What Platform is Best for your Blog?
I can’t think of a more common concern or question among both beginning and experienced bloggers alike: which blogging platform should I use? Aside from learning how to blog, it’s an almost universal concern.
And there is no simple answer. All bloggers MUST own their URLs, but choice of the platform is mainly dependent on the indivudal blogger’s needs. That said, I’ve compiled a list of advantages and disadvantages of the two main platform choices below.
Hosted Platforms
Hosted platforms refer to services whereby a service provider grants you access to their software, network connection, and hardware, and you register a blogging account for use on that platform. With a hosted blog, you have access to an administrative panel for your blog, and that’s it.
Popular hosted platforms include packages like Blogger, TypePad, and LiveJournal.
Advantages of Hosted Platforms
- Cheap: many are free; others (like TypePad) are offered with multiple price points
- Simple to get started: just signup for an account and then quickly learn how to create blog posts
- Automatic updates: you don’t have to concern yourself with keeping hosted software patched and updated.
Disadvantages of Hosted Platforms
- Rigid: there are fewer configuration options with hosted platforms.
- Not as many design choices: you typically only get to choose from a limited number of standard designs, and you often can’t make updates to them
- Generic URL: some hosted platforms don’t offer the choice to use your own URL
- Less control: you are at the mercy of the platform
- Migration issues: migrating from some free hosted platforms results in a lot of effort and often the temporary loss of search engine rankings
Self-hosted Platforms
Self-hosted platforms consist of a web hosting account you establish with a data center, and the blogging software you install on the host’s server. With a self-hosted blog, you have access to a management panel for your blog, but you also have access to a server account and the blog software where you can do nigh anything.
Common self-hosted software includes Movable Type, Drupal, and WordPress.
Advantages of Self-hosted Platforms
- Design flexibility: you have complete control over design and layout
- Great software: the best software exists on self-hosted platforms
- Custom URL: custom URL’s are common on self-hosted platforms
- Adaptability: you can change your blog as your needs change
- Easy migration: should you ever want to move to a different platform or another server, migrating is a snap
Disadvantages of Self-hosted Platforms
- Difficult setup: setup can sometimes be difficult, but this can be overcome with a good blogs how to
- Cost: while the blogging software is free, the hosting platform will cost you money
- Hosting issues: unless you choose a good host, you might have to suffer from down-time or poor support
- Upgrades: you will need to keep your software patched
Most of of my blogs are self-hosted, and it’s what I usually advise anyone looking to create a professional presence. There are too many benefits to pass up, and you usually have the option to host many blogs and domains on one account, driving the cost per blog down to a small amount.
