When it comes to creating and maintaining a blog, there are plenty of powerful, feature-rich packages from which to choose. But it is important to understand the benefits and drawbacks of a number of those packages, so that you can make an informed decision on which is best for you and your blogging needs.

Most blogging packages are similar, but there is one main distinction — whether the service hosts your blog on their servers or whether you must host it on your own server. Services that will host your blog tend to be more user-friendly but are generally less flexible.

Hosted Blogging Services

There are three main hosted blogging services: Blogger, Typepad, and a hosted version of Wordpress.

Blogger and Wordpress are both free hosted blogging solutions and are the best place to dip your toe into the Blogosphere. They offer an array of features including robust text editors, syndication, and an area for reader comments. They are easy to learn and allow you to get started within minutes.