You are well aware of what a blog is and how to create one for free.
In one of our previous articles, we have also discussed the key blogging platforms WordPress, Blogger, and Tumblr. In most cases, a blogger either chooses WordPress or Google Blogger as their preferred blogging platform.
Let us evaluate the better blogging platform between the two, beginning with Google Blogger.
What Is Google Blogger/Blogspot?
Google Blogger, normally referred to as Blogspot is a product of Google. It is a Content Management System (CMS) and is a platform where one can create and blog for free. Most beginners choose Blogspot as their primary blogging platform not just because it is easy to use but also because the platform is also free to use.
What Is WordPress?
WordPress too is a Content Management System. It is free to use, open source platform. We can create beautiful blogs and websites through it.
WordPress is of two types – WordPress.com and WordPress.org. WordPress.com is a free blogging platform, where you can quickly create your blog without even shelling out a single penny. WordPress.com, is similar to Blogspot in most aspects but has a few limitations.
WordPress.org is also a blogging platform, which is open source i.e. we can edit and play around with the codes to suit our needs. However, unlike WordPress.com, if we use WordPress.org, you do need to spend on domain and hosting. In this aspect, it is also different from Blogger as Blogger too is completely free.
Advantages Of Blogger/Blogspot
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Zero Investment
You can start with zero investment. You don’t need to pay to create a blog at Blogspot. You get free hosting – to host your blog and a free subdomain i.e. .blogspot. For instance, bpmpl.blogspot.com.
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Zero Server Downtime
Zero server downtime. You know Blogspot is a product of Google, and Google has secure and robust servers. You create and host your blog on Google servers. This means you or your visitors won’t encounter any server errors. Doesn’t matter how much traffic you generate, you always have a great running blog.
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Drag And Drop
To modify you can easily drag specific elements or you can even drag and drop the whole blog like sidebar, widgets, etc. This minimizes coding requirement and is extremely helpful for those who aren’t into coding. This is how Blogger scores over WordPress.
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Custom Theme
Blogger allows us to upload your desired themes for free. This means you don’t have to upgrade to any pro plans to upload themes. There are no Pro plans that are available on the Blogger platform.
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Custom Domain
You can even add custom domains. This means your blog bpmpl.blogspot.com can be assigned or transferred to a custom domain, for instance, bpmpl.com. All you need to do is, buy a domain.
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Free SSL Certificate
If you are using Blogspot sub-domain, you get the https enabled by default. However, when you add your custom domain, then HTTPS changes to HTTP and you are required to add the SSL Certificate again. Now Google has officially launched the free SSL certificate even for a custom domain, that is you can have the https enabled on your site for free.
Disadvantages Of Google Blogger
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Limited Features
With Blogger, you don’t get many features and are limited to a select few. You can’t install any plugin, and if you want to, then you need to do that with the help of scripts or codes.
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Coding Know-How Is Required
Blogger has drag and drop features. However, when you need to customize, you are left with no options but to code. For instance, customizing comment section will need you to code.
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No Subdomains
Even though you can have your custom domain installed; you can’t create any sub-folder or sub-domain. This is because you are using the hosting of Blogspot, as a result, you won’t get their control panel access. Therefore you can’t create or install directories/folders.
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No Email Account
You are not allowed to create your email account/s with your domain extension on Blogger. For instance, [email protected]. For having domain specific email ids, you are required to either buy them through Gmail or through your domain registrar.
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Permanent Suspension Of The Blog/Site
When you create a blog at Google Blogger, you accept their terms and conditions and related privacy terms. If you do not comply with any of Blogger or Google policies either directly or indirectly, your blog may be removed permanently with or without any prior notice.
Now let’s discuss WordPress –
Advantages Of WordPress
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Ease Of Use
WordPress allows drag and drop with more features vis-a-vis Blogspot. You can drag and drop menus, header, footer, icons – drag and drop are very convenient and you can even preview the change before deployment.
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No Coding Know-How Is Required
No Coding Know-How required. Only in exceptional cases, coding knowledge is required. However, you can carry out most of the tasks without any knowledge of coding. For instance, if you want to install a plugin, a direct button is available to upload/install. To upload a theme, again a button is available. You don’t have anything to do with codes to customize your blog.
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Migration Is Easy
Migration is easy. Suppose you blog at Blogspot and want to shift to WordPress. In such a scenario, you don’t want to copy paste data and more importantly, you don’t want to lose out on any data. WordPress helps to import and export all the theme settings/posts/pages etc. You can easily migrate from any blogging platform to WordPress without any data loss.
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Easy Blog Customization
You can setup dynamic and static pages for your blog. This means you can create a static page say for your homepage and a dynamic page for your other pages basis your requirement. Thus you can have a more professional blog.
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Add Any Number Of Plugins/Themes
Add any number of plugins/themes. To increase the functionality and enhance the user experience of your blog, you can add or remove any number of plugins.
Disadvantages of WordPress
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Weighs Down On Pocket
If you are using WordPress.com then you have limited functionalities. You are required to pay to increase the functionalities made available to you. In the case of WordPress.org, you need to pay for domain and hosting, otherwise, you won’t be able to create a blog.
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Chances Of Being Hacked
You are required to use your own server for hosting and this increases the chances of getting hacked. Since the codes of WordPress is easily available online, hackers may get into your site and harm it.
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There Are Downtimes
If you have bought hosting, then you already know that there are some downtimes like server failure, etc. It happens with most hosting companies. These hosting companies guarantee about 99.99% uptime, but then that 0.01% is enough to negatively impact the blog/site.
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Storage Limitation
In the case of WordPress.com, you get limited storage, and you need to upgrade to get more storage. In the case of WordPress.org, you need to take storage from our hosting company.
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Frequent Updates
At WordPress.org, you need to regularly update to the latest version, as the newer versions remove some existing security holes and are more powerful. Though you can update with a few clicks manually.
Our Take –
Both of these platforms are fabulous. Both the platforms are great to start up with. It may also be required to buy an appropriate theme for Blogger/WordPress unless you know how to code it.
If you are new to blogging it is recommended that you start with Blogger, as it is the best platform for learning the intricacies of blogging and doesn’t cost a dime. You can learn to blog by creating a blog at Blogspot and then if required can move or migrate to WordPress at any point of time without any data loss. If you want your visitors to experience a professional look and feel, we recommend going ahead with WordPress.org, although it will cost you, your site will have excellent and exciting features.
Hope, this article was helpful! Leave us a comment if you want us to discuss any specific point pertaining to this topic or if it is needed that we write on any specific blog topic. Bridging Points Media provides designing and development services for both of these platforms.