Blogger vs WordPress Platforms: Which One is Better?
I’ve seen a question that is recently raised by someone who likes to venture into blogging. Just like that guy I was also at a loss at which platform to use for blogging. Blogger and WordPress are popular platforms, but some even go to the point of paying more.
I’ve used both platforms for each of my blogs for several months now. This blog is done using Blogger and my other blog is hosted with WordPress.com. Don’t confuse WordPress blogs because there are two types of WordPress blogs – the first one can be hosted with WordPress.com and the other one can be downloaded free from WordPress.org for self-hosted WordPress platforms.
As a serious blogger, I still go for the hosted one. I wish I had enough money to invest into my own hosting. Spending for the domain is cheaper, but owning a host will require me to spend serious money for a good host and support even for just a year.
photo credit: konr4d (SXC)
Before plunging cash into self-hosted blogs, try out free blogging platforms first. Blogger and WordPress are the most popular ones used, but both have its set of advantages and disadvantages. There are also other blogs that are hosted with Typepad, and those blogs that come with MySpace. I will just focus my sites on two platforms that I’ve used: Blogger and WordPress. I’m trying to spell out the differences below:
Blogger: Advantages
- Allows the use of JavaScript widgets. I love Blogger because of its ability to accept JavaScript codes. Google Adsense, Adbrite, Alexa traffic ranking, sitemeter, Entrecard as well as some BlogCatalog and MyBloglog are some widgets that can be installed easily with Blogger blogs.
- Allows full control over the blogger template. This is also what I like about blogger. I could easily put in Javascripts directly into the XML template of my Blogger blog. I could change the design look of my blog or upload custom designs from other websites.
- Paid posts are accepted. I have no problems putting up paid posts and being penalized by Blogger. Majority of my paid posts have that “nofollow” code, so I was able to get some page rank from Google.
Blogger: Disadvantages
- No “recent posts” and “best posts” widgets. “Recent posts” and “best posts” is a good way to turn first-time visitors into all-time readers and visitors. I do not rely on the list of Blog Archive to keep visitors clicking on my blog.
- No “related posts” widget below the post. Related posts also retain readers so that blog visitors keep clicking more.
- Comment editing is not enabled. I still like to have better control over comments. I am not able to edit comments in Blogger; some commenters leave out ads in the comment section. Instead of deleting the undesirable comment, sometimes editing is better.
- Renaming post filenames is not possible. Renaming post filenames contributes to Google search engine results.
Blogger: Recommendation
I would use Blogger if I want to run Entrecard and Alexa to improve my traffic. If I prefer to earn residual income from Google Adsense and other ad networks, then Blogger is the best route to go. Additional widgets for installing “recent posts”, “best posts” and “related posts” can be provided from third-party bloggers, but I think one needs the technical know-how to install such widgets successfully.
WordPress blog hosted on WordPress.com: Advantages
- Top posts, top clicks and recent posts are readily available. This keeps readers reading more entries in my blog, not just the first post that they had landed on. At least this keep my previous posts very useful and are not left deep into the archives.
- Spam comments are protected by Akismet. WordPress.com hosted blogs are protected by Akismet so that those comments that are flagged as spam by other users are automatically queued to the spam section.
- Access to WordPress.com traffic. I’ve successfully got some traffic from other WordPress.com blogs as long as you put some tags in your posts. WordPress.com bloggers often visit neighborhood blogs with the use of tags, to see what’s being discussed on other blogs. I also get commenters this way.
- Renaming blog posts is possible, so these can be optimized into improving Google search engine results.
WordPress blog hosted on WordPress.com: Disadvantages
- Blog layout cannot easily be changed. I’ve wanted badly to change the blog layout to something that is not included in their default layout. One has to pay a bit more to change the CSS styles.
- Paid posts are not allowed in WordPress.com. It violates their Term of Service.
- JavaScript widgets are not allowed. You cannot use it with Entrecard and Alexa widgets to improve site traffic ranking. Google Adsense, Chitika and Adbrite ads are not also allowed.
WordPress blog hosted on WordPress.com: Recommendation
I think personal blogs fit perfectly into this category because of the Terms of Service that WordPress.com imposes on its users. However, anyone who plans to have a blog without any sponsored posts should find WordPress.com a perfect match at no cost.
Self-hosted WordPress Blog: Advantages
- Full flexibility over change in blog layout. Self-hosted WordPress blogs are a sure way to go for full control in the blog layout. The flexibility is even better than that provided by Blogger blogs.
- Paid posts are allowed. Unlike those that are hosted in WordPress.com paid posts are permitted.
- JavaScript widgets are fully supported. There is no limit to which JavaScript widgets can be placed on the blog.
- Better widgets. Self-hosted WordPress blogs come with the “top posts”, “top clicks” and “related posts” widgets.
- Posts can be renamed. Choosing the right words to name a post is crucial to Google search engine results.
Self-hosted WordPress Blog: Disadvantages
- Self-hosted blogs cost quite a great deal of money to get a hosting package. Self-hosted WordPress blogs always require the technical know-how. Full-time bloggers often go to this route, but they often had to learn the technicalities involved in putting up a blog. If one decides not to bother with the technicalities, the blogger has to pay for someone to do the maintenance for him.
- Prone to spam. Unlike blogs that are hosted with WordPress.com, self-hosted WordPress blogs do not come with spam filtering capabilities such as the one that is provided with Akismet. Installing also requires technical know-how or hiring someone to do the job.
Self-hosted WordPress Blog: Recommendation
These blogs are the true nirvana of blogging. It combines the best of both Blogger and hosted WordPress.com blogs. But this is worth spending so this is a better fit for true-blue professional freelance bloggers.
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btw neat blog you got there TLP...
Hi! Thanks for visiting my site. You can have a lovely weekend at Sagada with a 3k budget.
This Blogger and WordPress comparison entry of yours is very informative. I myself use WordPress.com for my personal blog. I do have 3 hosted WordPress blogs, the Sagada site included. Although I have to shell out money for these hosted blogs, but it gives me the flexibility and control that I need. You know, for customizations, etc.
I’ve only recently started using Blogger. I find its interface much easier to use… any blogging newbie can just jump right in create a blog. I like that.
Anyway, I prefer self-hosted blogs because they give me a sense of proprietorship. That these blogs are really mine. Plus I don’t have to worry that Blogger may accidentally block my blog should they suspect that it’s a spam (which they already did, twice).
Have a lovely day, Lady Programmer!
P.S. May I ask, if it’s ok, how did you make this commenting posting interface (I don’t know what to call it…hehe) look like this? I like the dropdown profile list (Comment as…).
It’s so different than the Blogger default comment interface.
I’ve taught myself html and now I’m trying to learn CSS so I can take full advantage of my WordPress platform. I’m not that familiar with Blogger/Blogspot and I used to have a blog at Motime. I stopped it though.
I hope you won’t mind but I added you to my blogroll and subscribed to your feed thru email. I find your tips and other entries very informative as well as well-written. They’re very easy for someone that’s technically-challenged (what a term!) like me to understand.
@MJ
Thanks! Good for you. I’m really hoping I could transfer my blogs too. Even if I have the money right now, I plan to finish the credits that I bought with WordPress.com for my other blog. Sayang kasi! On the other hand, this blog has a page rank and I get lose it when I get to transfer to another domain.
@PinoyCopywriter
Thanks. HTML and CSS are easy to follow and you can applied it to WordPress. Most bloggers like to have a reading audience aside from commenters. It is a way for most bloggers to motivate to blog more.
I’m using blogger as my platform for my blog. I tried wordpress but got confused when I wanted to customize the template and only to find out that I can’t do that when using wordpress.com.
I don’t have any technical know-how about tweaking HTML and CSS codes. I just rely on some good blog tutorials that shows how to add widgets or customize blogger template.
Oh by the way Gem, I hope you could help me with this..I searched google for this but to no avail..Do you know how to customize your feedburner email subscription box? Somehow I would like to add an image or replace the whole box with an image instead..If you have any idea I hope you could post a tutorial about it.
Thanks Gem
@MJ
I forgot about the posting interface. I used Blogger in draft and changed the settings in the comments section. I also prefer this style because saves time for the comment poster.
@Bobby
I’ve done what you have requested but I had problems posting out the HTML codes in this comment box. It was exactly the one I used in my other WordPress blog. I’m not also sure if I got the right email address listed in my email subscriptions (three letters preceeding your nick here – not a good idea to post that email here).
I try to keep my topics about getting freelance jobs and I’ve stayed away from tutorials. I have the answer but I wish I could help you out.
One way to get a good deal at hosting (most often – you get it free on your first year) is to network with bloggers who already have one. The first time I visited your blog I was already mesmerized how clearly you write about your thoughts – something I don’t have.
My recommendation? Go for your self-hosted wordpress blog. Hehehe. I can make your first year hosting free – or if you got a domain, I can give you a hosting space, an ftp account and a database. 
Oo nga, sayang nga naman. You have a PR3.