Lesson 2: Why Choose Blogger

Content Management Solutions

Building a solid website requires a strong toolset.  Most website designers now use a browser-integrated Content Management System (sometimes referred to as a 'CMS').  A good CMS will provide a secure administrative panel to manage and control the site, easy-to-use browser-based editors so authors can create and edit pages and news articles through a web browser, and the ability to integrate 'scripts' or components to deliver additional features like a news blog, calendars, video, audio, file storage, and dynamic menus.
There are a couple of limitations with most CMS solutions:

• Some cost a lot of money to purchase, or require signing an annual hosting contract with a website hosting provider company.

• Some are rather complicated and require an extensive understanding of HTML code and possibly other scripting languages, like javascript, PHP, ASP.NET, and .Net Framework.
• Some force the use of the built-in modules instead of allowing the use of preferred 3rd party hosted services.

Is Blogger Now a CMS?

Blogger started as a hosted web log service many years ago.  Until recently it required a fair amount of expertise to use Blogger as a platform to host a website.  2010 has turned into a hallmark year for Blogger because they have introduced two important features that transformed it into a more robust CMS:

• In early 2010, Blogger added the ability to create static pages and added a dynamic menu gadget.  Now bloggers have the ability to easily create static pages and automatically modify a menu, thus transforming a basic blog into a basic website without knowing HTML code or scripting languages.
  
  
  

• In June 2010, Blogger introduced "Template Designer" which is a template selection and modification console.  Now users can select a pleasant template and apply style changes without knowing HTML code or scripting languages.
  
  
  

Why Choose Blogger?

Here are the reasons why I recommend Blogger as a website hosting solution for service clubs and small non-profit organizations:

• Blogger is free.  You can host a website / blog for no cost.  The only cost you will encounter is the annual domain name registration fee which is approximately $10 US per year.
  
• Blogger uses a simple blog creation wizard.  In three steps, you can create a functioning blog.
  
  
  
• Blogger has a secure yet simple user management system to control access.  You define one or more admin accounts, as many author accounts as needed and either closed-access reader accounts, or you open the website to the public.  This provides strong control over the content, and permits you the opportunity to initially build the website / blog and have it reviewed and approved by your club executive before making it publicly available.
  
  
  
• Blogger has a robust template/theme management system called "Template Designer".  You still have the option to use 3rd party XML or classic type templates if "Template Designer" cannot produce the desired  look-and-feel.
• Blogger has an administrative panel that permits admin accounts to change the layout, add and remove page elements, create and manage pages and blog posts, and adjust website / blog settings.
  
  
  
• Blogger employs 'gadgets' which are blocks that can be added to the header, navigation columns, and footer.  There is a large community of developers that provide hundreds of 'gadgets' blocks.  Gadgets provide functionality like menus, linked lists, Google calendars, RSS feeds, and dynamic portlets into other hosted services like Facebook and Twitter.
• Blogger utilizes an easy-to-use editor to author blog posts and pages.  The editor offers a WYSIWYG view and an HTML view.  Blogger permits the embedding of html embed code and javascript, so authors can add code for 3rd party services like Google calendars, Picasa web albums, YouTube videos, Box.net file access widgets, contact forms, and Slideshow presentations.
  
  
  
• The average internet user can build a dynamic website in less than five working days with Blogger.