what kind of domain should I choose?

[Robert20]

I plan to set up a technical blog recently. But I am not sure which solution is better for me.
One option is applying a free blog on Blogger.com, with a domain name like : myblog.blogspot.com. Everything will go smooth and free.
Another option is to register a domain name like myblog.com and also pay for the hosting service per year. Then spend sometime to figure out how Wordpress work and set my blog up.

My question is: what is the advantage of the later? Will it attract more visitors or will Google add more weight on it?

[Catherine]

Choosing the second option is indeed a better choice as you will get a unique domain name for your blog and you can create a separate identity for it. Also, you will get full access to the hosting plan and you won't face any problem even if you want to change the hosting plan or hosting provider at a later date. Wordpress is a very simple CMS available and hence you will learn it quickly.

[MattBarthorp]

The second option is indeed better. There are multiple advantages of having your own domain name. Following is a list of few :

• Naming rights : Similar to any trade name, logo or brand name, having your distinct domain name your business identity. It is something which clients and businesses can relate to. Once a particular domain is registered it cannot be registered by someone else.
• Simplicity : Having a distinct domain name can help users with remembering and recollecting it whenever required.
• Adds Credibility to your online existence
• Email : Having registered your own domain name, you have the option to create email aliases for example : yourname@yourdomain name.com, which would be offered in the first option. This would not just allow you to look professional but can also be an important medium of branding your business.
• Better Portability : Incase you ever think of changing your service provider due to any odd reasons, you have the rights to take it along to your preferred company. ell.
• Better Control : Since you are the owner of a particular domain, you have complete control over the data it holds. But incase of the first option you mentioned, you are at the mercy of the company and you cannot be hundred percent sure about the availability of your data.

Moreover what most individuals do not realize is that, free domain providers such as blogger.com and others do not offer you a distinct domain name but offer a sub-domain, example : yourname.blogspot.com etc. with the primary domain as blogspot.com.