internet
http://internet.youk.uk.com/bm/blogs/typepad.shtmlTypePad
TypePad styles itself as the premier blogging service - we have a look to see just how good it really is.
TypePad styles itself as the premier blogging service so, of course, we had to have a look and see just how good it is.
Note, we are looking at the United Kingdom site for Typepad - the address is here. There is also the main site which is here and based in the USA.
The first thing you notice is that the service is not free. Monthly prices range from £2.59 (in the USA it's $5) for the basic blog up through Plus and Pro levels and then on to the dizzy heights of the Business blogging account which is priced at around 90 Euros. This is serious money so, when major blogging hosts like Blogger are free, why would you want to pay?
It all comes down to features. If you are starting out in the world of blogging then Blogger - and any of the other free hosts - will offer you a reliable and easy-to-use platform for your blog that will not overwhelm you with options and addons. Once established as a blogger, however, you will want to move up to the next level and it is here that you will find the services of a free blogging host restricting.
Put simply, if you pay for blogging then you get more control and more features
Put simply, if you pay for blogging then you get more control and more features along with more possibilities to expand and promote your blog as well as more ways to change the look and capabilities. A visit to the pricing page of Typepad gives you an overview of the features offered at the various price levels. Try here.
To give you a chance of using and trying the blog you can sign up for a 14 day trial where you can test and experiment all you want with the features and templates.
There have also been several blog posts about, for example, the difference between Typepad and Blogger and a search in your favourite search engine for 'typepad blogger free' will give you several articles to explore.
To get an overview of Typepad search for 'typepad blogs' and follow up some of the comments that the search reveals. If you spend a little time at this you will soon get up to speed on power blogging and on Typepad and what it has to offer.
So, should you pay for hosting at Typepad? If you are starting out in blogging, or are an 'occasional blogger', then the answer is probably 'no', a free host will provide all you need. However, once at the next level - and you will know when you are there - then a service like Typepad becomes not just useful but necessary and you will automatically want to change gear and move up.