When starting a blog, you may be faced with several decisions, but selecting a platform to publish your site is crucial and challenging due to the numerous options available.
You can significantly benefit from conducting some research. Once you comprehend the fundamental principles of every platform, it is possible to determine which one is ideal for you.
What is a blogging platform?
Until recently, the tools utilized for website creation and blog construction were distinct, but presently, the line that delineated them has become increasingly vague. Numerous content management systems (CMS) and comprehensive website builders facilitate the design and upkeep of both blogs and websites.
Currently, a blogging platform encompasses any software-equipped toolkit that allows one to generate a blog while retaining all of their content, media, files, links, and other essential elements necessary for the functionality of the blog.
1. WordPress.org
Renowned for its versatility and user-friendliness, WordPress.org is a highly sought-after Content Management System (CMS) and blogging platform.
Although the software is free as a blogging platform, you will have to obtain web hosting and a domain name since it’s self-hosted.
With WordPress.org, you have the capability to customize extensively. Among the numerous features you can utilize are:
- An open-source base that enables you to edit every line of code
- A massive number of free WordPress plugins and top-tier themes to choose from
- An intuitive block editor for the most seamless posting experience possible
If you are willing to dedicate time to your blog and desire complete control, we suggest utilizing WordPress.org. On the other hand, if your objective is to design websites for customers, WordPress would yield quick and polished outcomes, making it the best option.
Although the interface may take some getting accustomed to, it will provide the opportunity to unleash creativity. If you’re interested in further exploring, WordPress.org presents countless prospects.
The software is available for free, but you will be required to cover the hosting expenses. To quickly create a custom domain at no cost, Bluehost is a convenient and reliable option.
2. Wix
Wix is most likely one of the website builders you’ve encountered if you’re seeking a drag-and-drop option. Its user-friendly interface and broad selection of templates make it well-suited for beginners, and it allows you to develop a polished blog in mere minutes.
Below are some additional features included with Wix:
- A robust online store plan that’s simple to use
- A very strong knowledge base in case you get confused
- Tons of design options such as scroll effects and media galleries
Wix may be worth considering if you don’t mind tackling a learning curve. Granted, its interface can be a tad daunting, but after mastering its use, you can tailor the blog to suit your requirements.
Starting at $4.50 per month, there are various plans available to choose from. Opting for more advanced features will require you to scale up to $26 per month. In case you require online payment acceptance, a business plan that commences at $17 per month will be mandatory.
3. HubSpot
If you are searching for a comprehensive tool, then HubSpot is a top choice with incredible blogging features that mainly cater to customers. This implies that mailing subscriber emails, boosting traffic, and discovering leads are effortless.
However, there are more possibilities that come with it. Some exceptional characteristics of HubSpot are:
- The freedom to manage your posting schedule well in advance
- The ability to connect your blog content directly to social media accounts
- Built-in analytics to help you understand your performance as your blog grows
- HubSpot covers email marketing, CRM, customer service, and many more
HubSpot can benefit a wide range of users, but those with budget constraints can particularly appreciate it. The free version is surprisingly comprehensive, and upgrading is effortless, allowing for seamless scalability as needed.
HubSpot provides a comprehensive free version with the option of upgrading to a paid plan for more features, which begin at $23 per month.
4. Squarespace
For individuals starting a blog, time is a valuable asset, which is precisely why Squarespace is a popular choice. This platform enables the creation of top-notch websites quickly and hassle-free.
Although Squarespace may not be the most versatile platform, it remains a reliable option with an array of impressive features, including:
- Designer templates to help you create your entire site without much effort
- Built-in tools designed to boost mobile responsiveness
- A customizable content system that even new users will likely be able to navigate
If you’re looking to quickly launch a blog, Squarespace is a top-notch platform. Simply upload your content onto the pre-existing templates, allowing you to devote more time to your blog and less time to website design.
Personal plans can be subscribed for a minimum of $12 each month, however, if you require additional features or eCommerce options along with improved support, premium plans can be availed for up to $40 per month.
5. Weebly
Weebly is a comprehensive website builder that offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop feature suitable for both inexperienced and experienced users. In addition, you can utilize the CSS module to customize your site using code and achieve a personalized outcome.
You can make use of the impressive setup wizard provided by Weebly as well as utilize the following features to build your website:
- An app center to curate your site’s functionality with individual programs
- Easy but thorough Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tools
- A membership area to fully control user access to your content
You might want to use Weebly if you want a gentle learning curve. Its interface is very beginner-friendly, yet it still offers powerful features. Additionally, the app center means you can customize with ease.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, Weebly is a wise choice due to the availability of free plans for basic needs along with personal paid plans that range from $6 to $26 per month.
6. Shopify
Blogs serve as versatile instruments, allowing you to not only compose top-notch material but also employ them as promotional devices. For those who wish to prioritize eCommerce, utilizing Shopify is tough to surpass. This straightforward platform has the potential to boost your sales.
If you’re looking for standout features, you won’t find them in Shopify’s basic blog. Instead, it’s worth exploring its capabilities as an ecommerce platform, which include various features.
- Integrated shipping label creation to streamline the process
- Abandoned cart recovery options to help you reach out to interested customers
- Freedom to sell in 133 categories depending on your needs
Shopify is among the top-rated blogging platforms for e-commerce websites. The blog will have basic features and essentially serve to boost sales. This is ideal if you desire a simple marketing plan for your online business.
Shopify is relatively costly compared to the other items listed, with a starting price point of $29 per month. As you move up the tiers, you may have access to additional perks, with the top tier priced at $299 per month. We advise utilizing the free trial before committing to a subscription package.
7. Blogger
Inquiring about the initial platform used to start a blog with any veteran blogger would likely result in the answer being Blogger. Even after more than twenty years, Google’s entry into the realm of blogging still presents a number of benefits in comparison to its rivals, with the added advantage of a pre-existing Blogger account due to a Google account already being held.
If you’re on a tight budget, it’s great news that Blogger is absolutely free, including a subdomain of “blogspot.com”. However, if you want to use a custom domain name, you’ll need to purchase it from a third-party domain registrar, which is only a few clicks away.
Blogger is among the most straightforward platforms for blogging, offering a selection of templates that can be tailored to personal preferences.
Since it’s a Google offering, it easily integrates with other Google products, including Google Analytics, which will provide information about your website’s visitors that can be used to help grow traffic.
Furthermore, by integrating your blog with Google AdSense, you can generate revenue by displaying relevant ads that are analyzed based on your content. This means that you can earn money while blogging at Starbucks and enjoy a cup of coffee to fuel your creativity throughout the night.
Considering all its advantages, is there any justification for not utilizing Blogger? However, due to providing only fundamental blogging tools, as your blog expands, it will eventually become too advanced for Blogger. Furthermore, transitioning from Blogger to a different platform might be complicated, although not insurmountable.
In general, Blogger is not as well-equipped and adaptable as competing platforms like WordPress, but it remains sufficiently uncomplicated and accessible for individuals to create and initiate.
8. Jekyll
Jekyll’s newest edition serves as a “site generator” that converts plain text into static websites and blogs. Content is produced in TXT files and organized into folders. Subsequently, utilizing Liquid language templates, you can construct your website. Jekyll combines the content with the template, resulting in a generated website that can be uploaded to a server. For users in need of a hosting service, Jekyll provides the option of utilizing GitHub for free website hosting.
Although the Jekyll website has a detailed and thorough ‘quick-start guide’, it does not provide the same level of ease as other blogging platforms that offer the ability to do everything through a web interface.
Nonetheless, Jekyll’s advantages come from its advanced functionalities such as post pagination possibilities, numerous plugins, excerpt display options, templates, and themes maintained by the community. On top of that, it facilitates the migration of blogs from different platforms.
An added benefit is that the platform is free of charge; however, customer support is limited to the community. In addition, the utilization of the Ruby development environment may deter individuals without technical expertise.
9. Tumblr
Despite other blogging platforms pushing their users to push the boundaries and transform their blogs into fully-fledged websites, Tumblr remains at the opposite end of the spectrum. However, with over 551 million blogs, Tumblr must be doing something incredibly well.
It focuses on the more concise end of the spectrum, with an emphasis on shorter content, like just an image, or link, that can appear as more of an alternate social media platform. Content is more short-form, with posts consisting of a variety of material, for example, pics, jokes, quips, Spotify tracks, and videos (keep in mind that adult content is no longer welcome). Like with social media platforms, you can also follow other blogs, and republish posts you like to your own blog.
Tumblr’s primary advantage is its user-friendly interface and compatibility with mobile devices, and the best part is that it doesn’t require any payment. Nonetheless, for more extensive blogs, it falls short since all the content must stay within Tumblr’s network, and there are no direct ways to earn a profit from it.
Although you can’t incorporate ads directly on Tumblr, you have the option of utilizing platforms such as Google Adsense, Yahoo Bing Contextual Ads, or Infolinks, or connecting your Tumblr blog to your online store, YouTube channel, or business site as an alternate means to do advertisement.
10. Typepad
Typepad is a blogging platform that has been tailored to suit the needs of professional bloggers, providing ample flexibility to publish posts via email, web browsers, and smartphones. Additionally, it seamlessly integrates with Google Analytics and has its own affiliate program.
Typepad offers the possibility of personalizing the design through a Theme Builder, allowing the creation of a custom appearance, and the option to modify a theme with custom CSS or develop a personalized template. Moreover, it is a fully hosted platform that provides excellent customer support.
Following a 14-day trial, Typepad’s most affordable plans commence at $8.95 per month to accommodate up to four blogs with boundless storage. Regrettably, Typepad is not admitting fresh users presently, and instead, directs them to utilize Bluehost.
How to choose the best blogging platform
Although there are differences in features among various platforms, the ideal blogging platforms should encompass essential features such as a user-friendly content editor, a vast selection of themes and templates, basic search engine optimization (SEO) tools (or an option to install external ones), and a wide range of third-party tool integrations available through an extensive application store.
Furthermore, it is recommended that you seek out superior safety measures, analytical and tracking instruments for performance, a reliable customer support system, and ecommerce functionalities (if your intention is to profit from your blog). It is also advisable to opt for a free trial (or a refund policy) to test out the platform before making a financial commitment.
It’s important to consider the amount of creative autonomy and control you desire for your blog, as well as your level of technical expertise, before selecting a particular blogging platform.
