If you're looking for the best blogging platforms, there are tons of options. Here are ten of our favorites to help you get started.
If you're thinking of starting a blog, there are many decisions that you might have to make. However, there's one that's particularly important: where you'll publish your site. Choosing just one option from the many blogging platforms can be hard.
Fortunately, a little bit of research can make a big difference. By understanding the basics of each platform, you can find your perfect fit.
This article will walk you through ten of the best blogging platforms. We'll also suggest who may want to use them. Let's go!
1. WordPress.org
WordPress.org is one of the most popular blogging platforms and Content Management Systems (CMSs). This platform is known for its flexibility and ease of use.
It's self-hosted, so you'll need to purchase web hosting and a domain name. But the software is a free blogging platform.
WordPress.org is a highly customizable program. You can use a variety of features, including:
- An open-source base that enables you to edit every line of code
- A massive number of free WordPress plugins and top-tier themes to choose from
- An intuitive block editor for the most seamless posting experience possible
We recommend WordPress.org if you want infinite control and are willing to invest time in your blog. Alternatively, if you plan to build sites for clients, WordPress will likely give you the most professional results in a short amount of time.
It might take some time to get used to the interface, but it will enable you to get creative. If you're ready to learn more, WordPress.org offers almost unlimited possibilities.
Pricing: The software is free. But you'll need to pay hosting fees. Bluehost is a great, easy place to start for a quick setup and a free custom domain.
2. Wix
If you're looking for a drag-and-drop website builder, Wix has probably come up in your search. This is a beginner-friendly platform with tons of templates. As such, it helps you create a professional-looking blog in just a few minutes.
Here are a few other functions you'll get with Wix:
- A robust online store plan that's simple to use
- A very strong knowledge base in case you get confused
- Tons of design options such as scroll effects and media galleries
You might want to try Wix if you're not afraid of a learning curve. Its interface can admittedly be a little intimidating, but once you learn how to use it, you can customize the blog to meet your needs.
Price: Plans begin at $4.50 per month. You can choose to scale up to $26 per month for more features. If you want to accept online payments, you'll need a business plan. These start at $17 per month.
3. HubSpot
HubSpot is one of the leading options if you're looking for an all-in-one tool. It offers impressive blogging capabilities, most of which are customer-oriented. This means it's easy to send subscriber emails, generate traffic, and find new leads.
Nevertheless, that's not all you can do with it. A few other stand-out HubSpot features include:
- The freedom to manage your posting schedule well in advance
- The ability to connect your blog content directly to social media accounts
- Built-in analytics to help you understand your performance as your blog grows
- HubSpot covers email marketing, CRM, customer service, and many more
There are a lot of people that HubSpot can work well for. However, you might specifically enjoy it if you're on a budget. It offers a surprisingly generous free version. It's also easy to upgrade, so you can always scale up if you need to.
Pricing: HubSpot offers a robust free version. If you want more functionality, you can opt for a paid plan. These start at $23 per month.
4. Squarespace
Time is an important resource. This can be especially true if you're starting a blog. That's why many people choose Squarespace. This platform makes it easy to build high-quality websites in record time.
Squarespace isn't the most flexible platform, but that doesn't mean it's not a solid choice. There are a large number of impressive features, such as:
- Designer templates to help you create your entire site without much effort
- Built-in tools designed to boost mobile responsiveness
- A customizable content system that even new users will likely be able to navigate
Squarespace is one of the best blogging platforms if you need to get started as soon as possible. All you have to do is add your content to the templates. As such, you can spend less time on your web design and more time on your blog.
Pricing: Personal plans start at $12 per month. If you want more features, better support, or eCommerce options, premium plans scale up to $40 per month.
Want your blog page to load more posts automatically?
You easily can! All you need is an infinite scroll WordPress plugin and you're set!
5. Weebly
Weebly is another all-in-one site builder. It has a simple drag-and-drop system that new and veteran users alike can appreciate. However, you can also use the CSS module. This means you can add code to get as customized as you want.
Weebly comes with an impressive setup wizard. You can also use the following features to create your website:
- An app center to curate your site's functionality with individual programs
- Easy but thorough Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tools
- A membership area to fully control user access to your content
You might want to use Weebly if you want a gentle learning curve. Its interface is very beginner-friendly, yet it still offers powerful features. Additionally, the app center means you can customize with ease.
Pricing: Free plans are available if you only want the basics. Paid personal plans start at $6 per month and go up to $26 per month. With these comparatively cheap options, Weebly may also be a smart choice if you're on a budget.
6. Shopify
Blogs are flexible tools. As such, you might not only be writing high-quality content — you might also be using your blog as a marketing tool. If you want to focus on eCommerce, it's hard to beat Shopify. It's a no-frills platform that can help you drive sales.
Most of Shopify's stand-out features aren't found in its basic blog. As such, you might want to consider what it offers as an eCommerce platform. This includes features such as:
- Integrated shipping label creation to streamline the process
- Abandoned cart recovery options to help you reach out to interested customers
- Freedom to sell in 133 categories depending on your needs
As you might expect, Shopify is one of the best blogging platforms for online stores. Your blog will be bare-bones and mostly exist to support your sales. However, this can be perfect if you want an easy digital marketing strategy.
Pricing: Shopify is one of the more expensive items on this list with prices starting at $29 per month. You can get more features as you scale up, with the highest tier coming in at $299 per month. We recommend that you take advantage of the free trial before you choose a plan.
7. WordPress.com
WordPress.com is a sister program of WordPress.org, but they're not quite the same. While WordPress.org is free, open-source software, WordPress.com is a hosted version. This means you won't have to outsource your hosting – it's all in the same place.
Here are a few stand-out features that are unique to WordPress.com:
- Specific blogging templates to help you get started
- Blog-centric features including categories, archives, and advanced search features
- Customer support options not found in WordPress.org
WordPress.com is a powerful platform for blogging. However, it's less effective for other types of websites.
That's why we recommend WordPress.com if you're not looking to sell anything. This platform doesn't scale well, so bumping up to an eCommerce plan can be tricky.
Pricing: WordPress.com has a free plan. But it's a bit limited. The paid options begin at $4 per month and scale up to $45 per month. As the price increases, so does the number of features you'll have access to.
8. Joomla
Similar to WordPress.org, Joomla is open-source software. This means you have a lot of freedom as long as you can handle the extra responsibilities.
Joomla makes this easier with the support of a robust knowledge base. As such, you have a smart starting point if you have questions.
Joomla offers more than the benefits of an open-source option. You can also use other stand-out features, including:
- Built-in SEO tool
- Excellent speed ratings for both mobile and desktop visitors, providing a better user experience
- A huge selection of security extensions for top website safety
We recommend Joomla if you want a lot of flexibility without starting from scratch. The native features mean you can spend less time on the small-scale features and more time on your big-picture blog ideas. But when it comes to extensions, Joomla is much more limited than WordPress.
Pricing: Joomla is free. This makes it another smart choice if you're working with limited funds. However, you'll still have to pay for hosting and domain name.
9. Drupal
Let's look at another free open-source option: Drupal. This platform is easy to scale, making it perfect for growing your blog. Moreover, the program is regularly updated. Therefore, you can rest assured that developers are keeping a close eye on the program.
In addition to frequent updates, Drupal offers a variety of blog-friendly features, such as:
- Easy management of user engagement such as comments to boost community involvement
- Strong infrastructure to support even popular blogs with high traffic numbers
- Multiple user profile options for personalized access rules
Drupal is one of the more basic options out there. You'll basically be starting a blog from scratch.
That's why we recommend this platform if you're comfortable with code. Code is an important part of customizing your website with Drupal. If you can use it, the possibilities are almost limitless.
Pricing: Drupal is open-source and free. However, the basic nature of this platform might need extra investments. For example, you might want to hire a developer. Try to consider these aspects before starting a blog.
10. Blogger
A lot of blogging platforms offer advanced features. These can be very useful, but they're not always what you need.
That's where Blogger comes in. Blogger is a platform with only the most basic features. This makes it a unique option that stands out from the crowd.
Blogger's been around the internet for a long time now, and it's currently owned by Google. The blogging platform offers a range of features, such as:
- An extremely simplistic interface for a seamless blogging experience
- The option to run a single blog or dozens based on your needs
- The ability to monetize your blog, thanks to Google AdSense
We recommend Blogger if you're an ultimate minimalist. This platform focuses on blogs only – no content management, no homepage, no social feeds. This no-frills approach lets you focus entirely on your blog and forget the rest.
Pricing: Blogger accounts are free. They'll be tied to your current Google account. You'll also get a sub domain like myawesomeblog.blogspot.com.
Which sounds like the best blogging platform for you?
Let's be honest: starting a blog isn't always easy. There are tons of different decisions to make, and picking from the best blogging platforms is one of them. Fortunately, understanding the options can help you find the perfect fit for your next project.
In this article, we walked you through ten different blogging platforms. We covered open-source options, beginner-friendly choices, and a few others that require a bit more technical expertise.
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