Creating a blog website can seem daunting at first if you are new to the world of blogging. If you are not sure where to start, then this guide will help you identify the best blogging platform for your needs. Whether you want to build a blog for a hobby or just want to find the best blogging platform to make money and grow your blog as a business, it is imperative to find the right blog site for success.
The best blog sites offer a range of capabilities that would fit your requirements exactly. Deciding on the blogging platform is a crucial decision that you need to make. You need to go for something straightforward and powerful. Here are some of the best blogging platforms you can choose from.
WordPress.org
This is the most popular and self-hosted blogging platform you will come across. The platform powers over 30% of the world’s website. There are over 76.5 million blogs that have been built using self-hosted WordPress.org. This site is not just exceedingly popular but also powers some of the most prominent companies and businesses.
Anybody can get started easily with WordPress hosting without any prior knowledge. You can conveniently customize themes and page-building plugins. The open-source platform is free to use and is extremely flexible. You also have complete control in deciding how to monetize your blog. If you have any issues with the host, then you have the option to migrate your website to a different host. You just need to ensure that you always take assistance from a third-party for backing up your site.
Key Features
- Self-hosted WordPress promises complete control and flexibility to the bloggers
- Ideal for new bloggers who are keen to earn revenue or start an online business
- Offers tons of flexibility to the owners with options to customize
- Run ads on-site without sharing revenue with the hosting platform
- You can include tracking scripts such as Google Analytics on your site with no restrictions
Pros
- You have complete control over your blog and free to migrate to another host in case you have any issues with the platform
- Numerous customization options and thousands of themes to choose from
- You can use thousands of plugins for increasing the features and functionality
- Create a blog, membership site, website, or online store using the platform
- You gain access to the WordPress Community Forum from where you can receive assistance pertaining to any WordPress related topics
- Access to thousands of articles, YouTube videos, and tutorials
- Access CSS, HTML, and coding if needed
Cons
- You need to pay for web hosting
- You need to update all the themes and plugins regularly
Square Space
Squarespace is one of the leading blogging platforms in the world owing to its simplicity. You can create a website easily with this platform and the options available aren’t overwhelming. This makes it great for individuals who are not looking for customization or multiple functionalities.
Squarespace is quite a robust website builder for small businesses and individuals. It is good for hosting a portfolio site or a simple brochure website. The templates offered are simply stunning. However, you aren’t allowed to use third-party templates like you can in WordPress. Although it does not allow much customization, the platform is ideal for people who are eager to create a blog website to establish their web presence.
Key Features
- A simple platform ideal for small businesses and bloggers
- It comes with SSL certificates
- Robust platform with stunning templates
- Built-in mobile optimization and SEO features
Pros
- Templates are beautifully designed
- The user-interface is simply fantastic
- Provides a lot of design options to the users
- Comes with built-in marketing tools
- Can be accessed entirely on a free trial
Cons
- No third-party themes allowed
- You are restricted to a certain amount of pages unless you opt for an upgrade
- Is slightly pricey in comparison to the self-hosted WordPress.org website
- Limited functionality and customization option
Creating a blog website with WordPress.com
This blogging platform is entirely different from WordPress.Org reviewed earlier. This platform is not self-hosted and comes with various restrictions. Although the free version is good, you will have to deal with unwanted advertisements. Moreover, you will not be able to monetize your blogging platform if you choose WordPress.com.
This platform is ideal for individuals who just want to get a taste of what blogging actually is. However, it wouldn’t be a great option for individuals who want to turn their blog into a business. The platform is quite simple to use and is completely secure. You can upgrade to paid plans to access more customization options.
Key Features
- Ideal for new bloggers who don’t have any experience in the domain
- You can upgrade to access third-party themes and plug-ins
Pros
- Is simple and free to use
- No cost to set up the site
- Hosting is included even within the free plan
- Effortless to maintain
- You don’t have to deal with backups
Cons
- You have access to limited features unless you upgrade to a paid plan
- You don’t have complete control over the blog or website
- It doesn’t look professional unless you get your own domain name
Medium
Medium is a unique content publishing platform and is a lot different from other blogging platforms reviewed until now. It does not allow you to create your own website. However, it does allow writers to share their content with others. The platform is ideal for a blogger who is just interested in sharing their content with the audience.
If you are new to blogging, then you should start with Medium. Although the platform did offer a custom domain feature, they have now disabled the option entirely.
Key Features
- Ideal for bloggers and writers looking for a platform to publish their content
- You gain access to a built-in audience for sharing your content
- You can republish the blog for an extra boost
- Is quite different from any other blogging platform available
Pros
- No need to learn web design or coding
- The platform is extremely simple to use
- No setup required as you can craft content on an existing platform
- You can make money with the Medium’s partner program
Cons
- Your content would be accessible only to those who have subscribed to Medium membership if you have opted to monetize your content
- Non-members can access just 3 articles per month over the website
- You have no say if they decide to shut down your account
Blogger
Blogger is a Google-owned blogging platform that is immensely popular amongst new bloggers. It is easy to use but does come with certain restrictions when it comes to usage. Your domain will always have a BlogSpot subdomain and this may come across as unprofessional. As the platform is owned by Google, you don’t have to worry about security or updates. It is ideal if you want to run a hobby blog or want to keep everything really simple. This also implies that you don’t have many customization options if you want to create a blog website.
Key Features
- Ideal for new bloggers wanting to experiment
- Owned by Google and hence you can monetize through ads once you have been approved by AdSense
Pros
- Is easy to setup
- The platform is secure as it is Google-owned
- You can earn revenue by placing ads on your blog page
Cons
- The site is not reliable and is not updated frequently
- Blog designs are not as good as other platforms
- You will always find .blogpost at the end of your domain URL
- You need to pay to have your own domain
- Google will always own your blog and can be shut down anytime without disclosing the reasons for doing so
Wix
Wix has become a pretty popular platform over the recent years due to marketing campaigns of leading stars including Gal Gadot, Jason Statham and Heidi Klum run over the platform. It has become one of the biggest players in the website building landscape. It currently hosts over 160 million websites.
Wix offers visually impressive layouts for artists, online stores, restaurants, and small businesses. The site has been optimized for mobile devices and can be spiced up with various apps available on the Wix App Market. You can consider the website as already prefabricated and cannot be modified. However, you can do choose from themes and features. Wix does not offer the same level of control that any self-hosted version would do. Moreover, it is not too search engine friendly.
Key Features
- Wix is a neat platform and super easy to use
- Ideal for starting a hobby blog
- Ability to use third-party apps and copyright-free images for free
Pros
- An E-commerce option is available
- You are free to use third-party applications
- Simple drag and drop design
- You can upgrade to your domain with a paid plan
Cons
- A limited number of themes and templates to choose from
- The account is limited severely in terms of functionality
- Is not SEO friendly as WordPress.org
Gator
Gator is a leading blogging platform and website builder created by HostGator. It is a popular web hosting company that can be used to host a beginner website. The drag and drop tool allows you to build any kind of website including online stores, business sites, and blogs. You can also use the HostGator website to start a WordPress blog or add quick shop cart to your site. Gator is a perfect option if you are looking for a one-in-all non-WordPress blog platform.
Key Features
- Security, performance, and backups are all managed by HostGator
- Free SSL certification and domain included in all plans
- You can easily include an online store to your blog with a few simple clicks
Pros
- Easy drag and drop builder for customizing your website and blog design
- No technical hassle
- Quick setup
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- No free account option
- The e-commerce feature is restricted to higher plans only
- A limited number of apps and extensions
Tumblr
Tumblr is slightly different from other blogging platforms. It is a microblogging platform ideal for visual blogging with minimal texts. You need to post catchy text and images for your content to gain visibility over the platform. Tumblr is free to use and can be learned by anyone. The interface is pretty simple.
Key Features
- Tumblr is free but your URL will consist of a Tumblr subdomain
- Comes with an integrated social media component
- Make it easier to blog images, videos, GIFs, and audio formats
Pros
- You can request a custom domain name by paying for an upgrade
- Is easy to set up and free to use
- You can use third-party themes and apps
Cons
- Comes with a limited set of features
- Backing up your Tumblr blog would be a hassle in comparison to other blogging platforms
Conclusion
Although there are numerous choices available if you want to create a blog website, you need to first understand your requirements and go ahead with something that best fits your needs.
For instance, if you want a simple blog page and you are not bothered about coming across as a professional, then you can go for a free platform like Blogger.
Either way, if you want to flourish with social media rather than creating a blog then blogging on Instagram might be the best option for you.
However, If you want your own domain name and want to benefit from other features, then choosing WordPress.org would be your best bet. Study your requirements, set a vision, and proceed accordingly if you want to dip your toes in the world of blogging.
Also, if you don’t want to be bothered by poor hosting services, you must pick a reliable web hosting provider. Turbo Cloud is the one you can trust because of our shared and dedicated hosting servers among all our offerings. You don’t need to run helter-skelter for every step of getting your own blog running. You get everything under one roof.