What is Blog?

A blog is basically just a web site. There are three key differences between traditional
website (homepage) and blog:-

• Blog is extremely easy to add information to it. A blog is like an online journal, so you
  just log in, type what happened today, post it and it is done.
• You can add a simple little feature that automatically tells a whole bunch of other
  website that you have made an update to your blog – every time you make a
  change.
• There is a “comments” system that allows bloggers to have “conversations” with their
  readers by allowing visitors to post their own comments or views on the topic of
  discussion.

 Why blogging is now an important tool for YOUR online business?

• Reach a wider audience
• Boost your revenue
• Generate better search engine ranking
• Develop relationships with your audience through open communication
• Build a community of interested followers
• Humanize your business and let your potential customers feel comfortable buying
  from you.
• Establish yourself as a leading expert in your industry 
• Blogs offer easy-to-use, cost-effective web publishing and content management
• tools.

 Why You Need to Purchase a Domain Name and Avoid “free” Domains?
Your domain name will be your blog’s address on the Internet, so it is crucial that you choose the right one. A domain gives the public a hint of what they will find at your site. If the domain name relates to your or your company’s name or brand, it makes your site that much easier to find.
That is why you MUST get your own unique domain name, like www.[YourName].com;www.carol-chan.com . If you get it free from a web hosting company, your domain name will includes the company’s name (e.g., www.YourWebHost.com/yoursite ).
I don’t encourage you to use “Free” domain unless your objective of creating a blog is just to create a platform to share your journal with your offline friends. The reasons to avoid “Free” domain and started with your own domain are:-

• Your domain name is easy to remember; Your customers always know how to get
  to your site;
• It can entice people surfing the Web to visit your site before someone else’s.
• You can easily move your site to another host while keeping your domain name;
• No web host company’s advertisement on your website;
• You can easily customize your look and web template at your wish…