I must just start by saying there are other blog platforms out there (I am hearing good things about squarespace) but for the most part, WordPress and Blogger are the two big players in the blogging game.
I have been blogging for just under a year now, starting off with a Blogger blog in May 2014 and making the leap to WordPress by the August of the same year. I have experienced both and for me personally, WordPress is the superior choice. It is easy to use and offers a world of possiblilties to the user- not to mention the pretty themes you can buy!
For anyone thinking about starting a blog, or for anyone thinking about making the switch, I thought I would list the pro’s and con’s for each platform.
WordPress
You must be self hosted to have your own url and this costs.
Can be daunting at first
You own your content (Brands really love this!)
Thousands of plugins
Endless possibilities for your own layout and design
Performing backups and warding off hackers is your responsibilty
At risk of ‘down time’ if host servers go down
Blogger
You can have your own url with no extra costs
Easy to use
Google owns your content* (and can shut you down at any point)
Limited widgets
Limited options for design unless you pay someone
Very secure- you have the power of Google behind you
No ‘down time’. ever.
*When I say they own your content, what I mean is if they decide they do not like your content then they can delete it. You are a part of their brand and if they feel you don’t adhere to their policies they can shut you down. However, unless you are posting really controversial stuff bordering on illegal then you are probably safe!
The bottom line
Blogger is reliable and easy to use, you can have your own url at no extra cost which is great. It comes at a cost though, your site and content belongs to Google, they are free to distribute it as they please and if they should decide to shut you down (I have seen this happen) then that is their prerogative. Here is another article linking to terms and conditions around using Blogger if you want to see the more detailed points.
Of course there are plenty of people who use Blogger with no issue at all but if you want to be in full control, make your site look and work the way you want then WordPress is for you. You do need to find a hosting company but your content will be your own. The possibilities are endless!
When I first moved from Blogger to WordPress I couldn’t navigate my way around, it didn’t feel user friendly at all. However, I am now 7 months in and I love it and would recommend WordPress to anyone!
Are you thinking of making the switch?
Alison
Wednesday 29th of July 2015
Thanks for this; it's just confirmed to me that I've made the right choice. 'Google owns your content* (and can shut you down at any point)' -- Well, that says it all, doesn't it? I'm also unimpressed with blogger's comments, as I find it often won't let me post using my Wordpress OpenID, which is a pain in the backside. I can usually post using Googlemail, but it's very unimpressive, and from what I can see googling it's a problem that's been around for years.
Much prefer Wordpress, and when I've been blogging a few more months, I'm going to reward myself by moving across to self-hosting. Very excited.
Katy
Wednesday 29th of July 2015
Yeh they have it in their t&c's that you own your own content but then the very next bullet point says that they have the right to do what they like with it. So basically you have no control- that is not something I would be happy with. I have known a couple bloggers have everything deleted because Google didn't like something they wrote. They fought and got it back but who wants that hassle? You know where you are with WP :-)
Sarah
Wednesday 15th of July 2015
I've very recently started blogging, just last month. I'm using Wordpress. Really hoping I've made the right choice as I know moving over can be a mission!
Katy
Tuesday 21st of July 2015
Oh you have definitely made the right choice- it is fab! x
Claire
Tuesday 30th of June 2015
I have just been contemplating this... I am with blogger atm and am slowly falling out of love with it. My daughter uses wordpress and i am very impressed. However I am technologically challenged and I have no idea how to transfer all my work!!
Katy
Tuesday 30th of June 2015
I am with GoDaddy and they transfer it over in a click of a button with their managed package! x
Faye
Wednesday 20th of May 2015
Hi Katy,
I am purchasing my hosting from go daddy this week hopefully, eek! One question....were you able to sort out your wordpress theme/design etc. before moving everything across? I have a domain on my blogger account that I would need to switch over, but want to do that last so I'm not out of action for long...ahhhh it is so confusing but I know it will be worth it! x
Katy
Friday 22nd of May 2015
Yes you can, when you first get allocated a wordpress account they give you a temporary url so you can fiddle about as much as you like :-) Good luck!! xx
Kate Thompson
Monday 18th of May 2015
Great post. I'm pretty tech savvy but far too scared to switch. I like the security blanket feel of Blogger - do they really own your content though? Surely not?
Katy
Monday 18th of May 2015
They don't own it as such but if you wrote something they disagreed with they are within their right to take it down. It is their platform so they can do whatever they like. With self hosted you are in total control. x