Are you in the process of launching a new blog and curious about the optimal choice for a blogging platform?
It can be difficult to choose when there are numerous distinct alternatives available.
In order to assist you in finding the most suitable platform, we conducted tests on a variety of top blogging sites for this article.
How To Choose the Best Blogging Platform
It is important to have a clear understanding of your desired platform before commencing your blog.
To assist you in selecting the finest blogging platform, we present a set of criteria.
- Ease of use: Beginners need a user-friendly platform that’s easy to set up and manage and doesn’t require coding skills.
- Support: The best blogging sites offer customer support when you need help handling problems you can’t troubleshoot — whether they’re related to technical, sales, billing, payments, or experiences.
- Support should be available on multiple channels. Common mediums include live chat, email support, phone support, ticketing systems, forums, and knowledge bases.
- Flexibility: The best blogging platforms give you room to grow (scalability) and let you customize the website’s layout or functionality.
- Data/content ownership: Do you publish controversial pieces? Some blogging platforms consider themselves third-party platforms, meaning they control your content. They can remove your content if you violate their terms of service, and you can quickly lose your content when the platform shuts down.
- Monetization options: Most people don’t start blogging to monetize their website, while some start blogs for that purpose. It’s good to know you have the option to add an online store, subscriptions, or ads to your blog.
- Cost: The best blogging platforms should fit your budget and have features that are worth the price. A free platform isn’t worth it if it doesn’t do what you need.
Best Blogging Sites
1. WordPress.org
With its establishment in 2003, WordPress has become the most widely used content management system (CMS) globally, dominating 43% of the internet. Its reach extends from personal blogs and small business websites like WebsiteSetup to significant corporate websites including Sony, TechCrunch, and the Meta Newsroom.
Ideal for serious bloggers seeking utmost control over their website, this platform is the ultimate choice.
Support: DIY. Although this free blogging platform lacks an internal support team, it boasts a vast community of enthusiastic users who are likely to assist you with any inquiries you may have.
In the event that you encounter problems with your WordPress blog, you have the option to:
- Check WordPress documentation.
- Ask a question on WordPress’ support forum.
- Read tutorials.
There are a few web hosting companies that possess expertise in WordPress and are capable of providing technical support. In fact, Bluehost, DreamHost, and SiteGround are specifically recommended by WordPress.
WordPress offers a high level of customization through the availability of numerous free and premium themes and plugins. These plugins enhance functionality and provide additional features to the platform.
Your content belongs to you in terms of data ownership.
There are several ways to monetize your platform, such as displaying advertisements, engaging in affiliate marketing, offering digital products for sale, and setting up membership websites.
You can freely download the WordPress software as it is open source, but acquiring a web host and domain name will require a purchase.
2. WordPress.com
Make sure not to mix up WordPress.com with WordPress.org.
Although both platforms are powered by WordPress software, their similarities cease to exist beyond that.
WordPress.com is a completely managed service, which makes it more suitable for beginners but has more restrictions compared to WordPress.org, particularly when using the free plan.
The plan that is available for free.
- Limits domain names to [yourname].wordpress.com.
- Displays ads.
- Comes with limited built-in plugins.
The ideal blogging platform for: Small hobby blogs.
There is no support provided on the free and Personal plans. However, live chat becomes available when subscribing to the Premium plan.
The level of customization is moderate. Users who are subscribed to higher-tiered plans have the ability to utilize premium themes, install additional plugins, and make use of advanced search engine optimization (SEO) tools.
Your data is owned by WordPress.com.
Monetization opportunities are not available on the free and Personal plans. Users can only generate ad revenue on the Premium plan or any higher tiers.
Pricing options include a restricted free version and paid plans beginning at $4 per month if billed annually.
3. Wix
Wix, an extensively used website builder, is favored by small business owners worldwide due to its ease in creating websites, boasting over 200 million users.
Beginners find its blogging tool popular due to its simple setup and integrated SEO tools.
Ideal blogging platform for: Novice users
There is ticketing support, a knowledge base, and phone support (specifically for VIP clients) provided.
You can customize your website on Wix by utilizing a drag-and-drop editor, a wide range of apps and integrations, and aesthetically pleasing templates.
You have the option for Wix to suggest a design for your website through its Artificial Design Intelligence (ADI) software, Editor X. However, after selecting a template, it cannot be altered.
You are the rightful owner of your website data and content according to the guidelines set by Wix.
Wix provides a few monetization options of average level, including the ability to integrate Google ads, offer blog post subscriptions, and implement a paywall.
There is a restricted free plan offered, with paid plans beginning at $8.50 per month if billed annually.
4. Ghost.org
Ghost was created in 2013 as an open-source blogging platform, serving as a more simplified alternative to WordPress. Unlike WordPress, Ghost relies on JavaScript instead of PHP and MySQL.
Ghost, similar to WordPress, is accessible as both open-source software and a hosted platform. Ghost caters to individuals proficient in development or those possessing advanced technical knowledge, whereas Ghost (Pro) is designed for creators who possess audiences that can generate revenue.
The top choice of a blogging platform for minimalist bloggers.
There are knowledge base and forums available for support. Basic plans of Ghost (Pro) also offer email support and higher-tiered plans come with a dedicated account manager.
Ghost provides a plethora of customization options, including a wide range of paid and free themes and integrations (equivalent to plugins in the Ghost framework). Additionally, Ghost offers built-in SEO and social sharing tools, along with support for third-party integrations.
Ghost provides you with ownership and ability to access your content, as well as data related to your members and memberships.
Ghost offers multiple monetization options, similar to WordPress.org. You have the ability to monetize your content with Ghost.
- Start a membership website.
- Offer subscriptions.
- Become an affiliate.
- Display ads.
- Create an e-commerce store by adding the Snipcart integration.
To avail of the self-hosted option, you will require a web host and your own domain name for pricing purposes.
A2 Hosting and DigitalOcean are hosting plans that we suggest. Despite not providing a free domain, these robust hosting providers are capable of supporting Ghost effectively. In addition, DigitalOcean offers the convenience of one-click installation for Ghost.
The Ghost (Pro) hosted solution, which is fully managed, begins at $9 per month when charged annually. Alongside, it offers supplementary functionalities such as SSL and CDN, support, and the capability to have a custom domain.
5. Joomla
Joomla, a community-friendly open-source CMS, offers various blog-friendly features such as multi-user permission levels, star ratings, frontend editing, media manager, and more. With the ability to create nested categories without any depth limit, it provides an excellent platform for building a user community around your blog.
In terms of content distribution, Joomla provides options for scheduling posts, syndication, and displaying external news feeds. Joomla also includes built-in SEO and supports over 70 languages. However, it should be noted that Joomla has a moderate learning curve and limited customization options.
The Joomla software is available for free indefinitely. For hosting on Joomla servers, prices start at $5 per month.
6. Drupal
Drupal is an excellent open-source software that boasts speed, security, flexibility, and scalability, making it ideal for constructing various types of websites.
The presence of multiple levels in its taxonomy, along with its ability to handle various media files and advanced user permissions, renders it appropriate for creating and managing blogs with a substantial amount of content.
By having a modular structure, Drupal enables the creation of multi-channel experiences that allow you to connect with your audience. It also incorporates content monetization tools to enhance revenue generation and expand your brand.
However, to begin with Drupal, you might require assistance in technical matters.
Starter kits can be created using packaged Drupal content or known as ‘distributions’.
Cost: Drupal is available for free, but there might be charges for obtaining technical support during setup. Additionally, you will require your own web hosting to operate the Drupal software.
7. SilverStripe
Frontend designing is provided by SilverStripe, an open source CMS, for seamless digital experiences.
With the SilverStripe Framework (an independent PHP framework), it is possible to personalize it and improve its functionality using add-ons.
The coding structure promoted by the Framework allows for ease of readability and maintenance.
SilverStripe is suitable for holding a blog and can also be used for intranets, websites, and complex applications due to its simplicity and flexibility.
Users are pleased by the interactive design as well as the social and transactional features.
Your blogs can expand into content-rich transactional sites thanks to reliable API integration points, caching, and support for multi-server cloud formations.
The cost is zero. Additionally, you have the option to move your blog to the SilverStripe cloud, a platform that is fully managed. The starting rate for this service is $425 per month.
8. HubSpot CMS Hub
Websites created using HubSpot’s CMS Hub integrate website building capabilities with its range of marketing and CRM tools, resulting in highly effective websites for driving conversions.
Building a blog that aligns with your brand becomes effortless with the availability of numerous themes, a visual editor, and the option to have a custom domain.
Users have the ability to schedule posts and generate content in various languages, allowing them to switch between languages and receive a secure, personalized experience.
The collection of leads is facilitated by the free marketing tools, and the improvement in audience reach is achieved through the analysis of blog analytics.
Opting for the higher packages is necessary if you want custom SEO reports, repetitive testing, and fixing of SEO recommendations from the editor.
The cost of using HubSpot starts at no charge for a maximum of 25 website pages, but these will have HubSpot branding. If you opt for paid bundles, you can choose between Starter, which costs $23 per month, Professional, priced at $360 per month, or Enterprise, which comes at a cost of $1200 per month. The more expensive plans include a wide range of CRM features.
9. Medium
Medium provides a readily available audience for in-depth writing on specialized topics.
You can easily set up an account and begin publishing, without the requirement of spending any money.
With just one click, you have the ability to brand your own online space to a certain degree and effortlessly distribute your content on social platforms.
If you are a member of the Medium Partner Program, you have the opportunity to earn money through readership. If your main goal is to dedicate your time to writing and generate some income from it, then Medium is considered as one of the finest blogging platforms to choose from.
On the contrary, it provides minimal opportunities for earning and relies on you remaining on the platform for your audience.
If your aim is to earn a significant income, it is advisable to opt for an alternative platform. Medium is better suited for individuals seeking a supplementary source of income rather than a substantial one.
The cost is zero.
10. Weebly
If you feel overwhelmed by the idea of creating a blog from scratch but have plans to transform it into an online store in the future, Weebly is among the top blogging platforms you can opt for.
The main attraction of this website builder is its user-friendly interface, which enables the creation of business websites and ecommerce stores effortlessly. Additionally, it provides complimentary blog templates, allowing users to incorporate blog pages into their websites. Combining these features, it becomes the ideal choice for combining a blog and an online store.
Weebly has a strong focus on ecommerce and incorporates Square payments without any difficulty.
A Weebly branding is included in the free plan, which has limited features and bandwidth. The paid options for website plans are Personal ($10 per month), Professional plan ($12.00 per month), and Performance plan ($26 per month) – these are billed annually. A higher price is charged for month-to-month billing arrangements.
11. Blogger
Consider trying Blogger if you desire an attractive blog that is user-friendly right from the start.
The package consists of essential components like a text editor, image storage, a limited variety of templates, and additional features. You will have your own subdomain and the ability to acquire a personalized domain if desired.
You can use it for free forever, and having a Google account is all that’s required. Additionally, all the technical aspects are managed by Google.
One deterrent is the absence of any ecommerce alternatives.
However, it is still possible to generate revenue from your blog pages by utilizing Google AdSense, as well as third-party ad platforms like Mediavine and AdThrive, considering the amount of traffic.
If customization is a priority for you, then Blogger may not be among the top blogging platforms on your list. While Blogger does offer some degree of customization, it is relatively limited compared to other options, especially WordPress.
Cost: No charge with the use of a Google account.
12. Write.as
Write.as is an accessible writing and digital publishing tool that empowers users to create various forms of content, such as blog posts.
Your focus on writing is maintained with the help of a distraction-free writing environment and a editor that saves your work quickly.
By creating an environment without ads, the readers’ attention remains concentrated on the content.
By default, Write.as ensures your privacy without any tracking or compulsory registrations.
When it comes to blogging, it is possible to employ a pseudonym and various personas for distinct blogs and writing situations.
As of December 31st, 2021, the option to register for a free account is no longer available. Personal blogs can subscribe to the Pro package starting at $6 per month, which provides custom themes, newsletters, photo hosting, and up to three blogs. The Team plan is priced at $25 per month and offers all the Pro features, along with one-time add-ons and support for multiple users.
