How to Pick the Optimal Platform for your Weblog

November 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment

I can’t think of a more common question or concern among both new and experienced bloggers alike: what blog platform should I use? 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 specific blogger’s needs. That said, I’ve compiled a list of advantages and disadvantages of the two main platform choices below.

Hosted Platforms

Hosted platforms refer to services whereby a service provider gives you access to their software, hardware, and network connection, and you create a blogging account for use on that service. With a hosted blog, you have access to an admin panel for your blog, and that’s it.

Common hosted platforms include packages like Typepad, LiveJournal, and Blogger.

Advantages of Hosted Platforms

• Inexpensive: most are free; others (like TypePad) are offered with multiple price points
• Simple to setup: just signup for an account and then quickly  learn how to create blog posts
• Automatic updates: you don’t need to concern yourself with keeping hosted software updated and patched.

Disadvantages of Hosted Platforms

• Rigid: there are fewer configuration options with hosted platforms.
• Not as many design choices: you typically only get to select from a limited number of average designs, and you often can’t make updates to them
• Generic URL: some hosted platforms don’t have the choice to use your own URL
• Less control: you are at the mercy of the platform
• Migration issues: moving from some 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, Joomla, and WordPress.

Advantages of Self-hosted Platforms

• Design flexibility: you have full control over layout and design
• Great software: the best software exists on self-hosted platforms
• Custom URL: custom URL’s are common on self-hosted platforms
• Adaptability: your blog can change as your needs change
• Easy migration: should you ever want to migrate 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 recommend to anyone looking to create a professional blog. There are too many benefits to pass up, and you usually have the option to host many blogs and domains on one account, driving the cost per blog down to a negligible amount.