Top Blogging Terms

July 18, 2008

Failing to realize what basic terms mean can lead to unnecessary wandering. Following are a concise explanation of the top blog terms, planned to help the beginners in gaining a basic understanding.

1. Blogs - The word “blog” is actually short for “web log.” In essence, a web blog is an online journal. And as such is used as a place for people to share information on a topic they are interested in and offer advice to others. Not so rarely you will hear that bloggers are even able to use a blog to make money.

2. Pinging - This is a great starting tool for those who want their blog be detected by as many people as possible. At most weblog platforms this service is at no cost and will automatically notify blogging directories each time an article is posted. This will help your blog rank higher.

3. Posts - Posts are simply new entries made into your blog. Every time you update, you make a new post.

4. Theme or Template - At WordPress new blog come with a standard template, but you will prefer to make it as unique and esthetically pleasing as possible. It is possible with just a couple of clicks and there are varieties of themes to choose from.

5. Publishing platform – To begin a blog, you have to sign up with a blog host (publishing platform). These are sites such as Blogger or WordPress. Generally it’s a large web site that offers blogs to any number of subscribers.

6. Blog directory – is an online database that categorizes different weblogs detected on the Internet. You would like to, and make sure your blog is added to more directories to help you in spreading the word about your blog.

7. Niche - A niche reflects a topic of the blog, what your blog is about. Will you decide to write about politics, religion, music or movie stars? What you decide will determine your niche.

8. RSS feed – An RSS feed is code that can be created with your blog that allows your readers to subscribe to it. Readers will not have to check your blog on a regular basis to see if you have made an update but will automatically be informed each time you make a change.

9. Trackback - Trackback links send notification to other bloggers anytime you refer to their blog in your post. It will also include a link to your site from theirs.