Are you looking for the best blogging platforms for writers? If so, this article will help you find the perfect blogging platform.
We’ll review all the features that make each unique and why they are great options. In addition, we’ll also cover some of their cons and how much they cost. This way, you can decide which one is right for your needs!
There are many great platforms, but only a few stand out. Some have been around longer than others, while others focus on things like security or ease of use. It depends on what you want from your blog and what type of experience you want.
That being said, let’s get started!
Best Blogging Platforms for Writers
Here is a list of the best blogging platforms for writers:
1. WordPress (Best Blogging Platform for Writers)
WordPress is number one on our list of the best blogging platforms for writers.
WordPress is far and away one of the most popular blogging platforms on the web. It’s currently being used by over 60 million websites viewed by over 250 million people worldwide.
Three versions of WordPress apply to writers.
- First is the self-hosted version of WordPress, which you can install on your Web server. This version comes with some advantages but also disadvantages as well.
- The second option is a hosted version found on wordpress.com. This version is straightforward but limited in what you can do.
- In addition, there is a third option called WordPress VIP. This option is an enterprise version of WordPress for big companies who need their blog to be online 24/7. The downside here is the cost, as it’s costly, but this might be worth looking into if you have a large brand.
WordPress Pros
- Very intuitive blog platform
- It comes with a large community that can help if you get stumped
- Option for more customization on the self-hosted version of WordPress
- Writers can get started quickly with a free version from wordpress.com
WordPress Cons
- The self-hosted version of WordPress can be more challenging to use and takes time to get used to unless you have much tech knowledge.
- Limited storage on the free option from wordpress.com
2. Ghost Blogging Platform
Ghost.org comes second in our list of best blogging platforms for writers.
Launched in 2013 by John O’Nolan and a couple of friends, Ghost is simple and powerful. It’s built on Node.js, which has become one of the most popular blogging platforms thanks to its speed, security, and flexibility.
While it doesn’t come with the same community size as WordPress, there are still plenty of resources and tutorials to learn from. And as it’s trending upward, more and more people are using Ghost as their go-to blogging platform.
Ghost Pros
- Quick–loaded in a snap, even on mobile devices.
- Free to use with customizable themes that can be purchased for a small fee if needed
- An extremely flexible platform makes it easy to learn
- A large community of Ghost users who can help you get started or find resources if needed
Ghost Cons
- Not as popular as WordPress, so the community is not as large
- Requires some tech knowledge to use effectively, especially if you want custom features that are not included
3. Medium
Another popular blogging platform you will find is Medium.
This social media platform was developed in 2012 and today has over 60 million users and 150 employees who work in their San Francisco office (as of 2018). It’s become a go-to place for many writers to share their thoughts, stories, and opinions on various topics.
As with Ghost, you can use Medium entirely for free. There are tons of online resources and tutorials to help writers get started and learn the ropes.
Medium Pros
- Very intuitive blog platform beginners can easily pick up and use effectively.
- Free to use with customizable themes that can be purchased if needed
- A large community of Medium users who can help you get started or find resources if needed
Medium Cons
Medium is a great blogging platform for writers to share their thoughts freely online. It’s intuitive and has many customization features that will help your blog stand out.
4. Google Blogger
Blogger is another top pick for blogging platforms for writers.
The platform was launched in 1999, with over 90 million users as of 2018. Google owns Blogger, so if you already use one of their services, such as Gmail or Drive, this could be a good option for starting your online blog.
Blogger Pros
- Simple to use, even for beginners
- Free to create a blog and customize it with different themes if needed
- It comes with all Google benefits, such as email support in case you get stuck or wants some help with your blog
Blogger Cons
- If you are not using your domain name, the blogspot.com address can be a turnoff for some users
- It doesn’t come with as many customization features as other blogging platforms for writers
5. Tumblr
Tumblr is a blogging platform launched in 2007 and today has over 200 billion posts created by users worldwide.
It’s popular because it works well as a personal and business blog, although it could be a little overwhelming for beginners. If you are interested in Tumblr, make sure you check out their extensive help resources before getting started with your blog.
Tumblr Pros
- The blog platform is straightforward to use, with drag-and-drop features
- You can easily share posts on other sites, such as Facebook and Twitter
- Free to use up to a certain level, with some features only available if you upgrade
Tumblr Cons
- Not as customizable as other blogging platforms for writers or business blogs
- Since it’s so popular, the blogging community is not as large, so it’s harder to find help if needed
6. Wix
Wix is another popular blogging platform for writers, artists, and creatives to share content.
The platform was created in 2006 and had over 100 million users worldwide. Like Blogger, Wix is free to use with optional paid upgrades you can purchase if needed.
Wix Pros
- Very easy to use, even for beginners
- Free to create a blog and customize it with different themes if needed
- It comes with many tutorials and resources that can help you get started and learn the ropes
Wix Cons
- Not as customizable as other blogging platforms for writers or business blogs
- It doesn’t come with as many features as some other popular blogging platforms for writers
7. LinkedIn
Although LinkedIn is not a ‘blogging platform,’ many writers and business owners use this to share their work with the world.
Linkedin was launched in 2003 and today has over 500 million users worldwide. Linkedin can be helpful if you want to blog for your career or grow your freelance business online.
Linkedin Pros
- It’s free to use and comes with many tools you can use as a writer, such as publishing your post directly on the platform.
- Helpful for building your career as a writer since it works well as a personal or business blog
LinkedIn Cons
- Not very customizable and not ideal if you want to create a business blog that you’ll use to connect with clients and other business owners
- The blogging community is not very large, so it’s difficult to get fast help for any issues that come up
8. Squarespace
Squarespace is a good blogging platform for writers who want much control over their design.
The platform was launched in 2004 and today has over 500,000 users worldwide. Squarespace is great if you are an online writer or artist looking for your following website to connect with fans and grow your business.
Squarespace Pros
- Beautiful and unique designs to choose from for your blog
- Plenty of customization options so you can create a genuinely personal website or blog that matches both your personality and the content you want to share with the world
- Free trial if you have questions while getting started with your website or blog
Squarespace Cons
- Not as easy to use if you are new to blogging or website development
- It doesn’t come with some features that other blogging platforms for writers do, like email newsletter support and app integrations
9. Weebly
Weebly is another popular blogging platform for writers, bloggers, and creatives to share their content with the world.
Weebly was launched in 2006 and today has over 40 million users worldwide. If you want to use Weebly as your website or blog platform, it’s a good idea to check out some of their tutorials to see how it works.
Weebly Pros
- It has many tutorials and resources that can help you get started if you need help with the platform.
- Free to use, although some features are only available on their paid plans
- Great for building a simple site or blog that is easy to share your content across different social media channels
Weebly Cons
- Not very customizable, so if you want to create a business website that is unique and matches your personality, then you will likely need something more advanced, like WordPress or another blogging platform for writers
- It doesn’t come with some features that other blogging platforms have, such as email newsletter support and app integrations
10. HubSpot CMS Hub
Another blogging platform for writers is HubSpot CMS, which many businesses use blogging software.
HubSpot was launched in 2006 and today has over 30 million users worldwide. This blog publishing platform is great if you want to grow your business online, as it comes with tools that can help you increase sales, like email & landing page integrations.
HubSpot CMS Pros
- It comes with many features that can help you grow your business online.
- It comes with many marketing and sales tools that writers and other creatives may find helpful for increasing their revenue, such as email & landing page integrations.
- Free to use if you are building a personal website or blog on the platform
HubSpot CMS Cons
- Not very customizable, so if you want to create a unique business website that matches your personality, you will likely need something more advanced, like WordPress or another blogging platform for writers.
- It doesn’t come with all other blogging platforms’ features, such as email newsletter support and app integrations.
