10/29/2011

BLOGGER VS. WORDPRESS


Blogger vs. WordPress

One of the most important decisions when starting a blog is choosing what blog platform to use. The two most common ones are Blogger and Wordpress right now. I'm always seeing the question "Which blogging platform is best"? and to be honest one is not better than the other. The question should be "Which blogging platform is best for me and my blog"? I say that because what a blogger needs varies and you should do some research before choosing because you're probably not going to want to go to the trouble of switching your blog over to another platform if you change your mind. I started my blog in May 2011 using wordpress and decided a few months later that blogger had more of the features I wanted. Thankfully I was able to transfer everything over without a problem but some people have difficulties. 
Having used both WordPress and Blogger I wanted to make a post comparing the different features of both to at least give you an idea. 





Blogger
Is a free google service that is intended to make it easy for beginners and attracts people that don't want to spend money on a blog. Blog Spot is a web log hosting service run by the people at blogger

Pros
  • It is totally free
  • You can use the Template Designer to customize fonts, colors, layouts etc, without having knowledge of HTML or CSS
  • You can monetize your blog with google AdSense or another ad services very easily
  • Integrates with all google services, i.g google friend connect, feedburner, google reader, etc.
  • Add a variety of gadgets or make your own, while being able to arrange them in your sidebar(s)
  • You can use the HTML editor for advanced editing and customizing. 
Cons
  • The comment system they use is horrible (but you can install Disqus or Instense Debate to fix that problem) 
  • There aren't a lot of templates to choose from 
  • You can only create a maximum of 10 static pages

WordPress
There are actually two versions, wordpress.com and wordpress.org. They are both very different from each other and very different from blogger. I only used Wordpress.com but Im going to share what I know about Wordpress.org so you can compare the differences.


Wordpress.com

Pros
  • You can choose from over 100 different themes
  • Free web hosting
  • You can choose from a variety of widgets to add
  • Their comment system is a lot better than bloggers. 
  • More control over blog authors' capabilities than Blogger
  • You have can use categories and labels for each post which helps to organize your posts better
Cons
  • You are not allowed to monetize your blog 
  • You cant use Java Script
  • The widgets you can use are limited, google friend connect is not an option
  • You cant upload your own theme
  • Followers of your blog have to sign up by email only (if you're not also using wordpress)
  • You have to pay to use a custom domain 
  • You cant customize your blogs source code unless you pay for an upgrade that enables CSS customizing. 
  • No plug ins allowed

Wordpress.org
This version is best for the more experienced tech savvy people. You have complete control over your blog because your paying for the web hosting. A lot of people use it to create sites for their business but it's also good for the everyday blogger.

Pros
  • You can create websites 
  • You can choose from a wide variety of themes or upload your own
  • You can monetize ads
  • You have full control over the way you want your blog to look
  • You can install a variety of different plug-ins
  • More control over blog authors capabilities than blogger
  • Choose from lots of different widgets, you can add google friend connect. 

Cons
  • You have to pay monthly for a web host
  • When new versions are released you have to update them manually
  • It's your responsibility to keep your own backups

By figuring out which features in a blogging platform are most important to you, you can then choose the platform thats best for you. For example, I was looking for something that didn't involve a lot of HTML (bc I'm horrible at it), I didn't really want to spend too much money or any at all, so that narrowed my choices down to WordPress.com or Blogger. I ended up picking WordPress than switching over to blogger bc I didn't do enough research. If you are deciding between wordpress.com or blogger than my advice would be to go with blogger. That's only my advice though, I say this bc even though wordpress does have a large amount of themes, you're limited to those themes since only some allow certain customizations and others don't. Blogger lets you upload a bunch of different third party templates or customize your own using the template designer.  So there's no restrictions with blogger.

Hopefully this post helped you to see some of the main differences between blogger and wordpress so you can choose. Blogging is so much fun, but you dont want to pick the wrong platform and be unhappy with it. So do what I wish I did and really look at both options first and pick the right one for you and your blog.

HAPPY BLOGGING!!

Click the links below :)


19 comments:

  1. Hey Kelly! You have done a fantastic job with this post. I totally agree with you that research is key and not to haul off into blogging without being fully informed of what to expect from each blog platform. I am so glad you made the switch b/c that was what was best for you. I am also glad that I had a veteran blogger advise me when I decided to start blogging and she had me think of my long term goals for my blog which helped me with my decision to choose Wordpress.org. Thanks again for the great information. Very relevant.

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  2. Mercedes Makeup12:19 AM

    Great post! I started with Wordpress in MArch and only posted 2 times because it was so difficult to understand! I discovered Blogger in june and was amazed at how easy it is! WOrdpress cost me about $90 to start out and I onlt paid $10 on Blogger lol crazy!

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  3. I love Blogger. The only thing I hate is the commenting thing. I don't want to install Disqus bc I cant see it at work. Also, it doesn't let me know when someone has replied to me anyway so theres no reason to change it lol

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  4. Thanks Kim!!!! I've been meaning to do this post for a while now. i remember finding out all the things I wasn't allowed to add on wordpresss unless I payed for it. I'm happy I switched over to blogger too, it has a lot more of what I need.

    xoxo

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  5. Thanks!!! :) Wordpress.org cost you $90!!!! What?? lol I had no idea it was that expensive! Thats insane. I figured it was half that much. Yea, Im glad I switched to Blogger too, it works a lot better for me.

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  6. I like Disqus a lot but I've issues with it letting me know when someone makes comments too and its really annoying. Sometimes I'll get emails and sometimes I wont. Oh well. lol.

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  7. deanna.middleton21:23 PM

    interesting...i never even looked at wordpress when i decided to start my blog i went striaght for blogger!!!
    http://kisstomake-up.blogspot.com/

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  8. i would have to say blogger! i dont really like wordpress and i love disqus! :P hehe

    followed you from the bloghop xx

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  9. This is a great comparison. I use Blogger, and it definitely works for me. As you said, i think it is a matter of choice, and deciding which platform works for you and your blog vision. Thanks for sharing!

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  10. Thanks for following!!!! Im following you too :))

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  11. Thank you!! Im glad you enjoyed it :)

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  12. I have used blog.com, blogger, and now self hosted with wp.org
    I really like blogger, but was just ready to have a few more options. For hosting it is about $6 a month, no other fees. 
    I agree you have to find what works for you, but it is best to research first, trust me. lol 
    I wish I had read articles like this from day one.
    As a follower of your previous blog, you do seem to be having more fun here on blogger. ;)

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  13. Really? It's only $6 a month, thats not bad at all. I dont know why I thought it was more than that. Thats good to know. I wish I did research too before I started my blog but what are you gonna do lol. Thanks, I am liking blogger better :)

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  14. It's only $6 a month, thats not bad at all. Good to know. I wish I did research too before I started my blog, but oh well lol. Thanks, I am enjoying blogger more, more options for my blog. :))

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  15. hey this is a great post hun! yeah i love blogger it's a lot more easier to use, and yes installing a disqus is really a great way of communicating with your followers:-)

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  16. I give everyone credit who can use wordpress! it looks soo hard I love how easy blogger is.
    I like this comparison post!=)

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  17. Thanks doll!! Wordpress.com is actually pretty easy, it does everything for you bc its free. The other one Wordpress.org that you pay for is hard bc you have to build your blog yourself. I agree, my computer would probably be out the window if I tried to build my own blog from scratch!

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  18. Team Blogger!!

    Thanks so much for linking up with 'The Wednesday Chronicles' we hope to see you back next week :)

    xo
    Ange

    www.hairsprayandhighheels.net

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Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by my blog. I really do appreciate it and read every single comment. I do my best to respond to every single one as soon as I can.

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