Blogging has taken the internet by storm. Everyone from individuals to corporations are jumping on this hot new trend and giving the world something to talk about. But why is blogging so popular? For businesses and corporations the reason is simple: exposure. A blog allows businesses to get noticed, come off as an ‘expert’ in the field, and advertise their website and/or services all at the same time.

Before you start a blog, you first need to understand what they are. Let’s take a look at a few of the most important things that you need to know.

Types of blogs

Blogs are used for different purposes.

Personal blogs - An individual may use their blog as a public diary. They will usually discuss personal situations or talk about issues that are important to them.

Corporate blogs - A corporation may use their blog as a PR tool. They will usually discuss news and issues within their industry.

Within these two main categories, there are also sub-categories that pertain to the subject matter of the blog. For example, a personal blog can also be a political blog or an art blog. A corporate blog can be a real estate blog or a web development blog.

Blog feeds

Blog feeds allow you to distribute links to your blog via other websites and blogs. Basically, it lets you syndicate your blog all over the Web and get more exposure. You can also add these feeds to your blog to make it information rich and attractive to web surfers.

Blog software

They are many different types of blog software to choose from, many of which are free. The most popular are Wordpress, Typepad, and Blogger. These companies offer easy to use tools, so that even people who are new to blogging can get their own blog up and running in a matter of minutes.