| Predefined Templates |
Templates are pre-existing / pre-coded blog layouts that users can select to start their blog. These templates are typically better for non-coders as they eliminate the need to modify any HTML code to start a blog. Templates come in a variety of layouts, colors, and themes. |
| Editable Templates |
These templates are similar to pre-defined templates however they allow the user to edit the template and change whatever attributes they see fit. These templates are good for users who know a little about HTML code but don't want to create a blog from scratch. |
| Plug-ins/ Widgets |
Plug-ins/widgets allow blog creators to add additional functionality to their blogs including weather, news from other sites, calendars, etc. |
| Text Editor |
Allows the blog creator to edit the text of his/her blog just as they would an email. |
| HTML Editor |
Similar to the text editor, an HTML editor allows the blog creator to edit their blog using HTML code. |
| Spell Check |
Allows the blog creator to check their blog for misspellings and grammar issues before they post it. |
| Blog Preview |
Allows the blog editor to see the entire blog entry and what it looks like before they post the blog. |
| Insert Links |
Allows the blog editor to insert HTML links that go to other web pages. This helps the blog creator direct users to other sites or pages if needed. |
| Insert Images |
Allows the blog editor to insert images into their blog entries. |
| Insert Emoticons |
Allows the blog editor to insert emoticons into their blog entries. Emoticons are graphical depictions of various emotions to show blog readers different emotions/expressions (without using words) and to stress a point. |
| Insert Symbols |
Allows the blog editor to insert symbols into their blog entries including circles, squares, Greek letters, etc.. |
| Insert Mood Icons |
Allows the blog editor to insert mood icons, similar to emoticons, to convey a specific feeling or expression graphically instead of using words. |
| Audio Files Accepted |
Allows the blog editor to insert audio files into blog entries for blog readers to listen to. |
| Video Files Accepted |
Allows the blog editor to insert video files into blog entries for blog readers to watch. |
| Text Files Accepted |
Allows the blog editor to use text files for creating/editing blog entries and import these text files for posting. |
| Image Files Accepted |
Allows the blog editor to insert picture files into blog entries for blog readers to see. |
| Post from IM |
Allows the blog editor to post blog entries using a number of instant messenger services including Yahoo! Instant Messenger, Windows Live, etc. |
| Post from Cell phone/ Phone |
Allows the blog editor to post blog entries using their cell phone. |
| Post from Outside the Service |
Allows the blog editor to post entries using third-party applications. |
| Blogroll/Links Navigation |
Allows the blog editor to post his/her favorite links usually on a side navigation bar. |
| Search Box Available |
Allows users to search for content on a specific blog using keywords and phrases. |
| Archive Links Available |
Allows the blog creator to link users to archived blog entries and post for reading. |
| Profile/Bio Info Available |
Provides users with biographical information on the author (creator) of the blog. |
| Search Comments Option |
Allows the blog editor to search for specific comments using keywords or phrases |
| Submits to Google Directory |
Submits the blog to the Google blog directory for other users to discover and read |
| Submits to Technorati Directory |
Submits the blog to the Technorati directory for other users to discover and read |
| Submits to Other Directories |
Submits the blog to other blog directories for other users to discover and read |
| RSS Feeds |
Allows users to subscribe to your blog using RSS feeds (really simply syndication). RSS allows users to get all new blog posts without actually coming to your blog. |
| Atom Feeds |
Atom Feeds are really similar to RSS feeds and allow users to get new blog entries automatically without coming to your blog. |
| Traffic/Referrer Stats |
Provides the blog creator with various stats on their blog including comments, views of your blog pages, ratings or blogs, etc. |
| Feed Stats |
Provide the blog creator with stats on how many people have requested an RSS or Atom feed to stay updated on new blog content. |
| Comments |
Allow users to comment on blog entries. |
| Views |
Provides the blog creator with stats on how many people have viewed your blog over a given period. |
| Permalink |
Allows users to have a permanent (non-changing) link to a blog so that can easily access the blog. |
| Trackbacks |
Allows users comment on blog entries and refer to other blog entries through a trackback URL. |
| Make a Blog Public |
Allows the blog creator to make his/her blog available to any user / public. |
| Make a Blog Private |
Allows the blog creator to make his/her blog available to only certain users (in some cases no one but the creator). |
| Protect a Blog (certain users see it) |
Allows the blog creator to make his/her blog available to only certain users (in some cases no one but the creator). |
| Word/IP Banning |
Allows the blog creator to block certain IP addresses (users) from posting comments or to block certain words from being used in comments. |
| Photo Album/Gallery |
Allows the blog creator to easily create a photo album for blog readers to see. |
| Google Ads/Affiliates |
Allows blog creators to generate commissions from Google by placing ads on their blogs and receiving a commission every time some sees and/or clicks on an advertisement. |
| Supports Affiliations with Amazon |
Allows blog creators to generate commissions from Amazon by placing ads on their blogs for their favorite books/products and receiving a commission every time some buys an item from Amazon. |
| Spam Blockers |
Protects blogs from comments that contain spam / unsolicited marketing |
| Create User Polls |
Allows blog creators to create user polls and post the results on their blogs |
| Site Advertising |
Third-party advertisements on a website in the form of banners, buttons, text links, sponsorships, and any other ad related channel. |
| Weblog Customer Support |
A blog (web log) that is created by the customer support staff that allows users to post entries and comments pertaining to site issues, problems, and questions about the service. |
| Help Tickets/Email Form Support |
Allows users to email a website and get help on anything related to that website. |
| Searchable Knowledgebase Support |
Knowledge base help is a searchable database of frequently asked questions and problems that provide users with help beyond the static FAQ pages. Knowledge base typically has |
| FAQs |
FAQs (or Frequently Asked Questions) are lists of common questions/problems and answers that users have about a particular site. FAQ's are the most common form of customer help. |
| Tutorials / How-to Support |
Tutorials / How-to help gives consumers walk-throughs and detailed instruction on how to do certain things on a particular website. These tutorials/how-tos can be in the form of videos, pictures, or plain text/editorial. |
| User Forums |
User forums relative to customer support allow users to ask questions and issues about a site and let other users or company representative respond just as they would in a normal forum environment. |
| Phone Customer Support |
Allows users to call a phone number and get help on anything related that website. |