Companies that do not blog receive 55% fewer visitors compared to those that do. However, to acquire this augmented traffic, it is essential to find the most suitable blogging platform that aligns with your specific requirements and objectives. The act of publishing blog content presents numerous advantages including the establishment of industry expertise, enhancement of brand recognition, dissemination of company updates, and improved conversion of website visitors into potential customers.
How to choose a blogging platform
When considering which blog platform to use, cost is often the initial factor for many individuals. Several top-quality blog software options are available for free. Therefore, it is advisable to review the plans and tiers provided by each provider. Next, research the primary and distinctive features offered by them. It is particularly important to consider the value of the pre-installed features in comparison to additional add-ons.
Once you have determined your budget, it is important to consider various features that may be necessary for your blog. These additional features play a vital role in comparing different blogging platforms.
Themes and Templates
When considering various blogging platforms, take a look at the range of themes and templates they offer. This will enable you to personalize a blog with ease and efficiency.
- Do they have a lot of templates for blogging specifically?
- Do they have a variety of free and premium templates and themes?
- Can you edit the themes and templates to create a truly customized look for your site?
- Do you want to create your blog from scratch instead of a predesigned theme?
By considering these questions, you can select a platform that offers the necessary design and customization options. Additionally, it is highly likely that you will come across a blog theme that you adore and wish to begin constructing your blog immediately. However, if you are blogging for your business, it is vital to focus on more than just the appearance.
Content editor
The content editor is crucial to any blogging platform. For bloggers, it is essential to choose a platform with an editor that is pleasing to work with, as they will be using it regularly. Consider the ease of use when selecting a platform. It should allow you to swiftly set up a blog and begin creating content. Additionally, you should be able to easily assess the tool’s functionality and flexibility.
To evaluate this, it is advisable to generate a detailed blog draft with various elements such as internal links, videos, and diverse images. Prepare everything you intend to include in your final blog for testing on each platform. As you compare platforms, you may encounter difficulties focusing on specific details. A helpful approach is to categorize your desired features into essential and desirable.
Perhaps your editor should have both drag-and-drop functionality and an auto-save feature. It would be desirable to also have the ability to preview your post’s appearance on various devices.
Finding the best blogging platform for SEO
Consider the alignment of a blogging platform’s capabilities with your goals and needs, as it is another significant factor. When aiming to improve your visibility in SERPs, it is crucial to select a platform that offers built-in SEO tools.
If you want to drive traffic to your blog, it is crucial to optimize your content for search. Based on a Backlinko study, websites that appear on the first page of Google’s search results receive 27% of all clicks for a specific keyword or phrase. It is widely recognized that blogging can enhance SEO, provided that it offers valuable information to your target audience. However, learning SEO takes time, especially if you are new to content marketing.
Learning on-page SEO, off-page SEO, and technical SEO requires time and effort as they are significant strategies.
SEO features and tools
In order to achieve placement on the first page, it is advantageous to have a platform that includes tools designed to assist in content optimization.
The usefulness of the features offered by various blogging platforms for SEO will vary depending on your current level of knowledge. For instance, certain platforms enable you to create a site map or handle your blog URLs.
When implementing SEO techniques, it is important to consider that they involve numerous repetitive tasks which require attention to detail. Therefore, it is highly beneficial to utilize a blog platform that can serve as a reminder to optimize your content for search engine rankings as you create each blog post.
Extensions and integrations
No blogging platform can provide all the features every blogger desires from the start. Additionally, as your audience expands or your strategy alters, your blogging requirements and objectives are likely to evolve.
It is essential to select a blogging platform that provides extensions or integrations with third-party tools because such platforms with apps ecosystem will have the ability to grow and adapt with your needs as time passes.
Once you have considered some features for your selection process, it is important to examine the top blogging platforms available on the market to ensure that you do not need to switch to a more adaptable option in the future.
Best blogging platforms
1. WordPress
For bloggers seeking full control over their websites, WordPress is the ultimate platform.
You have the option to use WordPress.org, a free open-source platform, to create a website or blog. Alternatively, you can opt for a paid WordPress.com site. If your goal is to earn money as a conventional blogger, it is necessary to have a self-hosted WordPress.org site because most brands do not collaborate with bloggers using platforms like Wix or Squarespace.
There is a wide array of online resources available to assist you in setting up and utilizing your blog on WordPress, which is a highly popular platform. However, to take advantage of its extensive customization options, you need to possess some knowledge of coding or be capable of following a technical tutorial. This is necessary because WordPress operates based on a codebase that allows you to modify it and tailor your blog’s appearance and functionality to your preferences.
If you do not feel confident in editing code or do not have the time to learn, you have the option to hire a developer or designer from platforms such as Upwork or Fiverr. Additionally, certain web hosts offer WordPress assistance based on the level of plan you have purchased.
For bloggers who aim to have full control over their website, desire extensive customization, and feel at ease working with code, WordPress is the ideal choice.
2. Wix
If you are a blogger looking for a user-friendly platform with drag-and-drop functionality, Wix is an excellent choice. It is particularly suitable for beginners, as you can create a website or blog for free using Wix.com. Additionally, there are various paid plans available if you wish to enhance your website with additional features. Moreover, Wix offers a mobile app, enabling you to conveniently update your blog while on the move.
The free plan offered by Wix is not ideal for blogging due to its limitations. Wix ads and the favicon appear on every page, and a custom domain is not available. Additionally, storage is limited to 500 MB and Google Analytics cannot be used. Bloggers are advised to consider upgrading to the Unlimited plan or a higher tier.
For $22 per month, the Unlimited plan offers a custom domain (free for the first year), no Wix ads, a free SSL certificate, and round-the-clock customer support. Wix is particularly suitable for bloggers seeking a user-friendly platform with drag-and-drop features, and do not require extensive customization choices.
3. Weebly
Weebly.com, powered by Square, is an excellent platform for bloggers who wish to establish an online store alongside their blog. It provides convenience with its user-friendly interface and offers a mobile app. Weebly allows you to build a website or blog for no cost, but they also offer paid plans.
To have a custom domain, you need a paid plan. Nevertheless, all plans, including the free option, offer e-commerce features such as a shopping cart, unlimited items, Quick Shop, inventory management, coupons, and in-store pickup.
Weebly is ideal for bloggers who wish to launch a blog in addition to their e-commerce store.
4. Drupal
Drupal is a content management system that allows you to create and manage your website in countless ways. It is a playground for developers that utilizes open-source software, meaning it can be downloaded and used free of charge. Drupal is governed by the GNU General Public License, which grants the freedom to alter and share the software for both individuals and organizations.
With the presence of a community-driven project, there exists a flourishing ecosystem of developers who actively contribute to it. By utilizing modules, which serve as plugins, you have the capability to incorporate a plethora of new features and functionalities into your blog to accomplish virtually any desired task.
Drupal is the optimal choice for developers who aim to design a personalized blog or website, seek total control over its functionality, and utilize open-source software.
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