Wordpress or Blogger?

When it comes to blogging, there are many different websites that can be used to host such blogs. Two of the biggest platforms are Wordpress.com and Blogger.com, both of which host millions of users world-wide. Both these websites are similar in the features that they provide their users, but there are slight differences that may make one website more favorable over the other.

Before looking at the differences, however, it should be noted that both these websites have many features in common. Both have quick and easy signup processes, in which you can select a pre-made template and start blogging in no time. They also allow other users to comment on blog posts, providing feedback for your thoughts or simply to say hello. These websites also allow for various widgets to be added, which can increase the functionality of the blog, such as polls, calendars, slideshows, videos, etc.

Blogger is a service owned by the search engine giant Google and is noted for its great compatibility with other Google services. For example, the Google Toolbar contains a "blog this" button that allows users to post links directly to their blog, and the blogs have native support for Picasa photo albums. Blogger also allows you to edit templates, providing a higher level of customization. Third-party themes can also be installed, allowing you to give your blog the true look you want. Third-party tracker scripts can also be inserted to view your blog’s amount of visitors. Google’s best contribution, however, is the native use of adsense in their blogs. This is one of the best ways to make money by placing ads on a blog for viewers to click on.

Wordpress, on the other hand, provides numerous other features that attract other visitors. First, it can import blogs from other websites such as LiveJournal, making the switch between different blog hosts much easier. It also has the ability to create static pages and attach contact forms to a page with a single tag. Another great feature is the ability to password-protect specific posts, preventing unwanted people from reading your personal thoughts. Wordpress also has a more robust team-blogging system. While Blogger only allows for administrators and non-administrators, Wordpress allows for permissions such as Editor, Author, or Contributor. For example, a contributor may be able to post their thoughts but not delete other people’s posts, while the administrator is the only one with true control over the blog.

When these two websites are compared side-by-side, they may seem very similar to the new blogger. However, many experienced bloggers have strong feelings over which service is better, whether it be blogger for the increased customization or wordpress for the increased amount of features. Blogger is currently performing better than Wordpress, as it is #8 in Alexa Rank and Wordpress is only #19. However, this could all change in a year or two as the competition for the best blogging service continues. Only time will be able to tell which of the blogging service giants will survive.