be, other competitors has surpass them in many ways.
Ghost.org has lotsa blogging necessity made ready for you. From signing up the trial to getting the blog up takes less than 5 minutes. The user experience and user interface is just so simple and minimalist. It takes away all the complex configuration and technical setups. There's also much nicer themes to choose from compared to some others and the themes are pretty minimalist as well.
I'm still new as well but I can say I'm liking it. The writing experience is easy so far. One quick example is choosing a feature image for my post is 2 clicks away. Unlike the usual searching around for stock image to be added into your post and troubling where to find free to use stock image, Ghost natively integrates with Unsplash.
Another example is dragging/pasting a picture into the post is so natural. There's no hassle around uploading your media, attaching an image, manage your image gallery. Just write your post, drag your image in or just paste a screenshot. Voila!
That's just 2 example, every little thing is about simplicity. You really have to experience it yourself.
If you're still thinking of which platform to start your blog, give Ghost.org a try.
It's 14 days free trial anyway - https://account.ghost.org/signup
Domain registrar - domains.google
Okay, so I've done setting up my blogging platform. But my blog domain looks like this - vocs-ong.ghost.io
I'm so not gonna live with that, I need a domain. So I have to find out which domain registrar to go to. I'm not here to compare registrar for you, maybe I write that separately. I'm here to tell you after my comparison and research, Google has the simplest way of managing and setting up your domain. We are all familiar with Google, their services are mostly simple to navigate.
It only takes 3 steps to get your domain configured with Ghost + Google and within 10 minutes, my blog is up and running on vocsong.com
Another reason I go with Google is because it's Google. Who doesn't have Google account these days, doesn't managing domain within my existing account makes alot more sense?
What I feel the most important and powerful is that such simplicity takes away the hurdle to get to writing the blog itself. Often its because of complex steps required to get started writing that actually stops us from getting started. With Ghost.org and Google domains it's just so easy, reminds me of the Apple slogan - It just works.
Not only the simplicity helps us get started, I believe such simplicity with the platform will continue to make writing simple. Hence, I will be more willing to continue writing. I will definitely do a more indepth review in a few months. Or by looking at how many posts I have by then, should show how simple it is writing here. This is just my 2nd post.