You may think why should I check all blogging platforms. There are 100 more like this in the market place. But these are the most popular blogging platforms.
Each has its pros and cons. But as a blogger, I would like to recommend Blogger or WordPress for beginners.
Tips to choose a blogging platform
There may be millions of blogging platforms out there, they are also called "CMS" content management system. WordPress.org is also a CMS.
These are some of the tips and steps that I would recommend.
1. Choose the correct and best platform
One might work for me and the other work for you.
- Blogger is the best choice for protection and Usability
- WordPress is good for customization.
- Wix is a better choice if you want to use your website as a blog.
- Squarespace has the best themes on the internet.
- Medium has focused groups.
- Tumbler is good for sharing short stories, and
- SITE123 is easy to build and use.
Each has its Pros and cons. Many are paid platforms. But Blogger and WordPress are free platforms.
So choose the correct and best platform, that you like personally.
2. Which one is better "Comparison"
Compare all the blogging platforms. These are also called content management sites. There are free and paid platforms out there.
There are also customizable options. Some are highly customizable and some aren't. each blogging platform has its pros and cons. be wise when choosing the right platform.
Blogger
- Pros
- Easy and very quick to share content
- A great option for non-technical users
- Owned and operated by Google
- Cons
- Very basic tools
- There is a limit for the posts
- limit growth and customization
WordPress
- Pros
- Very powerful blogging tools – over 54,000 plugins to choose from, including design tools and newsletter systems
- Full customization through coding
- Powers 23% of all websites
- Cons
- Steep learning curve – not beginner-friendly due to the need to code
- Hosting, domains, and plugins must be managed yourself
- Security Vulnerability
Wix
- Pros
- Great for long-term growth and integrating with a website
- Beginner-friendly, quick, and easy to build
- Quick customer support
- Cons
- Less blogging features
- Lacks storage space, especially on lower plans
- Paid platform
Squarespace
- Pros
- High-quality template designs and features
- Allows tons of creative freedom
- Faster customer service
- Cons
- A limited number of pricing plans to choose from
- More difficult to use than other website builders
- Costly compared with other paid platforms
Medium
- Pros
- High-quality template designs and features
- Allows tons of creative freedom
- Content Friendly
- Cons
- No scalability
- Closed community
- Difficult to monetize
Tumblr
- Pros
- Very quick and easy to publish blog posts
- A playful, popular, and very shareable platform
- Good Community support
- Cons
- Unsuitable for publishing longer blog content
- Limited growth opportunity
- Little to no customer support
Sites 123
- Pros
- Easy to use with design-assistance
- User-friendly design
- Good Community support
- Cons
- Lack of quality in its features
- Restrictive design options
- Design restricted
Now you know the pros and cons of blogging platforms. So what did you decide?
3. Ask other bloggers
This is a preferred choice if you cont made up your mind. Ask other bloggers. Write a personal email telling them what you want to do and ask for a suggestion.
Check their Blogs and use the inspect tool in you're browser.
The majority would suggest WordPress or Blogger or Wix or Squarespace. The first two are free and the next 2 are paid. Choose them wisely.
4. Check track record
There are some with a good reputation and some aren't. Do basic research about their past. Are there any black spots in their services.
Check whether they were hacked or not.
Know their customer services and customization options both pricing and product.
5. Is it user friendly? (Bother author and the audience)
Every Blogger may not have a coding background. Likewise, you and I may have come from different backgrounds.
You should understand UI and UX "User Interface" & "User Friendly".
Check both the writer and the reader are comfortable while reading. Some might be good and some may not.
If it takes more loading time then the user might shift to other blogs.
6. Learning Curve
This is especially for those who are new to the blogging field. The learning curve is one that should be checked.
For example, WordPress has a steep learning curve and Blogger is very easy.
Blogger is like using Word. WordPress needs little coding knowledge, which is optional.
Other platforms like Squarespace and Wix and Medium and Tumblr do not require coding.
7. Check for Customization
Are you're site customizable or not. In this case, WordPress will be on the top. It is open-source and highly customizable.
Blogger is not highly customizable. Based on the theme you can customize it. But it has limitations.
Basic customization features include Social Plugins, Analytics Plugins, SEO tools, and Security Plugins.
8. Check for Updates and changes
How often do these sites get updated? Most probably 2 times in a year? or 1 time a year. Some don't.
But some paid platforms get updated very often.
Blogger gets minimal updates. "Maybe Google has little profit out of blogger"
Updates are very important, to keep up with the trend.
9. Free vs Paid
If you choose Paid platforms like Squarespace and Wix or in that case any paid blogging platform, you should question your self is it worth it?
What is the ROI"Return On Investment"?
If your expenses exceed your income, then consider changing to other cheaper or free platforms.
10. Stick to it
If you like Blogger or WordPress, stick to it at all costs. Because these are the best in the industry. I know Blogger is a bit difficult to modernize.
But if you use it, then you'll know all in's and out's about it.
Just for the sake of someone do not change you're mind and go to other platforms. All are similar. But slight changes.
Conclusion
It doesn't matter whether you choose a free platform like blogger or the paid platform like Squarespace, ask this question to you're self, does this worth it?
The main purpose is to share you're content to the outside world and trying to solve other problem right?
Always believe in you're self while choosing a platform. If you choose one, better you stick to it.
It will be difficult to transit from one platform to the other, and some platforms do support this and some may not.
Be care full while choosing any platform. I would suggest Blogger or WordPress. If you have a tone of money go for Wix or Squarespace.
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