I can't think of a more common concern or question among both new and veteran bloggers alike: what blog platform should I use? Aside from learning how to blog, it's an almost universal concern.
And there is no stock answer. All bloggers NEED to own their URLs, but platform choice is mainly dependent on the individual blogger's requirements. With that stated, I've compiled a list of pros and cons of the two primary 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 setup a blogging account for use on that service. With a hosted blog, you have access to a control panel for your blog, and that's it.
Popular hosted platforms include solutions like LiveJournal, Blogger, and Typepad.
Advantages of Hosted Platforms
1. Economical: many are free; others (like TypePad) are offered with multiple price points
2. Simple to get started: just signup for an account and then quickly learn how to create blog posts
3. Automatic updates: you needn't concern yourself with keeping hosted software patched and updated.
Disadvantages of Hosted Platforms
1. Rigid: there are fewer customization options with hosted platforms.
2. Fewer design options: you usually only get to select from a limited number of mediocre designs, and you often can't make improvements to them
3. Generic URL: some hosted platforms don't offer the option to use your own URL
4. Less control: you are at the mercy of the platform
5. 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 host, 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.
Popular self-hosted software includes WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal.
Advantages of Self-hosted Platforms
1. Design flexibility: you have full control over design and layout
2. Great software: the best software exists on self-hosted platforms
3. Custom URL: custom URL's are common on self-hosted platforms
4. Adaptability: you can change your blog as your needs change
5. Easy migration: if you ever want to migrate to a different platform or another server, migrating is a snap
Disadvantages of Self-hosted Platforms
1. Difficult setup: setup can sometimes be difficult, but this can be overcome with a good blogs how to
2. Cost: while the blogging software is free, the hosting platform will cost you money
3. Hosting issues: unless you choose a good host, you might have to suffer from down-time or poor support
4. Upgrades: you will need to keep your software patched
Most of of my blogs are self-hosted, and it's what I generally advise anyone looking to create a professional blog. There are too many benefits to pass up, and you usually have the ability to host many domains and blogs on just one account, lowering the cost per blog down to a small amount.
And there is no stock answer. All bloggers NEED to own their URLs, but platform choice is mainly dependent on the individual blogger's requirements. With that stated, I've compiled a list of pros and cons of the two primary 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 setup a blogging account for use on that service. With a hosted blog, you have access to a control panel for your blog, and that's it.
Popular hosted platforms include solutions like LiveJournal, Blogger, and Typepad.
Advantages of Hosted Platforms
1. Economical: many are free; others (like TypePad) are offered with multiple price points
2. Simple to get started: just signup for an account and then quickly learn how to create blog posts
3. Automatic updates: you needn't concern yourself with keeping hosted software patched and updated.
Disadvantages of Hosted Platforms
1. Rigid: there are fewer customization options with hosted platforms.
2. Fewer design options: you usually only get to select from a limited number of mediocre designs, and you often can't make improvements to them
3. Generic URL: some hosted platforms don't offer the option to use your own URL
4. Less control: you are at the mercy of the platform
5. 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 host, 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.
Popular self-hosted software includes WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal.
Advantages of Self-hosted Platforms
1. Design flexibility: you have full control over design and layout
2. Great software: the best software exists on self-hosted platforms
3. Custom URL: custom URL's are common on self-hosted platforms
4. Adaptability: you can change your blog as your needs change
5. Easy migration: if you ever want to migrate to a different platform or another server, migrating is a snap
Disadvantages of Self-hosted Platforms
1. Difficult setup: setup can sometimes be difficult, but this can be overcome with a good blogs how to
2. Cost: while the blogging software is free, the hosting platform will cost you money
3. Hosting issues: unless you choose a good host, you might have to suffer from down-time or poor support
4. Upgrades: you will need to keep your software patched
Most of of my blogs are self-hosted, and it's what I generally advise anyone looking to create a professional blog. There are too many benefits to pass up, and you usually have the ability to host many domains and blogs on just one account, lowering the cost per blog down to a small amount.
About the Author:
Jared is the developer of a popular Wordpress plugin suite for WordPress blogs and a partner in the publishing company responsible for best-selling blogging package Blogging in Action. Jared helps people learn how to create blog properties the right way, and coaches them on effective methods to bring traffic to blogs.
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