There are so many blogging platforms (the company that provides your blog software–e.g., Blogger, TypePad, or WordPress) out there it would impossible for me to list them all. However, there are several that are the most popular and I’ll cover those in this post. Rather than re-type information that is already out there, I will provide links to get you started in the right direction.
We have had several readers offer their thoughts on a given platform:
USC Annenburg’s Online Journalism Review has a blog software comparison chart. The chart includes comparisons in functionality, extras, maintenance, spam fighting tools, design, and publishing interface for Blogger, TypePad, Blogware, WordPress, Moveable Type, and Expression Engine. This chart does not have pricing information, so I’ve included that below.
Free Blog Platforms
Blogger: Free. This would be my recommendation for those of you starting your first blog. Blogger has a wizard that will help you get started.
WordPress: Free. It is important to note that WordPress.com is a free platform (with paid upgrades) that will host your blog, but it does not allow advertisements; WordPress.org is a free platform that does not host your blog–you have to pay a third party–but it does allow advertisements.
Movable Type: Overview of features. Although Movable Type itself is free, you must pay a third-party to host your site.
Expression Engine: Free
for the core application, $99 for a personal account, $249 for a
commercial account. List of features.
Xanga: Free for a basic account. You can upgrade to Premium for $4/month or Premium Plus for $7/month. List of features.
MSNSpaces / Windows Live Spaces: Free. List of features.
LiveJournal: Free.
Paid Blog Platforms
TypePad: Overview of features. I use TypePad for all three of my blogs (Don’t Try This at Home, Blogging Basics 101, and Bloggy Giveaways). I have been extremely happy with their Help files and Help Desk tickets. I have been a bit disappointed with the fact that I cannot access my template CSS and HTML directly.
- Basic level: $4.95/month or $49.50/year
- Plus level: $8.95/month or $89.50/year
- Pro level: $14.95/month or $149.50/year
SquareSpace: Overview of features.
- Basic: $7/month
- Pro: $12/month
- Advanced: $17/month: Free
Related posts:
- Should I choose a hosted or non-hosted blogging platform? This article defines what hosted and non-hosted blogging platforms are...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
WordPress Admin
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Thank you. Your post is informative and very concise. A gem, indeed.