by When it comes to setting up a new blog, one of the first decisions you’ll want to make is choosing the right blogging platform. A million options are available, each with pros and cons.
Everyone has a favorite (we’re all about WordPress.org) – often something they started with initially and learned a lot about as they went along. New platforms have appeared over the years, and new ones are being developed as we speak. (I’m willing to bet AI will play heavily into some of the ones being worked on in someone’s basement right now.)
Our list of blogging platforms does not pretend to be comprehensive, but we tried to hit on some of the major platforms and some of the ones we hear a lot about in conversations with other bloggers.
Popular Blogging Platforms – The Good and The Bad
WordPress.org
- Advantages: WordPress.org is an open-source platform that offers unparalleled customization options. It has a large community of developers, meaning there are countless themes and plugins to choose from. The platform is also highly scalable, making it suitable for everything from small personal blogs to large corporate websites.
- Points to Consider: WordPress.org requires some technical knowledge to set up and manage. It’s not as user-friendly as some other options, and you’ll need to handle your backups and security.
- Costs: WordPress.org is free (you’ll have to pay for hosting), but many top plug-ins will cost you something if you want full features.
Visit wordpress.org.
WordPress.com
WordPress.com is the hosted version of WordPress.org (which is self-hosted, meaning you have to buy your own hosting). It is a bit limited in terms of what you can do with it, but if you want to get a taste of WordPress without diving in fully, this is a great option to start with.
- Limited Control: One of the main criticisms of WordPress.com is that it doesn’t offer as much control over customization as some other platforms. This can be a drawback for users who want to fine-tune their site’s appearance or functionality.
- Content Ownership: While WordPress.com allows you to publish your content, it’s important to remember that the platform ultimately controls how your content is displayed and distributed. This may not be an issue for some users, but for others, maintaining ownership and control of their content is a priority.
- Costs: Although WordPress.com offers free options, more advanced features often come with a cost. This includes custom domain names, ad removal, and access to premium themes.
Visit wordpress.com.
Medium
- Advantages: Medium is a simple blogging platform that emphasizes content over design. It’s perfect for writers focusing on their writing rather than managing a website. Medium’s built-in audience can help your content gain visibility, and it’s also possible to earn money through the platform’s partner program. Medium’s audience includes a lot of writers who are very friendly, helpful, and willing to help you learn more.
- Points to Consider: Medium doesn’t offer a great deal of customization options, so you have less control over your blog’s appearance and branding. Additionally, the platform uses a paywall system, which could limit yourc content’s reach if you choose to monetize your blog.
- Costs: Medium is generally free to use for both writers and readers. However, to access certain premium stories and to support the platform, there’s a membership fee of $5 per month or $50 per year for readers. For writers wishing to monetize their content, there’s no additional fee beyond the standard membership. Still, their revenue largely depends on the engagement their stories receive from other Medium members. If you ask me, it’s well worth the $5/month to get involved and be able to read more.
- Earnings Potential: Medium’s Partner Program allows writers to earn money based on how members engage with their content. Each month, Medium distributes a portion of the membership fees to writers. The amount a writer makes is based on the number of interactions a reader has with a post and the time spent reading the post. The more engaging your content is, the more you can potentially earn. Earnings can vary greatly and are not guaranteed, but it’s an excellent addition for those looking for monetization without much extra work.
Visit medium.com.
Wix
- Advantages: Wix is a drag-and-drop website builder that’s extremely beginner friendly. It offers a variety of templates, and you can easily add features like an online store or image gallery.
- Points to Consider: Wix’s free plan is quite limited, and the paid plans can get expensive fast. It’s also not as SEO friendly as platforms like WordPress.org.
Visit wix.com.
Blogger
- Advantages: Blogger is a free platform owned by Google. It’s straightforward to use, making it a good choice for beginners. Plus, being a Google product, it integrates well with other Google services like AdSense.
- Points to Consider: Blogger offers limited design and functionality options. It’s not very scalable, which could be a problem if your blog grows over time.
Visit blogger.com.
Ghost
- Advantages: Ghost is a clean, minimalist blogging platform for seamless content creation and easy reading. It emphasizes speed and simplicity and is more focused on the world of content creators, making it an excellent choice for new bloggers and those who aren’t looking to become techno-wizards. Ghost also offers built-in SEO features, meaning optimizing your content for search engines is easier. With its split-screen editor, you can see a live preview of your post as you write it.
- Points to Consider: Ghost may not be the best choice for those who require a lot of custom design options or want to add complex features to their blog. While you can edit your blog’s code directly, this could be a challenge for those without coding knowledge. It is designed to be an all-in-one system, combining some of the most valuable things a blogger might need – a simple, intuitive interface, analytics, membership-site potential, newsletters, etc.
- Costs: Ghost has a free self-hosted version, which requires some server/hosting skills, but their hosted plans start at $9 per month. These paid plans include automatic updates, backups, and premium support.
- Earnings Potential: Ghost includes built-in features for running a membership site or a paid newsletter. This means you can offer premium content for paid subscribers directly through your Ghost blog and have complete control over the pricing. However, just like with Medium, your earnings depend heavily on the quality of your content and your ability to attract and retain subscribers.
I don’t have a Ghost site yet, but I do plan on setting one up to learn more – I think it has some interesting features that could be very useful in some niches.
Visit ghost.org.
Kajabi
Since we mentioned the membership potential of Ghost, we decided to throw Kajabi into the mix. We have some friends using it for an online community, and we like what we see. It is slightly more expensive than Ghost (plans start at $149/month). Kajabi might be a path to consider if you want to build a community and offer online courses, coaching, podcasts, and other niche sites requiring a membership community (whether free or paid).
Visit kajabi.com.
LinkedIn, the popular professional networking platform, has also become a hub for blogging in recent years. However, while it may be an effective tool for some, it’s not without its limitations and drawbacks.
- Limited Scope: LinkedIn is primarily a platform for professionals. This means that the scope of topics appropriate for a LinkedIn blog is relatively narrow, focusing mainly on business and professional development. If you’re interested in blogging about a wide variety of topics, you may find this limiting.
- Not Universal: Not everyone has a LinkedIn account. While the platform boasts millions of users, its reach is still significantly smaller than more universal platforms like WordPress or Blogger. This could limit the potential audience for your blog.
- Increased Competition: With the growing popularity of LinkedIn as a blogging platform, there’s been an increase in content saturation. Everyone seems to be jumping on the bandwagon and starting their own LinkedIn blogs, making it difficult to stand out from the crowd.
Visit linkedin.com.
Criteria for Selecting a Blogging Platform
When choosing a blogging platform, there are several factors you should consider:
Ease of Use: As a new blogger, you’ll want an easy platform to set up and navigate.
Customization Options: Look for a platform that offers enough flexibility to create the type of blog you envision.
- Growth Potential: While simplicity may rule early on, it may not be the best choice if you can’t grow your new blog on the platform.
- Cost: Consider your budget. Some platforms are free, while others require a monthly or yearly subscription.
Align Your Goals with Your Blogging Platform Choice
Before choosing a platform, it’s essential to identify your blogging goals. Are you blogging as a hobby, or do you hope to profit from your blog? Do you want a simple platform for sharing your thoughts or advanced features like e-commerce capabilities?
If you’re hoping to monetize your blog, a platform like WordPress.org might be your best bet due to its flexibility and scalability. On the other hand, if you’re blogging as a hobby and don’t want to deal with the technical side of things, a platform like Blogger or Wix could be a better fit.
The Takeaway
For most bloggers, WordPress.org is a fantastic choice. It’s powerful, flexible, and offers endless growth potential, and while it has a steeper learning curve than some platforms, the potential payoff is worth it. However, the best platform for you ultimately depends on your specific needs and goals.
Choosing the right blogging platform involves considering your comfort level with technology, your budget, your future plans for your blog, and the features you need. By thinking through these factors, you’ll be well on your way to creating a successful blog.
