Blogging for Money:
Installed Server Application

An installed server application is a program that you the user install on your own web server, or web host account. Available blogging server applications range in size and quality from small hobbyist scripts to large commercial application. There are free, open source application and expensive, proprietary ones. Experiment with the open source software blogging applications as it won't cost you anything to do so, and many of them are better quality than their commercial counterparts.

Running your own blogging application allows for infinite control over you blog. If you are familiar with the code in which the application was written, there's nothing stopping you from reaching into the code and making any changes you deem necessary. If you are not familiar with coding, you likely will find the application's base installation more than sufficient for your needs anyway. Don't let the idea of tinkering in code scare you away from this option; most use never find it necessary as most of these applications are well polished and easy to use.

The main benefit of using an installed application is that you will enjoy more control over every aspect of running you blog. The web server, application, advertising integration and system backup - all will be under your control. As you are the one depending on your blog income, it makes sense that you would want the most control over the service you provide.

Over major drawback to this method is that because you have all the control, you also have all the responsibility. If the server goes down, it will be up to you to fix it (unless you are using a web hosting provider, who can help you with outages). If the blogging application won't load properly, it will be up to you to fix it. And if the advertising doesn't load properly, it will be up to you to make nice with your sponsor... and fix it.

You will need to register a domain name if you choose this method of running a blog, and you will likely need to pay hosting fees. This method may be more expensive for you in the beginning, but as your blog grows, your expenses will not grow with it as they will with blogging service. That means that as your advertising or merchandising revenue rises, your profit won't eaten up by higher service fees.

Below are some of the most widely used and reliably supported blogging application:

1) Movable Type
2) Lifetype
3) b2evolution
4) WordPress - www.wordpress.org