Blogging Wars – WordPress Vs Blogger
Posted by Mert Erkal on Mar 11, 2008 in WordPress | 100 commentsThere’s a war going on in the blogosphere, and it has nothing to do with bloggers dissing each other on their respective websites. The war is about control of the blogosphere by several great, many good, and tons of terrible blogging platforms. The average newbie now has “too many” options to choose from, and the battle for blogging supremacy is hotter than ever.
At my website and blogs, I’m always asked the question “Is WordPress better than Blogger?”. The answer, of course, is “Yes”. But to really understand why, it’s important to look at both blogging platforms side-by-side and see which one you really need.
Here’s the comparison scale:
1) Ease of Set-up And Use
Yes, it’s much easier to set-up a blog with Blogspot.com and get your own Bloggger account. You can be done in 10 minutes flat. Once you’re set-up you can start posting immediately. If you want to add a designer’s touch to your blog, there are also tons of blogger templates available for free.
Installing WordPress however can be a major headache if you don’t know what you’re doing. Since you’re going to host it on your own account, you’ll need to download the installation files, upload them to your server, set-up a database, and run the configuration script.
However, if you know which hosting account to get, you can choose one with Cpanel included. With Cpanel, you can do a one-click installation, upgrade and removal of your WordPress platform.
2) Customization & Advanced Use
Blogger doesn’t allow categories. You can’t sort your articles into different focuses, unless you know how to hack the platform. With WordPress, not only can you add categories, you can also display each category differently on your main page. In fact with the correct plugins you can even turn your WordPress into a magazine-like portal.
Publishing with Blogger can be a pain in the ass. It can take forever to post articles, especially if you’re making changes to the entire website. With WordPress, publishing is much faster, although if you load your system with all kinds of bells and whistles it can be just as frustrating. With a Blogger account, you can get additional features like “Shout Boxes” that improve interaction on your site. You can also get pretty themes and nifty little tools that you can add to the core template files. However, that’s as far as you can go with Blogger.
With WordPress however, the sky is the limit. As cliche as that may sound, not only can you get themes, additional “plugins” and advanced tools, you can also extend WordPress to far beyond just a blogging platform.
The talk today is about using WordPress as a complete, user-friendly Content Management System or CMS.
3) Copyrights and Ownership of Content
I started with Blogger and I won’t say that it’s bad. But after a while I started to get frustrated with Blogger, and here’s why: Google Owns Your Content
Google has the authority to shut down your account without warning if they don’t like what you’re blogging about. You don’t have absolute control over your own blog. With WordPress, you own the domain name and the blog is hosted on your own account. You have full control over your content.
With the self-hosted version of WordPress (not WordPress.com), you’re free to write about anything you want, and use the software in any way you want. Yes, Blogger allows you to publish to your own domain, but they still own the database that holds your content! Don’t forget that!
4) Search Engine Optimization and Traffic
There’s this propaganda that since Google owns Blogger, they tend to favor Blogger accounts. I won’t say that this is illogical, but from my experience, there’s no such favoritism.
I’ve heard as many stories of getting indexed fast and ranking high in search engines from both WordPress and Blogger users. As long as the content is good, the spiders will come.
When you post in Blogger, you can only “ping” a limited amount of sites, whereas with WordPress on your own domain you can ping as many blog directories as you want, and start getting more traffic.
As a conclusion, I would say that WordPress is only slightly ahead in terms of optimization for search engines, and building large amounts of traffic. You may purchase an hosting account for your WordPress blog.
5) Money-Making Potential
There’s no doubt that it’s easier to get started with Google Adsense if you have a Blogger account. In fact you can now apply for Adsense from within a Blogger account. Not entirely surprising considering the fact that both are owned by the same company.
With WordPress, it can get tricky. The default installation is not enough. You’ll need a couple of plugins and even a better theme to really maximize the Adsense potential. However, this seems to be getting easier and there’s even “Adsense revenue sharing” plugins around that allow you to share ad revenue with other contributors and writers for your blog.
When you start using WordPress to build your Adsense websites, you’ll soon discover what I mean. It’s something you need to experience for yourself. I can tell you one thing though – when you go WordPress, you don’t go back.
Meanwhile, if you have decided to switch to WordPress, yet do not know where to start please consider Alex Sysoef’s Expert WordPress program. The good thing about the program is that a custom script does the full blog configuration and customization based on a few answers you provide on web page and you got a clear winner. But you really must see the video that shows you entire process to understand just how simple it is. Watch the video Expert WordPress to see how anyone can create a blog in less than 4 minutes from Start to Publish.
If you can afford I also suggest the WordPress Goldmine. In this excellent guide, you’ll be empowered with proven techniques, and strategies to reel in huge profits easily with a WordPress blog.
Now, it is your turn. Have your say and please tell me which Blogging platform do you prefer ?
Though wordpress may have more features when compared to blogger, i'll still prefer blogger cause it is easier and faster to use on a shortrun.
WordPress is good for advanced users while Blogger is good for beginners, But i still recommend WordPress as use of css and HTML is very low.
Excellent! Now I have to switch to wordpress.
i would like with wordpress with free domain and free hosting because there is no limited for bandwith users.
Very nice post.. but see the latest review of august 2009 here about Blogger Vs WordPress http://www.vnoma.com/2009/08/blogger-vs-wordpress…
I say that these are both extremely overrated. Try using FreeBlogZone.com.
They are new, but very simple to use, have a decent selection of themes, and are very unique. They bring many new features to the internet that Blogger and WordPress do not have. They have a great support team, and keep everybody updated with what is going on with the website.
who cares for wordpress or anyone, I love blogger, this is best for me and gives me tons of Adsense money, : )
Sure, I am glad you make tons of Adsense money with Blogger. Can not imagine how you will be making with WordPress though…:)
The most important aspect to me is ease of use. With Windows Live and can post directly to my Blogspot (Blogger). Though WordPress has a lot of features, it is turning more into a CMS than a blog — or rather, it is neither blog nor CMS. Regarding SEO, I think Blogger has an advantage, but this is purely based on feeling rather than facts. Would be nice to get some results on that.
I used to like WordPress till Mark-Wordpress sent me email to remove any affiliate links. I don’t see any list of WordPress’s TOS that describes what I did.
Now I enjoy Blogger!
This reminds me a bit of the Mac/PC debate ie you're never going to convince the other side!
I host blogs on WordPress and Blogger. Personally I think WordPress whoops Bloggers a@%e at most tasks. WordPress is pretty much a blank canvas – you have an idea and there's a 90% chance that someone's written a plugin to do the job for you.
With Blogger the list of widgets is embarrassing to say the least. It's very useful for a basic blog but if you are serious about blogging, WordPress is the only way to go (IMHO)
what do you mean by that? wordpress.com or wordpress.org? if you say plugin of wordpress then you can not compare with blogger.com. blogger doesn't provide PHP sourcecode. and wordpress.com doesn't provide plugin. in fact i can do anything with my blogger but not wordpress. wordpress is basically good for beginner indeed. wordpress doesn't allow you to put any affiliates or adsense code. and blogger widgetize allows you to put anything code like javascript or html to place ads or anyhing you want as much as you can.
What you sad is very true. any people think that blogger is better than wordpress in terms of SEO. but wp is better for SEO also. I used blogger and now I have been using wp.
Wow! Thanks a lot! I finally was convinced to use wordpress.. Since we will be building a site where it could be bash.. this gaves me a headache.. geez…
WordPress is of course better because of the ownership, I hate the part where google owns my blog.. Great post….
I am a huge supporter of Blogger as I've been using them for 2 years already. I believe Blogger is idiot-proof. Even idiots like me know how to use it!
-Kai
its simple…
blogger=beginner
wordpress=advanced
its simple…
blogger=beginner
wordpress=advanced
wordpress has the first CMS, wordpress not only blogging stuff.. blogspot cannot do that.
Good information! I have been thinking about switching to WordPress. However, I am worried that my posts will not easily transfer over to that system…I will perhaps contact the technical support. Great post!
Good information! I have been thinking about switching to WordPress. However, I am worried that my posts will not easily transfer over to that system…I will perhaps contact the technical support. Great post!
This is a rather misleading quote:
>> But after a while I started to get frustrated with Blogger, and here’s why: Google Owns Your Content
From Blogger.com's terms and conditions:
>> Google claims no ownership or control over any Content submitted,
>> posted or displayed by you on or through Google services.
Instead you can just say that Google can take down your content if its in very appropriate.
Summary:
1. I agree with you that Blogger is easier to start with.
2. Not only that Blogger has built in categories, but they can also be displayed differently.
3. Bollocks! Google does not own your content just like your webhost doesn't own your self-installed WordPress content.
4. I think that you can perform CEO optimization on both platforms. Most people who are interested in SEO are on WordPress, so in practice there may be far more SEO optimized blogs on WordPress than on Blogger. That, however, is not an inherent problem with the platform.
5. To make real money, you need to invest a lot of time and effort. That is the "slowest link", not the platform.
What about Tumblr? Tumblr is getting pretty popular itself.
Went to Blogger to see whether they have following capabilities. Yet, discovered that there seems to be no way to email them. Does anyone know one?
My list of cababilities I would like to have on my site; need to know whether Blogger has:
1. am concerned that between time I sign up for blog and time I register, someone else will grab domain name and register. Does anyone know how to register (and pay for) my own domain name thru Blogger @ same time that I set up blog?
2. people can click on button and make their home pg.
3. can send out newsletters
4. ability to work on multiple browsers well
5. ability to have alternating photos (one fades into another every few seconds)
6. videos/podcasts
7. scrolling quotes on top of pg.
8. ability. to list many blogs and 1 line teaser
9. ability. to only have people comment who have registered.
10. ability. to tailor registration ?
11.visitors can't comment until registered.
12. formatted for adsense/merchant affiliate ads
13. interface w/facebook/linked-in/you-tube etc.
any input welcome.
Gracias!
I just made a WordPress and Blogger account. Then try to Google my blog title specifically. I then found out that my WordPress blog is indexed and Google showed it immediately while my Blogger is nowhere to be found even with meta description and keyword on the code.
Found this link and might be of help for those who want to edit the look of their WordPress page:
Create your own WordPress theme from an HTML template
http://bit.ly/b9B6gD
I use both blogger and wordpress. Both of them are excellent! WordPress contains so many features and options…Blogger is the easiest blogging platform!!
Thanks for the info. The comments section is almost equally helpful. I’ve been using WordPress.com, but I’m thinking about starting a new blog somewhere else. I think I’ll try a blogger account since I’m relatively new at this. I’ll try using both and see which one I have more success with. ‘Course I’m still learning how to generate traffic.
Anyway, thanks again.
I’ve just started a blogger blog thanks to your advice!
I am 17 years old, so I’m a student and am pre-occupied with studies and college preparations, as well as video games :p
BUT, I have always wanted a way to share things over the internet that have helped me and that I have learned from in the past.
I’m very internet and tech savvy by the little things I do everyday, and I thank you for posting this and inspiring me.
Please check out my blog, http://extramangoboy.blogspot.com whether you are a compulsive internet surfer or not, new or experienced to all the internet has to offer. I will do my best just as you have
The website articles are great, only dropped in for a quick read and ended up reading a lot more. Thankyou and keep up the great feeds.
I simply couldnt leave your site prior to suggesting which I really loved the standard info you provide for your site visitors? Will be back frequently in order to check up on new posts
money making is really needed if you want to have some financial security for your own life .-,
I have been blogging for a while and now making decent money with adsense with my WP blogs. However I thought I could become more serious on my money making strategy and now I have come with a new idea and goal on publishing 1,000,000 posts in a year. I was considering blogpost for the capacity and because I want it to run fast. I am not sure if a WP blog can handle 1 million posts fast enough. The thing now is that I don’t want to give google the rights on my many nights work time. Any thoughts?
I have put several blogs on Blogger and 3 were taken down because the spider “thought: they were spam. themes were Diabetes walk fr the cure, Prescription info, New information for Diabetes . These guys are indiscriminate and maybe they’ll put them back up. They say that since I bitched about it it proves I am human and not a spammer
No kidding!!!! 1 site is abck up after 6 days the others are still in limbo.
Google doesn;t control the content or even own it They just can pull yur blog and ALL your effort because the robot can’t figure out what’s what.
Very arrogant they act like Obam. Talk a good game, but no substance
Blogger is so easy to use, with WordPress you need to have css and html skills to fully set it up.
I agree that Blogger is so easy to use, with WordPress you need to have css and html skills to fully set it up. but there is many readymade themes are available which are easy to use
its the smae thing wordpress gives you the satisfaction that blogger wont,after trying 6 blogs all different in blogger i am now on wordpress and its still my first one up ans running and still cheering me up,also the geat support forum provided by worpress and equally supporting fellow bloggers make it all a conducive environment
The two host has same purpose to provide blogging enthusiast to tell to the whole world what they are thinking. They may differ in some aspects but they have one goal. To accommodate us blogger and give what we need base on our preference.
Hi. I used to have a Blogger account and switched to WordPress because obviously, WordPress blogs are more elegant and professional-looking. However, they charge for the domain and on editing the CCS.
I just hope it pays off when I start earning with them. I am just learning about wordpress for now. Will upgrade my account soon. Been thinking ’bout going back to Blogger, but it’s a GO for WordPress this time.
Do advice me, please..on how to edit the CCS.
I have to say that I’ve been using blogger for quite a while and once I switched over to wordpress (paid) I quickly noticed the difference. I just started it and I find I’m indexed quite quickly in the search engines. I also find it much more useful for myself than blogger was – way more choices of themes etc. Also I no longer have the fear of my blog being banned/removed one morning as I’ve heard has happened to other people. Considering I don’t set out to get banned I’m not sure if that would happen, but better safe than sorry.
I started a blog in wordpress but i had to give up, html does not work right.
You can’t change the width in most themes, if you want nice looking blog you have to buy their shit … FUC##*& YOU WORDPRESS
Then i created a blogger account copied the html from wordpress … BAM ! worked right off the bat. and added a lot of things that where not working in html wordpress .
WordPress is no more Baby !
Having only started blogging a month or so ago and using the blogging platform blogger, i have found it really easy to use, editing and adding stuff to your blog is easy. however after reading about wordpress, i had ago at using it and omg it was so difficult to use, i had no idea what i was doing…imma think im going to stick with blogger for now and then when my blog gets a bit more serious ill have a think at converting
WordPress provides much more flexibility than blogger and is much more scalable. Blogger’s Interface has improved over the years, but is not worked on and updated nearly as much as WordPress. WordPress has a large community of people looking to constantly improve it, while Blogger is pretty far down on Google’s list of products to focus on.
The many great themes and plugins available for WordPress is tough to beat, and is what really gives it a big edge over Blogger and other software.
Even for casual bloggers, the appearance of your website is still important. WordPress also has a nicer interface and is easier to learn.
-Dustin
Themespotter.com