Look At The Statistics
With almost 75,000,000 users around the world WordPress certainly has a lot of users. And because of the way that it works these sites aren’t all just basic blogs. Many full websites also use WordPress as a Content Management System.
Whilst that is a lot, other sites are also prolific. You could try Tumblr or even Twitter, but these are micro blogging rather than full blogging. Google’s Blogger does have a lot of users, however they don’t reveal any statistics for us to review.
Hosted or Self Hosted?
Here are two words that you will come across when setting up a blog and they are important to understand. Both are quite different.
Hosted – this is the simplest form of blogging, where the blog provider “hosts” the site for you. Usually they provide a subdomain name for you to use, although there is also the ability to use your own domain name along with all of the storage space that you will require. Software updates to the core of the blog are also usually handled by them.
Self Hosted – this is where you are responsible for providing the hosting. You will buy space and a domain name and install the blog. A lot of providers make this a lot easier than it once was with “one click” installs, thus avoiding the need for you to get into the realms of databases and FTP.
Which Is The Best Hosting Type?
So, out of these 2 options, which is the best? In my view Self Hosted is best. I like to be in control and to have a domain name of my own.
However, if you are new to blogging the maybe the Hosted version is easier for you to start off with.
How Does WordPress Fit Into This?
To me, and about 75 million blogs, WordPress is undoubtedly the best blogging platform. You can use it either as Hosted or Self Hosted, with a roughly even split between the 2 for WordPress sites.
Both versions are totally free and there are thousands of add ons that you can employ, which is what adds loads of value to the system. Excellent free designs, which are also mobile friendly, can be installed with just a few clicks whilst extras (called Plugins) are available for almost every extra feature you might need.
The Exception That Makes The Rule
Any good rule has its exceptions, and this is true here. In a few circumstances there are specialist platforms that are even better. For example, if you are a runner training for an event, then networks such as Real Buzz have the huge advantage of sharing your blog with other runners. Instant built in readers!
And for many other specialist niches, there are also relevant tools to use there. But at the end of the day, I think that the self-hosted version of WordPress wins the day for me.