Blogging is a rapidly growing pastime and, for some, has turned into a lucrative career. There are plenty of great blogging sites out there, offering little control for the casual blogger to complete code control for the serious junkie. Which one is right for you? This post delves into a few of the best blogging platforms out there, so get ready to start posting!
WordPress
There are actually two versions of WordPress available to consumers: A free version that is hosted by WordPress, or a free version that you host yourself. There are pros and cons to each choice:
Basic WordPress: This is the version that is free and hosted by WordPress. If you are a casual blogger and are looking for a fun and easy platform for your personal or business blog, this is the option for you. While customization is limited, there is no cost to you. The only money that you would potentially have to spend would be for a non-WordPress domain name (each blog gets a standard .wordpress.com domain).
Advanced WordPress: If you are familiar with Internet tech and feel comfortable with self-hosting, this is a great option for you. This is also completely free and gives you complete control over your WordPress blog. Thousands of people have coded unique and useful plugins for WordPress, and if you’re comfortable with a little bit of coding, you can easily implement them into your site. Be warned: If you are not comfortable with somewhat advanced computer skills, this option may be a little daunting.
WordPress is easily the most popular blogging platform in the world and has been downloaded by more than 45 million users. If you’re looking for either simple blog creation or complete control, you can get both with WordPress.
Tumblr
For a different kind of blog, but nevertheless just as effective, check out Tumblr. Yahoo recently acquired Tumblr for a cool $1.1 billion dollars, thus buying one of the first mainstream blogging platforms. Although it doesn’t necessarily take the shape of a traditional blog format, the hybrid blog-social media aspect of the site has an interesting feel.
More and more companies are creating business blogs on Tumblr, as it is a great way to be seen by the millions of users on the site. Rather than having to promote your URL directly, it has taken a social media-like turn where people can easily discover your blog through similar interests, hashtags, and a newsfeed.
This is a fantastic option for the casual blogger or someone looking for a unique blogging experience. If you want fast exposure and a community of interesting fellow bloggers, this is definitely the site for you.
Squarespace
Popular with business websites, Squarespace is known for allowing users to create simply stunning websites. If you go to the website and check out their templates, you’ll see what we’re talking about. These are incredible sites — much more aesthetically pleasing than a normal drag and drop website creator.
While there is no free option, there is a 14-day free trial for new customers. After that, the minimum monthly price is $8, or you can save some money and buy a yearly subscription. If you were looking to sell some physical products on your blog, this is a great choice — many sites that allow e-commerce are much more expensive than Squarespace and have less options.
Businesses are definitely taking advantage of the ease of use, affordability, and stunning templates. If you don’t mind spending a little money on your blog, check out Squarespace.
Blogger
Owned by Google, this simple platform is a popular place for new bloggers — it is free and incredibly easy to use. Not only is it simple and fun, there are plenty of Google add-ons that greatly enhance the blogging experience.
For the beginning and casual blogger, this is a great platform — it allows simple style control and easy-to-understand instructions. However, if you are looking for something a little more sophisticated, this may not be the best option for you. Weigh your options and decide what you are looking for in a blogging experience.
What You Need to Know When Starting a Blog
There are plenty of things you need to have in mind when you are starting a blog, and these questions will help you decide the platform, as well as the direction your blog will take.
Is It a Personal or Business Blog?
Many sites, like Squarespace, specialize in business blogs and websites. If you’re wanting a casual blogging experience, a free platform is always a great option.
How Handy Are You with a Computer?
This will also greatly influence your platform — sites like WordPress require more computer knowledge, while Blogger is a very simple, easy-to-understand blog creator. While you get much more control with WordPress, Blogger is much easier to use.
Will You Be Selling Things on Your Blog?
If you are selling things on your blog, you must either be able to create an e-store or be willing to pay for a site that allows e-stores. This can be somewhat costly if you don’t find the right blog-hosting service. Shop around to see who has the best deals on e-commerce.
There you have it, a simple, quick guide on some of the top blogging platforms available today. They range from simple and free and extremely technical … and also free. No matter what you’re looking for, there is definitely a hosting service out there for you. If you’re new to the blogging scene, it is your safest bet to stay with sites like Blogger or Tumblr. If you’re an experienced blogger and are looking for something new, why not give WordPress a try!
If you are looking for further resources about blogging, check out the links in this post, as well as other articles on our blog. Thanks for reading, and happy blogging!