Even if you are not an expert in SEO and stuff like that, there are things that you can do easily, even with your free wordpress.com blog. I am not an SEO geek either. I only have basic knowledge of these things, but still certain things are possible because it’s very easy.
This blog post will help you find the XML sitemap of your wordpress.com blog, and add it to Google using Webmasters Tools, a free service offered by Google. This is going to take 15 minutes of your time.
I have been using Google Chrome for a while … and I have written a few blog posts about it … the simplicity and the speed attracted me and I am a big fan of Google Chrome now .. when I started thinking about a new blog where I can try a bit of problogging, I found that Google Chrome will be a good starting point …. and finally I registered chromestory.com …
Do you need a Self Hosted WordPress blog ? Read this and Learn how to do that !!
Plugins are something new that you are going to find on your dashboard while moving to self hosted wordpress blog. Plugins, as the name suggests, adds more features and addons to your blog.
Most Popular Plugins:
WordPress.com stats – so that you won’t miss your stats as you used ton wordpress.com blogs. This plugin needs a wordpress.com API code, which you fill find on your wordpress dashboard ( link )
All in One SEO – For SEO crazy bloggers. I have installed it, but not sure how to make the best out of it. Yep, I am not a SEO guy.
Auto Tager : Suggests and adds tags automatically when you write, edit and publish your blog posts. Very useful.
So, thinking about moving to “self hosted wordpress blog” ? learn how to find, upload and edit your themes
There are tonnes of themes available for you to download. Most of them are free. They are free themes way better than some paid ( or premium themes ). So, think twice ( or more than that ) before you purchase a paid theme.
The best way, will be to google a little. Try Google or you can go to WordPress’ Official Website. Also, there are brilliant theme designers, with themes that will fall in love with. Here is one of my favorites, pearsonified.com
ps: I will keep updating you guys about beautiful themes that I find during my theme hunts, so subscribe to the RSS feed, for more
Do you want to host a wordpress blog ? I know the answer is YES …Â and I have another question for you -Â “WHY”. Why do you need a self hosted wordpress blog ?
To own yourowndomain.com ?
To Experience and Experiment ?
Make money with ads ?
Anything else ?
If you already have one …..
If you already have a self hosted wordpress, I need to know; what made you sign up for one ?.
So, setting up a self hosted wordpress blog is easy, but finding the right host isn’t. Its not because we do not have good webhosts around, with good blog hosting, but because we have too many of them. So, I am not suggesting you any hosting company as of now, but, I will give you a list of things that you need to look in to while searching for a good webhost for your wordpress blog.
1. Price
2. Support
3. Server Requirements
4. Additional features/offers
5. WordPress friendly ? Continue reading
So you want a self hosted wordpress blog ? hmm that’s a good idea. It’s always good to own a little piece of web for yourself.
First, you should get a domain name. Yes, think hard, and select a domain name. But, keep domain registrar’s website open while you are doing this serious thinking. Because, you need to make sure that the domain that you want to register, is actually available. You can’t register someone Else’s domain name 
You can use any of the following checkdomain.com register.com godaddy.com So, when there is a domain name ready, you can register it.
Tip: Do not register the domain straightaway , if you are planning to buy hosting for 1 year, or 2 years, most of the webhosts give you a free domain name with the hosting plan, you can make use of this offer.
It is okay to have the domain name registered with one company, and webhosting with another one. So, if you someone who can share their webspace with you, you can simply register a domain name from any registrar, and start hosting 
Some technical stuff
What makes a website ? ( from a webhost’s view ). It’s a domain name and some server space. It is possible that, domain name is registered at the company “A” and the server space is at company “B”.