Introduction
Ready to start a blog, but not sure how? The good news is that there are a variety of platforms available for you to choose from. Whether you want to start a business blog, personal blog, or something else entirely, this overview of popular blogging platforms should help you get started.
If you're new to the world of blogging and not sure which platform to choose, this article will help break down the different options and help you find the one that's right for you. We'll give an overview of each platform – including the pros and cons, so that you can make an informed decision when it comes time to pick your blogging home.
By the end of this article, you should have a good idea which platform is right for your needs and be ready to start creating content. So let's dive in!
What Is a Blogging Platform?
When it comes to getting started with blogging, you'll need to choose an online platform. But what is a blogging platform? In short, it's a software or service that helps you create and manage your blog. They typically provide features such as website design tools, analytics, hosting and customer support.
Popular blogging platforms fall into three main categories: hosted platforms, self-hosted platforms, and web publishing services.
- Hosted Platforms are the simplest option for beginning bloggers because they provide the best user experience for creating and managing a blog without any technical knowledge—they do all the hosting, design, backend work and customer support for you. If you’re looking for an easy-to-use platform with lower overhead costs than traditional web hosting, then a hosted platform is ideal for you. Popular hosted platforms include WordPress.com and Squarespace.
- Self-Hosted Platforms require more technical know-how but offer much more control when it comes to customizing design elements like colors and fonts, plus you can choose your own hosting provider so your blog will be able to scale quickly as it gains traction. The most popular self-hosted platform is WordPress. it is free to set up but requires some setup work before it’s ready to blog on.
- Web Publishing Services offer drag-and-drop tools that make creating posts intuitive and straightforward, even if you don't know any HTML or coding language, you can access them via your browser or mobile app with no need for extra software or downloads. Popular web publishing services include Medium and Blogger.
Why Use a Blogging Platform?
Blogging is a great way to get your ideas out into the world, but if you don't have the technical know-how to set up your own website or blog from scratch, it can be confusing and overwhelming. That's where blogging platforms step in. They provide everything you need to start a blog and make it easy to publish your content without any fuss.
So why should you use a blogging platform? First, it takes care of all the technical stuff for you. All you need to do is sign up for an account and then choose from one of the hundreds of blog templates that are available. This will give you a starting point so that all you need to worry about is writing great content and adding your own flair.
Second, blogging platforms often provides built in tools that will help make your blog more successful. These might include social media integration, comment sections, analytics tracking, and more. This means your blog can be as successful as possible with minimal effort on your part.
Finally, blogging platforms often come with hosting plans so that all you need to do is focus on growing your readership and improving the quality of your content - not worrying about hosting fees or server maintenance.
Popular Blogging Platforms: WordPress and Wix
These days, WordPress and Wix are two of the most popular platforms when it comes to blogging. So which one should you go with? Let's take a look at the main features of each.
WordPress
WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) that runs on the web server. It has an extensive library of templates, themes and plugins, which let you customize the look and feel of your blog. With WordPress, you have full control over your content, SEO optimization, site structure and more, all for free! Plus, WordPress is known for its robust security measures and frequent updates to keep your website secure.
Wix
Wix is a website builder that also offers a blogging solution. It's great for beginners because it provides drag-and-drop design tools so you can easily create your blog from scratch. You can also choose from dozens of templates or use the tools to build something completely unique. Wix has powerful built-in SEO capabilities so you can make sure your blog posts show up in search engine result, plus analytics to track visitor activity on your website.
Free Blogging Platforms: Blogger and Tumblr
If you're looking for the most basics of blogging platforms, look to Blogger and Tumblr. Both are free, easy to use, and have lots of features to get your blog up and running quickly.
Blogger
Blogger is run by Google, so you know you'll get reliable tech support if problems arise. It's great for basic blogs as it's FREE and lets you set up multiple blogs with one account. Blogger also makes it easy to customize the look and feel of your blog with its templates and themes.
Tumblr
Tumblr is another great choice for quick setup and customization options. You can choose from existing themes that come with the blogging platform or create your own template from scratch. Plus, Tumblr is all about sharing content, so it comes with great features like a "like" button, as well as link-sharing, video-sharing, hashtag searchability etc. It doesn't offer any analytics or marketing tools though , so if that's something you're looking for in your blogging platform then Tumblr isn't for you.
More Alternative Blogging Platforms
In addition to the popular blogging platforms like WordPress, Blogger, and Medium, there are lots of other great options for blogging. Each of these has their own unique strengths that make them worth checking out.
Ghost
Ghost is a powerful open source platform that's simple to use and offers both professional and personal plans. It has lots of built-in features such as SEO optimization, support for custom domains, and theme customization options. Plus, it can handle large amounts of traffic without any issues.
Twitter is an easy-to-use platform that combines social media with blogging. It's great for those who want to post shorter updates or link to external content quickly on a regular basis. Plus, it's free to use and offers the ability to post directly from your phone or computer with ease.
Jekyll
Jekyll is a static site generator that enables users to create beautiful websites from template designs – no coding necessary! It's open source, lightweight, and perfect for those who want total control over their website’s look and feel without having to code every page.
If you’re looking for an alternative platform to explore, each of these offerings can provide you with the perfect starting point. Whether you’re a professional blogger or just getting started in the world of online publishing, they all offer something unique that can help make your blogging experience more enjoyable.
Setting Up Your Blog on a Blogging Platform
So you've decided to start a blog and you need to pick the right platform. Don't worry, with so many options available, you're bound to find one that's perfectly tailored for your blogging goals.
WordPress
WordPress is the world's most popular blogging platform and it's used by millions of creators. It offers tons of features like open source themes and plugins, great customizability, and the ability to create complex content structures. Its drag-and-drop editor makes it easy to design your blog without any coding knowledge and it also has built-in SEO tools that make it easy to optimize your blog for search engines.
Medium
Medium is an easy and user-friendly blogging platform perfect for new bloggers who are just getting started. It offers a clean design interface with a WYSIWYG editor, where you can easily format text with headings, bolded words, italics, lists, tables and more. You can also collaborate with other authors on Medium, which is a great way to grow your reach and increase traffic to your blog posts.
Squarespace
Squarespace is a great option for visual bloggers who want to showcase their work in an attractive way. It comes with dozens of templates you can customize according to your branding goals; plus, its built-in SEO tools help you improve visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs). Other features include integrations with third party services like Mailchimp and Stripe; plus eCommerce capabilities that let you sell products or services directly from your blog.
Considerations Before Choosing a Blogging Platform
Choosing a blogging platform can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Before you jump in, consider your needs and the features that each platform offers so you can make an informed decision.
For example, if you’re looking to monetize your blog through advertising, there are some platforms that are better suited for that purpose than others. And if you want more control of the design and layout of your blog, then there are plenty of platforms to choose from with customizable features.
Ease of Use
Before you commit to a blogging platform, make sure that it is user-friendly and intuitive. Consider the time it will take you to learn how to navigate and use the platform, as well as its design capabilities. If possible, find tutorials or read reviews on the platform before signing up so you can get a feel for how easy or difficult it is to use.
Customization
Another important factor is customization. How much control do you have over the look and feel of your blog? Can you easily change themes or layouts? Do they offer responsive design options? All of these things should be considered when deciding which blogging platform is right for you.
Support Options
Finally, make sure that the blogging platform offers some type of support options, such as email or phone support in case you run into any issues with your blog. Good support will save you a lot of time and hassle by helping resolve any issues quickly and efficiently when needed.
Conclusion
From WordPress to Blogger to Medium, the choice of blogging platform is yours. Take the time to explore these options and find the platform that is right for you. With easy-to-use interfaces, customizations and more, it's never been easier to start a blog. Check out my sites hosted on different blogging platforms I tested.
The internet is a powerful tool which has revolutionized the way we communicate and share ideas. Blogging is just one way to utilize that power and be part of the conversation. Whether you want to share stories, opinions, or just stay connected, blogging is the perfect place to start. Get out there and begin your blogging journey today!
