Expert Answers
Sort by Date
Sort by Votes
Mar 5, 2014
In terms of a blog, I would say that there is nothing that touches Wordpress. It is by far the most supported blog platform and most secure. You have two options with Wordpress: If you have hosting and a domain ready you'll use Wordpress.org's open-source CMS platform. If you are looking for a free option, you can use Wordpress.com, which is something similar to Blogger...ie. they host your blog for you (www.yourblog.wordpress.com)
Mar 5, 2014
There are several website creation platforms out there such as Wix, Weebly, Wordpress, Drupal, Joomla, SquareSpace, etc. It all depends on what you're trying to achieve (e-commerce or brochure website?).
- Weebly's templates look outdated and their lacklustre designs don't put your business in a professional light.
- Wix has beautiful templates, but has severe limitations with blogging and SEO. I've written an article that describes my experience with Wix and compares it to Wordpress:
http://www.bijucreative.com/2013/07/why-wix-sucks/
- Drupal and Joomla are also CMS (Content Management System) where you can post blog articles and make updates yourself (dynamic website) vs. a brochure (static) website. It's important to have a dynamic website for your SEO; Google loves it when you update your content regularly, esp. rich, valuable content. However, Drupal and Joomla are very complicated and user "UN-friendly".
- Square is great, but is for those who are artists and want to have a portfolio website.
- Wordpress is really the way to go, as it is free, user-friendly, easy to update, excellent for SEO, has beautiful designs, has ultimate customization and functionality, you can do just about anything with it, and the support is amazing, because it is open source (free and developed by programmers around the world volunteering their time to better the software), and the list goes on (as explained in my blog in the link above).
Mar 5, 2014
I would certainly say your own first! But if you are asking about platform, like many other folks here I would recommend Wordpress.
But, you may also consider creating accounts on a number of other blogging platforms and use a broadcast plug-in to automatically post to other blog accounts.
For example, my blog automatically posts to my Tumblr, StumbleUpon, and Wordpress.com blog. (As well as a number of my social media accounts)
Just some food for thought.
May 8, 2015
Squarespace - all features you need, fantastic support, includes hosting - $8/mo. Easy choice, I promise. Beautiful templates that look great on all devices. Very easy to use after a bit of a learning curve. You can start your site and set it online within 30 seconds (and two week free trial).
All other "DIY" options like Wix/Weebly are really not good and give off a cheap feel.
Using something like WordPress.com is fine, but it doesn't look professional and it's not a space that you truly "own." In theory, they could delete your content. It's important to own your own space.
Mar 5, 2014
Jtn... interesting question... best of what? Best for graphics? Best for design? Best for ease of use?
Seth Godin, probably the worlds most successful blogger ever, uses Typepad.com
http://sethgodin.typepad.com
Seth isn't the most successful blogger because he uses TypePad, he could easily use Wordpress, Medium, Faceboo, Linkedin... it's NOT the website, it's the routine...
In other words, Seth writes EVERY DAY and he writes great stuff.
He didn't start out writing great stuff but because he has a disciplined routine of writing every day, he's gotten great at it.
There is no "best website"... there is only you... and are you willing to put the TIME into you writing be one of the best?
Mar 5, 2014
Hello,
I would have to say it really depends on your goals for the blog. Is it to help you write your thoughts? Are you looking to generate income from ads? Are you looking to build an email list?
A few popular options have already been mentioned: Blogger, Wordpress, Tumblr, etc. And at the end of the day, as someone mentioned, the important thing is having fresh content that's informative and engaging. Having the discipline to write regularly is important.
Since many are free, I recommend trying them and seeing which one you are comfortable with.
Wordpress through Wordpress.com is very popular, customizable, and is very easy to maintain. But, if you're looking to build an email list for a newsletter, etc. then you will want to host it on your own website/hosting platform. You can then download and install wordpress.org, the open-source CMS platform.
I've used both Blogger and Wordpress. Blogger is very easy to use but for professional use, I preferred wordpress. Once you find one that you like, then choose one to continue and promote that.
Mar 5, 2014
Word press is without a doubt the best option. This is primarily because of their built in easy-to-use SEO settings. A layman blogger could easily fill in keywords and SEO parameters.
Word Press also has a lot of application, third party vendors, and available customization.
I consider myself an SEO expert, and I have to tell you that the SEO value from Word Press is enough to make a choice on this.
Mar 5, 2014
Yes, @Vince you are absolutely right..
The more content in the blog and engagement will lead it to be the best one..
I have never used Typepad, but its the best one when we talk about blog, other than this wordpress is the 2nd choice for bloggers free or self hosted, just because of the CMS and all available free plugins (user friendly)..
I would suggest to host the site with the wordpress platform, purchasing the domain and hosting in godaddy or other..
Mar 5, 2014
Hi Jtn,
If you're using a blog to communicate out to the Internet, then your best choice for a platform is Wordpress. Wordpress has both a RSS and RPC protocols, which other platforms do not have. Wordpress was built as a communications tool from the very beginning.
I am not a fan of Wordpress.com because there are limitations. I suggest having your own blog and install Wordpress on a server from Wordpress.org.
As was stated in several comments Wordpress comes with many themes/template options...not to mention all the marketing plugins that are available too.
Hope this helps.
Mar 5, 2014
This question begs clarification.
Are you asking which blogging software/CMS is best or which blogging hosting provider is best? Or, alternatively, which social media blogging option (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) is best?
If you are asking which software is best I have to agree with everyone else here. Wordpress is tops and it deserves the critical acclaim it gets.
No matter which direction you go you should stay away from several things:
*"Free" blog accounts - Don't split your page rank and send your visitors to two separate pages. Additionally, your page on the "free blog" will likely have ads (potential for competitors) which could attract users elsewhere. Not a good idea.
*"Free" blogging options in key social media sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. Don't make the assumption that users are on any single platform or you may loose potential conversions. The same issues with ADs on your pages also exist. Not so good.
*A separate blog from your website - the two should be as tightly integrated as possible - not two separate efforts. No matter the CMS/Blogging platform you choose it should have both core CMS features and tightly integrated blogging as a core critical feature.
As noted by many wise people here. Wordpress is both a CMS and a blogging platform which meets both requirements and then some.
If you are looking for the most flexibility, go with a custom install at a hosting provider that supports Wordpress. You will be happy you did.
Mar 6, 2014
If you are asking a question at this level of generality - your already in deep trouble or you'r just asking a crap question to get attention (or fodder for your blog!)
Most of the answers below start with the assumptions that you are asking a technical quesion. The truth is, I can start and maintain extensive blogs without using WP or even knowing the underlying platforms - I don't care if my readers don't care... and neither do the serach engines who help you get found.
Much more important...
You should always start your personal or business quest with a statement of goals. Everything else depends on this so get too it. After that you might do a little research i.e. find a few high ranking (go look that up) sites and then do the research of what they do.
Mar 7, 2014
Firstly this is not technical question, its general question.... Secondly m not trying to get attention..
I never blogged before so I have less knowledge about blogging website..
other thing, I learned some more things which I didn't know before about wordpress...
So there is nothing bad to ask this type of question...
It may happen that I am asking this type of question & others who don't know or know very little, they can learn by reading these comments....
And thank you about important thing you said that start with personal/business quest with goals.
Mar 5, 2014
I have to say that I love squarespace.com, for SEO, responsiveness and a myriad of other features - including a free .com domain, but then again, as WordPress still offers free blog options and it's still a robust platform, I can't stand against Tim Brownson.
Mar 5, 2014
Blogs had changed a little bit more since some old tools, you might try something with rich content, responsive, easy to use, transparent, access and blog anywhere from your table or similar and more fun stuff, please check on https://ghost.org/
Mar 5, 2014
WordPress, and it's not even close. You can build a corporate site in WP and just about every single theme has an easy-to-add blog. It's so simple. And it's an extremely powerful CMS. I've used Joomla and Blogger for blogging and I hate them. WP!
Mar 5, 2014
I agree with Wordpress, it's by far the most robust and has the widest number of plug-ins that a beginner or expert can take advantage of. It is also already designed with SEO in mind to optimize your site for search engines.
Mar 5, 2014
Your own website (domain) if you want to factor in SEO needs and build a business.
Otherwise any blogging platform that offers hosted blogs such as WordPress or other solutions mentioned here.
Mar 5, 2014
The most obvious answer is the best answer: WordPress, by a mile. Further, your blog should be an integral part of your main site for best SEO results, so your main site and blog should both be built on WordPress, preferably the self-hosted (wordpress.org) version that gives you complete freedom to design and configure your site to meet the needs of your business.
Mar 5, 2014
I highly recommend Wordpress. There are great templates to choose from and the features on the free version are fantastic. In my opinion, this is the most professional and clean looking blog platform out there. The statistics that are displayed in your dashboard are great as well, and very insightful.
You also have the option to upgrade for a mere $99/year. This enables you to have your own .com domain (instead of blogtitle.wordpress.com), access to all templates, and customize in a deeper way than you can with the free version.
Mar 5, 2014
I have worked with Wordpress.org for the past number of years (around 6-7) and have found it to be a great system. We create about 50-75% of our clients custom websites using Wordpress as a CMS and most of them use it also for a custom blog on their site. If you're looking for a blog to write to that is not hosted on your own URL though, then your options open up a lot more. It really depends on what you are looking to do.
Mar 5, 2014
Hi,
It's not the platform you use.
It's the message and the habits you develop that make an impact. On the lives of your readers that is.
I would recommend starting out with Wordpress.com You can always migrate your content to a self hosted wordpress.org platform. Blogger is also good and it's free.
Mike Noone took part in an experiment with Ed Dale to build the worlds largest blog network on the Top Secret Marillion project.
If you want more info feel free to contact him via this site.
Mar 5, 2014
Sir is it possible to migrate blogs contents to self hosted website blog.
So is it mean that I can start blogging through wordpress.com & then I can migrate all the blog content to my own website when i host it???
Mar 6, 2014
Yes @Jtn Rthd you can. I do simple blog set up and self-hosting support if you need it. Follow me and let me know if you ever have questions directly!
Wordpress has served us at New Harmony Center well. It has allowed for the multiple practitioners here to post as a part of the Center's offering on the web. I haven't used wix, so I can't compare.