Battle of The Blogs: Blogger vs. WordPress
Hey Guys.
Well, I thought I should better start writing an article of the best blog around, as Im thinking of changing blogs. Anyone have any recommendations? As you know, I am currently using Blogger made by Google to write all of my articles, however, I found out through forums, that other people had started to talk about other blogging software, like Wordpress. Well, is it really any good? I’ll try and outline the main pros and cons of having Wordpress compared to Blogger.
1)Both Blogger and Wordpress are free! However, with the full (and recommended) version of Wordpress, you need to have your own hosting on which to place your blog. Therefore, you also would need your own domain name, which costs around £6-8 for a .com name, with the hosting which starts off at about £3 per month. Blogger 1-0 up!
2)One of the main things which made me want to try out wordpress was categories. Blogger doesnt have a category feature! Therefore, for all you people out there reading my blog, it probably takes you ages to try and find a topic which you prefer. Wordpress back to 1-1!
3) It is very easy to use Blogger using the WYSIWYG editor, with previews available before you have to publish the article/template. Wordpress, although easy to write articles, does require amateur knowledge of HTML/CSS, which is one of the reasons which I was more inclined to using Blogger. For all you pro’s though who can handle the messy stuff Wordpress is the way, but being realistic, most of the population doesnt have a clue about CSS, and WordPress has no preview, so Im afraid that one will have to go to Blogger, 2-1 up!
4) Blogger has few themes. Most of these although 3 column (with room for adsense, affiliates), are pretty similar, and so you cant get any real personalisation. Wordpress on the other hand now has over 400 to choose from, massive choice! Although these dont have the customary 3 columns, they still look pretty damn good, so WP is back on level terms at 2-2!
5) The FTP connection on Blogger is really poor. Although at the moment I only have 10 or so articles, I’ve heard that if you have 100 articles, it doesn’t connect 99 times out of 100, or if it does, it takes an age to upload! WordPress is instantaneuos which another good thing I like about it! 3-2 WordPress Wins!
I think overall, I now prefer WordPress over Blogger mainly because of the customization that’s possible, the amount of plug-ins are endless! But now, Im in a dilemna over which one to choose, what do you think I should do? Please reply to this post, or email me using the link in the “About Me” section.
I have a remotely hosted word press blog at Work At Home Business Opportunities
I was checking MSN yesterday and it seems of 500 posts, only six were in the database.
With blogger templates, MSN seems to suck up the pages for lunch… with wordpress… the time line seems infinite.
For most blogs MSN seems to be the fastest way to get traffic along with Yahoo. So why shoot yourself in the foot using word press. But that’s your choice of course.
Good point, I didnt realise that WordPress articles did not show up much on search engines.
So would you recommend staying put with Blogger? WIth all honesty, it would save a lot of time sticking to Blogger as I wouldnt have to move all my files, however, other people have commented that I should make the transition to WordPress. I’m in a dilemna!!!
Thanks for your comment,
hey I found an option to the category thing in blogger, use a jump box and paste the java script for the jump box into the -head- and the jump box into the sidebar. then just add you posts to the jump box in whatever order you think your readers would like my page views have jumped two-fold since installing…
here’s the example:
http://blkjackblog.com
my other blog:
http://www.ifenergy.com
Let me just start with saying WordPress rules. I formly used blogger and have no regrets with my switch to WP.
I don’t think wordpress pages have trouble in search engine, especially if you go with the full opensource solution.
The difference in the search engine results probably has more to do with the content and the webmaster’s failure to submit his/her site to different search engines. My blog is only a month old I’ve got a decent Google inclusion.
Also, WP is so customizable that you can’t tell some sites are using it.
As far as the WYSIWYG editor, WP has one. It can be turned off if you rather right HTML or PHP.
Wordpress provides much more power. Like you mentioned, the plugins are endless.
WP does require some HTML knowledge, but HTML is easy to learn.
Hosting does cost for the full (definetly recommended) version of WP. Checkout dreamhost (a great web host provider). To waive the $50 setup fee, use promocode mandl when signing up for 1 year of L1.
I hope this comment isn’t too long. I just really like wordpress and thought this might help your decision.
Thanks for all your comments on Blogtrepreneur Mithrill, your detail is perfect for our conversation starters!
I would back you up on the fact that Wordpress is the best, all the best blogs are using it. And the fact that it is so customisable means that, I’m going to try and make my blog really good with great navigation.
Your comments have made me want to get started on Wordpress even sooner, but still got to wait until exams are over!
Apples and oranges Adnan, Blogger and WordPress hosted really are not comparable. WordPress.com offers hosted blogs as you mention, so the point given to Blogger for ‘not’ having this option is a little odd.
Also WordPress has a built in editor and a preview without publish option.
That makes it.. 5-0, WordPress wins
I’m a bit of a WordPress junkie, and now that you have started to use it, I cannot see you returning to Blogger in the immeditate future.
Haha, you’ve got that right. I wrote the post whilst I was at Blogger and now I can see that Blogger cannot even compete with Wordpress, there’s just so many features!
I have blogs on both WP and Blogger - different strengths. Neither has been optimal. They also have
some problems in Firefox, Opera, and IE that don’t appear in the other. WP easier on categories.
Blogger easier on graphics uploads just for openers.
I have been trying to get HTML down, but it seems as though my ADD kicks in as soon as I see the words. I have a blog on both Blogger and WP, I do like wordpress but from forums I am seeing that you can’t monetize your site. So with that I am not okay, and dont want to lose all of my posts. I like blogger because you can use google adsense, maybe in a few months I will update to the FULL VERSION. Not sure if it is because WP is so easy,but my blog at blooger-meant to call it that, has been neglected, maybe I am not giving WP their due credit. I have yet to see myself in rankings but know that I am getting traffic,and lots of it off and on. So, I would suggest, going with the typepad have heard good things there or wordpress-the big gun one..Good luck to you. And great blog.
A few questions from a blog idiot
How do you keep the spammers from eating you alive? i\’ve seen blogs with nothing but spam postings.
How do you keep some left wing extremist from posting racist or defamatory rhetoric? and if you cant stop them, what are you legally liabel when they do?
can viruses be posted to blogs?
Thanks for your comments Tarsha and Fundraiser.
To answer your questions Fundraiser - there really is no way to keep spammers from hurting your forum other than continually moderating and deleting their accounts. Its a real nuisance and a shame that this sort of thing happens.
And there really is nothing to stop some bloggers from posting their thoughts etc, but I really don’t think they’re likely to gain a lot of readers from doing that!
And Im sure a link to download a virus can be posted to blogs - reason?
Wordpress all the way!
Long time WP user and I have tried many many CMS including Blogger.
Lol. Same, I made the switch from Blogger last year and have never looked back. Wordpress is just so customisable and at Blogger, you don’t even own the domain!
(I’m sorry if I am 1 year and 7 months late for this comment)
I would say that both Blogger and Wordpress have their own unique kind of templates. http://www.blogskins.com for Bloggers, http://themes.wordpress.net/ for wordpress.
Another thing, I would have to disagree with your fifth point because I have friends using blogger through FTP and they are still doing very well? (Just my 2 cents)
I have created my own version of Blogger VS Wordpress for internet marketers over here:
http://studentblogproject.com/blogging-platforms%20/blogger-vs-wordpress/
Hope it can get added to your list too!
Nice article, it was informative in helping me decide on whether to use WordPress or not. So far, I am happy with my decision and have implemented a few plug-ins from the WP website, such as Akismet which helps block spam posts and All-in-One SEO Pack, as well as, FeedBurner FeedSmith. I linked to your blog article here: http://globalclosers.net/insider/2008/01/01/happy-new-year-bloggers/
@ Fundraiser
I think Akismet helps a lot in blocking most of the spams. But moderation is also helpful.
Thanks for the post, im loving WP better!
I think that blogger rox in terms of not needing to know HTML although I do and the start-up is really fast. I started a wordpress blog once but I had to go through the start up many times as my inbox did not receive that activation message, why? I don’t know. But I think wordpress is the best when it comes to business blogs etc. while blogger has its forte at personal blogs. Question or comment?
I say that these are both very overrated. Try FreeBlogZone.com.
They are pretty new, but extremely simple to use, they have a decent selection of templates, and are unique. They bring many new features to the internet that Blogger and Wordpress do not currently have. They have a great support team, and keep everybody updated with what is going on with the site.