First Published: 6 May 2021
Best Blogging Software
With blogs seemingly showing up all over the internet, many people want to jump on board as fast as possible. You may be one of those people. You may want a way to polish your writing skills, or you may even have thoughts of someday putting a little extra vacation money in your pocket.
No matter your reason, you likely want to know where you should start blogging. Well, first of all, you will need some blogging platform or software to create your blog.
There are numerous options out there, so you need to choose the best blogging platform that suits you. Here are some tips on what to look for to get the best blogging software for you and what the best blogging software is to launch your online business.
Best Blogging Platform UK
Choosing the best blogging software is crucial when launching an online business. The right platform can help you create a professional-looking blog, attract visitors, and build a solid online presence. Some of the top choices for blogging software to explore vary based on your particular requirements:
1. WordPress.org (Self-hosted)
Best for: Full customisation, scalability, and control.
Pros: Complete control over your site and its content.
Thousands of themes and plugins for customisation.
Optimised for search engines and equipped with various plugins to enhance search engine rankings.
Huge community support and extensive documentation.
Cons: Requires web hosting and a domain name (involves some technical knowledge).
Regular updates and maintenance are needed.
WordPress.org is the most popular blogging platform worldwide. It’s open-source, which means you can modify it as much as you want. However, you will need to purchase your own hosting and domain.
2. Wix
Best for: Beginners who want an easy-to-use, drag-and-drop website builder.
Pros: Easy setup with no technical skills required.
Drag-and-drop editor for effortless design customisation.
Built-in SEO tools.
Affordable pricing options with hosting included.
Cons: Limited flexibility and customisation options compared to WordPress.
Moving your site to another platform in the future takes time and effort.
Wix is an excellent choice for those who prioritise simplicity. It’s beginner-friendly and comes with pre-designed templates that you can easily customise.
3. Squarespace
Best for: Creatives and small business owners who want visually stunning websites.
Pros: Beautiful, professionally designed templates.
All-in-one platform (hosting, domain, and design).
Built-in eCommerce features.
No technical expertise is required.
Cons: More expensive than some competitors.
It is less flexible and customisable than WordPress.
Limited integration options for third-party tools.
Squarespace is popular for its visually appealing designs and is a great choice for creatives, photographers, and designers. It also includes strong eCommerce functionality for selling products or services.
4. Blogger
Best for: Casual bloggers or hobbyists.
Pros: Free to use (requires only a Google account).
Simple to set up and manage.
Integrated with Google’s ecosystem (e.g., Google Analytics, AdSense).
Hosting is included.
Cons: Limited design and customisation options.
Less control and flexibility than WordPress or Squarespace.
It could be better for professional businesses or long-term scalability.
Blogger is a straightforward, free option for people who just want to start blogging quickly without worrying about technical details or costs.
5. Medium
Best for: Authors who wish to concentrate exclusively on creating content without dealing with technical details.
Pros: Free to start and easy to use.
Built-in audience on the Medium platform.
The minimalist design is intended to help users focus on their writing. No maintenance or hosting is required.
Cons: Limited customisation and branding.
You don’t fully own your content (Medium can remove it at their discretion).
Difficult to monetise compared to other platforms.
Medium is ideal if your primary goal is writing and building an audience without managing a full website. However, it needs more flexibility to build a personal brand or business.
6. Ghost
Best for: Content creators and publishers who prioritise performance and simplicity.
Pros: Fast, lightweight, and optimised for content publishing.
Supports membership and subscription models (good for paid content).
Clean, minimalist design.
SEO-friendly and built with modern technology (Node.js).
Cons: Fewer themes and plugins compared to WordPress.
More complex to set up if you’re self-hosting.
Limited community support compared to larger platforms.
Ghost is excellent for those who want a fast, no-nonsense blogging platform and are interested in offering paid memberships or subscriptions.
7. Weebly
Best for: Small businesses looking for a simple, budget-friendly platform.
Pros: Easy drag-and-drop website builder.
Affordable pricing with built-in hosting.
Good for beginners with no coding knowledge.
Built-in eCommerce functionality for small stores.
Cons: Limited design flexibility compared to WordPress or Squarespace.
Limited third-party integrations.
Small businesses may find Weebly to be an excellent option, especially those businesses looking to establish a straightforward online presence or add basic eCommerce capabilities to their website.
8. Substack
Best for: Writers and newsletter creators who want to build an email subscription base.
Pros: Free to use (with a paid option if you monetise).
Easy to create and distribute newsletters.
Built-in audience discovery on the Substack platform.
Simple monetisation options (via paid subscriptions).
Cons: Limited design and customisation options.
Not ideal for traditional blogging with multiple types of content.
Dependency on Substack’s ecosystem for revenue.
Substack is growing in popularity, especially for writers looking to directly reach their audience through subscription-based content.
To Summarise:
- For Full Customisation and Growth Potential: Choose WordPress.org.
- For Easy-to-Use Website Builders: Try Wix or Squarespace.
- For Simplicity and Casual Blogging: Blogger or Medium might be best.
- For Monetized Content: Consider Ghost or Substack if you focus on memberships or newsletters.
The best blogging software for your online business depends on your goals, technical expertise, and long-term plans. If you’re looking for complete control and scalability, WordPress.org is hard to beat. Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, or Weebly are excellent alternatives for ease of use and beautiful design.
The Best Blogging Platform Revealed
WordPress: The Unrivaled Blogging Powerhouse
WordPress stands out as the quintessential choice among myriad blogging platforms available today. Here’s a deep dive into the unparalleled features of WordPress that set it apart:
Unveiling WordPress: An Internet Icon
Discover the journey of WordPress, a pioneering blogging software that commenced its online voyage eighteen years ago. Today, it is the preferred choice for millions of web creators across various domains. Empowering blogging sites, e-commerce ventures, and beyond, WordPress has evolved into the ultimate content management system (CMS). Its user-friendly interface facilitates content creation, management, and customisation without the need for coding expertise.
The SEO Superstar: WordPress Insights
Has over 3 million monthly searches, per SEMrush data. This underscores the immense popularity and relevance of WordPress in the digital landscape.
Market Dominance: WordPress Reigns Supreme
WordPress emerges as the undisputed leader with an imposing market share in the CMS realm. Version 6 is used by 78.4% of all the websites that use WordPress. WordPress continues to soar, surpassing competitors like Shopify and dwarfing alternatives such as Shopify and Squarespace, with 500 new websites built on its platform daily.
Powering Elite Websites: WordPress in the Limelight
WordPress is the preeminent CMS and underpins several prominent enterprises worldwide, including stalwarts like Microsoft News, Walt Disney, and Sony, underscoring its versatility and reliability.
Cost-Efficiency: The Allure of WordPress
Embracing an open-source ethos, WordPress operates under the GNU Public License (GPL), offering a cost-effective solution for users worldwide. With zero licensing fees, WordPress democratises website creation and management.
Decentralised Governance: The WordPress Advantage
Unlike conventional companies, WordPress.org operates as an open-source project without a centralised ownership structure or CEO. Driven by a global community of volunteer developers, WordPress embodies collaborative innovation and inclusivity.
WordPress Blogging
First of all, you have to decide on the reason for your blogging.
Are you doing it to:
- to try and earn some extra money,
- to record your daily reflections,
- to polish your writing style,
- or for some other reason?
The reason you are doing it will have a lot to do with what you want to accomplish with the site.
Blogging Software
For instance, if you are doing it only for personal reasons, then you may just want to seek out free blog hosting websites such as Blogger, Squarespace or Medium.
If you’re blogging for profit, having the right tools to make it successful is essential. You need to be able to customise your blog to your exact specifications and have access to features that can help you monetise your content effectively. Therefore, it’s understandable that you would be more selective when choosing blogging software.
Having a blog on your site can be beneficial in many ways. It can help you increase traffic, engage with your audience, and establish yourself as an authority in your field. However, choosing the right blogging software can be a daunting task. There are many options, each with its strengths and weaknesses. Choosing a blogging platform is an important decision that should be based on your personal preferences and goals. You want to find a platform that offers the features and tools to help you achieve your desired outcomes.
Once you’ve set up your blog, promoting is vital to attracting more readers and increasing your visibility. There are various ways to do this, such as social media marketing, guest blogging, and search engine optimisation. It’s worth exploring these options to reach a wider audience and grow your blog.
Secondly; when creating a blog, it’s essential to consider your objectives and what elements you want to include. Do you plan to share photographs or concentrate solely on written material? Determining these specifics will enable you to design a blog that fulfils your requirements and connects with your readership.
Consider using tools such as linking and archiving to enhance your blog. Once you know your goals, identify the appropriate blogging software.
Remember, though, that the more features you get with blogging software, the more you will likely have to pay for that software. So, it would help if you decided what you need and don’t need early.
Third, once you know why you want to blog and what features you want to blog with, it is time to start seeking out software.
You may now find web hosting and domain name registration software, including blogging software applications.
Related articles:
Blogging How To Use A Blog To Benefit Your Online Business
Blogging How To Start An Awesome Blog And Make Money
Blogging: How To Use A Blog To Benefit Your Online Business
How to Make Money with Your Blog: 27 Proven Strategies for Success
If you want to blog, you may want to look at some of the free applications that allow you to create a free account and immediately begin blogging.
On the other hand, if you want to establish yourself on the internet, you need a professional-looking CMS to power your website.
Blogging is so popular now that many people feel outside looking in if they don’t have a blog.
No matter which content management system (CMS) you decide to use, you’ll have to make some choices to determine which blogging software suits you best. To aid decision-making, you should evaluate why you want to blog, what blogging features you want, and how much you’re willing to spend on it.
Once you’ve accomplished that, you’ll only need to sift through the various blogging software packages and choose the one that best suits your needs. The process of finding the best blogging software for you will become clear.
Frequently Asked Questions And Answers
Which is the best platform to start blogging?
There are several popular platforms for starting a blog, each with advantages and features. Some of the most commonly recommended platforms include WordPress.org, Blogger, and Medium. WordPress.org offers flexibility and customisation options but requires hosting, while Blogger is user-friendly and accessible but has fewer customisation options. Medium is known for its built-in audience and simple interface, making it ideal for beginners.
Is blogging still profitable in 2024?
Yes, blogging can still be profitable in 2024. While the landscape of blogging has evolved over the years, there are still many opportunities to monetise a blog.
Several popular methods for monetising a blog include advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsored content, selling digital or physical products, and providing services. Success in blogging often depends on niche selection, quality content creation, audience engagement, and effective monetisation strategies.
How long does it take to make £500 per month blogging?
The timeframe needed to generate £500 per month from blogging can vary significantly, influenced by factors like niche selection, content quality, audience size, and specific monetisation approaches. Some bloggers may be able to achieve this goal within a few months with consistent effort and effective strategies, while others may take longer.
Concentrating on constructing a dedicated audience, crafting valuable content, and exploring various monetisation methods to gradually enhance earnings is crucial.
What are the essential tools for successful blogging?
Some essential tools for successful blogging include a reliable web hosting service, a user-friendly content management system (CMS) such as WordPress, professional-looking website themes or templates, email marketing software for building and engaging with an audience, analytics tools to track website traffic and performance, and social media management tools for promoting content and connecting with followers. Furthermore, employing tools for keyword research, search engine optimisation, and content creation can boost website traffic and improve online visibility.
How do I drive more traffic to my blog?
You can use multiple strategies to enhance traffic flow to your blog. These encompass creating top-notch, valuable content that deeply connects with your readership, fine-tuning your content for search engines by integrating pertinent keywords and meta tags, actively promoting your blog posts across social media platforms and fostering engagement with your audience,
Take an active role in online communities and forums that are relevant to your specific area of interest or expertise., contributing guest posts to other blogs to broaden your audience reach, forming partnerships with influencers or peers in the blogging sphere, and offering incentives such as giveaways or special discounts to stimulate sharing and referrals. Collectively, these methods boost your blog’s visibility and attract a wider audience.