by Brie You've decided to give it a try. I mean, why not! But now you actually have to figure out how to blog. Where to start?

The first thing you need to do is pick a blogging platform. There are two popular platforms for you to choose from: Blogger and Wordpress.com. The great thing is that both of these platforms are easy to use. I mean, even I can do it!

I started Capital Mom on Blogger because that was the first platform I came across when I discovered blogs. I wanted something free and simple, and it was both. Blogger is made for people that don't know anything about technology, so that was a perfect choice for me. I found it easy to navigate, user friendly and I liked that it was linked to Google. Since I started blogging Blogger has expanded the template designs available and now there is a greater variety and more customization available.

Wordpress.com is equally as easy to use, although the dashboard may look more intimidating, and after hearing good things about it Lara and I decided to try it for Kids in the Capital. Wordpress has a large array of template options and seems to be easy for designers to customize. We had heard it was easier to move to self-hosting with Wordpress.com and we did find it easy to do. Well, as easy as moving text and dealing with technology can be.

If you are looking to self-host or expect to have a large readership, you might want to start with Wordpress.com. If you are wanting to have ads or Google ads from the start then Blogger may be a good option.

Here is some of the feedback I got over Twitter when I asked why people chose the platform they did:

AMotherhoodBlog: @kidsincapitaltried blogspot found it limiting. Heard good about wordpress thru Twitter, moved & love it.

KGrayDonald: @kidsincapital when with what I liked visually, was easy for me to use, and seemed to garner the fewest complaints :)

lana_stewart: @kidsincapital For me: lots of widgets/add-on and free themes to choose from and modify. And then my host made it a one-click install.

No matter which you choose, starting a blog is easier then you think. Both platforms are easy to navigate. Just click through to Blogger or Wordpress.com and give it a go. The hardest part might be picking a name and deciding what to blog about!

Here's a tip: think carefully about your blog name and URL. Even if you think that the blog is just for you or your family you may one day find yourself sharing it and then regretting the URL. Unless you want to be redirecting the link forever or exporting the blog to a new site, make sure you pick a name and URL you love!

Are you thinking of starting a blog? Have questions and don't know where to start? Leave us a comment!

Do you have a blog? Why did you chose our blogging platform? And tell, us have you ever regretted your URL? :-)

Brie is the mom of a 4 year old daughter “the girl” and 2 old son “the boy”. You can read her blog at Capital Mom.