Blogger or WordPress?

First off, this comparison is between self-hosted WordPress.org and Blogger, not WordPress.com vs Blogger. Read the post about the comparison between the self-hosted WordPress.org vs Free WordPress.com here.

Let’s get down to it – Which is better, Blogger or WordPress? Both have blogging as the main feature, but they are two very different blogging platforms. With Blogger, simple blogging is the main function, but WordPress is a powerful Content Management System that happens to include blogging as a main feature. To be honest, they both have some pros and cons, and it all depends on what you want to do with your blog long-term.

Blogger

Blogger is perfect for the casual or hobbyist blogger who simply wants a creative outlet. If you’re not sure where your blog is headed, Blogger is a good choice.

Pros:

• It’s Free, No Ads!
• It’s Easy.
• Scripts and custom codes can be added to some extent.
• You can monetize the blog with ads — from Google AdSense, Amazon, etc.
• The blog template can be customized to change its appearance.
• You can start and stop blogging at any time, take a break and come back and your blog will always be there.

Cons:

• Your blog is owned by Google, which means they have the right to shut it down, or shutdown your access to it at any time.
• Blogger’s gadgets are very limited
• Blogger itself has not had any major updates in a very long time.
• Only 1GB worth of picture storage unless you host someplace else.
• Page size limit is set at 1MB.
• No FTP access.

Obviously, Blogger can be a great option for a lot of people, but if you plan to build a sustainable online business, then Blogger is not for you.

WordPress

WordPress is the option you want to choose if you want a more “professional” website and want to show off your professional photo galleries, have lots of recipes to share, or want to sell your products and SO much more!

Pros:

• You own your own site.
• You can monetize your blog/site the way you want, there are no forced advertising.
• You have complete freedom and control of every aspect of your blog/site.
• You have access to a ton of Free and Premium WordPress Themes.
• Your blog/site can be customized to whatever you want.
• You can install WordPress plugins to transform your blog into almost anything you can imagine and almost all of them are free.
• You don’t have to pay any licensing fees as WordPress is an open-source software.
• If compatible, you can add any custom scripts or codes to your blog/site.
• You get a huge SEO advantage when compared to free hosted blogs.
• You can transform your blog/site into an eCommerce or membership website.
• You get FTP access
• The WordPress software is free and very easy to install, one click!

Cons:

• You have to buy a domain name which can cost you approximately $10-15 per year.
• You have to buy a web hosting plan which can cost at least $100 per year. You can always select a once a month payment plan to make it easier.
• WordPress is a full fledged Content Management System; therefore, features are much more extensive than Blogger and there is going to be more to learn.
• You may find it difficult to learn if you are totally new to blogging. But you can always get help from the official WordPress.org Support Forum (they’re really nice).
• You are responsible for the security and maintenance of your blog/site. There are free plugins for that!
• You have to make sure that the WordPress software and all your plugins are up-to-date otherwise it may be vulnerable to attacks. It’s not hard and can be done in few clicks.
• You are responsible for backing up your whole site regularly in case it breaks
• You have to fight spam as spam is a big problem for WordPress.org users. There are free plugins for that!
• You are responsible for resolving problems with your site and server if they arise

WordPress is better for a long-term, professional commitment.  Yes, there is alot to learn and some money to be spent, but in the long run for a business, it’s worth the cost.

Conclusion

Each platform has pros and cons, and even much more than I have listed, but at the end of the day, it all depends on you.

If you just want to blog and have some fun, have a hobby to show off, then Blogger is for you. If your website is your business and you want to make money, you should go with WordPress.org. It has the most options, features and the most flexibility.

In saying that however, just because a self-hosted WordPress blog/site is pretty awesome doesn’t mean that it’s the best choice for everyone. You can always try one of the other blogging platforms and switch to WordPress when you are ready.

Which is your favorite blogging platform and why?