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How to Pick the Optimal Platform for your Weblog
There is no more common concern or question among both new and experienced bloggers alike: which blog platform should I choose? Aside from learning how to blog, it's an almost universal concern.
And there is no one-size-fits-all answer. All bloggers NEED to own their domain names, but platform choice is largely dependent on the indivudal blogger's requirements. That said, I've compiled a list of disadvantages and advantages of the two primary platform choices below.
Hosted Platforms
Hosted platforms refer to services whereby a service provider grants you access to their software, hardware, and network connection, and you setup a blogging account to use on their platform. With a hosted blog, you have access to an administrative panel for your blog, and nothing else.
Popular hosted platforms include packages like LiveJournal, Blogger, and Typepad.
Advantages of Hosted Platforms
- Economical: many are free; some (like TypePad) are offered with multiple price points
- Simple to get started: just create an account and then quickly learn how to create blog posts
- Automatic updates: you needn't worry about keeping hosted software up-to-date and patched.
Disadvantages of Hosted Platforms
- Inflexible: there are fewer configuration choices with hosted platforms.
- Limited design choices: you usually only get to choose from a limited number of average designs, and you often can't make updates to them
- Generic URL: some hosted platforms don't offer the option to use your own URL
- Lack of control: you are at the mercy of the platform
- Migration issues: migrating from many free hosted platforms results in a lot of effort and often the temporary loss of search engine rankings
Self-hosted Platforms
Self-hosted platforms consist of your own web hosting account with a data center, and the blogging software you install on the data center's server. With a self-hosted blog, you have access to a management panel for your blog, but you also have access to a server account and the blog software where you can do almost anything.
Common self-hosted software includes Movable Type, WordPress, and Drupal.
Advantages of Self-hosted Platforms
- Design flexibility: you have complete control over design and layout
- Great software: killer software exists on self-hosted platforms
- Custom URL: custom URL's are ubiquitous on self-hosted platforms
- Adaptability: your blog can change as your needs change
- Easy migration: should you ever want to move to a different platform or another server, migrating is a snap
Disadvantages of Self-hosted Platforms
- Difficult setup: setup can sometimes be difficult, but this can be overcome with a good blogs how to
- Cost: while the blogging software is free, the hosting platform will cost you money
- Hosting issues: unless you choose a good host, you might have to suffer from down-time or poor support
- Upgrades: you will need to keep your software patched
Most of of my blogs are self-hosted, and it's what I usually advise anyone looking to create a professional presence. There are too many benefits to turn down, and you usually have the option to host many blogs and domains on just one account, driving the cost per blog down to a small amount.
Jared is co-author of Blogging in Action, a popular package that helps people learn how to blog the right way. He is also the programmer of the Six-Figure Plugin Suite, used by hundreds of people to drive traffic to blog posts and sites.
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