Initiating our comparison, let’s provide brief introductions for these two platforms and address any potential confusion surrounding WordPress.
With a foundational understanding of both tools, we can delve deeper into their features.
WordPress
WordPress, an open-source software, serves as a versatile platform for crafting blogs or websites and dominates the web landscape, powering over 43% of all online sites.
Its popularity stems from remarkable flexibility, allowing not only blog creation but also the expansion of functionalities to encompass portfolios, eCommerce stores, online courses, directories, and more.
It’s essential to note that WordPress comes in two distinct versions:
- WordPress.org/self-hosted WordPress: This is the home of the free, open-source WordPress software. Users can install WordPress on their self-hosted web hosting at no cost. However, while WordPress itself is free, hosting typically incurs a monthly fee of around $5.
- WordPress.com: This represents a specific implementation of the WordPress software. WordPress.com facilitates free blog creation by simply signing up for an account. Nevertheless, the free version comes with certain limitations.
When people refer to “WordPress,” they generally mean the open-source WordPress software. Specific mention of “WordPress.com” is made when discussing that particular implementation.
However, here’s a concise summary for this post:
- WordPress.com: Allows free blog creation but restricts the use of AdSense and installation of WordPress plugins for additional features unless you opt for the pricier Business plan.
- WordPress.org/self-hosted WordPress: Requires initial investment but offers remarkable flexibility. Users can install WordPress themes and plugins, and monetize their sites according to their preferences. Typically, it proves to be a more cost-effective option compared to the WordPress.com Business plan.
Blogger
Blogger, a free blogging service under Google’s ownership, enables effortless blog creation through your existing Google account. It functions as a service rather than standalone software, requiring registration for account access.
In contrast to WordPress, which dominates with over 43% of all websites, Blogger commands a smaller share, accounting for just under 1% of websites. Clearly, WordPress emerges as the more favored choice in this comparison.
The limited popularity of Blogger can be attributed to its inherent constraints. Primarily designed for straightforward blogs, Blogger lacks the extensive flexibility offered by WordPress. Nevertheless, for those seeking a basic blogging solution, Blogger can effectively fulfill the task at hand.
Comparing the Ease of Use: WordPress vs. Blogger
When it comes to user-friendliness, both Blogger and WordPress prove to be quite accessible for beginners. Regardless of your prior experience in website creation, setting up both platforms should be a straightforward process. This observation holds true for both self-hosted WordPress and WordPress.com.
WordPress
Creating a self-hosted WordPress website (also known as WordPress.org) involves two key steps:
- Procure WordPress hosting to support the WordPress software, typically priced at approximately $5 per month for a basic site.
- Install the WordPress software.
While the idea of installing software may seem intricate, it’s quite the opposite. Thanks to WordPress’s widespread use, many web hosts provide user-friendly setup tools that enable a quick WordPress installation with just a few clicks.
For instance, at Bluehost, a beginner-friendly hosting service we’ve reviewed, the process of installing WordPress is as uncomplicated as completing a form:
Once you install WordPress, you can manage your site from a simple dashboard like this:
To create content, you can use the WordPress block editor, which makes it easy to include both text and media (like embedded videos). The block editor also gives you more flexibility, letting you easily create multi-column layouts:
To customize the appearance of your site, you can integrate WordPress themes, with an extensive array of both free and paid options, numbering in the tens of thousands.
For enhanced control over the design, leveraging a visual, drag-and-drop page builder plugin is an excellent choice. For instance, the Divi theme empowers users with comprehensive, code-free management of their sites. Another popular alternative is the Elementor plugin, known for seamlessly incorporating drag-and-drop design capabilities into WordPress.
Alternatively, at WordPress.com, the process is streamlined—simply register for an account to kickstart your site. Opting for the WordPress.com Business plan allows you to install your own plugins and enjoy the complete flexibility of WordPress. However, the free WordPress.com plan comes with more limitations in terms of functionality.
Blogger
Blogger, too, boasts a user-friendly interface. Crafting a blog is a breeze—utilize your existing Google account and follow a straightforward prompt to set up your blog.
When it comes to generating content, Blogger offers a basic text editor reminiscent of Google Docs. While you can effortlessly format text and embed images/videos, the available options are not as extensive as those in WordPress. Notably, features like creating multi-column designs lack the same level of ease and versatility found in WordPress.
To control the layout of your blog, you can use the drag-and-drop layout builder:
Additionally, Blogger provides a distinct theme builder allowing users to regulate basic colors and fonts.
However, when it comes to overall design control and the ability to create intricate layouts for published blog posts, WordPress stands out by offering a broader range of options.
WordPress vs. Blogger: Evaluating Flexibility
When it comes to flexibility, the disparity between WordPress and Blogger is significant – WordPress surpasses Blogger by a factor of 100*.
While Blogger is primarily designed for blogging, WordPress excels not only in blogging capabilities but also extends its utility to a diverse range of applications. In addition to serving as a powerful blogging platform, WordPress empowers users to create the following:
- Portfolio
- eCommerce store
- Online course
- Membership site
- Forum
- Knowledge base
- Directory
- …lots more – this is just a partial list
Furthermore, WordPress allows for seamless integration of various functionalities, enabling users to create a blog, online course, and discussion forum all within the same website.
The flexibility extends to other capabilities as well, such as establishing a multilingual version of your site to cater to diverse audiences across different use cases.
The addition of new features is simplified through the installation of WordPress plugins. These plugins can introduce a wide range of functionalities, including contact forms, galleries, eCommerce and payment capabilities, SEO optimizations, and much more.
In comparison, Blogger falls short in terms of flexibility, unable to match the versatile capabilities offered by WordPress.
Comparing WordPress and Blogger for Revenue Generation
In the realm of making money online, WordPress takes the lead over Blogger due to its enhanced flexibility in monetizing your site.
With self-hosted WordPress, you have the freedom to:
- Display ads from various services like AdSense, Media.net, Mediavine, Raptive, and more.
- Present your own ads, with the aid of WordPress advertising plugins for more effective management.
- Engage in affiliate marketing.
- Sell products or services.
- Offer sponsored posts.
- Establish an eCommerce store.
- Create and sell your own online courses or membership sites, among other possibilities.
- And many more.
Essentially, self-hosted WordPress imposes zero restrictions on your money-making endeavors.
While Blogger may not match the same level of flexibility, it does boast a notable advantage with its seamless integration with Google AdSense. Blogger enables easy linking to your AdSense account, providing a straightforward way to start earning.
For those seeking a completely free blogging platform for monetization, Blogger stands out as an excellent choice. Even on the free plan, you can display your AdSense ads, along with the option to incorporate other display ad services like Mediavine or Raptive, as well as participate in affiliate marketing.
However, it’s essential to note that WordPress.com’s free plan is not conducive to effective monetization, as it restricts running your own ads. If serious about generating income from your site, opting for self-hosted WordPress is the recommended route.
Comparing Costs: WordPress vs. Blogger
Blogger proves to be more cost-effective than self-hosted WordPress, as Blogger is entirely free.
On the other hand, with self-hosted WordPress, you incur expenses for web hosting to run the software. While web hosting costs are relatively affordable for a small blog, averaging around $5 per month, it is an expense not present in the free Blogger platform.
Investing in self-hosted WordPress becomes worthwhile, especially for those looking to expand or monetize their blogs, as it provides increased flexibility, more options for monetization, ownership, and other advantages.
In addition to the expenses for the website itself, obtaining a custom domain name is usually advisable. The cost remains consistent whether you choose Blogger or WordPress, typically ranging from $10 to $15 per year.
It’s important to note that WordPress.com does offer a free blog creation option similar to Blogger. However, the free WordPress.com plan restricts the installation of WordPress plugins and the ability to monetize your site, making it less recommended for most users.
WordPress vs Blogger FAQ
To conclude our comparison between Blogger and WordPress, here are some common questions you may have about these platforms:
As of 2023, self-hosted WordPress is considered superior to Blogger due to its greater popularity, enhanced design flexibility, and broader range of options for monetization.
Blogger is a free blogging service that allows you to sign up for an account and start writing. In contrast, WordPress is open-source software that can be installed on your own web hosting to create a blog or website.
WordPress is more effective than Blogger for making money because it provides more diverse options for monetization. However, if your goal is to use AdSense ads exclusively, both platforms offer easy integration.
Blogger is preferable to WordPress.com for AdSense if you want to create a blog for free. This is because WordPress.com does not allow AdSense on its free plans, whereas Blogger permits linking your AdSense account for free.
Blogger is suitable for basic SEO, offering tools to manage your site’s SEO titles and meta descriptions. However, for more advanced SEO strategies and optimizations, WordPress provides greater flexibility, giving it an advantage in the realm of SEO.
Yes, you can migrate from Blogger to WordPress using the built-in WordPress importer tool after utilizing Blogger’s content export tool. This process allows for the seamless transfer of all your content and images. However, automatic migration of your Blogger theme and layouts is not possible. For a detailed guide on this migration process, refer to our tutorial on moving from Blogger to WordPress.
Migrating from WordPress to Blogger is more challenging than the reverse. If you are not using the WordPress.com free plan, you can export your WordPress content in a format compatible with Blogger using the Export to Blogger WordPress plugin. However, manual migration of images, setting up redirects, and other tasks is required, making the process time-consuming.
