Personal websites are one of the most popular types of sites that people choose to build. First time webmasters are known for building a website about their hobbies and interests complete with pictures and text. Another form of a personal website is the increasingly popular blog or weblog. Blogs are simply an online journal. Some use them for venting, others for sharing stories and even more just a place to pen their thoughts and feelings in cyber space.

Personal Website and Blog Hosting
Free hosting is usually a great choice for hosting a personal website. Most people don't feel like dropping a hundred bucks to get a shared hosting account for their personal websitea. This is where free web hosting companies fit the bill. They provide an adequate amount of storage space and web publishing tools to get the job done. In exchange they place banner ads or popups on your site to earn a little extra revenue. Many blogging services like WordPress and Blogger offer free hosting accounts for first-time users and beginners.

Different Examples of Personal Websites
Example 1: A guy that is interested in hunting pheasant and training bird dogs wants to keep an online journal of his training and hunting experiences to share with his buddies. He signs up for a shared hosting account at BlueFishHosting.com and downloads a free version of the MovableType blogging software. He buys the domain name PointingGunDogs.com and begins to record his experiences about hunting upland game and training german shorthaired pointers.

Example 2: An artist builds a resume style site to show their illustration art. The owner uses their name as the domain name and showcases illustrations published in the media and also childrens literature.

Example 3: A musician signs up for a free hosting account at 20m.com so he can showcase the bands he performs with and future gigs. He chooses a sub-domain using his own name as the domain http://davefowler.20m.com/. He uses the site to spread the word about Jazz and his musical interests.

Being Part of the Web
These are just a few real-life examples of how people carved their name in this giant tree we call the world wide web. There are limitless applications and examples of personal websites but most people start out with something personal. With broadband connections reaching to cover the globe and computers in many homes and countries, it's just a matter of time before you are online.