Create a Blog in Minutes at No Cost!

This is a step-by-step manual for aspiring bloggers to set up a functional blog in no time and at no expense. While aspiring bloggers need merely sign up for an account with free blog sites like Vox or Blogspot to begin blogging, I won’t be covering those options here.

This is the definitive manual for aspiring bloggers looking to launch a site that gives them complete creative control over the look and feel of their location at any moment.

Table of Contents

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A Brief Recap of My Background

I gave up keeping diaries after only a few days of trying. In August of last year, I created my first blog on Yahoo 360. When I realized I couldn’t modify the time and date of my postings, I switched to Vox in January. Changing the date and time was crucial because I initially kept drafts of my entries on my Nokia E61 before moving them to my computer.

By the middle of March, I was already considering options for altering the visual style and the backend code. At first glance, the concept of leaving a digital footprint in the form of my blog posts looks fantastic. Although I enjoy tinkering with the code and expanding my knowledge, I no longer find this initial concept particularly novel.

In the beginning, all I knew was HTML; I had no background in other languages like PHP or CSS. I’m happy to state that I’ve progressed to an intermediate level of expertise in HTML, CSS, and PHP.

Don’t stress out over it. Understanding the blog’s structure requires learning some HTML and CSS, but that’s extra. Don’t bother with the code if all you want to do is write a blog.

Host your site for nothing.

There are several options for free hosting from which to pick. The competition is fierce, and businesses are using creative strategies to win over customers. Here, I suggest setting your memory to 110 MB. You can see by my website’s address that I agree with them. It’s gratis but not entirely without cost. SQL, SendMail, Backup, and similar services are offered for an additional charge.

Recently, I forked over five bucks for SendMail, a service that allows readers to email me directly through the blog’s built-in contact form. I think the one-time cost is justified, especially given the benefits.

As long as your use of 110mb complies with their terms and conditions, you are free to do whatever you choose. Twice thus far, my blog has experienced technical difficulties, but the administrators have always resolved the issues within 12 hours.

Journal Using the FlatPress Platform

My blog, naturally, runs on the flat press blogging platform. More than 30 apps, such as blogs, forums, galleries, content management systems, and the like, are available once you sign up for an account with 110 MB. The administrators, however, wish to discourage users from installing applications merely for the sake of it. Therefore, they limit the number of apps you can download to a maximum of 5.

Flatpress is one of the programs that doesn’t require MySQL, but there are others. I’ve been considering migrating my Flatpress blog to WordPress, which would need me to purchase the MySQL package. It’s only a thought, though. Transferring everything and getting everything set up could take a long time.

When using Flatpress via the One-Click Application Installer, creating a blog takes a few minutes. After installation, you’ll be prompted to enter the URL of your blog, at which point you’ll be led through a brief setup procedure and asked to create a user account. After that, your blog is completely WYSIWYG; installation is a thing of the past.

Data and Restore

File Manager 110MB

Using the 110mb File Manager to move files and add photos can be a little cumbersome because you can only transfer three files simultaneously. Using 110mb File Manager to modify the source code of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and PHP files is impossible; every time I tried, I was met with a blank screen. If you only have access to 110 Mb File Manager, you’ll need to download the file you wish to edit, make your changes locally, and then upload the revised file.

Users are responsible for their own backups, as 110mb does not do so automatically. Using 110mb File Manager for backup is next to impossible unless you have infinite time to download every file in every folder and arrange them nicely.

They just added backup functionality, but it costs $7 to use once. If you’re unwilling to pay the price, skip to the next paragraph.

Net2FTP

While the FTP service is accessible online, users can also download the software. I rarely blog on my personal computer and instead rely on the hosted service. This is the quickest and easiest FTP service available online. You can also download Java applications like Flatpress from this site.

I’ve already stated how cumbersome the 110mb File Manager is when moving many files. You can upload multiple files simultaneously or a single zip file while using Net2FTP. Net2FTP is convenient if you need to post several images or restore your blog because it will automatically unpack zip files upon upload.

You should probably back up your files before attempting a restore. Select all the items you wish to download from the root of your 100 MB storage space, and then click the download button. It usually takes me 5-10 minutes to back up my blog, which is between 6 and 8 gigabytes. You can compress your files with Net2FTP and store them wherever you like.

Verdict

Putting together a blog, in my opinion, couldn’t be easier. To get started, all you need is 110mb of bandwidth, Net2FTP, and a basic command of the English language. As you blog, you gain knowledge. When you’re ready to make some alterations to the layout, it’s time to start studying the code. If not, you can find alternative themes by searching the web for them.

A word of caution: always make a backup before attempting significant changes. Also, remember to store backups to your PC regularly. When you first get up in the morning, you definitely don’t want to lose your data.

linda