Deciding to start a blog involves many decisions. One such decision: Which blogging platform should I use?
Although there are numerous blogging platforms, below we’ll take a look at some of the most popular platforms to help you make the best decision.
| Blogging platform | Cost | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress | Free (with Hostgator hosting) | 1. Flexible customization options with thousands of plugins and themes. 2. Great SEO features. 3. Active community and support. |
| Wix | Free (with paid upgrades) | 1. Easy to use drag and drop editor. 2. Professional templates. 3. Built-in SEO tools. |
| Squarespace | Paid plans start at $12/month | 1. High quality, modern templates. 2. User-friendly platform with drag and drop editing. 3. Excellent customer support. |
| medium | Free (with paid subscription options) | 1. Large integrated audience. 2. Simple and straightforward user interface. 3. Easy to find and connect with other authors. |
| Spirit | Paid plans start at $29/month | 1. Focuses solely on blogging and has a clean and simple interface. 2. Great for SEO. 3. Integrated email newsletters. |
| Tumblr | Free | 1. Built-in social features make it easy to connect with other bloggers. 2. Easy to use, with simple customization options. 3. Good for visual content. |
| Weebly | Free (with paid upgrades) | 1. Drag and drop editor with lots of customization options. 2. Good for eCommerce websites. 3. Mobile responsive design. |
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So what is the best blogging platform?
WordPress.org
Price: Free software; About $3 per month for hosting. For step-by-step instructions, see Check out my guide to starting blogging.
A self-hosted WordPress blog uses WordPress software on a third-party server. It lets you install plugins, edit your HTML, and more, giving you full control over your website while making it look more professional. A self-hosted WordPress blog is usually the best solution for anyone willing to invest a few dollars per month. It is ideal for business owners, professional brand developers, and any blogger who wants to expand the functionality and professional look of their website.
Advantages:
- User-friendly with full control and customization options.
- Access to over 1,500 free themes and 20,000 free plugins.
- Search engine friendly options.
Disadvantages:
- Hosting on a third-party server may require some technical knowledge, but most hosts (like Bluehost or Hostgator) offer quality technical support.
- Due to its popularity, WordPress is vulnerable to security threats.
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WordPress.com
Price: Free
WordPress.com stores the content of your website on its servers for free. However, this means that users get a limited version of the WordPress software. Still, it is a good choice for hobby bloggers who don’t want to invest any money. It’s also a good option for people who plan to upgrade to a self-hosted WordPress blog in the future.
Advantages:
- No setup costs.
- Easy to use; No programming or design knowledge is required.
- Hundreds of themes to choose from.
Disadvantages:
- Functionality is limited unless you pay for upgrades.
- It looks less professional.
- You don’t technically own your blog, which means you have little control over advertising revenue. This also means that WordPress can suspend your website at any time.
- Your website contains .wordpress in the domain.
Bloggers
Price: Free
Since Blogger is owned by Googleyou have access to Google tools like AdSense, Analytics, etc. However, Blogger is not nearly as flexible as WordPress.org. This platform is great for hobby bloggers and brand builders who don’t want to invest money but might want to make some money from ads. Because it’s easy to use, it’s also a great platform for beginner bloggers who are just getting started.
Advantages:
- Completely free and easy to use.
- Can place AdSense ads.
- Access to HTML code for more customization options.
Disadvantages:
- Less themes and storage space than WordPress.com.
- You cannot host your blog yourself, so it is entirely dependent on Blogger’s current offerings.
- Your website title contains .blogspot.
Tumblr
Price: Free
Tumblr is easy to use and a very social platform. This is the perfect place for bloggers who like the idea of “reblogging” posts. The platform is best suited for microbloggers, so it may not be the best place to start if you want to develop long-form content.
Advantages:
- Unlimited storage space.
- Approximately 1,000 themes to choose from.
- HTML and CSS access for customization.
Disadvantages:
- Backing up your blog and importing your content from other platforms is difficult.
- There are very limited plugin options.
- It’s difficult to make money.
TypePad
Price: $8.95+/month
TypePad is a good platform for business people or brand developers who don’t mind investing some money in their blog every month. This price can be paid by providing more features and a more professional website. However, most people will still recommend business bloggers to choose a self-hosted WordPress platform due to its large community, but TypePad does have its advantages.
Advantages:
- You host on their servers, but your blog is yours.
- Unlimited storage space.
- Easy to use.
Disadvantages:
- It costs a few dollars more per month than a self-hosted WordPress site.
- Customization options may be limited.
WIX
Price: $4.08+/month
WIX is a good website option with blogging features that is ideal for businesses. With its eCommerce features, WIX makes building your entire eCommerce business website easy, even if full control over your online store is somewhat limited.
Advantages:
- Unlimited bandwidth.
- Ad integration.
- Easy to use.
- Domain registration options.
- Up to 20GB storage.
- Hundreds of professional looking templates.
Disadvantages:
- More expensive than a self-hosted WordPress blog.
- E-commerce tools are not very advanced.
- Limited customization options.
All free options are ideal for beginners or hobby bloggers who don’t want to invest money, while the paid options are more suitable for business blogs. Choosing the right provider depends on how you want your website to function. Which platform do you think you will choose?
Quick reference
Mike Wallagher from Start blogging online a nice one put together Comparison of Blogging Platforms to Consider When Choosing a Blogging Platform.
Be sure to click on the image to see a larger version.
Blog Comparison Chart – Start blogging online