When starting your blogging journey, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is choosing the right platform. Two of the most popular options are Blogger and WordPress, but which one is better for beginners? Both have their advantages, but the right choice depends on what you’re looking to get out of your blog.
In this post, we’ll take a look at the key differences between Blogger and WordPress, breaking down what each platform offers, how easy they are to use, and which one might be the best fit for you as a new blogger. Whether you want something simple and easy to set up, or you’re thinking long-term with lots of customization, we’ve got you covered. If you’re struggling, check out some proven strategies for quick writing tips to understand how to write blog posts faster.
Overview of Blogger
Blogger is a free blogging platform owned by Google. Still it has a smaller market share compared to WordPress. It’s a straightforward option that’s been around since 1999, making it a reliable choice for many new bloggers. The platform currently has a market share of about 0.4% among top sites. Blogger is completely free to use, and it comes with a simple setup process that doesn’t require much technical knowledge.
Key features of Blogger:
- Free hosting: Blogger offers free hosting for your blog, which means you don’t need to worry about paying for web hosting or setting up your own server. All you need to do is create an account with Google. Every blogger account includes a free blogspot subdomain for creating blog addresses.
- Easy interface: Blogger’s dashboard is clean and easy to navigate. Setting up a blog is quick, and you don’t have to deal with any complicated configurations.
- Limited customization: While Blogger has some basic templates, it doesn’t offer as much flexibility when it comes to changing the design or layout of your blog. You can make some tweaks, but you’re mostly stuck with the default options unless you’re familiar with HTML and CSS.
Pros of using Blogger:
- Easy setup and user-friendly: If you’re just getting started and want to get your blog up and running fast, Blogger site is a great option. The setup process is quick, and you don’t need any technical skills to get started. Blogger’s setup involves signing up with a Google account and selecting a template. You don’t need any coding knowledge to understand and make changes with blog settings.
- No need for domain purchase: Blogger provides a free subdomain (yourblog.blogspot.com), so you don’t have to pay for a domain name right away. It is a free blog hosting service. This makes it a low-cost entry point for beginners.
- Google integration: Since Blogger is owned by Google, it works seamlessly with other Google services, like Google Analytics and Google AdSense. This makes it easier to monetize your blog once it starts gaining traffic.
- Support: Blogger provides basic documentation and community forums for support.
Cons of using Blogger:
- Limited design flexibility: Blogger provides limited customization options with only 12 free themes available. While you can customize the look of your blog to some extent, Blogger doesn’t offer the level of design freedom that other platforms do. If you want a unique or highly personalized design, you might find Blogger a bit limiting.
- Less control over your blog: Blogger limits the number of static pages a user can create to 20. You don’t own your platform entirely. Since it’s hosted by Google, they have full control over your blog. If Google decides to shut it down (which has happened before with other services), your blog could be at risk.
- Limited plugin options: Unlike WordPress, Blogger doesn’t support third-party plugins, which means you’re limited in terms of adding features and functionality to your blog.
Overall, Blogger is a solid choice if you’re just getting started and want something simple, free, and easy to use. However, it may not be the best option if you’re planning to scale your blog in the long term or if you want more control over the design and functionality.
Overview of WordPress
WordPress is the most popular blogging platform in the world, powering over 40% of all websites on the internet. It is a content management system used by about 43% of all websites and 97% of all blogs. WordPress is managed by a community of developers and users, ensuring its longevity. It’s an open-source platform, which means anyone can use it for free, though you’ll need to arrange for hosting and a domain name if you go with WordPress.org. There’s also a hosted version, WordPress.com, which has some limitations but can be a good choice for beginners who want an all-in-one solution.
Key features of WordPress site:
- Open-source software (for WordPress.org): WordPress is free to use, and because it’s open-source, you have full control over your blog. You can install it on any hosting provider, choose your domain name, and customize it to your heart’s content.
- Themes and plugins: One of WordPress’s standout features is its huge selection of themes and wordpress plugins. Themes let you change the look of your blog, and plugins add all sorts of functionality, from SEO tools to e-commerce capabilities. It offers over 10,000 free themes and thousands of premium themes.
- Scalability: WordPress is built to grow with you. Whether you start with a small personal blog or plan to build a full-fledged business site, WordPress can scale to meet your needs.
Pros of using WordPress:
- Full control: With WordPress, you have complete control over your blog. You own your domain, and you can make any changes you want to the design, functionality, and content of your site.
- Highly customizable: WordPress offers thousands of themes and plugins, so you can easily change the appearance and functionality through wordpress admin dashboard. There are options for every type of blog, from photography portfolios to e-commerce sites. Users can add media files to their wordpress posts with its intuitive block editor.
- Excellent scalability: As your blog grows, WordPress can handle the increase in traffic and content. Whether you want to add more pages, integrate with third-party tools, or even sell products, WordPress makes it easy to scale up.
- Active community and support: Because WordPress is so popular, it has a large, active community of developers, bloggers, and designers who create tutorials, forums, and plugins to help you make the most of the platform.
Cons of using WordPress:
- Needs hosting and domain purchase (for WordPress.org): While WordPress.org itself is free, you’ll need to pay for hosting and a domain name. This adds some upfront costs, and you’ll need to manage your hosting provider and domain registrar.
- Steeper learning curve: WordPress is more complex than Blogger. There’s a bit of a learning curve when it comes to setting up your site, choosing themes, and installing plugins. However, once you get the hang of it, it becomes much easier to use.
- Potential additional costs: While WordPress is free, you may want to invest in premium themes or plugins for added functionality or a more professional look. You’ll also need to pay for hosting, which can vary in cost depending on your needs.
Overall, WordPress is the best choice if you want full control over your blog and the ability to grow it into something bigger. It’s a little more complex than Blogger, but the flexibility, scalability, and customization options it offers make it a great option for bloggers who are serious about their craft.
Read also: Wix vs WordPress: Which platform is best for SEO?
Use Cases of Blogger and WordPress
Choosing between Blogger and WordPress becomes easier when you understand the kinds of projects each platform is best suited for. Here are some common scenarios to help you decide which platform aligns with your needs.
Use Cases for Blogger
- Personal Blogging
Blogger is ideal for personal bloggers who want to share their thoughts, hobbies, or daily experiences without worrying about technical setups or costs. Its simplicity and free hosting make it a hassle-free option for casual blogging. - Beginner-Friendly Projects
If you’re new to blogging and just want to try it out without making any financial commitments, Blogger is a great starting point. You can focus solely on writing content while leaving the technical aspects to the platform. - AdSense Monetization with Minimal Setup
Blogger’s seamless integration with Google AdSense makes it an excellent choice for those who want to start earning from ads without dealing with complicated configurations. - Temporary or Short-Term Blogs
For projects like event coverage, temporary campaigns, or short-term initiatives, Blogger works well as a quick and free solution.
Use Cases for WordPress
- Professional Blogs
If you’re aiming to create a professional blog with a polished design and advanced features, WordPress is the way to go. Its extensive themes and plugins allow you to create a website that looks and functions exactly how you want. - Scalable Projects
For blogs with long-term growth plans—such as transitioning into an e-commerce site, building a portfolio, or creating a membership site—WordPress offers the scalability and tools to grow alongside your ambitions. - Niche Websites
Whether you’re blogging about travel, fitness, tech, or any other niche, WordPress provides specialized themes and plugins tailored to your needs. For instance, food bloggers can use recipe plugins, while photographers can showcase their work through portfolio themes. - Comprehensive Monetization
If you’re serious about earning from your blog, WordPress gives you more options. From affiliate marketing and AdSense to selling courses, digital products, or subscriptions, WordPress supports diverse monetization strategies. - SEO-Optimized Blogs
WordPress is a favorite among bloggers who prioritize SEO. Plugins like Yoast SEO and Rank Math make it easy to optimize your content, helping you rank higher in search engine results.
Understanding these use cases can help you choose a platform that suits your goals and the type of blog you want to create.
Comparison of Blogger vs WordPress blogging platform
Now that we’ve covered the basics of both Blogger and WordPress, let’s compare them directly to help you decide which one is the best fit for you as a beginner. We’ll look at several key differences, including ease of use, customization options, design flexibility, monetization opportunities, and more.
Ease of use
- Blogger: Blogger is incredibly easy to use, especially for beginners. Users can create a blog on Blogger simply by signing in with a Google account and following a quick guide. You don’t need any technical skills to get started. The setup is straightforward, and the interface is clean and simple. Once you’re logged in, you can start blogging right away without any complicated steps. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to start, Blogger is the way to go.
- WordPress: If we compare WordPress, it has a steeper learning curve. While the dashboard is intuitive once you get the hang of it, setting up WordPress can be more involved, especially since you’ll need to find a hosting provider, install WordPress, and configure some basic settings. Many web hosting companies offer one-click installations for WordPress, making the setup faster. Once the setup is complete, WordPress allows users to create content easily using its block editor. Users can easily add content like text, images, and videos in WordPress using its intuitive block editor. However, WordPress offers plenty of tutorials and documentation to help you along the way to become an advanced users. Once you get the hang of it, it’s not that difficult to manage.
Customization options
- Blogger: Blogger offers limited customization options through a visual editor and basic HTML snippets. You’ll need to have knowledge of HTML and CSS if you want to dive deeper into customization.
- WordPress: WordPress excels in customization. It provides over 10,000 themes and 60,000 plugins for extensive customization. With thousands of themes available, you can make your blog look exactly the way you want. You can also install plugins to add new features like contact forms, social sharing buttons, and even e-commerce functionality. If you’re looking to have full control over how your blog looks and functions, WordPress is the better choice.
Design and themes
- Blogger: Blogger’s template selection is limited to 12 official themes. It comes with a variety of basic templates, but they’re not as modern or versatile as those available on WordPress. You can tweak colors and fonts, but the overall design options are more limited compared to what you get with WordPress.
- WordPress: WordPress has a massive library of both free and premium themes. Whether you want a minimalist blog, a portfolio, or a business site, you’ll find a theme that suits your needs. WordPress themes are often much more visually appealing and customizable, giving you more freedom to create a professional-looking site.
Monetization opportunities
- Blogger: Since Blogger is owned by Google, it integrates easily with Google AdSense, making it quick to start earning money through ads. To be eligible for Google AdSense, your Blogger blog must meet specific terms of service. Blogger payments from AdSense are sent monthly via electronic fund transfers and checks. However, monetization options on Blogger are fairly limited compared to WordPress. You can also add affiliate links or sponsored content, but you won’t have the same flexibility that WordPress offers.
- WordPress: WordPress is a much more flexible platform when it comes to monetization. WordPress allows you to monetize your blog through paid advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, selling products, and memberships. With WordPress, you can use plugins like ThirstyAffiliates to manage your affiliate links and track your earnings. In addition to Google AdSense, you can set up an online store (with plugins like WooCommerce), and more. You can create a membership website on WordPress to charge visitors for exclusive content. WordPress gives you a lot more options if you plan to turn your blog into a source of income.
Support and community
- Blogger: Since Blogger is owned by Google, you can access Google’s support resources, but the platform doesn’t have as large a community as WordPress. Blogger has a detailed documentation library where users can search for topics and learn answers to their questions. If you run into issues, you may not find as much community-driven support or troubleshooting as you would with WordPress. Blogger lacks dedicated technical support teams and provides only basic documentation.
- WordPress: WordPress has a massive global community of developers, designers, and bloggers who can help you solve any issues. There are countless forums, Facebook groups, YouTube tutorials, and blogs dedicated to helping WordPress users. This community is a huge benefit, especially when you’re just getting started. Users can access tutorials and documentation covering nearly every topic about WordPress. Many premium themes and plugins for WordPress offer dedicated customer support.
SEO capabilities
- Blogger: It comes with some basic SEO features, like the ability to add meta descriptions and custom URLs for your posts. It’s good enough for a basic blog, but it doesn’t offer much in the way of advanced SEO tools. It limits integration primarily to Google services like Google Analytics and AdSense.
- WordPress: WordPress shines when it comes to SEO. With the best seo plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math, you can easily optimize your content for search engines. These plugins provide guidance on keyword optimization, meta tags, sitemaps, and more. If SEO is a priority for your blog, WordPress is the clear winner to gain organic traffic from search engines.
Read also: How to add keyword in WordPress for better SEO?
Which blogging platform is better for beginners?
When deciding between Blogger and WordPress, there are several factors to consider. Your decision should depend on your goals, budget, and willingness to learn new tools. Let’s break down the key points to help you decide which platform is the best fit for you as a beginner.
Budget
- Blogger: If you’re on a tight budget, Blogger is an excellent choice since its a free blogging platform. You don’t need to pay for hosting or a domain name (at least initially). With Blogger, you can get started with nothing more than a Google account, making it perfect for those who want to start blogging with minimal financial commitment. While Blogger is free, using a domain typically costs around $10 to $20 per year.
- WordPress: WordPress itself is free, but you will need to pay for web hosting and a domain name. The cost of hosting a WordPress blog can vary depending on your needs, but for beginners, shared hosting plans can be relatively affordable (around $3-10/month). If you’re just starting out and want to invest in your blog long-term, WordPress might be a bit more expensive upfront, but the flexibility and scalability make it a great choice for those planning to grow their blog.
Technical skills
- Blogger: Blogger is extremely beginner-friendly, and you don’t need to know anything about coding or web design to use it. The platform is simple to navigate, and the setup takes just a few clicks. If you want something that’s easy to use without the need to learn new technical skills, Blogger is a great starting point.
- WordPress: While WordPress is still user-friendly, it has a steeper learning curve, especially for beginners. You’ll need to get comfortable with choosing a hosting provider, installing WordPress, and setting up plugins. It’s not difficult to learn, but it does require a bit of time and effort. If you’re comfortable with learning new tools or are willing to invest some time into figuring things out, WordPress is a more flexible and powerful option in the long run.
Goals for your blog
- Blogger: If your goal is to start a simple, personal blog with little intention of growing it into a business or large-scale website, Blogger is a solid option. It’s perfect for hobby bloggers who just want to share thoughts or experiences without worrying about too many extras. It’s also a good choice if you’re looking for something quick and easy to set up. Check out how you can master your content strategy, once you become serious for blogging.
- WordPress: If you’re serious about blogging and have long-term goals for growth, WordPress is a much better fit. With its wide range of themes, plugins, and customization options, WordPress gives you the flexibility to expand your blog into a full-fledged website. Whether you want to add e-commerce functionality, create an online portfolio, or integrate complex features, WordPress can handle it all.
Long-term growth
- Blogger: Blogger is a great starting point, but as your blog grows, you may find that its limitations become more apparent. There is a lack of advanced customization options and limited plugins. Google has the authority to shut down Blogger accounts and content at any time. So you’re always at the risk of losing your blog. These are all things to consider if you plan to grow your blog significantly over time
- WordPress: WordPress is built for scalability. WordPress users control what information they share with third parties, unlike Blogger users. As your blog grows, you’ll have the flexibility to add new features, change your design, and handle increased traffic. With WordPress, you won’t outgrow your platform the way you might with Blogger. If you’re planning to turn your blog into something bigger, WordPress is the way to go.
Final Thoughts
Both Blogger and WordPress have their pros and cons, but the right platform for you depends on what you’re looking to achieve with your blog.
- Choose Blogger if you want something simple, free, and easy to set up with no plans for monetization or large-scale growth.
- Choose WordPress if you’re serious about blogging, want more control over your site, and are looking for a platform that can grow with you.
Remember, the best platform for you depends on your goals, budget, and how much you’re willing to invest in learning the ropes. No matter which one you choose, the key is to get started, learn as you go, and enjoy the process of building your online presence.
However, if you choose to go with WordPress, adding the right tools to enhance your blog’s functionality can make all the difference. If you’re looking for a powerful, easy-to-use calendar plugin, Strive is a great option. With Strive, you can easily manage events, appointments, and scheduling directly from your WordPress site—perfect for bloggers who want to stay organized and streamline their workflow. Not sure about? No problem! You can try it risk free for two weeks. Start your 14-day free trial now.
FAQs about Blogger vs WordPress
Is Blogger obsolete for blogging?
No, Blogger is not obsolete, but it’s definitely not as popular or feature-rich as WordPress. While Blogger still serves as a simple platform for those who want to get started with blogging quickly, its limitations in customization and scalability may make it less appealing for long-term blogging projects. It’s a great choice for beginners looking for an easy, free solution but may not be the best fit for those planning to grow their blog into something more substantial.
Is WordPress still good for blogging?
Yes, WordPress is still one of the best platforms for blogging. In fact, it remains the most popular choice for bloggers worldwide, thanks to its flexibility, extensive theme and plugin options, and scalability. Whether you’re just starting or looking to grow your blog into a business, WordPress provides all the tools you need. Its community is active, and it continues to evolve with new features to meet the needs of bloggers at any level.
Which gives more money, WordPress or Blogger?
Both WordPress and Blogger can help you monetize your blog, but WordPress offers more options for generating income. Blogger works well with Google AdSense and allows you to earn money through ads, but WordPress provides more flexibility. With WordPress, you can use AdSense, affiliate marketing, e-commerce, sponsored content, and even sell digital products or services. While both platforms can be profitable, WordPress gives you more ways to monetize and grow your income.
Which is a free blogging platform, WordPress or Blogger?
Both WordPress and Blogger offer free options for starting a blog, but they differ in their offerings. Blogger is a free blogging platform, providing free hosting and a free blogspot subdomain, making it an ideal choice for beginners looking to start without any financial investment. On the other hand, WordPress offers both free and paid options. The free version, WordPress.com, provides basic features with limitations on customization and monetization, while WordPress.org requires you to pay for web hosting and a domain name, offering more flexibility and control.
Which is better for AdSense: Blogger or WordPress blog?
Both Blogger and WordPress support AdSense, but Blogger may have an edge for beginners looking to monetize quickly. Since Blogger is owned by Google, it integrates seamlessly with AdSense, making it easier to get started with monetizing your blog through ads on Google search. However, WordPress provides more flexibility, allowing you to customize your ad placements and integrate additional monetization strategies, such as affiliate marketing and product sales, in addition to AdSense. While both platforms work well for AdSense, WordPress offers more opportunities for diversification and growth in terms of monetization.
Can I switch from Blogger to WordPress later on?
Yes, it is possible to switch from Blogger to WordPress, but it can be a bit tricky. The process involves exporting your Blogger content and importing it into WordPress, and you may need to set up redirects to preserve your search engine rankings. While not overly difficult, it’s definitely more work than starting with WordPress from the beginning. If you anticipate needing more control and flexibility later, it may be worth considering WordPress from the start.
Does WordPress require web development skills?
No, you don’t need to know coding or web development if you choose WordPress. WordPress is user-friendly and designed for non-technical users. You can choose from thousands of themes and plugins that make customizing your blog easy without writing any code. However, if you want to make extensive customizations, such as creating custom themes or modifying website functionality, having knowledge of HTML, CSS, and PHP would be helpful, but it’s not required to get started.
Can I use custom domains with Blogger and WordPress?
Yes, both Blogger and WordPress allow you to use custom domain name. Blogger gives you the option to connect your custom domain to your blog, though it requires some setup. WordPress, especially with self-hosted WordPress.org, makes it easy to connect a custom domain during the setup process, and many hosting providers offer free domain registration for the first year when you sign up for hosting.