The rise of blogging has been one of the most significant developments in the history of the internet, giving millions of people a platform to share their thoughts, expertise and creativity with the world. In the early days of the web, the concept of a “weblog,” or blog, was relatively new and niche. The term “weblog” was first coined by Jorn Barger in 1997 to describe his online journal, where he would log interesting links and content from the web. Over time, the term was shortened to “blog,” and the format quickly grew in popularity. Below we take an in-depth look at some of the most popular blogging platforms, outlining their features and what makes them stand out.
Early blogging platforms like LiveJournal and Blogger provided users with a simple way to publish their thoughts online, but the functionalities were limited. It was not until the release of WordPress in 2003 that blogging began to truly evolve.
The meteoric rise of WordPress
Initially designed as a simple tool for creating blogs, WordPress has since grown into a fully-fledged content management system (CMS). Today, WordPress powers approximately 43% of all websites on the internet, amounting to over 800 million sites. This meteoric rise is a testament to the flexibility and power of the platform.
Blogging has nurtured its own vibrant community, with successful bloggers having the potential to generate substantial blogging income. Many people now make a living through blogging, earning revenue from ads, sponsored posts, affiliate marketing and digital products.
The main blogging apps
Blogging has surged in popularity in recent years, becoming an essential tool for both individuals and businesses. New blogging platforms are constantly being launched, offering a variety of features and functionalities.
Many companies now maintain blogs as part of their online strategy, using them to serve regularly updated content that complements their main, front-facing website. Below is a list of some of the most popular blogging platforms available today:
Popular blogging platforms
- WordPress.org (wordpress.org)
- Overview: WordPress.org is the most popular self-hosted blogging platform. It is open-source, which means it is free to use and customise. However, users need to find their own hosting provider.
- Key Features:
- Extensive library of plugins for SEO, social media and security
- Thousands of customisable themes for different industries
- Built-in editor for writing and formatting posts
- Robust user management and permissions
- Full control over hosting, domain name and site data
- Rotating banners, popup image viewers and contact forms available
- Active community support
- Estimated cost: Free (plus hosting fees)
- WordPress.com (wordpress.com)
- Overview: WordPress.com offers a simpler, hosted version of WordPress. It’s a great choice for beginners who want to start a blog without worrying about the technical aspects of hosting.
- Key Features:
- Free and premium plan options
- Pre-installed SEO and social media tools
- Built-in security features and auto-updaters
- Customisable templates for different blogging needs
- Integration with Google Analytics for tracking performance
- Pop-up image viewers and contact forms
- Easy-to-use editing console
- Estimated cost: Free to $45/month for premium plans
- Blogger (blogger.com)
- Overview: Blogger is one of the oldest blogging platforms and is owned by Google. It’s free to use and ideal for personal blogging.
- Key Features:
- Free hosting with a Blogspot subdomain
- Integration with Google services like AdSense for monetisation
- Easy setup and simple user interface
- Basic editing tools and customisable templates
- Security features managed by Google
- Limited customisation options compared to WordPress
- Estimated cost: Free
- Medium (medium.com)
- Overview: Medium is a minimalist blogging platform that focuses on high-quality content and readership. It is popular among writers, journalists and thought leaders.
- Key Features:
- Clean, distraction-free writing environment
- Built-in audience for increased visibility
- No need for hosting or maintenance
- Readers can follow writers and recommend articles
- Built-in analytics and performance tracking
- Limited customisation options for personal branding
- Estimated cost: Free to $5/month for premium membership
- Wix (wix.com)
- Overview: While primarily a website builder, Wix also offers robust blogging features. It is ideal for beginners who want an easy drag-and-drop solution to build their blog.
- Key Features:
- Drag-and-drop editor for easy customisation
- Wide range of templates for various types of blogs
- Integrated SEO tools for optimising search engine visibility
- Built-in contact forms, pop-up viewers and social media feeds
- Security features with automatic updates
- E-commerce capabilities for selling products
- Estimated cost: Free to $49/month for business plans
- Squarespace (squarespace.com)
- Overview: Squarespace is known for its beautiful, high-quality design templates. It offers a comprehensive blogging platform with powerful features tailored to creatives.
- Key Features:
- Elegant, mobile-responsive templates
- Built-in SEO tools and analytics
- Blogging features include scheduling, drafts, and categories
- E-commerce tools for monetising blogs
- Auto-updates for enhanced security
- Integration with social media and email marketing
- Estimated cost: $16/month to $54/month for advanced plans
- Ghost (ghost.org)
- Overview: Ghost is a streamlined, open-source platform designed specifically for professional publishing. It’s ideal for users looking to build a paid subscription-based blog.
- Key Features:
- Lightweight, minimalist design focused on speed
- Built-in SEO and social media tools
- Integration with Stripe for paid memberships and subscriptions
- Customisable themes and extensions
- Robust analytics and performance tracking
- Security features with regular updates
- Estimated cost: Free for self-hosted; $11/month for hosted plans
Hosting is included with most blogging platforms
Many blogging platforms, particularly hosted ones like WordPress.com, Wix, and Blogger, come with built-in hosting. This is beneficial for users who may not want to handle the complexities of setting up their own hosting environment. Hosting services included in these platforms often come with pre-configured security settings, automatic backups and updates, providing peace of mind for bloggers who want a hassle-free experience.
Final thoughts
While blogging platforms offer an accessible route to website publishing, they do come with limitations when compared to fully-fledged CMS sites like WordPress.org. Many beginner users lack the design and technical skills needed to make the most of these platforms, which can lead to blogs that look unpolished or amateurish. For instance, understanding how to write effective text, optimise images and structure menus are skills that many novice bloggers may not possess, which can impact the overall quality of their sites.
Final thoughts
Blogs are an affordable and efficient way to get online and share your message. They provide a platform for creativity and community engagement, making it easy for anyone to start writing and building an audience. Whether you’re blogging for personal reasons or as part of a business strategy, these platforms offer a variety of tools and features to help you get started. For those looking to take their blog to the next level, investing in a professional designer or learning more about web optimisation can make a significant difference in the presentation and success of their site.
