WordPress vs Blogspot

The Pros and Cons of WordPress and Blogspot

Blogspot

1. Has updated dashboard design interface. More features, but to be able to use it, JavaScript must be enabled.
2. Available in 50 languages.
3. Has a collection of easy and customizable templates.
4. has built-in visitor stats.
5. You can include third-party scripts.
6. You can transfer your domain name for free, or register another domain name.
7. You can add your own Google ads. But it’s hard to attract enough visitors to earn more than pennies.
8. Import option can be done only from another BlogSpot blog. However, a third-party tool called WordPress2blogger can be use and convert up to 1 MB.
9. Image storage is 1 Gigabyte in capacity. There is no dashboard interface to browse through uploaded images, which get stored in Picasa Web Albums.
10. Galleries had Slideshow widget (Picasa Web Albums or other external sources)
11. Static Pages can create up to 10 pages, but unlike WordPress no static front page.
12. Contact form is not available. You could add a third-party contact form, however.
13. Password protection is not available.
14. Comments can be confirm through visual confirmation, spam filtering and moderation options, but no editing of comments.

WordPress.com

1. The WP.com dashboard renders fast and dial-up users can switch to the mobile interface to post an entry quickly.
2. It is available in 120+ languages
3. No template editing. Theme browser. CSS editing is only available as a paid upgrade.
4. Has built-in visitor stats.
5. No scripts allowed.
6. A paid upgrade is required to transfer an existing domain name.
7. You are not allowed to have create your own Google ads. But WordPress.com often appends its own version to users’ posts. Logged-in users don’t see the ads.
8. You can import from Blogger, WordPress, and several other blogging systems.
9. Image storage is up to3 Gigabytes. Paid upgrades are available to add more space. You can also upload
   .ppt, .doc, .odt and .pdf files (more file types with an upgrade).
10. To add galleries, simply add the tag

    to any post or page

11. You can create posts or ‘pages’. Static pages are listed in separate menus.
12. Simply add the tag [contact-form] to any post or page or use advanced features.
13. Password protection is available. Individual posts can be password protected.
14. Comments is in moderation, comment editing and Akismet spam protection.

“I’m a fool.

I was seduced by the ease of use and ready to go nature of wordpress.com. If I had actually paid just a tiny bit more attention when I was setting it up, I would have worked out that what I really needed was a wordpress.org blog.

If you haven’t a clue what I’m talking about, WordPress have kindly written an article that explains the differences. I wish I had read it.”

WordPress.com and Blogspot are both free hosting. But there is a downloadable version of WordPress that can be installed in your website. However, this will cost whatever your hosting plan may be.

When you care about domain names, you can register one at any best domain registrar you know like Godaddy and redirect it to your hosting account whether it is free or a paid one. You also have the option to use the free subdomain offer to you by Blogspot and WordPress.com like http://yourdomain.blogspotcom or http://yourdomain.wordpress.com.

In terms of Javascript, self-hosted WordPress and Blogspot give you an opportunity to use javascript codes. Unfortunately, WordPress.com won’t let you use scripting codes.

The three of them, offer themes that can be easily installed and customize. In fact, WordPress.com offers more quality themes than Blogspot. Self-hosted WordPress has the same available themes as WordPress.com do.

Spams are a huge problem on the web. Both of WP and Blogspot offer spam filters which work well. WordPress.com and self-hosted WordPress had Akismet to filter spam comments while Blogspot had anti-spam code.

Links are important especially if you are a blogger. WordPress.com and self-hosted WordPress have automatic trackbacks which is equivalent to Backlinks in Blogspot.

Making Money Blogging

In terms of monetization your website, Blogspot and self-hosted WordPress are the right platform to use. Although both allow you to put ads on your site, Blogspot is only recommended for hobby or personal blogs. Blogspot is free, but self-hosted WordPress would only cost from $3 a month (see recommendations of web hosting below) but the benefits are enormous. You can find that self-hosted WordPress is more extensible, robust, allows for scripting and many vital customization. Self-hosted WordPress blogs also allows unlimited image storage, have more reliable servers and tight security compared to free hosting.

You know how many bloggers regretted they ever started with Blogspot?
“Did you know that Google can delete your blog at anytime for any reason without any notice? It says so right in the terms of service: “Google may, in its sole discretion, at any time and for any reason, terminate the Service, terminate this Agreement, or suspend or terminate your account.”

Verdict: What to Use to Start Your Blog

• WordPress.com or Blogspot is great to start blogging on the web.
• WordPress.com has certain limitations about ads.
• Image storage is limited for both – not suitable for hosting photos, portfolio etc.
• Blogspot does not allow upgrade to custom or self-hosted version. No scripting. No plugin. No contact form.
• Both WordPress.com and Blogspot are recommended for personal or hobby blog only.
• If you need to make money from blogging, you need to move to or start with a self hosted WordPress blog.

WordPress.com and Blogspot have both their own advantages and disadvantages. However, it is obvious that self-hosted WordPress wins hands down.

Recommended Host for WordPress

Bluehost is a popular choice with one simple “unlimited” plan. The downside could be that they have no option to upgrade to VPS or dedicated hosting and the limits they set on inodes (i.e number of files) of 50,000 only.

InMotion Hosting is great for businesses. Although a bit pricey, you get what you pay for.

Hostgator is our favorite because their support is second to none. You can check out the superior support options 24/7 (via phone, live chat, ticket system, video tutorials etc.). You can upgrade to the VPS and dedicated hosting plan if your site grows. We have been using them for 8 years and they are the best by far after we tried almost 30 different web hosting companies. They are the only hosting company that allows you to try before you buy.

Try Hostgator for only 1¢ using coupon code LINUXHOSTING

Save 25% using coupon code SERVERHOSTING