Starting a blog can be scary, and deciding how to choose the best blogging platform is confusing.
The internet seems like a complex world of servers, coding, and web design, and with so much information online, it’s hard to know who to trust. I was there 6 years ago and I know how you feel.
But you know those experiences in life where you look back and can’t imagine where you would be if you hadn’t taken that chance? I strongly believe most bloggers today realize how foolish they were for having such little faith in themselves and procrastinating on their dreams, and while it took a couple months to really get the hang of it, blogging has transformed their lives.
The best part is – bloggers have the power to change people’s lives. You may think I’m exaggerating, but when our gracious host, Lori, publishes this post and thousands of readers check it out, a few will eventually set up their own blog, and their lives will change course. This post may be the reason or just a catalyst, but that is a beautiful thing.
So, if you’re ready to learn how to start a blog, let’s discuss the most confusing part of setting one up – where to do it?
How to Choose The Best Blogging Platform
When you start to research the “how”, “where” and “why” of blogging, you will quickly find a number of competing interests. A few of the most popular names include WordPress, Blogger, Tumblr, Wix, Weebly and SquareSpace, but the competition really comes down to WordPress vs Blogger.
- Blogger.com can be great for people who don’t want much flexibility or very many options. Blogger limits you to basic banner ads and text links, and you are constrained by their platform in terms of creativity, design, and how you can make money blogging.
- WordPress on the other hand, power a majority of websites/blogs in the world including some of the largest ones such as Variety.com, NewYorker.com, and your very own FineArtTips.com. A self-hosted WordPress blog offers you complete control over design, layout, and monetization strategies. And with a massive support community, there are thousands of free themes and plugins to make your blogging experience feature rich.
To explain some of the subtle and not-so-subtle differences, I’ve put together this comparison chart to help you choose the best blogging platform.
Final Word
So, if you’re ready to become a blogger, check out this step-by-step guide on how to start a blog for beginners. After you’ve completed the tutorial, come back and check out these great blogging tips, social media tricks, and online marketing resources.
Guest author/artist: Gary Dek is the blogger behind StartABlog123.com, where he teaches new and professional bloggers how to build sustainable online businesses.
