Nowadays, it’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t have a blog. There are a variety of Blogging platforms that can easily set up an individual with their own personal blog. However, the blogging platform plays a major role in the theme and tone: certain platforms are suited for personal use, while others are used to convey a professional tone. Whether you’re starting a personal, business, or niche blog, it’s important to choose the platform that best suits the theme.
Comparing the Blogging Platforms
There are a variety of blogging platforms to choose from, each with their own unique advantages and disadvantages. The following are the most common content management systems used today:
Blogger is a blogging service owned by Google, which allows users to create a free blog. While Blogger can be used for business purposes, the majority of users on Blogger tend to focus on personal use. One of the main benefits of Blogger is its easy setup process: anyone with a Gmail account can create a blog through Blogger. (See why people prefer Blogger).
Drupal
Drupal is a content management system that is open source and free to set up. A variety of parties use Drupal for their backend systems, ranging from businesses, personal blogs and government sites. One of the key characteristics of Drupal is its add-ons, called “contrib modules”. These extensions allow users to add various features to their blog and increase functionality. Though no programming knowledge is required in order to setup a site through Drupal, proficiency in PHP may be needed in order to use advanced features.
Moveable Type is a growing competitor amidst more well known blogging platforms. This content management system allows users to create professional websites with the ability to support an active social network. While Moveable Type offers several free versions, there are a number of advanced, enterprise solutions ideal for businesses.
Tumblr is known as a microblogging platform, type of short form blogging that integrates social media elements. With a highly connected sharing function called “reblogging”, users are able to quickly share and spread content. While Tumblr is commonly used for personal blogs, a majority of users come from creative industries and backgrounds.
Typepad
A blogging platform, Typepad is used by a variety of parties, including creatives, industry leaders and businesses. Typepad does require a subscription, but customers are able to gain access to a domain name, customized blog designs and personal support. However, if you’re looking for a more cost-effective solution, Typepad also features a Micro version, a microblogging platform that easily integrates with Facebook.
WordPress is arguably the most popular and well-used content management system available. With an open source system and a number of free templates and themes, anyone can quickly set up a WordPress blog. WordPress also features an extensive plug-in library, allowing users to expand the functionality beyond the basic architecture. In addition to personal use, many companies and businesses use WordPress to create well-designed websites integrated with blogs.
When deciding among the various blogging platforms, it’s important to take into account a variety of factors, such as user interface, ease of setup and programming language. Choosing the right blogging platform may be confusing, but by considering your requirements, you can find a blog that best meets those needs.
Photo Credit: todaymade.com
This article is written by Rachel Hyun Kim. She is a writer at Resource Nation, writing on a range of topics from social media, blogging and SEO. Resource Nation is an online resource that gives advice for small business owners and entrepreneurs. You can follow Rachel at @rachelhyunkim. If you wish to write for HBB, kindly check this.