Decided to start your blogging journey but unsure which blogging platform to choose? Got you
Starting out in blogging can be exciting, but choosing the wrong blogging platform can lead to significant problems.
A major issue is the lack of user-friendliness; a complex, hard-to-navigate platform can make the initial setup and ongoing content management frustrating and time-consuming.
Today in this article we’ll take a look at some of the best blogging platforms available. Also, you will learn 7 effective blogging tips that will help you to generate more traffic on your blog.
Ready? Let’s get started.
What is Blogging?
Blogging is the act of creating and maintaining an online journal or informational website, where individuals or organizations publish regular updates in the form of blog posts.
It’s a way to communicate and connect with others who are interested in the topics you write about. You can write about anything you’re passionate about, whether it’s travel, food, technology, fashion, or sharing tips and advice.
Readers can leave comments, ask questions, and interact with you, creating a community around your content.
It’s a creative outlet that allows you to express yourself and share your knowledge with the world.
What is a Blogging Platform and Why it Matters?
A blogging platform is a software or service that allows you to create and publish content on the internet. When starting a blog, one of the most important decisions you’ll face is selecting the right blogging platform.
It allows you to focus on creating content, rather than worrying about the technical aspects of website design and development. Most blogging platforms offer a variety of templates and themes that you can use to customize the look and feel of your blog.
SEO, or getting your blog to show up in search engine results, is another big reason. Some platforms, like WordPress, have tools to help your blog rank higher on Google. This means more people can find and read your posts.
If you want to make money through blogging, some platforms also give you ways to earn money through ads, sponsored posts, and selling products.
Now you know why a blogging platform matters so, let’s take a look at some of the best tips that will help you choose the best blogging platforms that you need.
Tips for Choosing a Perfect Blogging Platform.
- The platform should be easy to use: When you’re just starting, you’ll want something that’s beginner-friendly. Look for a platform that doesn’t require coding or technical skills, which means the platform should have drag-and-drop features.
- Plethora of customization options: As you grow and learn as a blogger you will want to make your blog stand out with your own style and features right? So platforms like WordPress.org allow you to add themes, plugins, and custom designs to make your blog unique.
- Monetization Options: If your plan is to make money from your blog (through ads, affiliate marketing, or selling products), choose a platform that allows that. WordPress.org is the best choice here because you have full control over how to earn. Some platforms like Blogger also allow monetization but with limited flexibility.
- Pocket-friendly: Some platforms are free, but they may come with limitations, like having ads on your blog or a generic domain name e.g. yourblog.blogger.com. If you’re serious about your blog, investing in a good platform can make it look more professional.
- Future Growth: Think long-term. If you’re hoping to grow your blog into something bigger, choose a platform that will grow with you. WordPress.org is great for this because you can start simple but scale up as you add more content or features.
Next is the list of some of the best platforms for blogging that you may consider choosing.
Best Blogging Platforms
1. WordPress
WordPress is considered as powerful website builder and Powers over 43% of website all over the web. But it doesn’t start that way.
Before, WordPress began as a simple blogging tool and has since evolved into one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) in the world.
The first version of WordPress, WordPress 0.7, was released on May 27, 2003. It was designed to be an easy-to-use platform for bloggers, with a focus on simplicity and user-friendliness.
As it started gaining popularity it started evolving into something beyond just a blogging platform. One of the main reasons why it is considered as best blogging platform is its flexibility. Whether you’re a beginner blogger or an experienced developer, WordPress can be customized to suit your needs.
Benefits of using WordPress for Blogging
- Easy Customization and Flexibility: With WordPress, you can easily customize your blog to look and work exactly how you want. There are thousands of themes and plugins you can use to change the design and add features. Whether you want a simple blog or a complex site with lots of functions, WordPress makes it possible. You can start small and grow your blog over time, adding new elements as you need them.
- Great Support and Community: WordPress has a huge community of users and developers who can help you when you need it. There are lots of forums, blogs, and tutorials where you can find answers to your questions and learn new things. This means that whether you’re just starting out or have been blogging for years, you can always find the help and support you need
2. Medium
Medium is an online publishing platform launched in 2012 by Twitter co-founder Evan Williams. It allows users to write, share, and read content across various topics.
It combines elements of a social network and a blogging platform, making it easy for writers to reach a broad audience.
If you want to start blogging without building a website then Medium is the best blogging platform for beginners. Because of its clean and simple editor blogging is easier and can focus on the content without getting distracted.
With the help of its social features, readers can follow your profile, like, share your articles, and leave comments.
Medium also has a “Publications” feature, which allows you to create your own online magazine and publish articles from other writers.
Benefits of Using Medium for Blogging
- Immediate Reach: Medium has a large and active community of readers and writers, which means you can get your content in front of a broad audience without having to build your own following from scratch.
- Monetization Opportunities: Medium offers the Medium Partner Program, which allows writers to earn money based on the engagement their stories receive. This can be a great way to monetize your writing without having to manage ads or seek out sponsors.
3. SquareSpace
Squarespace is a website building and hosting service that allows users to create and maintain websites without needing extensive technical skills.
Also, it is considered as best website to build a blog. Its drag-and-drop interface makes it easy for users to create and manage their blogs.
Its design tools are accessible even for those without coding experience, allowing anyone to build a professional-looking blog.
Squarespace includes built-in blogging tools such as post scheduling, categorization, tags, and commenting. These features make it easy to organize content, engage with readers, and maintain a consistent posting schedule.
Benefits of Using Squarespace for Blogging
All-in-One Platform: Squarespace is an all-in-one platform that includes everything you need to run a successful blog. From hosting and domain management to built-in SEO tools, analytics, and e-commerce capabilities.
Reliability and Support: It ensures that your blog is hosted on reliable, secure servers, providing excellent uptime and performance. Moreover, Squarespace offers 24/7 customer support to help you with any issues or questions.
Read Further: 5 Best Table of Content Plugins for WordPress [Expert Picks]
4. Ghost
Founded in 2013, Ghost has gained popularity among bloggers and journalists for its clean and straightforward design.
Ghost is the best blogging platform for professional publishers to create, share, and grow a business around content.
The platform offers a distraction-free writing experience that allows you to concentrate on your work without any unnecessary clutter.
Moreover, Ghost provides a range of features that make it easy to publish and distribute your content, including built-in SEO optimization and social media integration.
Benefits of Using Ghost for Blogging
- Focused on Writing and Speed: Ghost is designed for writers. It offers a distraction-free writing interface that prioritizes content creation. With its minimalist design and intuitive editor, you can focus more on creating stories and less on managing complex technical aspects.
- Customization and Control: Unlike some other platforms, Ghost provides considerable customization options while maintaining simplicity. You have control over themes, code injection, and integrations with third-party services. This flexibility allows you to create your blog to reflect your brand and style effectively.
Pro Tip
Creating a stunning and engaging blog page can be a struggle if you don’t have the right tools and resources. But here is the solution, use Blog Builder by Nexter Blocks for creating engaging blog pages. It has top-level customization options to start a blog your own way.
The best part is you don’t need to create a blog page from scratch with the help of its cross-domain copy-paste feature, you can simply copy the desired template from the demo page and paste it on your Gutenberg Editor. With just a blink of an eye, you have your own blogging page ready.
5. Blogger
If you have ever thought of starting a blog then Blogger.com is the first option that comes into mind. It is one of the best free platforms for blogging owned by Google.
It is a straightforward platform that is easy to use, making it a great option for beginners. With a simple interface, Blogger allows you to create and publish your blog posts quickly and easily.
Because of Google integrations, you can use various Google products like Google Analytics and AdSense. Which makes it easy to track and analyze your blog’s performance.
In spite of being a free blogging platform, it offers a variety of customizable templates, allowing you to create a unique look for your blog, and can easily add widgets and gadgets to your blog.
Benefits of Using Blogger for Blogging
- Perfect for beginners: Because of its easy-to-use interface, you can start blogging without any hassle. You can quickly set up and customize your blog without needing technical expertise, allowing you to focus more on creating content and engaging with your audience.
- Google Integration: Being a part of Google, it integrates with all the Google services like Google Analytics, and AdSense for monetization, and easy SEO optimization. This integration can help you reach a wider audience through Google’s search engine.
Recommended Reading: 5 Best WordPress Content Protection Plugins [Compared]
6. Weebly
Weebly was founded in 2006 and offers a variety of tools to help you build and manage your website, including blogging features.
The only reason it is included in the list of best blogging platforms is because of its beginner-friendly interface. It offers a range of attractive templates that make your blog look professional and appealing. You can customize these templates to fit your style, ensuring your blog stands out.
Also, if you want to sell products through your blogs Weebly got you covered, it has e-commerce features that allow you to set up an online store and manage sales directly from your blog.
Weebly also offers a range of SEO tools to help you optimize your blog for search engines eventually helping you sell more products.
Benefits of Using Weebly for Blogging
- Quick Setup: Setting up a blog on Weebly is straightforward and fast. You can choose a template, customize it, and start publishing posts within minutes.
- E-commerce Capabilities: If you plan to monetize your blog, Weebly’s e-commerce integration is a significant advantage. You can easily add an online store to your blog, allowing you to sell products or services directly from your site.
Choosing the right hosting provider is important for your blog’s performance and security. Check out the detailed guide on the 6 Best WordPress Hosting Providers to get started right.
7. Substack
Lastly, Substack is the best blogging platform because of its unique subscription-based model that allows you to monetize your blogs directly from blog readers.
Substack is easy to use, and it has a clean and simple interface that makes it easy to write and publish your content.
It also has a directory of newsletters that users can browse and subscribe to. This can help you grow your subscriber base and reach a wider audience.
Benefits of Using Substack for Blogging
- Simplicity and Focus on Content: Substack simplifies the blogging process by handling technical aspects like hosting, design, and email delivery. This allows you to focus primarily on creating and sharing high-quality content without the distractions of managing a website.
- Built-in Audience Engagement: Substack’s integrated email newsletter feature helps build and maintain a direct relationship with your readers. You can easily send updates, new posts, and exclusive content directly to your subscribers’ inboxes.
Worth Reading: 5 Best WordPress Content Protection Plugins [Compared]
7 Effective Blog Writing Tips to Get Started
- Start with Passion: Choose a topic you genuinely enjoy writing about. Passion works as fuel which helps you stay motivated during the ups and downs of blogging.
- Authenticity Matters: Write from your own perspective and voice. Readers appreciate genuine content that reflects your unique personality and insights.
- Set Realistic Goals: Define clear goals for your blog, whether it’s reaching a certain number of subscribers, publishing frequency, or monetization. Break these goals into smaller, actionable steps.
- Network and Collaborate: Build relationships with other bloggers and influencers in your niche. Collaborate on projects, guest post exchanges, or joint webinars to expand your reach.
- Accept Feedback: Welcome constructive feedback from your readers. It helps you improve your writing, understanding of your audience better, and build a loyal community.
- Learn from Analytics: Use tools like Google Analytics to track what content resonates most with your audience. Adjust your topics and writing style based on what performs well.
- Be Consistent and Adaptive: As you know, consistency is a key to success but along with that always be flexible to adapt to new trends, reader feedback, and your evolving interests.
Suggested Reading: Ultimate Blog Post Checklist [17-Step Easy Guide]
Which Blogging Platform Should You Choose?
Blogging is a powerful medium for sharing your thoughts, experiences, and expertise with a global audience.
It’s an engaging way to connect with like-minded individuals and build a community around your interests. Whether you’re writing about travel, technology, food, or personal stories, blogging allows you to express yourself creatively and share valuable insights.
Also, choosing the best blogging platform is important as it provides the tools and features you need to focus on creating high-quality content without worrying about technical complexities.
What blogging platform to choose totally depends on personal preferences and requirements. But still, there are some factors you can consider to choose the perfect blogging platform to start your blogging journey.
Firstly, the platform should be easy to use, which means it should be beginner-friendly so that you can get started without any hassle.
Second, it should have a strong community, a strong community means access to forums, tutorials, and expert advice that can guide you through any challenges.
Third, if in the future you want to do more than just blogging such as starting an online business or want to start an e-commerce store then the platform should have all the functionalities to help you with that so that you don’t need to change your platform and start everything from scratch.
So, after going through all the factors mentioned above one blogging platform can be considered which is WordPress. It is an all-in-one platform that fulfills all the factors mentioned above and many more.
Now if you have made up your mind to start blogging with WordPress and want to create an attractive blog page then we highly recommend you to use Nexter Blocks.
With its over 90 essential Gutenberg Blocks not only a blog page but you can create a fully functional and attractive website that stands apart without even writing a single line of code.
Stay updated with Helpful WordPress Tips, Insider Insights, and Exclusive Updates – Subscribe now to keep up with Everything Happening on WordPress!
Check out the complete collection of 90+ Essential Gutenberg blocks here. Happy Blogging.
FAQs on Best Blogging Platforms
Are blogs still relevant in 2024?
Yes, blogs remain highly relevant in 2024. They serve as powerful platforms for sharing information, building communities, and improving SEO. With diverse topics and interactive content, blogs continue to engage audiences effectively, making them a valuable tool for individuals and businesses alike.
How to start a blog for free and make money?
Starting a blog for free and making money involves choosing a platform like WordPress.com or Blogger, creating engaging content, and monetizing through ads, affiliate marketing, or selling products.
How to pick a blogging platform?
To pick a blogging platform, consider your goals, technical skills, and budget. Look for user-friendly interfaces, customization options, SEO tools, and community support.
Which blog earns more money?
Blogs that earn the most money typically focus on high-demand niches such as personal finance, health and wellness, digital marketing, and technology. They combine quality content with effective monetization strategies like affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and selling digital products or courses. Consistent traffic and audience engagement are key.
How many blog views are needed to make money to make money?
The number of blog views needed to make money varies greatly and depends on factors like niche, audience engagement, and monetization methods. Generally, having at least 10,000 monthly views can start generating income through ads, affiliate marketing, or sponsored posts, but higher traffic increases earning potential.
