The question whether to buy or start a blog is one of the frequently asked questions in webmaster forums today. I have also received quite a number of emails from my readers asking for my advice regarding this matter. In today’s post, I wish to address this question and share my opinion on the topic. test
To Buy Or Not To Buy
Considering that the cyberspace has millions of blogs already and that thousands are created everyday, the most obvious benefit of buying a blog is being able to bypass competition. It simply means, you have an edge over your competitors in terms of traffic, subscribers and rankings. This will spare you long hours of link building, search engine optimization and networking.
Buying an establish blog also allows the new owner to monetize it immediately considering that the blog is receiving sufficient traffic. With an established blog, you don’t need to hazzle your way up in improving your blog’s vital rankings like Technorati and Alexa (rankings vital in blog monetization) in order to get accepted to advertising networks or review sites.
Naturally, since you are buying a blog, you need to have enough funds. Prices of blogs vary depending on its traffic, revenue, subscribers and rankings. The ones with good traffic, high rankings and high income are normally more expensive. And, if you want to buy a quality site, you will need to invest some money.
Another problem with buying a blog is the risk of lossing your subscribers, which has happened in several cases. This usually takes place when the new owner fails to keep up with the standards established by the original blog owner. Another reason could also be the change in tone and personality of the blog, which is a direct result of the different personality and perspective of the new owner. It also possible that the new owner may have new goals and objectives, which changes the direction of where the blog is going. If the readers don’t like it, it’s always easy for them to unsubscribe.
It is also possible that you can’t find a blog for sale that covers the topic that you want to blog about. I have told you in several of my posts that when you start to blog, blog about the things that are of interest to you. Otherwise, you might just end up abandoning your blog from the lack of motivation to carry on.
To Start Or Not To Start
Starting a blog on the other hand is not an easy job. In fact, starting a blog is the most difficult and the most crucial phase of blogging. Starting a blog requires alot of jobs to be done like setting up your blog, making your first few posts, promoting it, building its rankings etc. If you don’t have the patience and dedication to start something from scratch and gradually build it, then starting a blog is not advisable for you.
Since your blog is new, monetizing it will have to be done later when you have established traffic and rankings. These are important elements to be able to start making money from your blog. And these can be achieved through hard work, which usually takes a longer time. If you want to start monetizing your blog right away, then starting your own blog is not suitable for you.
Perhaps another problem with starting a blog is the fact that you need to compete with a great number of new comers. The competition is usually tough as most of the new bloggers are highly motivated to build their blog. If you don’t have what it takes to beat the competition, then starting a blog is not the right move for you.
Although starting a new blog is challenging, there are still some good reasons why you should opt for it. For one, starting your own blog and achieving some good results is more fulfilling than buying one and you know that the credits are not yours.
With you starting your own blog, you will be able to minimize the risk of losing disgruntled subscribers. Starting your blog also gives you the freedom to use your own tone, voice and style.
Lastly, although starting a new blog is so much time consuming, it is still alot cheaper than when you buy an established blog.
That’s my take of the issue. What about you? What would you prefer, to buy an established blog or start your own from scratch? What do you think is more rewarding?
I would love to know your opinion. Do share it in the comment.
Thank you for your time. 
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David Hobson responded on 29 Apr 2008 at 1:50 am #
I would have to go with srarting your own blog over buying one any day.
This way you get to brand it the way you want from day one.
David Hobsons last blog post..Interview With Darren From Problogger.net
What is a Blog? responded on 29 Apr 2008 at 7:31 am #
The very fact that you are asking this question shows how blogs have evolved and where they are heading. Blogs were once ‘web logs’, and that’s where the name comes from. They were literally diaries. You wouldn’t buy a diary to keep writing in it, would you? So now that blogs have value, and are sold, are they still ‘logs’? Blogs are now just unprofessional websites. Thus, they have no value.
Llama Money responded on 29 Apr 2008 at 8:34 am #
I’m actually looking at putting some funds together to buy a couple medium-sized blogs. Whether I go through with it or not…. who knows.
But having someone else do all the beginning “Grunt work” of getting a blog started is potentially HUGE. Nearly all blogs start off small, and it’s only after they’re established that the money starts flowing.
I’ve only bought one blog so far ( a raving success, I might add ), but I plan to hopefully move forward with more.
Llama Moneys last blog post..Leverage can be intoxicating
Geekhall.net Admin responded on 30 Apr 2008 at 2:40 am #
A think, that building a blog from basics is the best solution, I recently created a geekhall.net with a little hope of earning money from it, but it also was my first blog. I learned a lot about starting up, editing wordpress templates, and writing Your own articles/post/opinions.
Anyway, If I ever do any money thanks to geekhall.net I’ll be proud, that I,myself created this blog, and I, myself maintained it for long enough to bring any income :).
Thats my opinion.
Geekhall.net Admins last blog post..Make some additional cash by writing posts.
Felex Tan responded on 30 Apr 2008 at 7:52 pm #
I will treat it as an investment.Buy low sell high.I can buy the blog at certain price according to my budget then sell it at affordable price to buyer,i will earn by doing this and there are many of bloggers are doing these also.