Blogging is a great way to make money. Not only does it help you share your thoughts and ideas with the world, but it can also be a lucrative business venture. Many bloggers can make a full-time income from their blogs. If you’re interested in starting your blog, you’ll want to choose one of the best blogging platforms.

In this blog post, I will discuss five of the best options available. I’ll cover everything from the pros and cons of each platform to help you decide which is the best fit for you. 

What is a Blogging Platform?

A blogging platform is a service that provides an online space for you to share your content. The content can vary from traditional blogs, that is, text-based posts, to audio and video content.

The platform will also host your blog and provide you with the necessary tools to manage your site. This can include features such as comments, social media integration, and email subscriptions.

The Ten Best Blogging Platforms for Making Money in 2021

Here is a detailed look at the five best blogging platforms available today:

1. WordPress.org

WordPress is one of the most popular blogging platforms, and for a good reason. It’s user-friendly, has a wide range of features, and is highly customizable. You can use WordPress to create any type of blog you want.

If you’re serious about making money from your blog, then you’ll want to choose WordPress.org over WordPress.com. With WordPress.org, you can install plugins and themes to make your site look and function exactly how you want it to. You’ll also have access to more advanced features, such as eCommerce integration.

With WordPress.org, you have much control over how your blog is used. You can design your website using a variety of free themes to start, as well as premium or custom-built themes.

Key Features:

Easy to set up

The simplicity of setup is what I like most about this self-hosted WordPress. To create a WordPress website, you must purchase a domain name and a hosting package, which you can do for as little as $2.75 a year.

Some of the most common hosting providers include Bluehost, Namecheap, and GoDaddy, which provide one-click WordPress installation. From there, you will begin modifying it to suit your needs. There’s no easier way of building a website than this.

Free and Premium Themes

As I mentioned, WordPress offers a wide variety of free and premium themes. This allows you to change the look and feel of your website without having to start from scratch or hire a web designer.

There are literally thousands of themes to choose from, which can be overwhelming at first. But you can filter themes by features, style, and price to help narrow down your options.

Most free themes are just as good as premium themes; it really just comes down to preference. I’ve used both free and premium themes on my WordPress websites and have been happy with both.

Plugins

WordPress plugins are small pieces of software that add features and functionality to your website. There are plugins for just about everything, from social media integration to security.

The great thing about WordPress is that there are so many plugins available, both free and premium. This allows you to customize your website and make it do exactly what you want.

I’ve used a variety of plugins on my WordPress websites over the years, and I’m always finding new ones that add even more functionality.

Pros:

  • User-friendly interface.
  • Highly customizable.
  • Thousands of themes and plugins are available.
  • It can be used for any type of website.

Cons:

  • Takes time to learn how to use all the features.
  • It can be expensive if you use premium themes and plugins.

2. Tumblr

Tumblr is both a blogging platform and a social media platform where you may submit short tales, and lengthy essays, reblog (re-post) other people’s work, and even talk with other bloggers.

You can post your material straight from Tumblr to other social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter thanks to its integration with these networks; just be careful to stay out of Facebook jail.

You can purchase a custom domain name or use Tumblr’s domain. Additionally, you may use HTML to modify the appearance of your blog or select one of its templates. However, you won’t have as many design possibilities compared to a self-hosted blog.

Tumbler is not limited to written content; you may still share your work if you’re a musician, photographer, or designer. This platform is good for newbies because you don’t have to wait months for your work to rank and receive exposure. You can access the Tumblr audience and traffic on other social media platforms.

Tumblr is also launching Post+, its monetization program. With the use of this program, users may hide some of their content behind a paywall, making it accessible only to subscribers.

The prices of the subscriptions—at which Tumblr will retain 5% of the money made by the content creators—are $1.99, $3.99, $5.99, and $9.99.

Pros:

  • Easy setup.
  • Free to use.
  • You can use your domain name.
  • It allows you to share anything.
  • Multiple options to monetize your content.

Cons:

  • It can be hard to stand out from the crowd.
  • Not as customizable as other platforms.
  • The algorithm may suppress content.

3. Medium

Medium is one of the easier ways to start blogging. You don’t need to worry about hosting, designing your website, or any of that technical stuff. You can just start writing and publishing your content.

Medium is perfect for those who want to focus on their writing and not worry about the design or technical aspects of running a website. It’s also great for those who want to build an audience around their writing.

It’s a free blogging platform or community where you can register and post reviews, articles, or whatever else you like as long as you abide by their guidelines.

Writing on Medium might not always bring in a lot of cash, but a premium subscription option for $5 per month grants users full access. You receive payment depending on the number of views on your articles once they are accepted for this program, also known as the Medium Partnership Program.

Pros:

  • Free to use.
  • No need to worry about hosting or design.
  • Great way to build an audience around your writing.
  • Access to the internal audience compared to SEO ranking.

Cons:

  • Limited control over the design of your blog.
  • You need to be a good writer to stand out.
  • The algorithm may suppress content.

4. WordPress.com

WordPress is one of, if not the most popular, blogging platforms available today. It’s used by some of the world’s biggest news organizations and websites.

While WordPress is free to use, there are some limitations. For example, you can’t install certain plugins and themes, and you don’t have access to the code. This means you can’t customize your website as much as you could if you were self-hosting WordPress.

You also don’t own your content. If WordPress decides to shut down, your blog will go with it.

That being said, WordPress is still a great platform for those who want to start blogging. It’s easy to use and has a ton of features. Plus, there’s a large community of users, so you can find help if you need it.

Pros:

  • It’s free to use.
  • Updates, backend configurations, and security are handled for you.
  • A large community of users.

Cons:

  • Limited to the number of plugins provided by the website
  • Limited options for monetizing your content.

Pricing:

It is free, but there are paid plans that cost $4, $8, or $25 and $45 per month.

5. Blogger

Blogger is a free blogging platform that Google owns. It’s one of the easiest platforms to use, making it a great choice for those just starting out. Blogger gives you more flexibility if you aren’t ready to spend money on a unique domain or theme.

It’s similar to Medium in that your domain name will finish with blogpot.com. You may buy your own domain name and link it to the website if you want to use it.

Although Medium allows you access to an internal audience, using Blogger still requires you to apply SEO and other traffic-generating strategies. A broad selection of free themes is also available from Blogger.

However, you may easily personalize one if you’d like. Google Analytics and several other third-party technologies, such as PayPal payment gateways, are compatible with Blogger. Additionally, you may monetize it using AdSense, considering Google owns it.

Pros:

  • Easy to start. (You only need a google email account)
  • A broad selection of free themes and the ability to customize them.
  • Google Analytics and other third-party technologies are compatible.
  • It can be monetized with AdSense.

Cons:

  • The domain name will finish with blogspot.com unless you buy your own domain name and link it.
  • Google owns your content. If they decide to suspend or ban it, you’ll lose traffic.
  • Blogger is not subject to frequent updates.
  • WordPress.com will serve its ads on your content on the free plan.

6. Wix

Wix is a popular website builder that also offers a free blogging platform. It’s easy to use and has a drag-and-drop interface. You can create a blog in minutes, even if you don’t have any technical experience.

You may use the free version, which offers basic blogging features. However, you will need to sign up for a plan that fits your needs if you wish to sell anything from your website or use additional blogging features. The cheapest package costs $18, while the most expensive is $56 per month.

You might have to pay extra if you want further add-ons like analytics, eCommerce, or anything else your site requires. The main disadvantage of Wix is that they control the server, code, and other backend functions.

Wix offers a variety of features, including the ability to add video and audio content, create galleries, and more. Plus, there are hundreds of free templates to choose from. You can also use Wix to create a professional website, not just a blog.

Pros:

  • It’s easy to use with a drag-and-drop interface.
  • Wix gives you access to inbuilt marketing and SEO tools.
  • You have access to a variety of professional designs and templates.

Cons:

  • The free version is limited, and you need to sign up for a paid plan to access most features.
  • Add-ons cost extra, and some essential features (e.g., eCommerce) are not available on the cheapest plan.
  • Wix owns your content and can delete it at any time without notice.
  • Your content will be lost when you change the theme. You have to start from scratch.

7. Squarespace

Squarespace uses the drag-and-drop interface to make it easy for anyone to create a blog. You can start with a free 14-day trial, but you’ll need to sign up for one of their paid plans after that. The cheapest plan starts at $12 per month, while the most expensive is $40 per month.

The best feature I like about Squarespace is that you can edit the website from your smartphone using their excellent app.

You may build up anything you want through their blogging option, such as an online business, podcast channel, or blog. Even though their dashboard requires some getting accustomed to, it is less challenging than coding. In addition, their support staff provides prompt responses and can help you with setup.

Pros:

  • Squarespace offers a free 14-day trial.
  • You can use their app to edit your site from your smartphone.
  • Their support staff is responsive and helpful.

Cons:

  • The cheapest plan starts at $12 per month.
  • The designs and templates are limited compared to WordPress.

8. Ghost

Ghost is like a mini-WordPress. With Ghost, you can access plugins, a simple dashboard, and all the sources you want. But unlike WordPress, which allows countless types of websites, Ghost is designed only for writing, blogging, and publishing.

You may use the plugins, SEO, and marketing, and even create your own themes and upload them through FTP, whether you’re a seasoned blogger or a newbie.

Ghost is in two versions:

  • Ghost open source- This is a free self-hosted platform.
  • Ghost(Pro) -This is a paid-hosted platform.

The self-hosted option is ideal if you require total control over your website. You simply need to download it and integrate it with your domain name.

The hosted version is excellent for beginners, but most features need payment. Prices start at $9 and go up to $199. Sadly, Ghost Pro doesn’t provide a free plan. There is just a 14-day free trial provided.

Pros:

  • You own the right to your content.
  • You can access plugins, a simple dashboard, and all the sources you want.
  • Ghost open source is a free self-hosted platform.

Cons:

  • You’re limited to blogging only.

9. Hubpages

Hubpages is a content-sharing platform that allows you to write articles, create blogs, and build a following. It’s similar to Medium but with more features geared toward writers and bloggers.

The best part about Hubpages is that it’s completely free to use. You don’t need to pay anything to sign up or publish articles. With HubPages, you can add advertisements to your mini-blog and split the proceeds 60/40.

In other words, after you set your ads, the mini-blog displays your advertisements 60% of the time, and 40% of the time HubPages ads are displayed. Even better, using your affiliate links may make money from Amazon or any other affiliate marketing networks you participate in.

Pros:

  • Hubpages is completely free to use.
  • You can add advertisements and make money from them.
  • You can use affiliate links to make money. Payments are made through PayPal.

Cons:

  • There is no control over what ads are displayed on your articles.
  • You cannot control your content, and HubPages can delete it anytime.

10. Weebly

Weebly is a website builder that allows you to create a blog, website, or online store. It’s similar to Wix but with fewer features and fewer customization options. Weebly is one of the easiest platforms to use since it uses a drag-and-drop editor.

The free plan is limited, and you’ll need to upgrade to one of their paid plans if you want to use a custom domain name or connect your Weebly site to an existing domain name. Prices start at $6 per month for the cheapest plan and go up to $26 per month for the most expensive plan.

You can expand the functionality of your website using Weebly’s Appstore, which also offers at least 70 themes and eCommerce features. Unlike with Wix, you don’t lose your content while switching themes.

Pros:

  • Weebly is one of the easiest platforms to use.
  • It has a drag-and-drop editor.
  • The free plan is limited but still usable.
  • You get access to many themes through the Weebly App Center.

Cons:

  • The designs and templates are not as good as other platforms.
  • You depend on Weebly’s support team in case the website goes down. This is because it lacks personal restore functionality.

FAQs Best Blogging Platforms

Which is the best platform for making money?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The best platform for making money depends on your needs and preferences.

Is a blog worth it in 2022?

The answer to this question is a resounding yes! A blog can be extremely beneficial, whether you use it to generate business leads or make money through advertisements and affiliate marketing.

If you’re looking for a platform that will allow you to do both, we recommend WordPress. It’s the most popular blogging platform in the world and extremely versatile. Plus, tons of plugins and themes are available to help you customize your blog exactly how you want.

Do I need to pay for a blogging platform?

No, you don’t need to pay for a blogging platform. However, some platforms do offer paid plans that give you access to more features and customization options. Paid plans usually start at around $60 per year.

What To Look for When Choosing a Blogging Platform

Here are a few factors to consider when making your decision:

Cost

How much are you willing to spend on a platform? If you’re on a tight budget, free platforms like WordPress.com and Blogger might be your best option. However, if you’re willing to invest a little more money, paid platforms like WordPress.org and Weebly offer more features and customization options.

Customization

Being able to customize your blog is important if you want it to stand out from the crowd. Some platforms offer more customization options than others. For example, WordPress.org is incredibly versatile, thanks to the thousands of plugins and themes available.

Ease of Use

How comfortable are you with using technology? If you’re not very tech-savvy, you might want to choose a platform that’s easier to use, such as Weebly or Blogger. However, if you don’t mind learning a few new things, platforms like WordPress.org offer a lot of features and customization options.

Monetization

The goal of many bloggers is to make money from their blogs. If this is your goal, you’ll want to choose a platform that makes it easy to monetize your site. There are different ways of monetizing a blog, such as through advertisements, affiliate marketing, or selling products and services. Some platforms make it easier to do this than others.

Compatibility

It’s important to ensure your chosen platform is compatible with your hosting provider. For example, if you use WordPress.com, you can only host your site on their servers. However, if you use WordPress.org, you can host your site on any server that supports PHP and MySQL databases.

Backend Control

Do you want to have complete control over your blog’s backend? If so, platforms like WordPress.org and Weebly might be a better option for you. However, if you’re uncomfortable managing your blog’s back end, platforms like WordPress.com and Blogger offer more hands-off approaches.

Conclusion

These are ten of the best blogging platforms to make money in 2022. As you can see, each has its own pros and cons. Choose the platform that best suits your needs and preferences. Happy blogging.

Do you have any experience with these platforms? Let us know in the comments on our Youtube Channel.

Are you interested in investing in online digital real estate like a blog, Youtube channel, or rank and rent and become a digital landlord? If you are looking to implement a strategy to help take your online business to the next level be sure to check out my tools, resources and how to guides that can help you become a more productive digital landlord and build a focus optimized digital empire.