Blogging Platforms - Which is Best?
When it comes to blogging platforms, perhaps I’m a bit biased, but I think the top two are Blogger and Wordpress.
I’ve been asked several times which platform I prefer and further, I’m asked for all the why’s and why not’s of each. I realized I was missing a large opportunity to share this information and encourage other people to share their views and preferences as well.
When it comes to comparing Blogger and Wordpress and the reason I choose to use both platforms, I have to admit affordability is the driving factor of why I still have some blogs on Blogger.
I can’t exactly justify moving a Blogger blog to a hosted domain when I don’t feel it would be able to support itself. I’m not trying to be greedy by any means, but I would at least like for a blog to be able to pay for it’s own existence.
There are some topics I blog just for the sake of blogging. I like it that way.
Free blog platforms are a great way to test the waters. By testing the waters with Blogger, I learned the topics I was most passionate about and which would most likely sustain longevity.
Most people who explore becoming a blogger will realize within 6 months if they have what it takes to keep a blog going or whether they should explore another topic or throw in the towel altogether.
I’ve also felt at times that Blogger blogs carry a sort of stigma. Sure there are some that have made it to the big time by way of Blogger, but for a Blogger blog to really hit it big, I think it’s rare.
For the sake of discussion, I’d like to focus on Blogger and Wordpress.
Story Problem:
A friend comes to you and wants to start blogging. They have their topic, title and name picked out. They’re ready to start but need to choose a platform - What do you tell them and why?
Tags: blogging, wordpress, blogger, blogspot. weblog, blogging platform
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POSTED IN: MomGadget
9 opinions for Blogging Platforms - Which is Best?
TeamTutorials
Apr 18, 2007 at 12:41 am
I was a movable type user, but now use wordpress. it is so easy to modify and use. I think it does have problems with traffic if you get a lot of page hits though.
Aaron M. Potts
Apr 18, 2007 at 3:14 am
I think one of the biggest differences is in the technical know-how needed to run a Blogger site vs. a WordPress site. The “basics” on a WordPress site are not rocket science, but I can see where someone who wasn’t technically inclined would have a much easier time with Blogger - at least initially.
However, that same condition is a mark towards using WordPress rather than Blogger because once you understand the basics, you can do some serious customizing of a WordPress blog, whereas Blogger has it’s limits.
As far as cost, I think it boils down to whether or not the blogger plans to monetize the site. If so, you can buy a domain and a monthly hosting package at GoDaddy for less than $15, and monthly hosting fees are only $3.99.
IF the plan is to blog professionally and to actually make money, then having the credibility of your own domain is another point in the favor of WordPress.
However, if you just want to use your blog as a social/informational tool, then Blogger will more than handle your needs.
I’m a WordPress junkie myself, but I’ve also literally lost sleep trying to fix or customize things. The price of going the tech route, I guess! ;)
Ryan
Apr 18, 2007 at 3:42 am
I use blogger myself, but I use a custom domain name. I think Blogger realizes that Wordpress is moving in the right direction, and Blogger is trying to move in the same direction, but it seems like it takes them a lot longer.
Dawud Miracle
Apr 18, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Boy, interesting question. I’m a HUGE WordPress fan. Love it. Love the development community, plugins, themes, functionality, ease-of-use - everything really. Blogger, on the other hand, I’m a little bit warm on, mostly because it’s not highly expandable.
My feeling is that WordPress is far superior to Blogger. It’s expandable, highly customizable - both in features and in visual design, and can be fully integrated with a static website - something to consider if you’re a business owner wanting to feature your services/products with your blog.
Gayla
Apr 18, 2007 at 3:09 pm
Yeah, I have to admit, I’m a Wordpress junkie too. I think it’s more because I like tinkering with my code and seeing just how creative I can be with my template.
As for blogger, I feel limited.
Thanks for your input :)
I’m interested in how many people are taking advantage of having their own domain for a blogger blog too. That’s really a nice feature and should be looked at much more IF a person is going to blog from blogger :)
janelle
Apr 18, 2007 at 6:59 pm
I have one blog with each: one blogger and one wordpress.
I am far from techie and it pains me, to Aaron’s point Blogger is fabulously ideal for people who regularly engage panic attacks while logging onto a computer (No, not me silly). Blogger is dummied down (which can be nice until you wise up and ‘want things’ for your blog) and always improving, though slowly—to Ryan’s point.
I have my own domain via godaddy, and tried to mask the blogger appearance but then it seems to mask all posts which lends poorly to trackbacks, etc. There are always issues, yes?
At least Blogger has categories now, unlike a year ago:) and it is a great place to learn! I was trying out 3-4 blog concepts for a few months before launching talkoftomatoes (on Wordpress).
And no it costs nothing on blogger, which is why I launched my second site there, more recently.
But boy, monetizing the hours I put in daily would be really, really cool:). Keep my day job? Er, does it count if it just covers hosting:)?
Great question. My answer: I am stuck helplessly between beyond blogger and before wordpress.
David Airey :: Creative Design ::
Apr 22, 2007 at 8:14 pm
I love the customisation abilities I have with WordPress. My experience of Blogger is restricted, and I remember the functionality being restricted too.
As far as I’m aware there’s little reason to switch away from WP.
Quartz Mountain Communications
Apr 24, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Train, Keep on Rolling…
I was invited aboard the Technorati Train by Char at Essential Keystrokes. (Char blogs about design and marketing, and she’s written some great stuff, be sure to check her out.)
If you haven’t seen this meme making the rounds, the idea is to build y…
Cutie
Jun 20, 2007 at 4:25 am
Of course Wordpress :) Really easy to use for beginner like me.. Blogger is the easiest, but no plugins, no costumization :(
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