Today, I will be discussing blog platforms. Wordpress.com, Wordpress.org & Blogger.com. I will discuss prices, the difference, and how to figure out which is best for you.
Blogger, Wordpress, Wordpress.org: What is the difference?!
Blogger.com
The price: Free
Offers Hosting: Yes. Hosted with blogger and has blogspot.com at the end of your blog. (Example: deliciousdesignstudio.blogspot.com)
Supports Widgets: Yes
Supports Ads (Google, BlogHer, etc): Yes
Allows for customization of design: Yes
Can be transformed to look like a website: Yes
Allows Pages: No
Domain Linking: Yes. You can link your domain (example: www.domainname.com) to your blog for free.
Able to import & export blog: Yes
Offers widgets such as blogroll, subscribe to, follow me, twitter: Yes
Note: Great for those who do not want to pay for hosting. Who want a blog and to be able to have free control of their design, widgets and ads.
Wordpress.com
The price: Free
Offers Hosting: Yes. Hosted with wordpress and has wordpress.com at the end of your blog. (Example: deliciousdesignstudio.wordpress.com)
Supports Widgets: No. Does not support 3rd party scripts or most html codes.
Supports Ads (Google, BlogHer, etc): No
Allows for customization of design: No. Wordpress.com charges $15 for css customization, which only allows you to change colors.
Can be transformed to look like a website: No
Allows Pages: Yes
Able to import & export blog: Yes
Offers widgets such as blogroll, subscribe to, follow me, twitter: Yes
Note: We do not offer design services for wordpress.com blogs
Wordpress.org
The price: Free, Hosting required
*Most hosting providers cost anywhere from $5-6 dollars a month. Yes, that’s it. They almost always come with a free domain name too.*
Offers Hosting: No. Visit our recommends page for hosting information and ideas.
Supports Widgets: Yes
Supports Ads (Google, BlogHer, etc): Yes
Allows for customization of design: Yes
Can be transformed to look like a website: Yes
Allows Pages: Yes
Able to import & export blog: Yes
Offers widgets such as blogroll, subscribe to, follow me, twitter: Yes
Note: Great for businesses or those who are serious bloggers. Great for professionals and also those who want to use a great blogging platform.
I am forwarding this post to everyone who has asked my opinion on this. This is a perfect rundown!
Awesome info!!! Which do you recommend? wordpress.org?
Whenever I figure out all this CSS stuff, I’ll be doing a huge makeover on all of my sites. I’ excited. I’ll probably switch to wordpress.org
Self hosted wordpress blog is the way to go.
wow this is great. what about typepad?
Maybelle’s mom - We currently do not offer services for typepad. I was touching base on the platforms that we recommend and support (aside from wordpress.com). I wanted to point out the difference between wordpress.com and wordpress.org
Jon - I agree. Wordpress.org is the way to go.
Hi Jess - Thanks for breaking this down. I wish I’d read something like this before I chose a host! By import/export blog, does that mean you could move your blog to another host if you were to so desire?
I love this comparison. I wish I’d had this info in January!!