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Choosing the right blogging platform for your needs puts you on the proper blogging path.
WordPress and Blogger (BlogSpot) are generally accepted as two of the most popular platform choices.
Each offers different benefits and things to keep in mind.
I will stress the upsides and downsides of WordPress and Blogger below.
But first, for the intent of this post that WordPress means WordPress Dot Org. WordPress Dot Com is a free platform similar to Blogger – aka BlogSpot – in many regards. WordPress Dot Org is a premium website quite different than any free blogging site.
Every blogger walks a different journey.
Some bloggers wish to dip their cyber toes into the blogging wading pool.
Other bloggers desire to dive in full bore from day 1.
Decide on your blogging intent now.
Do you want to just give blogging a shot to see what it feels like?
Or do you want to take blogging seriously now?
Select a blogging site based only on your specific needs. Blogger may work perfectly for you right now. Or perhaps WordPress currently best meets your needs.
There is no right or wrong answer. Keep an open mind before choosing a platform.
Keep these ideas in mind before choosing between WordPress and Blogger.
WordPress
Professionals around the world use WordPress to build thriving online businesses.
Benefits
WordPress Dot Org is a robust platform used by the majority of professional bloggers.
Dot Org allows you to:
- own your content
- fully customize your blog
- build your brand according to your particular preferences
- monetize through unlimited income channels
- access a loyal, global support community
Serious bloggers begin their careers on WordPress Dot Org for branding and business purposes. Owning your content, images and likeness makes sense for entrepreneurs who blog…..or for bloggers who intend to be entrepreneurs.
This premium blogging site offers you a massive community of bloggers and web developers around the world who know the platform inside-out. Smart bloggers understand the importance of tapping in to a knowledgeable support community for when blogging problems arise. Being able to ask for and receive help or hire skilled professionals quickly and easily lets your success expand organically without any support-related hiccups arising for extended timeframes.
Dot Org gives you virtually unlimited monetizing potential. If you want to sell pretty much anything you can do it through WordPress. Embedding advertisements through simple code or plug-ins proves to be easy. Offering freelancing, coaching or consulting services through the platform is simple too.
Perhaps the most important benefit for WordPress Dot Org users is this: you make the rules. Barring rare cases of breaking the hosting company’s highly lenient terms of service, you call the shots on this blogging platform.
Being in charge gives you confidence, clarity and creative control of everything on your blog.
Things to Keep in Mind
WordPress Dot Org is a premium blogging platform.
Investing money in your domain and hosting only puts you back roughly:
- $15 to $20 per year for your domain
- $20 per month (or a bit more) for your hosting
Dot Org requires a steep learning curve for tapping in to its sheer power.
Learning the in’s and out’s of the blogging site requires time, patience and a willingness to stumble here and there as you get the basics down.
I found it relatively easy to learn WordPress even while suffering from technological allergies. Being realistic about the timeframe to get comfortable on the site positioned me to take to the platform slowly but surely.
However, this is no plug-in and play website. Learning the basics takes a while. Getting comfortable with the back office and its various plug-ins, widgets and other tools takes a bit longer.
Prepare yourself to spend some time working the platform before gaining WordPress confidence.
Blogger
Blogger is a popular, free blogging platform owned by Google.
New bloggers often start out on this platform for its ease of use.
Benefits
Blogger is an easy to start blogging platform sought after by most beginner bloggers.
Getting up and running is quick and quite simple.
Bloggers can write and publish their first post minutes after signing up for a Blogger blog.
The remarkably basic setup, clear back office and seamless user experience all make Blogger quite popular. Few beginners complain about the rudimentary but easy to follow, drag and drop system as being too difficult to understand.
Blogger blogs seem easier to set up for Google AdSense logistically because Google owns the platform. Applying for AdSense proved to be a breeze for me in the past.
Things to Keep in Mind
The adage “you get what you pay for” rings true for Blogger.
The free platform offers you virtually nothing in terms of:
- business-building potential
- branding
- customizing
Save monetizing through AdSense, earning income through other channels seems challenging for Google sets the rules, molds the site to generically fit into its brand and severely hampers your branding and customizing abilities.
Since Google pays for the site you will not get much of anything to build it into a profitable, genuine, online business.
The Verdict
Beginner bloggers who:
- want to give blogging a shot
- wish to get a little taste of blogging
- want to get comfortable with writing and publishing blog posts
seem to find Blogger a good choice for dipping their toes in the blogging pool.
Imagine being a little kid who considers swimming for the first time. Stepping into the shallow end to gain confidence in 10 inches of water makes sense.
Eventually, you decide whether or not to actually swim in the deep end or to spend your life in the shallow end.
At this point, you choose to abandon the idea of swimming (it’s not for you) or to wade into the deep end.
Do you want blog traffic? Start blogging on WordPress Dot Org.
Do you want blogging income? Start blogging on WordPress Dot Org.
Invest in your domain and hosting to begin blogging on WordPress Dot Org the moment you decide to take blogging seriously.
Your Turn
Do you blog on WordPress Dot Org or Blogger?
Why did you choose your blogging platform?
