Any new blogger can tell you that one of the most difficult decisions you have to make as a beginning blogger is what platform to use. There are several ‘free’ blogging platforms available as well options that cost a little money. Choosing the platform that is right for you depends on many factors, your purpose in blogging, your financial situation and your familiarity with blogging in general. By carefully considering these factors and the platforms available, you will be able to pick the best platform for your needs.
New Bloggers
People who are new to blogging may want to consider using an ‘out of the box’ platform. These platforms do not allow for a lot of flexibility in design, but have simple to use interfaces, making for an excellent first time experience for new bloggers. WordPress is an excellent example of a blog platform that is somewhat customizable but has a very easy to use interface. New bloggers using WordPress often have a very high success rate with their blogs and rate the experience as very easy and excellent for the first time blogger.
Blogging for Profit
For the more experienced blogger who is it for the money, it might be best to pick a platform that has a small fee. GoDaddy and Hotgator are excellent chooses for the blogger looking to make a little money with their blog. They are somewhat more customizable while still having an easy to use interface. As is often the case, spending money gets you more features. Consider paying for a blog platform if you have experience and want to customize your page or if you are planning on using a money making scheme through your blog.
There is no Such Thing as the Best Blogging Platform
Because people use blogs and blogging platforms for such a wide range of activities, it is impossible to definitively say which blogging platform is the best. Several excellent options are available, making for a lot of diversity when choosing a platform. Review the options and features of each platform and decide which is best for you. What works for one blogger may not work for the next. Blogging platform choose is as individual as blogging itself. Some of the best platforms out there are: LiveJournal, WordPress, Blogger.com and typepad. Read reviews for these sites while keeping in mind your specific needs. Just because one critic doesn’t like platform, doesn’t mean it isn’t best for you. Keep an open mind.
Choosing your blogging platform is one of the most important decisions you make when starting to blog. Visibility, customization and a simple user interface are all important when picking a platform. Remember to pick your platform based on your level of experience in blogging as well as your intended blogging purpose. While you can opt to pay for a blogging platform, many of the free sites work very well for new bloggers and allow for ease of use, good visibility as well as some additional features. Think carefully before choosing a blogging platform.
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree with your point of view. I have a real use of wordpress, and I am building my web site:
http://gaming-laptop.net
wordpress undoubtedly not be the most powerful blog system. and is the most simple blog system. a wealth of plug-ins and themes
I am wanting to blog over the internet but still with some privacy. For instance, i can place MySpace private. I am looking for a website of blogging. I only know Xanga, but i do not know how well it works.
@Unique Gift ideas: me either, i never tried xanga, why don’t you stick to wordpress? It’s the greatest!
I’ve been blogging for a while now, though I don’t consider myself a veteran at this. So far I’ve found Wordpress to be the most intuitive platform, and that’s a big plus – some of my friends still think I’m computer illiterate, and I’m not ashamed to admit they do have a point …
Anyway, so far Wordpress has met all my expectations, and the amount of free themes available is simply overwhelming.
Tell me, what can I get using platforms that require a small fee, that I won’t get using Wordpress ?
I still prefer wordpress
Since wordpress is the most popular but best platform for each blogger depends on its own requirements . But I think if you have a domain name then wordpress is the best option to use
Yes Gagan you are right but Wordpress is more that than that. It is really very good platform for bloggers.
Wordpress is evolving these years, now even companies use wordpress as a cms for their official website.
Xanga has fairly basic privacy controls. There’s an option where you can limit viewers of certain journal entries to users in a predefined list, but Xanga Classic (the free one) only allows up to ten users on that list.
Word press is really great source for the content management system, This make it much better than other in this field.
Wordpress has it’s act together. Always updated. Great community support for themes and plugins
every one knows that WORDPRESS is the best, the utilities, themes, APIs all are better.
Wordpress is grea, for instance, i can place MySpace private. I am looking for a website of blogging. I only know Xanga, but i do not know how well it works.
I am using blogspot because that was the first one I learned of and have been satisfied with it for the most part so I have stuck with it. I like how the photos I publish are large and clickable to make even larger.
Ive been using Blogger – but i cant seem to find a way of tracking the number of hits to the site. Do any of the other platforms – Wordpress, etc. enable you track the traffic?
Wordpress just gets better and better. We’ve upgraded all our sites to use wordpress.