When people first inquire about blogging, they want to know how and where to get started.
I want to discuss the top 3 blogging platforms to clarify advantages and limitations of each.
The top 3 blogging platforms: 1.
WordPress.
com 2.
Blogger.
com 3.
WordPress.
org (self-hosted) WordPress.
com WordPress.
com is a free blogging platform that is hosted by WordPress.
I believe this is a great starting point for anyone who wants to try out writing a blog.
Advantages of WordPress.
com:

• You can purchase your own domain name to be forwarded to your WordPress.
  com sub domain address.
  
• You can import all of your post and comments to WordPress.
  org (self-hosting) once you get serious about blogging.
  

Limitations of WordPress.
com:

• Limited themes - You have to choose the WordPress.
  com themes available.
  You won't be able to upload a custom or premium theme to WordPress.
  com.
  
• You cannot upload plug-ins that is not available in WordPress.
  com directory.
  
• No advertising - You won't be able to make any money while blogging on this platform.
  
• If you violate any of the rules your blog will be removed.
  You can be removed for, copyright infringement, spamming, commercial use and automatic blogging.
  

Blogger.
com Blogger.
com is also a free blogging platform that is hosted by Blogger (Google).
Don't get too excited about Blogger being owned by Google.
Blogger is not search engine optimized like WordPress.
org (self-hosted).
It is still a great starting point for anyone who wants to test the waters in a blogging career.
Advantages of Blogger.
com

• Blogger allows you to advertise on your blog.
  It is very easy to ad Google Ad sense to your Blogger account and adds banner ads to the right side of your blog.
  
• Blogger allows more control over a theme's template than WordPress.
  com.
  You can add a couple of sidebars to your blogger and add any code you want.
  

Limitations of Blogger.
com

• Not suitable for an eCommerce site.
  
• You can't have your own domain name.
  
• Same as WordPress.
  com, if you violate any of the rules your blog will be removed.
  
• People can click to the next blog by using the option at the top of the blogger.
  com website.
  
• You can't import your post and comments once you are ready to leave blogger.
  com.
  

WordPress.
org (Self-Hosted) If you are ready and serious about blogging, WordPress.
org is your number 1 solution.
This is free open source software.
I am also seeing more and more companies using WordPress.
org as a website, like I am (Ex.
Robb Report.
com, BravoTV.
com, Esscense.
com, and etc.
).
You do have to pay for a hosting service and one of the best hosting services for WordPress.
org is Blue Host.
Advantages of WordPress.
org (self-hosted):

• This platform is the best for search engine optimization on Google by using custom permalinks.
  
• You have your own domain name and your own hosting service.
  
• Your WordPress.
  org blog cannot be removed for any reason.
  
• You can choose and upload a custom or premium theme that fits your niche.
  
• Add and upload any plug-in you like that will help your blog function the way you need it.
  
• You can make your blog a static page - the option to have the any page you choose appear first.
  For example, "About us" or "Services" page can be the first page that appears when someone goes to your website.
  
• You can make this blog into an e-commerce site, a membership site, a forum, review site, or any numerous sites you would like.
  

WordPress.
org (self-hosted) is hands down the best blogging platform, but only when you believe you are ready to take blogging to the next level.
If you have any questions about getting started with WordPress.
org, please contact me.